A Newcomers' Thread?

[shernren]

We really need to start a place here where people can come and learn about all the sides of origins theology without being caught in the middle of a firefight, getting hammered themselves, or being drowned in a morass of weird acronyms.

I don't know how that should be done. But does anyone have any ideas? I was thinking that we could tag certain threads as "newcomer" threads which would be more of neutral zones, like the restricted forums except that both sides would take any serious debate out. But I think that's a rather blatant approach?

 

[Citanul]

or being drowned in a morass of weird acronyms.

This isn't quite what you're addressing, but I do think there needs to be a sticky thread explaining what the acronyms mean. Often when a newcomer arrives, one of the first things they do is ask what TE and YEC stand for.

 

[laptoppop]

Maybe a FAQ thread? If it turned out well - make it a sticky?

 

[Assyrian]

_FAQ?

 

[laptoppop]

Frequently Asked Questions

 

[shernren]

TE = totally eerie. *points hat at rmswilliams*

yeah, that sounds like a good start.

 

[random_guy]

TE = totally eerie. *points hat at rmswilliams*

yeah, that sounds like a good start.

Strange, I thought it was Totally Evil.

 

[Melethiel]

Maybe a FAQ thread? If it turned out well - make it a sticky?

Excellent idea. Anyone up to writing one (and I can sticky it)? I would do it, but have Physics homework and a 5 page paper on plainchant to write.

 

[chaoschristian]

What do we currently have?

Vance's thread on the Full Spectrum of Believes that provides names and definitions for all the major origins positions, as well as a place for a person to self-identify.

We have the Kafeteria which serves as a neutral meeting ground, and I would like to think has been modestly successful in its purpose.

A 'READ ME FIRST!' FAQ would help I think, especially if it point to the Creationist and TE subforums, to CF WIKI articles already in existance and perhaps to certain threads in the main forum that cover important ground.

The question will be one of balance.

 

[rmwilliamsll]

i'm not sure if the answer is in getting more online for newcomers to read or trying to get them to read what already exists BEFORE they start threads.

it goes back to the idea that there ought to be required reading to answer threads and even more to start threads.
there, in the long run, needs to be a structured education program to raise the average knowledge base of everyone.

but just learning how to use the forums, search past threads, read the FAQ's and directed reading seems to overtax a significant number of newcomers. especially those who are only here for a post and run testimony to evolution=atheism and all you evilutionists are going to hell.

 

[shernren]

i'm not sure if the answer is in getting more online for newcomers to read or trying to get them to read what already exists BEFORE they start threads.

it goes back to the idea that there ought to be required reading to answer threads and even more to start threads.
there, in the long run, needs to be a structured education program to raise the average knowledge base of everyone.

but just learning how to use the forums, search past threads, read the FAQ's and directed reading seems to overtax a significant number of newcomers. especially those who are only here for a post and run testimony to evolution=atheism and all you evilutionists are going to hell.

Point taken. But then again there are newcomers who genuinely have apologetics problems, etc.

Perhaps what would work is to have a Newcomers thread that looks like this:

1. Welcome note
2. List of various positions and acronyms.
3. One post each for each major position, with each post having a brief summary and lots of links for further reading.

How?

 

[Assyrian]

Sorry Laptoppop

This isn't quite what you're addressing, but I do think there needs to be a sticky thread explaining what the acronyms mean. Often when a newcomer arrives, one of the first things they do is ask what TE and YEC stand for.

Maybe a FAQ thread? If it turned out well - make it a sticky?

_FAQ?