[Religion Moderator]

The sample article would not qualify as a caucus subject because it contrasts beliefs, the author is complaining about the beliefs of others and therefore both sides have an interest in speaking for themselves.

It could however be the subject of an "ecumenical" thread.

[annalex]

I think, the forum in general, and not just the Religion section will benefit from one new format, which I would call “Academic” threads.

Anyone with any opinion is allowed in an academic thread. However,

- posts must stay on topic
- external references must be sourced
- “bump to the top”, “amen to that”, “LOL”, and similar posts that bring no new content are not allowed.

I appreciate the fact that moderators cannot be asked to become online rapid-response one-man editorial boards to sort out what is and what is not on topic, is legitimate reference, etc. But they don’t need to: the moderators only need to enforce demands for substance that others raise. It should not be harder than analyzing posts for mind-reading, for example. And consider the payoff you will receive on the noisiest interminable catch-all threads: now any substantive debate will be branched off to an academic thread, leaving the troll thread to die.