Politics and Religion

[Shawn Gossman]

Do you allow the discussion and debate of politics and religion on your forum?

15 years ago, political debates could turn toxic but nowadays, they can really make a lot of drama since most people are so divided all over the world.

So, that comes the question - to allow it or not to allow it on your forum...

What's your take and why?

Do you think it's important to take an apolitical stance as the admin of the forum?

 

[AWS]

On my off topic forums yes. On the others I'll keep a close eye on the topics and if they get out of hand I'll lock them and warn users.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

On my off topic forums yes. On the others I'll keep a close eye on the topics and if they get out of hand I'll lock them and warn users.

That's pretty much my stance.

I want to have an open dialog of members being able to discuss and even debate it.

But what I see happening on social media with it.... I will never allow that to happen on my forum. I stop on sight.

 

[~ True Legend ~]

That's pretty much my stance.

I want to have an open dialog of members being able to discuss and even debate it.

But what I see happening on social media with it.... I will never allow that to happen on my forum. I stop on sight.

we can agree to disagree and still be civil. “Attack the view, not the person” is a motto I go by.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

we can agree to disagree and still be civil. “Attack the view, not the person” is a motto I go by.

That's the way it should be.

If you attack the person, they get defensive and see you as a threat - you'll never win them over and change their mind that way.

 

[~ True Legend ~]

That's the way it should be.

If you attack the person, they get defensive and see you as a threat - you'll never win them over and change their mind that way.

Well yeah and would you want to join a forum where you see members constantly being belittled and staff tolerating that?

 

[Cpvr]

Well yeah and would you want to join a forum where you see members constantly being belittled and staff tolerating that?

Nope. A good moderation team is vital. If a forum lacks moderation, it’s a huge turn off.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Well yeah and would you want to join a forum where you see members constantly being belittled and staff tolerating that?

Sadly, I see that a lot of big boards. Cliques form over the years and they're easy to attack newbies.

Gives me an idea for a new post!

 

[~ True Legend ~]

Sadly, I see that a lot of big boards. Cliques form over the years and they're easy to attack newbies.

Gives me an idea for a new post!

I’ve seen that too - too many posts for the staff to read properly, and so sometimes a group will single out a member and pile onto them causing them to react. Then complain to staff - this is the first thing they see and the target gets punished

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I’ve seen that too - too many posts for the staff to read properly, and so sometimes a group will single out a member and pile onto them causing them to react. Then complain to staff - this is the first thing they see and the target gets punished

I see a lot of the forum staff members take sides of the clique members, too, though. I mean they're the ones who keep the forum active.

Do I agree? No. Do I think it's wrong? Hell yeah!

 

[~ True Legend ~]

I see a lot of the forum staff members take sides of the clique members, too, though. I mean they're the ones who keep the forum active.

Do I agree? No. Do I think it's wrong? Hell yeah!

Yeah either that or they are friends with them either because they are long term members or they chat outside the forum or they have things in common.. I’m not sure it’s possible for humans to be completely unbiased imo especially on big boards where there may not be enough time to investigate everything

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Yeah either that or they are friends with them either because they are long term members or they chat outside the forum or they have things in common.. I’m not sure it’s possible for humans to be completely unbiased imo especially on big boards where there may not be enough time to investigate everything

it's definitely a challenge!

 

[Bawse]

I never had any posts come up regarding politics or religion. If any of my members post about it in our off topic section. I'll probably monitor the post, and lock the thread if the discussions get out of hand.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I never had any posts come up regarding politics or religion. If any of my members post about it in our off topic section. I'll probably monitor the post, and lock the thread if the discussions get out of hand.

Do you explain why you lock it or just lock it?

I've seen forums that do both!