Replies

***I don't know, but I'm curious as to why. There was definitely a shift somewhere along the way. I've never thought FR was a very conducive place for religious discussion, but I don't think that has anything to do with it.***

First, having read many of the Catholic threads I observe much more opportunity for vigorous debate there than on other threads.

Second, I have observed that the guidelines for discussion are very general on this forum and the enforcement varies from moderator to moderator.

Third, I have observed that the Smokey Back Room does not function as it was designed. Heated religious discussion that was to be moved there (so it could be continued). Yet once moved there it is moderated in a manner little different from the regular religion forum.

Fourth, I believe the addition of an IGNORE function would go a long way to BOTH resolving the "abuse button" issue and restoring vigorous discussion. Having posted on forums with this feature, it really makes a difference. Rather than hitting abuse on an unwanted disruptor one can simply place him on ignore and his posts are no longer visible.

I think an IGNORE function would greatly simplify the difficult task of moderators when personal friction breaks out to a degree that makes either party uncomfortable.

I am pinging the RM to this post not requesting his response, but to offer my observations.

I also would like an Ignore button. There are people functionally on my Ignore list as being pointless waste of times; but an actual one would be helpful. And maybe if one's own FR home page showed who was on one's Ignore list, that would explain to some why their bleats are never answered.

Dan

...I believe the addition of an IGNORE function would go a long way to BOTH resolving the "abuse button" issue and restoring vigorous discussion.

That's a good idea because the abuse button is an absolute joke. I have never used it and can't understand why anyone would. Ignoring idiots isn't a problem for me.

I've seen the abuse button used in the political forum as a way to get many true conservatives banned simply because they, like me, have serious concerns about our government and are very critical of the current administration. I can certainly imagine that the abuse button has been abused in the same manner in the religion forum.

At the risk of sounding conspiratorial I’ve observed several behavior patterns from the Catholics:

1)when a Protestant posts is submitted, generally you’ll find 4 or 5 Catholic posts immediately appear effectively burying the post from the screen;

2)Catholics rarely will comment on a Protestant post unless it’s about Mary or sola scriptura/faith (I have my “Whore of Babylon” article bookmarked for the day it gets slow); and

3)The ignore button seems to be already in effect with the Catholics by not responding to any questions or concerns raised by a non-Catholic. (I’ve dubbed this effect the “Cone of Silence”)

If you do a search on the Internet on Catholics you will find a wealth of articles for them to choose from which clearly gives them the advantage. If you do a search on Protestant’s articles it becomes significantly less (especially Calvinist articles). This is most likely due to the organizational structure differences of the Catholics and Protestants and give us Protestants a decisive disadvantage.