Well, presuming it will have expressions of sorrow, supportive posts, and advice, I think that no matter what you call it, it will be a "fellowship," or "support," forum for those who have turned to mainstream Christianity but have experienced abuse because of it, or because they've experienced prejudice because they left the religion. It would presumably be a place where they don't have to listen to the views of people with a condemning attitude or who want to give advice but haven't been through similar things. I don't think those who are ex-es but never felt abused or deceived need a special forum. Hopefully it would be monitored by at least one person who had bad experiences, but is psycho-emotionally well past them. Perhaps one person from each religion where there is a notable readership.
Only Christian ex-es, and maybe those who are transitioning to being an ex- should be permitted to write there. It also may be the only place that people thinking about leaving their religion would feel safe to write. I don't know where you would draw the line. It should probably be somewhat up to the needs of the early participants. It should have a policy of not allowing words that try to dissuade people from leaving their non-mainstream-Christian religion.
If people have theological questions that don't need another ex-es perspective, they can always ask in another forum. I would hope they realize that not everyone who hasn't been through what they have see them as outsiders, which is presumably a common experience for those that feel the need for a more exclusive forum.
Ultimately, it's the people who are going to use the forum that should have a chance to influence who can write there and what the policies are. The trick is to write a policy that includes as many people as possible without letting people write who come across as "not like us."
So you are suggesting that active Mormons, for instance, be allowed to post on an EX forum? Don't expect many ex-Mormons looking for Christian help or having any questions about Christianity, then. They
know they will only be eaten alive by them if they try. If that's not what you are suggesting... whew.
That's the entire point of an EX forum. To have a SAFE place to ask, heal, be directed to someone who can help, support, rant, etc., without being intimidated by a group who heavily encourage you to return to the former non-Christian religion you don't believe any longer. It's very hard to lead someone to Jesus Christ while they are also being attacked by multiple posters from their former religion in a type of tug-of-war with someone's soul. Not good.
Edit: I just reread your post very carefully. I see what you are saying now. I don't believe it should be limited to only those Ex-es who are now Christian. Ex-es are the most ignored "lost" population in this country, if not the world. There are so many out there, wandering around, searching for something to believe in. They have so many questions, but they cannot post on let's use Mormon forums or they do get eaten alive for even questioning mormonism, scaring them away even further from the spiritual and from the Lord! I think it should remain in Outreach. It's what it is. We
should be reaching out to those who are considered neither "fish nor fowl" by both sides, and offer them a safe home---in Jesus Christ! I can't see a "whine" forum happening. What I would like to see is a place where ex'es can come and find the truth. While its great to see a Christian presence on ex forums, so many Christian ex's are not exactly fully grounded in biblical truth yet. I've seen some wild advice from them to ex'es, stuff that is clearly unbiblical. But they don't know any better! So this is why they need solid Christians, those who have been through cults, and those who never have, but can understand
and share the Lord the same way! When I left and began searching for God, I heard the same message of the same Gospel from every church I entered. That really impressed me, after being taught my entire life that all Christian churches believed different gospels. I needed to see that while churches are different, Christians themselves were united in the message of Christ--to begin to trust what Christianity had to offer.
