This happened twice, in two different communities now.
The attached here screenshot shows 3 comments deleted for posting an opposing viewpoints, none of which have any insults. I was told my comment (and apparent ban) was due to violation of rule 1 - don’t be a jerk. My comment had no insults or name-calling, only stating what I believe, and this result in a removal and ban without any further conversation. EDIT: to point out this first instance occurred within the Ask Lemmy community, and another person noticed this and posted about it - if it doesn’t get removed it’s here: https://lemmy.world/comment/7831856
The second time it happened (I will post links and screenshot in comment), I did not realize until today. Someone replied to my comment, and I tried to reply back, but could not - then went to check my original comment, which was removed, and I had been apparently banned - both the removal and ban were without any notice given to me either.
While clearly people disagree with my opinions above, I do not believe there was cause for removal and banning in either case. Both these actions are more indicative of attempts to outright remove certain viewpoints than to promote respectful discussion.
I’m not posting here to argue politics, so I will abstain from replying to your political views.
This is about the removal of comments (not just mine, either - several other people’s in one of the threads I linked) and banning of anyone who disagrees with specific views, when those comments do not otherwise contain rule-breaking violations, aka no personal attacks or insults.
Do you think such removal and banning is justified or helpful? If, for example, your comment here was removed and you were banned from participation, would it encourage you to change your mind? Would you reconsider your views? I am willing to bet it will not.
If you disagree with someone’s opinion, feel free to downvote it, and block the user. You are not required to argue against every single person who you disagree with. However, by removal and banning, the mods have removed the possibility of anyone engaging in further actual discussion.
And if that is something you disagree with (meaning you think the mods are correct in removing such comments and banning the users) then you are fundamentally pro-censorship - censorship which is a huge step in helping spread propaganda.
Removed by mod
Imagine if all the comments you make online were pasted onto billboards along the interstate near your house.
You make a lot of very toxic and inflammatory comments.
You need to get some therapy, log off the internet, go outside and touch grass.
Politics has rotted your brain.