Conservative forum

[Josh]

I would much rather see a "seekers/transplant" sub-forum. A place where such people can have their questions answered in a safe environment away from the rest of the discussions that tend to get heated. We have a lot of new people who don't post and I often wonder if we come off as border-line hostile.

That would be a great idea.

Of course, who would be eligible to participate in the sub-forum?

[Szdfan]

I remember that a separate conservative forum was discussed during the old MennoDiscuss days and I think even attempted.

Was it a failed attempt? I wasn't there for that, what is the relevance to this post?

Does that mean you're one of the no votes?

Mostly historical context. I think the forum failed, but I don’t really know because I wasn’t involved in it. I honestly don’t really care if you make a conservatives only forum.

I didn’t vote.

[Szdfan]

The reason for the sub forums was a space that that group would not have to explain or justify constantly. It gave an area to discuss some things that were directly related to that group.

The progressive group did not have to justify divorce and remarriage constantly and we were able to discuss MCUSA issues without constantly feel like we were looked down on.

We were not that active in it, but it did give us a little room as the schism in MCUSA was going strong. I doubt I would be very active in it currently. I am not that active here now.

I forgot about that subforum. I don’t think it was every that active

[steve-in-kville]

I would much rather see a "seekers/transplant" sub-forum. A place where such people can have their questions answered in a safe environment away from the rest of the discussions that tend to get heated. We have a lot of new people who don't post and I often wonder if we come off as border-line hostile.

That would be a great idea.

Of course, who would be eligible to participate in the sub-forum?

You mean like the people who are new to Anabaptism or the rest of us?

[Josh]

I would much rather see a "seekers/transplant" sub-forum. A place where such people can have their questions answered in a safe environment away from the rest of the discussions that tend to get heated. We have a lot of new people who don't post and I often wonder if we come off as border-line hostile.

That would be a great idea.

Of course, who would be eligible to participate in the sub-forum?

You mean like the people who are new to Anabaptism or the rest of us?

I'm asking if it would be gate-kept at all. You said a "safe environment". That implies keeping boundaries and limiting participation.

[Robert]

I'm asking if it would be gate-kept at all. You said a "safe environment". That implies keeping boundaries and limiting participation.

This could easily be done with a thread and a few who would help to manage it by reminding others of its purpose. WE can easily move posts that would take away from it. I see no reason to try to get a new person to separate and have to figure out how to do that. The mechanics of doing all that would be a challenge, along with a discomfort of a new person being separated and not really knowing why.

If you started a thread to do that, we Mods would make sure to keep things focused and less hostile.

[temporal1]

I would much rather see a "seekers/transplant" sub-forum. A place where such people can have their questions answered in a safe environment away from the rest of the discussions that tend to get heated.

We have a lot of new people who don't post and I often wonder if we come off as border-line hostile.

That would be a great idea.
Of course, who would be eligible to participate in the sub-forum?

i used to wonder about putting Politics in a subforum, i.e., put the heat in a “separate room.” because, outward appearances of the forum have always been a concern. esp for newcomers.

in my family gatherings, politics was a forbidden subject (honestly, i imagine maybe a direct result of the U.S. Civil War, which left a huge legacy of pain in families all over, North+South) - and, for those in contested discussions, they would be asked to go to another room. it was respected, and a non-issue. i was blessed with many wise elders.

i’m reluctant to mess with the forum’s dynamics. sometimes the best intentions go awry.
i’m glad i’m not a decision-maker.

[Sudsy]

If you identify as conservative feel free to answer the poll/post comments. As a general guide, conservative means that modesty, non-resistance, not swearing oaths, head covering, church authority, permanence of marriage and taking Jesus's teaching at face value.

I would prefer if nothing is debated and this is more or less just to gauge if there is considered to be value in it.

Since I am not into identifying myself as a 'conservative' or a 'liberal' but rather as a Christian and I am not to participate in this thread in the poll or comments, I will ask a question.

What is meant by 'taking Jesus's teaching at face value' ? Is this the same as 'literally' or something else ?

[steve-in-kville]

i’m reluctant to mess with the forum’s dynamics. sometimes the best intentions go awry.
i’m glad i’m not a decision-maker.

Couldn't have said it better.

[RZehr]

I found the old conservative forum on MennoDiscuss to be pretty sleepy. A lot of stimulating discussion happens where there is disagreement, and not much happens where there is agreement.
So I’m neither for or against it. I’d join if one existed.