It used to be done that way but I don't know if all mods still hold to that. You can always PM a mod of that area where the thread is at if you really desire your thread to be closed because of such issues and see what he/she says about it. I believe the majority of the time that the mods will comply with the request.
Every moderator has an Administrator. You can complain via pm to their administrator.
Sometimes moderators do not want to close a thread at the OP's request because it appears that the OP simply wants it closed to get the last word in and "win" a debate. Sometimes they don't want to close a thread because although it got heated, it is going well again and members are clearly interested in the discussion. If the OP asks for a thread like that to be closed, staff may decline to close it.
But typically, most threads can be closed at member's request. As far as I know that has not changed although it is not specifically addressed in the new staff stuff.
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"You ask, will the heterodox be saved... Why do you worry about them? They have a Saviour Who desires the salvation of every human being. He will take care of them. You and I should not be burdened with such a concern. Study yourself and your own sins..." (St. Theophan)
St. Isaac of Syria (7th century): "Someone who is considered among men to be zealous for truth has not yet learnt what truth is really like: once he has truly learnt it, he will cease from zealousness on its behalf."
Every moderator has an Administrator. You can complain via pm to their administrator.
The thread is closed now, so I don't see any point in pursuing it further. I was just disappointed in that moderator's attitude.
Sometimes moderators do not want to close a thread at the OP's request because it appears that the OP simply wants it closed to get the last word in and "win" a debate.
That might have been an excuse, except that there was no debate. I just asked a yes or no question. All I wanted was literally a one word answer: "yes" or "no". I never offered an opinion or any kind of argument so there was no "last word" to be had.
Sometimes they don't want to close a thread because although it got heated, it is going well again and members are clearly interested in the discussion. If the OP asks for a thread like that to be closed, staff may decline to close it.
Then it would seem that the respectful thing to do would be to close that thread and open a seperate thread addressing that topic.