Debate Section and enforcement

[EternallyKeptByJesus]

I have not been on here for very long and I have only started a few posts. But most of them have gone off topic.

This is not meant to be a criticism but I think the reason why the debate section did not work is because there is too many people taking over other peoples threads. I think stronger enforcement of the rules and not allowing threads to be taken over would solve a multiple of problems.

Maybe you need a like or something for letting moderators know that some people have taken the thread off topic. Any post that is not related to the original posting should be deleted. Furthermore, anyone that goes off topic and even those that respond to off topic comments should be given warnings. Then after so many warnings then do something more.

There is no excuse for people to not be more respectful and stick to the topic of the original thread. And if they want to argue or go off and be self righteous then let them start their own thread over something they feel the need to express.

It might be a bit of work at first for the moderators but once people get a clue that you are going to enforce a rule of sticking to the original thread and think this would be a much better forum and I think you could re open your debate section.

 

[HereIStand]

Isn't the debate section read only now for that reason?

 

[Kenny'sID]

I have not been on here for very long and I have only started a few posts. But most of them have gone off topic.

This is not meant to be a criticism but I think the reason why the debate section did not work is because there is too many people taking over other peoples threads. I think stronger enforcement of the rules and not allowing threads to be taken over would solve a multiple of problems.

Maybe you need a like or something for letting moderators know that some people have taken the thread off topic. Any post that is not related to the original posting should be deleted. Furthermore, anyone that goes off topic and even those that respond to off topic comments should be given warnings. Then after so many warnings then do something more.

There is no excuse for people to not be more respectful and stick to the topic of the original thread. And if they want to argue or go off and be self righteous then let them start their own thread over something they feel the need to express.

It might be a bit of work at first for the moderators but once people get a clue that you are going to enforce a rule of sticking to the original thread and think this would be a much better forum and I think you could re open your debate section.

You're fixing to have the majority of posters banned for life. The up side... you'll no longer have to concern yourself with OT, not unless the crickets get bored.

I find threads generally go OT because it's uninteresting or the topic has run it's course. Personally I would never report for something like that...off topic is something that has never bothered me even a little.

Of course I'm not partial to reporting anyone for anything, so...

 

[EternallyKeptByJesus]

You're fixing to have the majority of posters banned for life. The up side... you'll no longer have to concern yourself with OT, not unless the crickets get bored.

I find threads generally go OT because it's uninteresting or the topic has run it's course. Personally I would never report for something like that...off topic is something that has never bothered me even a little.

Of course I'm not partial to reporting anyone for anything, so...

Seems to me that members would only get banned if they are so immature that they refuse to follow the rules. And I certainly am not suggesting banning for first offense.

My biggest suggestion would be to delete OT posting. Then send a message to those who OT the thread that their postings have been deleted and polite message asking them to start their own thread for topics they wish to discuss.

I don't know for sure, but if OT became pointless due to postings being deleted, maybe people would get a clue to be more respectful.

 

[thecolorsblend]

You're fixing to have the majority of posters banned for life. The up side... you'll no longer have to concern yourself with OT, not unless the crickets get bored.

I find threads generally go OT because it's uninteresting or the topic has run it's course. Personally I would never report for something like that...off topic is something that has never bothered me even a little.

Of course I'm not partial to reporting anyone for anything, so...

Changing the subject is a favorite tactic when someone can’t meaningfully respond to someone else’s points. I can’t remember if I’ve ever reported someone for that but I usually refuse to go along with it because the guilty party is trying to kill the thread.

 

[EternallyKeptByJesus]

I find threads generally go OT because it's uninteresting or the topic has run it's course.

Fine then, the thread comes to an end. There is nothing wrong with that. But going OT instead of starting your own thread for topics of interest is rude. If a thread causes you to think of a topic you wish to discus then start your own thread.

Further, it is questionable what causes a thread to end. When a thread goes so far OT then the thread ends not so much because it has run its coarse or has become uninteresting but rather because the thread has been over run with OT postings.

Furthermore, when members start getting nasty or accusatory over and over then I loose interest myself in posting in threads I have started or threads that started off as interesting.

There was a thread that I was enjoying and was having a nice conversation with some members back and forth but others took it so far OT and got so accusatory that continuing in the thread became very unpleasant.

This is just wrong. Further more, I have met a lot of very nice members who don't take over threads and are very polite. I don't believe the majority of members would be banned because I don't believe that the majority of members here are so rude.

I could be wrong but I think its more like a few ruining an enjoyable forum for the rest. That is usually how life seems to work. A few rude people spoiling a good thing for the group.

 

[EternallyKeptByJesus]

Changing the subject is a favorite tactic when someone can’t meaningfully respond to someone else’s points. I can’t remember if I’ve ever reported someone for that but I usually refuse to go along with it because the guilty party is trying to kill the thread.

Interesting. I had not thought about someone intentionally trying to kill a thread. To me that just reinforces to me that there needs to be more enforcement to not allow OT.

 

[GodsGrace101]

I have not been on here for very long and I have only started a few posts. But most of them have gone off topic.

This is not meant to be a criticism but I think the reason why the debate section did not work is because there is too many people taking over other peoples threads. I think stronger enforcement of the rules and not allowing threads to be taken over would solve a multiple of problems.

Maybe you need a like or something for letting moderators know that some people have taken the thread off topic. Any post that is not related to the original posting should be deleted. Furthermore, anyone that goes off topic and even those that respond to off topic comments should be given warnings. Then after so many warnings then do something more.

There is no excuse for people to not be more respectful and stick to the topic of the original thread. And if they want to argue or go off and be self righteous then let them start their own thread over something they feel the need to express.

It might be a bit of work at first for the moderators but once people get a clue that you are going to enforce a rule of sticking to the original thread and think this would be a much better forum and I think you could re open your debate section.

All threads go off topic at times. This is normal. We here are not professional debaters and this will happen.

It's up to the O.P. to manage their topic and get it back on course within a couple of posts. IF it does not go back to topic, then the mod might step in, but we cannot expect them to baby sit our threads.

 

[Dave-W]

Changing the subject is a favorite tactic when someone can’t meaningfully respond to someone else’s points.

That may be one reason, but another (IMO major) reason is someone makes a point that is ON Topic, but is based on faulty exegesis or other error. The only way to refute the case is to go off topic and correct the error; so the ON topic discussion can then continue on a better footing.

 

[EternallyKeptByJesus]

Once again this is about politeness and going off topic is wrong. Nothing gives any one the right to take things off topic for your own sense of self righteousness.

And who are you to determine what is the right footing for a topic. If you want to make a point of what you think is correct thinking in the Bible then start your own thread but stop trying to force your views down other peoples throat.

As for managing your own threads, that is not possible unless OP has the right to delete violating postings. Just because an OP says this is off topic does not mean anyone is really going to listen.

To often there are some members with a chip on their shoulder and they seem to think they are the correction police and its their job to force their views onto others even if it is OT.

Once again its called politeness and some members don't care about politeness they want to be rude and this is just not right.

 

[Kenny'sID]

In my experience, those that have something to say about the topic will, while others may go off topic, and I honestly don't see where that hurts anyone... certainly nothing to bother the mods with as long as they aren't making fun or trying to pull things OT, and even then, some can deal with even that, no problem..... Maybe some just need to make a special request, that they are especially irritated with ot, and ask that others don't sway from the topic in the OP.

I'd actually be embarrassed to report someone for that. For me, and on more moderation,I just try to grow up and realize how it goes on discussion boards, and unless someone does something pretty bad, no need to run to Mama.

I don't do that in real life, yet things happen in real life and I manage just fine. Clearly this is more about the general problems, and more moderation aspect to me...hope it's enough on topic.

 

[Kenny'sID]

If you want to make a point of what you think is correct thinking in the Bible then start your own thread but stop trying to force your views down other peoples throat.

That speaks volumes.

Do you mean "Off topic" as in someone disagreeing with you?

Not sure If I understand you properly so here is an example. If someone is teaching, say... universalism, and we think it's heresy, should we not call them on their claims? How bout claims of evolution? Or anything that isn't biblical, or would it just be said in cases like I just mentioned, those are interpretations of the bible to so just let others teach what is pretty much still not biblical without a word of resistance?

 

[FIRESTORM314]

A possible solution could be to give the OP of the thread a choice of Powers such as allow all postings or only allow approved postings when starting the thread. YouTube allows this sort of control over the comments on videos. It's not a free for all unless the OP decides it should be.

Maybe something like this could be given as an option?