I think everyone should use (or not use) the 'block' function as they see fit.
It doesn't matter why anyone would block anyone else. That's their business.

I know I've been blocked by others. I honestly don't care.
Everyone is free to block whomever they please, for whatever reasons they please.

I will never block anyone no matter what, because I value the diversity in perspective and enjoy engagement with people of different view points. By blocking someone with different ideas from you, you lock yourself into a box where you can not learn.

Even if they are being deliberately hateful, I will not block them because they still likely have something important to say, they just can not elaborate eloquently. Anger and rage is the last resort of a loser in debate, when they realize they are wrong and have to resort to violence.

There are really only 3 outcomes from civil discussion.

1. The two will decide they agree, maybe with some minor changes to one or the others perspective

2. They disagree but one changes their perspective once confronted with the evidence

3. They disagree and have reasons why. Although their opinions are not changed, they do more research until they have a more accurate perspective on reality.

I don't understand why people want to stay in their own tribal bubbles, and never experience the plethora of ideas that are out there. You can not progress unless you disrupt the status quo.

I have never blocked anyone on this site. I disagree with the political positions of many people here, but I have found I have a lot in common with them on issues outside of politics.

What bothers me is the site is too compartmentalized. Many people just want to have their own views reinforced. Conservatives post things on "Conservative Atheists", with a header like "This will make the Liberals Heads explode", then they won't post it in the Politics section.

If you don't have your views challenged, and you are not forced to reexamine them, you will never grow.

I’ve never seen the need to block anyone. My thumb does just fine scrolling past text I don’t care to read.

I have no problem with anyone disagreeing with my opinion; if they find it necessary to denigrate my opinion or me by name calling or trying to tell me what I am as in a personal attack after I have asked them to stop and that it is not the way to promote good conversation I will block them. In the time I have been a member of agnostic.com I have had to block only one (1) person.

I'm curious if anyone has me blocked. If you've blocked me, just let me know here.

Wait...

I use the ignore function in both real and virtual life.

I've never blocked anyone. There are a few people here whose views irk me, but to block because I'm annoyed by an opposing view seems immature to me (just for myself, not judging other people's motivations for blocking). The closest I've come to blocking anyone has been when I felt harassed — in the forum or in messenger. I've refrained so far, but I'm glad the option exists if I feel it becomes necessary. I know one person in particular has blocked me, but I don't know why; it's someone I often agreed with and I don't recall ever having a dispute with. <shrug>

I never block anyone, however odious their views or hateful their tone. Everyone has the right to a voice.

I blocked just a few minutes ago when a heated discussion went amok... we were both making our points when apparently he could not think of a response, so he made the "you have 2 sets of lips, I have 2 heads" comment iinstead.....bu-bye!
Note: I worked in a shipyard 13 years amongst 20,000 men, many of whom had "liquid lunches" and didn't have to hear that on here!

There is another function a bit more powerful than the block function. It does have a long name, therefore is not as easy to use. It's called "Move on when it's time, turn the page and let it go. Do not let anyone take control of how I react to anything." Or the short version, which it has already mentioned, it's called "Ignore". It really works.

I've got 8 or 9 on my block list. Most are Christian trolls or Atheists for Trump (If you can imagine such a thing.) I block trolls and hard-core Trump supporters. Life is too short!

I’m sure you are well meaning, but do you really think we need a lesson in how to go about managing the functions on the site? I don’t think a tutorial on the desirability of using the Block function is either necessary or wise. I find that I am perfectly able to either respond or ignore irritating or aggressive posts or replies without having to resort to the “nuclear” option of blocking. It seems rather counterintuitive to being a critical thinker.

Blocking on this site isn't 'clean'. If you host or mod groups and don't duplicate your personal blocks with group blocks you'll see them again there.
And yes people block you and stay in groups you created - 'surprise!'.

And when you reach Level 7 you join a group called "Senate" where there are no blocks.

Develop a thick skin if you plan on staying - some turd will make it a point to yell in your face and call it "free speech".

I wish blocks here worked like they do on FB. When you block? They're gone for good with no surprise bleed through.

I really don't even need to know they've been visiting the same posts I have? It just makes me want to leave those places too.
Some of these idgits reach stalker levels.

And yet other folks make staying worthwhile.

I do not agree, as you say. "there are people here who's perspective, life situation, needs, interests, or views may be so different from yours that there is really no strong rational reason for you to interact with them in any way." But they are the people who I most want to learn about, and to learn about them is why I use social media. I can see that we may need blocks if people are really offensive or threatening such as stalkers, but I have not had to use the block so far.

I don't block anyone for disagreeing with me, but if they can't do so respectfully, they are blocked. If they post loads of garbage (Youtube links and the like) they are blocked. If they display attitudes and values which are obnoxious to me (think gun-worshippers, or Trumpists for example) they are blocked. It's just like turning off your phone - not a big deal; block away.

I’ve never blocked anyone. I figure that being insulted builds character if you learn to let the jab roll off like water off a duck’s back. Having an ego response just perpetuates the quarrel.

It’s true that some people post a lot of things that don’t interest me, but if I were to block them I’d miss out if they did post something of interest.

Is there any way to find out who has blocked you? I don’t know what I’d do with the information—it’s just a perverse desire.

As an experiment I unblocked everyone on New Year's day. There was one member that was reblocked within a couple of months. IMHO, life is just to short to try to deal with other people's issues when they are not making any attempt. This person seemed to enjoy needling and nit picking. Nope. As I am a mod/group owner, if I block personally I block in my groups as well. Owners/mods have to be able see what is posted in our groups. Next new years day I will likely repeat the experiment with the exception of that one person. What was really interesting of the 4 or 5 that I had blocked, several had dropped off the site. Such is the transient nature of social medial type sites.

Think I can figure out the way blocking works best for me, thanks anyways.

I block liars. Other things can be resolved but people deliberately spreading false information or propaganda are useless, period.

I don't mind blocking if someone is rude or ignorant but I think it is very important to have our thoughts and ideas challenged. WE should be open to having our mind changed and this is a really difficult thing to do. Mostly humans are are stubborn when we make up our mind. And remember science is expected to replicated itself but sometimes it gets it wrong and previous findings are updated. Be humble and listen to different opinions.

or just don’t interact with them

A caveat to blocking may be you will create an echo chamber of like mindedness.

Blocked very few mainly complete idiots with no respect

Cant overstate how much I agree.