I hope I am not piling more weight to their burden when I ask: what topics are appropriate for public forum such as glocals?

This is not a new question. I remember a year ago we debated this subject. It is likely this forum has seen that topic debated many other times, long before I joined this community. 

Over a year ago, this topic was debated under the context of religious beliefs and what to do when some members feel offended by a forum posting which includes the assertion "X is their savior." 

On one side, such topics increase participation and get lots of replies, temporarily at least.

On another side, the replies and personal opinions can hurt some and hurt the community's friendly spirit, because the posted opinions appear misinformed or prejudiced or incomplete or whatever.

On yet third side, there are those members who feel that some topics are best left for private face-to-face discussion rather than covered over hours punching the keyboard... so they ignore such threads to the potential dismay of the hurting members.

My preference resonates with the sentiment reflected here a year ago... that glocals forum is not a place for debates on religion, terrorism, etc. It is best as a community enabling member activities, asking for and sharing helpful information, and such purposes.

I do understand that communities evolve. I acknowledge that discussions a year ago when we were less than 10000 members, may or may not be relevant in a community with over 20000. Something time will tell. Best wishes, Colorado.

Think it is a fascinating topic, and interesting debate - not least on account of different perspectives put with overall significant informative effort and respect.

Nevertheless the interesting debate leaves much room for fanning flames of injury and insult.

It may not be as convenient, but I think it would be fair to rest of community to take this offline and discuss further - blog, face2face, other discussion group forum.

Or create a 'contentious issues not related to Geneva' Forum structure?!

There used to be a 'News Study Group' Member Activity that happened sporadically, hosted in maison des associations nr Plain Palais. That was great to discuss this kind of thing, kicking off first with some documentary 'input' for food for thought. Of course, one could also debate the bias of the 'documentary' input too...

so glad to hear that SEX is ok - though you will find some to disagree with you

Thanks for bringing up the 'what topics are acceptable for glocals discussions' question. It's a good one. 

To be 100% honest, we have niether worked out, not published, real clear guidelines on this. Here's the few points that drive our thinking on it tho. Maybe through these points, and this thread, we'll come out with clear guidelines.

1. Overall, glocals' reason-for-being is for meeting new people, and making daily life easier. Sure, there's tools on glocals (like the forums) that can be used for other things as well, like heated debated on politics, religion. But that's not what glocals is best for, what glocals is designed for, and why 99% of people join glocals for.  

2. There are other forums out there who focus on political / religion / etc discussions, and do it far better than glocals does.  There are sites who focus just on that, and who draw great minds who want to engage in such discussions.

3. Our approach until now has been to let most political / religion / etc discussions stay on the site, but to stop them as soon as they become aggressive (which usually happens fast...).  The number of such discussions is not large, but when they begin, they usually flame up quickly (as we're seeing now with the 'Should Iran be attacked discussion).

So that's where we are now...I think we have a few potential options moving forward:

1. Keep going like today.
This means that all topics posted are OK, but 'sensetive' topics are stopped by us quickly when they become agressive.

2. Not allow topics which are not about 'meeting new people' or 'improving daily life'. 
We can announce and make it clear on all forums that glocals is for meeting new people and making daily life easier, and not for 'sensetive' discussions like religion, politics, etc.

3. Any other ideas?

Thanks for everyone for your feedback,

Nir

Being a recent member of Glocals I would opt for the first option by Nir. I am against restrictions - the human beings tend to resist and do just the opposite … or leave. In my opinion Glocals’ current policy is a very fine one.

If hate-mongering topics become profuse, glocals will look like a community with profuse graffiti and garbage everywhere. In such an environment, there would be that hold-your-nose quality to anything the community shares in the forums, member activities or market place. Profuse nonsense may increase reluctance from some members to participate, or even sign up. That would not be a good thing for the potential and promise inherent within glocals, or potential advertisers for that matter.

This does not mean that all debates are bad. Far from it. Healthy debates can be stimulating, fun and a wonderful learning experience. Healthy debates have that mutual respect, love and positive energy within it. It serves to fulfill our curiosity, our desire to understand and make a humble difference in this world... to the extent we can. They are like flowers and beautiful fountains along the boulevard a community lives along, or countryside farms of abundant olive trees and lush vineyards over rolling hills... charming our intellectual energy and social life.

Dear Colorado, I have to be honest and admit that the first part of your message is beyond my knowledge of the English language. The second part, on the contrary, is like reading Tolstoy in English – very beautiful – and I totally agree with you on it! However, I stand by the opinion I expressed in my earlier contribution to this discussion.