Thread: Should The Politics and Religion (P&R) Forums be Opt-In?

Opt in -tneds arguments make sense - my first thought was like SR's but then when i read about the new posts/titles etc it does make sense - its a luxury that we have it - i would hate to see it cause problems

Sounds like a great idea. Make it opt-in.

opt-in please. Somedays I just want to talk about football or how drunk I am with my internet buddies, and it would be nice to hit new posts and not have to wade through the P & R. It gives people the ability to opt in or out whenever they want I'm assuming.

Originally Posted by KCLady

I am of the opinion that if you are not interested do not go into the
forums!Thats pretty simple really and one I don't think anyone can
argue with (but I could be wrong on that).

Just for clarification, KCL, the issue is primarily the "New Posts" link at the top. While a person can avoid going into Politics or Religion, when they hit "New Posts" they are forced to read the titles. Now, they can still choose not to enter the threads, but they can't avoid reading the thread titles.

Out of curiousity, I hit new posts and here are some of the ones that come up (from P&R):

• Right to lifers going to far?
• How come our military is so stupid?
• What IS the Holy Spirit...?
• The Brangelina-fication Of The Obamas
• Static Poll Numbers Bad News for Obama
• Study: Media Far More Biased Against Obama than McCain
• When did you find God?
• Playing the Devil's Advocate to Abortion.

I think for some, they try very hard to avoid discussing topics of religion or politics, because it is often a quick way to lose friends, whether internet or real. They might not want to come to a football forum and see discusssions about God or abortion, threads about Obama, mccain or media bias.

However, when they are hit with threads like the ones above every time they hit "New Posts" they have to either ignore them (even though they see them), choose to participate or leave the forum to avoid it.

While I doubt too many people leave the forum over seeing these types of threads, I know a number of people have expressed their desire to either have them hidden from "New Posts" or eliminated from the message board completely.

One note, when I was searching online for lists of words to put in the word censor (what replaces curses with ****), almost all of them contained God and other religous words in them, because on many forums they simply don't allow religous talk, because it can be offensive or overpowering for some, and it can also get out of control.

Anyway, that is starting to get off of the the clarification I wanted to make, which was that even if people choose not to enter the P&R forums, they still get hit with the topics/thread titles every time they hit "New Posts".

If you don't want to talk Religions and Politics, then don't click on the thread.

There's no real problem with making it Opt-In though. I understand that if something appears on "New Posts", you may get caught in and start talking about it when you don't really want to .

Originally Posted by SeeingRed

No. If it bothers someone to see those threads, they can choose not to go in them.

Indeed.

I understand Tned....yes make it an opt in and everyone is happy!

Originally Posted by KCLady

I understand Tned....yes make it an opt in and everyone is happy!

I won't be happy. I'm never happy, just a plain 'ole unhappy demeanor...

Originally Posted by Tned

I won't be happy. I'm never happy, just a plain 'ole unhappy demeanor...

Ahhhhh Tned...is there something us ladies here can do for you to
put a smile on your face?

Absolutely.

If you can make some people more happy without others having to sacrifice anything at all really... seems like a great idea.

Only counter argument I can see is 'People shouldn't be babies'.

Originally Posted by KCLady

Ahhhhh Tned...is there something us ladies here can do for you to
put a smile on your face?

Ummm, errrrr, Uhhhh.......

Originally Posted by Dreadnought

Yep. They generate 98% of our workload, for sure

I would like to see this statistically broken down. I believe there to be gross miscalculations used to come to this conclusion.

And Tned.....there is no bad side to making P&R opt in. Just do it. It's won't hurt anything.

I vote opt in.

Those that are not liking to see the titles will never have to worry about that and those that like to participate in the politics and religion just have to spend a few precious seconds once to enable the forums for their account.

Both sides happy and no one any real reason to gripe.

Might as well make it opt in. Hell, I'm surprised we haven't gotten P&R shut down with all the personal attacks and things of the like thrown around in there!

Originally Posted by BaileyTheBest

Might as well make it opt in. Hell, I'm surprised we haven't gotten P&R shut down with all the personal attacks and things of the like thrown around in there!

It's been pretty contentious this week.