[UntoHim]

Originally Posted by Koinonia

I guess I am less interested in having a good debate forum frequented by a handful of ex-LC members than I am in having a wider space where many active LCers can work through their problems and questions in the context of a supportive online community, and even post information about what is going within the LC on a day-to-day basis.

LocalChurchDiscussions was never intended to be a debate forum for ex-LC members. As a matter of fact, you may have noticed, there is no "debate" area on the forum. This is by design. Although I'm not against a good, civil, healthy debate, they are usually not the best tool to foster dialog between current and former members.

Your "wider space" notion is something that I have always hoped could develop here. Besides the "moderator hounding people to register", what else can you point out that may be hindering from LCD becoming such a "space" for current members?

***This question is not just for Koinonia, but for everyone out there. The more input, the better!

For some idea of what I mean, search around the internet for some of the ex-JW and "fading" JW websites like JWStruggle, JWFacts, and JWSurvey. These kind of up-to-date resources and discussions are sorely lacking when it comes to the LC, and I am actively considering how to help change that.

Of those you mention, only JWStruggle has a forum. As a matter of fact, this forum is about the same size as ours (between 250-300 registered members) and has about the same amount of activity. ***Did you notice that guests are not even allowed to post at all. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO MAKE A REPLY OR START A THREAD. I think you will find this true for the vast majority of Internet Forums.

Having open posting is a HUGE security threat to any Internet forum. Trust me, I have found this out the hard way. I don't see how registering compromises one's identity. They can reveal as little or as much about themselves as they feel comfortable with. Obviously, one can post under a "UserName" that does not reveal anything about themselves.

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