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This comes from my thoughts on a still current thread about Ray A's recent grandstanding on MAD.

I remarked that in reading the MAD thread I had been struck by gitxsanartist's comments and wished he had a better place to contibute what seems to me like sincere questions and thoughtful observations. He had posted once on RfM, but I know he got fed up with the kind of response he was getting---perhaps my responses included.

I said to runtu: "I think the kind of forum he would feel most comfortable in may not exist though---I don't know of a site that is purely conjectural and historical query with no spill-over into emotional harrangue and mockery. Is there such a one? I don't mind the mix myself, even though I'm much more interested in, for lack of a better term, "scholarly inquiry" than personal repartee. That latter keeps things interesting, I'm not easily offended, and of course I end up learning things from that kind of discourse, too."

So that's why I started this thread: to garner opinion about other sites where discussion of things Mormon take place. I only have experience with two: this place and RfM. And while it may seem odd to some, RfM has been a source of useful informational bits about Mormon history/culture/theology for me. (I briefly posted on ZLBM, but that was long ago and I think most of the interesting debate was long gone even then.)

I'm not as familiar with other with other site like postmormon or the foyer, but I have dropped in and found them much more tepid on all fronts.

I'm interested in hearing your opinions and experiences...

Blixa wrote:I'm not as familiar with other with other site like postmormon or the foyer, but I have dropped in and found them much more tepid on all fronts.

I'm interested in hearing your opinions and experiences...

I don't know much about postmormon.

I like The Foyer, but it's much more oriented to being a social support system. Not a lot of deep stuff talked about, but I like the people over there. We've started a monthly lunch group here in Houston. It's less vitriolic than RfM can be, but it's still all exmos, all the time.

I've spent time on various boards for years. From my experience, there is no such place as you describe. Each board has its own community. I consider myself a card-carrying member of the Fringe, but my experience in others NOM boards has been mixed. I made some good friends and some good enemies on ZLMB. Those carried over to FAIR and then to Kevin's board and then to here. Boards have their zenith, and then they tend to develop into long-time marriages with some of the passion gone. This one's still in its upward growth pattern.

Hey Blixa...

I think ZLMB, in its day was as close to what you descibe as I've seen.

I'm thinking that an unmoderated forum, (or a mixed moderation forum trying to be fair) is the only place where real discussion will take place and my hope is that eventually this particular room here on MD may evolve into such a discussion forum.

If we keep the nastiness in the Telestial forum, maybe there is hope? :-)

~dancer~

truth dancer wrote:Hey Blixa...

I think ZLMB, in its day was as close to what you descibe as I've seen.

I'm thinking that an unmoderated forum, (or a mixed moderation forum trying to be fair) is the only place where real discussion will take place and my hope is that eventually this particular room here on MD may evolve into such a discussion forum.

If we keep the nastiness in the Telestial forum, maybe there is hope? :-)

~dancer~

That's what I believe, too. The big problem with MADB, as far as it goes, is the lack of impartial moderation. I'm not saying that as a slam, as they have said repeatedly that they want to protect LDS posters; and that's their right and privilege. But that aspect of MADB makes it impossible for it to be the kind of place you describe.

I don't think having no moderation is the answer, either. There are some advantages to the minimal moderation here, but in all a board with impartial, mixed moderation would be great.

Well, I'm not shopping for the perfect site. I'm just curious how you perceive the existing ones.

I wish there was something other than MAD for people like gitxsanartist.

I've noticed gitx as well. I imagine that he is a voice needed at MAD. I think there are a lot of really good people at that site. I like that they have different views and bring different aspects of their faith there. I think it would be a shame if he left there. I think it can only help LDS if there are different voices and opinions on the boards. That really hurts dissenters that say they're all lock step. It also helps to portray a more accurate membership of LDS.