What if Political Threads No Longer Appeared on the "New Threads" List?

[rocala]

I voted other. I would like to see the regional ones, Europe, North America etc go. The others such as Conservative / Socialist only should stay. They are not used that much and the content usually can apply to any country.

 

[Stevicus]

Why are people coming to a religious forum to discuss primarily politics anyway?

When I first came here, I was interested mainly in the religious discussion, but I also saw the non-religious sections as interesting too. It seems to be a common thing for most message boards I've seen, even those which seem focused on a particular subject.

I think there are some politically-themed message boards which might have sections for religion, and of course, religion and politics often go together.

 

[joe1776]

Why are people coming to a religious forum to discuss primarily politics anyway?

If those in charge of the forum wanted only religious discussions, why were forums on other topics created?

 

[Rival]

If those in charge of the forum wanted only religious discussions, why were forums on other topics created?

I don't know, I wasn't there at the forum's inception, but I'm not sure it was intended to be this politics-heavy. US politics dominates, too, which can make non-USians feel sidelined, I imagine.

 

[joe1776]

I don't know, I wasn't there at the forum's inception, but I'm not sure it was intended to be this politics-heavy. US politics dominates, too, which can make non-USians feel sidelined, I imagine.

Because of the forum's name, my assumption has been that the original intent was to focus on religion. But then the economic advantage of appealing to people with a variety of interests became apparent.

I don't see how dropping USA politics will make others feel more involved.

 

[Rival]

Because of the name, my assumption has been that the original intent was to focus on religion. But then the economic advantage of appealing to people with a variety of interests became apparent.

I don't object to politics being discussed, but there do appear to be many users who are here first and foremost for the politics. That strikes me as odd, honestly.

 

[sun rise]

Personally I get involved in threads back on changing feelings depending on what is going on. I rely on seeing all new threads so want no change (outside of opt-in perhaps).

I really want the new list to be longer. When I get to them on the West Coast, early morning threads from Europe and the East Coast may be gone.

Maybe a search page that said "today's new threads" with options to include or not include politics would be good.

 

[sun rise]

I don't object to politics being discussed, but there do appear to be many users who are here first and foremost for the politics. That strikes me as odd, honestly.

Came for religion. Stayed because there are threads that tickle many parts of my personality.

 

[Daemon Sophic]

Kind of a subscribed only part of RF? So only those who subscribe can see it and read it?

NOooo! I love my free stuff!

The problem seems to be that the Politics threads overwhelm all other discussion in the “New Threads” list (particularly now).
Suggestions...
1. Double the list length.
2. Double the list length into 2 lists. “New Political Threads” and “New Threads of Other Topics”
3. Create a drop down button where the “New Threads” title currently resides. Press it and it gives you a list of sub-forums. Press the forum of your choice it gives you the 10 newest (or most active) threads in that sub-forum.
4. ??
5. ??
...
...

 

[Valjean]

If it was made a new button on the menu bar, where it said "Political RF discussion only" and when you click on that menu, all the political topics that you want is there, and removed from religioues discussion part of RF.

Maybe that seperation could work?

Could work at what? Why is this being considered? RF is an active and successful talkboard. It ain't broke -- don't "fix" it!

Is it that the religious members feel threatened by political discussions; by new or different ideas? What will be next, scientific subjects?
There are plenty of Christian, or Muslim, or other exclusively religious fora out there for those who like to massage each other's religious sentiments.

 

[sun rise]

I don't know, I wasn't there at the forum's inception, but I'm not sure it was intended to be this politics-heavy. US politics dominates, too, which can make non-USians feel sidelined, I imagine.

I actually find British politics and other nations's politics to be interesting sometimes. I guess I'm just an omnivore.

 

[Valjean]

NOooo! I love my free stuff!

The problem seems to be that the Politics threads overwhelm all other discussion in the “New Threads” list (particularly now).
Suggestions...
1. Double the list length.
2. Double the list length into 2 lists. “New Political Threads” and “New Threads of Other Topics”
3. Create a drop down button where the “New Threads” title currently resides. Press it and it gives you a list of sub-forums. Press the forum of your choice it gives you the 10 newest (or most active) threads in that sub-forum.
4. ??
5. ??
...
...

You're free to ignore any threads that don't seem interesting to you. No-one's forcing anyone to click on any particular subject.

 

[Spirit of Light]

Could work at what? Why is this being considered? RF is an active and successful talkboard. It ain't broke -- don't "fix" it!

Is it that the religious members feel threatened by political discussions; by new or different ideas? What will be next, scientific subjects?
There are plenty of Christian, or Muslim, or other exclusively religious fora out there for those who like to massage each other's religious sentiments.

I did not say remove the political discussion just move it away to a sub section that do not mix with the religious part of RF, for me its the religious discussion that is the reason i am here.
Yes i did take part in some political discussion for some time, but now its not interesting at all for me.

But yes move it to a political RF discussion sub forum

 

[Debater Slayer]

If the objective is to lose members, it's a great idea.

What would be the point of removing the political threads? What would it accomplish?

The threads are popular. We'd loose half our members if we became just another religious chat room. If I wanted to hear people preaching at me I'd listen to a religious radio station.

I enjoy the diversity of subjects here. Those who want to discuss religion can discuss religion. those who like physics or biology or politics can discuss these. That's why RF is more active than more focused talkboards.

For clarification, the political threads would still be on the forums; just not on the New Threads list. That would be similar to how threads in non-religious forum sections don't get automatically featured.

 

[Debater Slayer]

Could work at what? Why is this being considered?

We haven't discussed this idea in the staff areas yet. I'm merely proposing it here for discussion and scrutiny to see whether members believe it could help reduce the tension that sometimes occurs as a result of heated political threads.

 

[Debater Slayer]

If those in charge of the forum wanted only religious discussions, why were forums on other topics created?

RF is a diverse forum, so the intention is not to limit discussions to religious ones. The goal behind the idea would be as I clarified in my previous post.

 

[Nakosis]

Is that a good idea? Why or why not?

Isn't there a way for those interested to watch posts in a sub-forum?

 

[QuestioningMind]

Is that a good idea? Why or why not?

I don't understand what the point would be. Are people feeling compelling to click on threads they're not interested in just because they appear in the New Threads section? Plenty of topics appear in the New Threads section that don't interest me, so I simply don't read them.

 

[Debater Slayer]

First thought, maybe put politics as a DIR only. One can see it in the new threads list but can choose to reply by being part of that DIR. That, I think it's kind of like site feedback, if I'm not mistaken. Don't you see the title in new threads but can't click on it because of its location or is it just listed on those who made the site feedback thread?

No, only the member who has started the Site Feedback thread can see it at all, whether in the SF section itself or on the New Threads list (along with the staff, of course).

 

[ChristineM]

Is that a good idea? Why or why not?

I wonder if we could somehow make politics 'opt-in', if anyone would like that.

^^^^ this ^^^^

 

[Debater Slayer]

Isn't there a way for those interested to watch posts in a sub-forum?

It is possible to watch a forum, yes. Below the "Post New Thread" button, there is a button titled "Watch Forum." This allows a member to opt in to be notified of any new threads in said forum.