By INVITE only forum threads?

drjean

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Rather than a private debate forum... how about a 'by invite only thread' forum? I'd like to be able to discuss and/or study here with others who I agree with on things, trusting their responses not only to be civil, but valuable. But not be confined to a certain "faith" icon forum.

It could be a Christian member begins a thread and invites a few "friends" or other civil-posting members to join in the study/discussion... others may request entry via PM maybe and be invited. Those acting up or getting snarky can be "uninvited" should that occur... All may read and follow along, or make smilie comments.
 

drjean

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Of course I would limit it to non-bashing threads only... so as not to goad those who cannot reply nor defend their views.... but honest discussion, links, etc... even if one-sided (which many will probably be anyway)... just no 'noise' interjected...easier to moderate :D
 
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Dirk1540

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So the OP only gets to decide who can post?

Plus, there are a small amounts of non-Christians/seekers who don’t turn threads into insult rooms who I wish could enter some Christian Only threads. This problem could be solved with your idea (because not allowing non-Christians into Christian Only sections is definitely a good idea).
 
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brinny

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Of course I would limit it to non-bashing threads only... so as not to goad those who cannot reply nor defend their views.... but honest discussion, links, etc... even if one-sided (which many will probably be anyway)... just no 'noise' interjected...easier to moderate :D

I agree about no bashing and no goading.
 
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salt-n-light

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Rather than a private debate forum... how about a 'by invite only thread' forum? I'd like to be able to discuss and/or study here with others who I agree with on things, trusting their responses not only to be civil, but valuable. But not be confined to a certain "faith" icon forum.

It could be a Christian member begins a thread and invites a few "friends" or other civil-posting members to join in the study/discussion... others may request entry via PM maybe and be invited. Those acting up or getting snarky can be "uninvited" should that occur... All may read and follow along, or make smilie comments.

But couldn't you do that with a conversation, and just add whoever you want, as opposed to having threads around, and then finding out you have to be invited?
 
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Occams Barber

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Rather than a private debate forum... how about a 'by invite only thread' forum? I'd like to be able to discuss and/or study here with others who I agree with on things, trusting their responses not only to be civil, but valuable. But not be confined to a certain "faith" icon forum.

It could be a Christian member begins a thread and invites a few "friends" or other civil-posting members to join in the study/discussion... others may request entry via PM maybe and be invited. Those acting up or getting snarky can be "uninvited" should that occur... All may read and follow along, or make smilie comments.

Excellent idea. This is a way you could avoid hearing anything which questioned your particular view of life.

You could call it 'The Echo Chamber'. :rolleyes:
OB
 
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drjean

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Conversations in PM have their limitations, such as not being able to quote,
plus others can not see the discussion... not a clique forum, but threads that a limited..and yea the OP can add or remove for that thread discussion (I mean, if edits are made, people respond civilly... no need for that... right?)

There are some really wise members here who get shut down in regular threads, and I bet many don't bother trying to respond because of the push back at times.

Yes, I agree... even non - Christians can be civil :D so the OP can invite, and allow requests to add etc...

I think the basic guidelines for a forum like this would cover any problems that may occur.
 
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drjean

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Excellent idea. This is a way you could avoid hearing anything which questioned your particular view of life.

You could call it 'The Echo Chamber'. :rolleyes:
OB

Snark wouldn't be allowed by strangers who derail the thread. Humor from someone invited would probably be taken the right way, without insult.

And there is a place for dogmatism, especially among believers in Christ.... and if there is something in error, I'm sure someone in your special circle would correct you and you'd listen...right? Don't be thinking one sided now...you would get to start your own threads and invite your kind too. But the idea of being allowed to invite a non-believer is good, imo, too... especially if they wish to ask questions and discuss something honestly... whereas in that forum here, it often gets to where I don't want to be involved at all... too many people who don't read from the beginning and have no idea how their comment might derail the thread.

This wouldn't be threads intertwined in the whole board...but in a designated forum (like the debate forum was, for those here long enough to recall it). One of those "I agree to the guidelines of this forum" type entry to begin with...

But it would allow for most decent discussions without interruptions from those that well for whatever reason don't wish to be civil. They should be easier for mods to moderate.....
 
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Occams Barber

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Snark wouldn't be allowed by strangers who derail the thread. Humor from someone invited would probably be taken the right way, without insult.

And there is a place for dogmatism, especially among believers in Christ.... and if there is something in error, I'm sure someone in your special circle would correct you and you'd listen...right? Don't be thinking one sided now...you would get to start your own threads and invite your kind too. But the idea of being allowed to invite a non-believer is good, imo, too... especially if they wish to ask questions and discuss something honestly... whereas in that forum here, it often gets to where I don't want to be involved at all... too many people who don't read from the beginning and have no idea how their comment might derail the thread.

This wouldn't be threads intertwined in the whole board...but in a designated forum (like the debate forum was, for those here long enough to recall it). One of those "I agree to the guidelines of this forum" type entry to begin with...

But it would allow for most decent discussions without interruptions from those that well for whatever reason don't wish to be civil. They should be easier for mods to moderate.....
In spite of the humour I'm quite serious. CF is already divided into multiple 'silos' where alternate opinion can be effectively blocked. It concerns me that Christians seem to prefer cutting themselves off from other Christian opinion. I learn by hearing from those I disagree with not by having my existing views reinforced. I know there is a small price to pay in the way some people express their disagreement but on balance I think keeping the Forum as open as possible is worth the pain. I think there is a danger that more siloing would foster intolerance and limit inter faith dialogue.

BTW: My opinion has nothing to do with atheist involvement. I am quite comfortable with being restricted to, or disinvited from, certain forums. I came here to learn about Christians by hearing their (different) views. I have no interest in setting up a restricted conversation with other atheists.
OB
 
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Albion

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Conversations in PM have their limitations, such as not being able to quote,
plus others can not see the discussion... .
That would be seen as an "in your face" snub to anyone who would like to participate (and I do not mean trolls) but who has been excluded, probably for no particular reason.
 
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Paidiske

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They should be easier for mods to moderate.....

I'm thinking they'd be a nightmare to moderate. How is a mod looking at a thread supposed to know whether someone has been invited or given permission by the OP, especially if some of that is happening by PM?

I can see the purpose of the request but practically I can't see how it would be workable.
 
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mark kennedy

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Rather than a private debate forum... how about a 'by invite only thread' forum? I'd like to be able to discuss and/or study here with others who I agree with on things, trusting their responses not only to be civil, but valuable. But not be confined to a certain "faith" icon forum.

It could be a Christian member begins a thread and invites a few "friends" or other civil-posting members to join in the study/discussion... others may request entry via PM maybe and be invited. Those acting up or getting snarky can be "uninvited" should that occur... All may read and follow along, or make smilie comments.
I know of one forum that you have to be approved. Basically you would need a moderator to give it special attention and moderators are always in short supply around here. PM works, it has it advantages and you can always take to the common forums if you like.
 
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teresa

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in the media section, one can create an album and custom invite only members you wish to share your album with....this means that no one else can view the album at all, nor post in it, except the staff.

dr jean, you could try a custom album with say, an image of scripture and then only the custom invites could post about it and add more images
 
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drjean

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I'm thinking they'd be a nightmare to moderate. How is a mod looking at a thread supposed to know whether someone has been invited or given permission by the OP, especially if some of that is happening by PM?

I can see the purpose of the request but practically I can't see how it would be workable.

BECAUSE the "by invite only" can be a format option with the server... it's available on other boards fwik... so no one who hasn't been invited can post in that thread. The member would request it from the OP directly (profile page or conversation). How were the debate forums run here before.. IDK... how are the forums that require a post in the permission thread first working?

Kat1 thanks for the idea BUT this isn't about having private conversations but finding a way for serious minded people to actually have real discussions without the snarky insertions that interrupt and take a thread off topic. If a thread gets many reports the mods have no choice but to close the thread, often IMO just what the snarky people want to do: shut down our conversations and discussions. I think there are plenty of members here who are quite civil in their presentations of opinion but don't get to post, or give up so as not to waste their time, because of the interruptions. Good discussions benefit ALL members who read, imo.
 
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LittleLambofJesus

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Excellent idea. This is a way you could avoid hearing anything which questioned your particular view of life.

You could call it 'The Echo Chamber'. :rolleyes:
OB
^_^
Hey wait a minute, who invited the "heathen" here ;)

Jeremiah 46:12
The nations will hear of your devastating defeat, your cries of distress will echo throughout the land.
In the panic of their flight one soldier will trip over another and both of them will fall down defeated."
 
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