I cannot vote on a poll like this. I understand and respect the need for Christians to be able to discuss their faith, trials and questions in an area they feel comfortable with – for many, this would be an area with others of similar beliefs. Having said this, if I remember correctly, it was posted that the congregational forums could choose whether or not they wanted non-Christians to post in there or not.
On the other hand, I have also heard CF called a church on many occasions. Just like some churches, there have been times when we have turned away the lost and hurting because they didn’t fit our own perceptions of ‘moral Christian’ and were therefore unworthy of our time. I see the need to be able to discuss our beliefs ‘safely’, but at what cost? Will we, instead of going after the lost sheep, push them further away? Will our church songs of giving our lives over to God be words on our lips or will they be the things our hearts meditate and act on. When it comes to being the hands and feet of Christ, can we walk the walk and not just talk the talk?
I agree with the points that have been already been brought up in this thread – there are more than just these two options. I strongly disagreed with the icon witch-hunts and the policing style of moderation that was used. The extent of rule enforcement meant that we sat in our own little bubbles of red tape, not knowing where we would go, but praying that things had to change. Current popularity votes are not the way to go about things either though. Publically voting for the appointment of moderators, while a good idea in theory, has resulted in flame wars and depends on how many CF friends you have. The same is true for open reports. Yes, transparency is good, but the abuse moderators were accused of before the reforms has not vanished, it has simply shifted to some members.
In terms of wikis, I do like the idea of more membership involvement in developing the rules, but trying to keep up with the constant change and uncertainty is doing no favours for a forum trying to re-root itself.
Erwin, please reconsider the options you have presented us with. We all want to help in the formation of the forum, but with such options, it is difficult to support either one.