Just like the lock on your house, it's meant to keep the undesirables out. 

In the cases where a thread has been locked, that thread was getting out of hand, either with offensive language or inapprpriate responses so administration had two choices; delete the thread or lock it up. 

This is OUR Forum, it belongs to each and every one of us and all are welcome to their own opinions; but this is also an open forum, it has no age, sex, race, religion, gender or other barriers and further, our members come from virtually every culture, race, religion, etc., on earth. 

That said, if anyone feels the need to "make a statement" that might be deemed as profane or insulting to others, please learn how to use the private message elements or by some other means OTHER THAN publically posting those type of comments in this forum.

Your understanding is greatly appreciated!

Jon