Paradise Cafe Discussions - A Place For Bible Research And Christian Encouragement

This little note is just to keep the board apprised of what has been going on behind the scenes for the last week or so. We felt the members needed an update.

Quite a few long-time members were very disturbed by a certain style of posting that was creating chaos and frustration. The quick solution is, of course, to simply ban the one(s) who seem to be causing the problem. This is a less-than-satisfactory way of reacting and should only be used as a last resort. After conferring over this issue it has been decided for now to moderate all posts by Joyful/Hitomi and Butxifxnot/Peter and there will be no PM privileges extended.

What does it mean to have ones posts moderated? That means that when restricted ones push the button to submit their post it goes to whomever has administration access to be checked before it is either approved or rejected.

We felt that this would allow Hitomi and Peter to participate on the board without being restricted as to subject material. Their posts would only be disallowed if they were sarcastic, abrasive, condescending, dismissive and downright rude.

Just to clarify: It is only because of a PATTERN of these types of posts that we will take this action. All of us can get snarky from time to time. This is not a huge problem. What is a problem is when certain posters make a HABIT of this type of negative posting which creates a spirit of fighting and warring.
This would be destructive to the board and will not be allowed.

Thank you all for your patience in this matter,

Warmly,

PC Site Admin Team

[Just to clarify a point that has come up. Joyful and Peter will not be able to start new threads. They may be able to post to any existing thread.]

Hello, :hibye:

A quick question from a lurker: if the posts are offensive, why do others respond to them? Following the posts, many of the offensive posts, some of which are insulting, came from other posters.

Why can't the posters self-moderate and not respond to a post not to their liking, or one they find offensive or the manner it was presented with offensive? Why the mean and harsh remarks many of which are disguised as loving, posted on and on? Why don't folks just let the thread die down :thinking:

Having folks self-moderate seems more sensible IMHO.:dontknow:

While I see that Joyful's posts gather some strong reactions and posts, many of them are not hers. In fact, the most offensive ones, are often patted on the back by a moderator, rather than cautioned.


Can it be as simple as if you don't like a thread, or the style by which something is presented, or if you know that this particular thread will bear no fruitful discussion, then don't participate!!!!!!:confused:

The thread itself isn't bad, its all the posts it garners that's the issue.

What I see as a lurker from following these threads is some bullying, talking down and unloving posts.

I am sorry for butting in, I know it is not my place, but I just had to speak my conscience on the matter. :redface:

Going back to the woodwork now.

With Love and Jehovah's blessings,

Lou:happyheart::grouphug:

Dear Loyalty,

It is certainly your place to ask those questions and I will do my best to answer, although I'm running out in a few minutes and hope I can do justice to it. Perhaps others who have been involved can help out with the answer.

Human nature is a funny thing, and like isomam said on the "Understanding Mental Illness" thread:

Some, who have been severely injured, come here for rest and refreshment but, like moths to a flame, humans are often drawn to the chaos and drama of a contentious thread. It doesn't help when, instead of being confined to a few threads, the discord spreads over many and new threads are created to air grievances that began on another.

But that is only part of the problem. A certain spirit develops in any group and when the group dynamic changes radically, so does its spirit. If a fighting spirit gets a foothold then folks who don't ordinarily get upset or angry do....and none of us likes to be in a setting that brings out the worst in ourselves. So we have a situation where many long-time members of this board have been staying away.

We did take the time to write to many regular posters....not just facilitators....and the response was the same from most of them. We actually more strongly considered what the minority were saying....those who felt that outright banning was not the answer. The solution of moderating posts was thought to be effective enough to contain the problem.

Please understand that we all value Joyful and Peter's contributions to the Paradise cafe and are not rejecting them. We are simply trying to maintain a Christian spirit for the refreshment of others.

Do you have an example of what you said? Because, when hitomi reported an offensive post and asked that it be fixed...it was. And she thanked me. Anyone is free to report a post that they find offensive, so please don't disappear into the woodwork...lol

Of course that's the ideal and by and large this board does just that. Every now and then it becomes necessary to get involved to steer things a bit to prevent serious problems from developing. Have you ever been on an unmoderated board? It's not for everyone.

Thanks for raising the question and I hope this reply is somewhat satisfactory...otherwise ask again.

Love, Rez:giverose: