[Serious] Make Atheist Forums Great Again (Part 2)

[Tiberius]

You may have noticed something different about this thread. It's [Serious].

One of the more popular suggestions made was being able to tag a thread as "safe", meaning posts within that thread had to abide by stricter rules than usual. We've decided to implement the idea for a trial run, though we're using a "Serious" tag to indicate that the discussion in the thread should be approached seriously. If you frequent /r/AskReddit on reddit.com, you might have seen something similar.

From January 1st, when you create a new thread, you should see a dropdown box in front of the thread subject field. You can choose to tag your thread as "Serious", and the following additional restrictions will be in place:

• Posts should be on topic or at the very least, related to the topic (i.e. no derailing).
  
• Posts should not consist of only jokes. We're not outright banning jokes, but your post should add to the discussion.
  
• Posts should not contain insults, of any kind.
  

Members who violate these rules will be banned from the thread. Note that we are allowing swearing, provided you aren't doing it at someone.

You will be able to create a Serious thread in any forum, with the exception of R'lyeh (due to the rules conflicting).

Again, this is going to be a trial run. We're not putting an end date on the trial. We want to judge whether it causes an excessive / unreasonable workload for staff. My hope is that people will self-moderate their comments within these threads, and we won't have to ban many people.

I am considering writing some code which will make it more obvious that you are in a Serious thread, such as a background color change and warning message above the reply message box.

Please also note, this thread is tagged as Serious for demonstration purposes only. Your replies here don't have to abide by the aforementioned rules.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Eventually we will have [HUMOR]?

[The Grand Nudger]

-and that's the beginning of the end.  Where is the Boss of Threads I admired?

Divi.....Tiberio.....?

[ignoramus]

It won't affect you at all Khem. All your patronizing is done seriously and respectfully anyway.
(But it will fuck up my "special ice breaking comments" demeanour).

[Angrboda]

Damn, silly theists like Max will no longer have an excuse to pout and run away like girlie men.

[brewer]

Is somebody going to judge if the thread subject should even be considered serious? I can imagine some abuse from the lunatic fringe. 

I'm not against giving it a try, but not holding my breath either.

[Mr.Obvious]

I personally don't think I'll be partaking in [serious] threads, tbh.
Much like the "civil" subforum. For exactly the same reasons.
That said. Your house, your rules. And someone making a thread in your house: their sub-house and sub-rules. I'm perfectly fine with them setting their bar for discussion.

I'm free not to talk to them in said threads. Just too bad that it might become a bit less chatty in here.
(Then again, I might be mistaken, it might lead to more and deeper discussion. But I personally doubt it.)

[ignoramus]

Let's do a trial test run:

[Serious] The Benefits of Creationism

Min, you first! lol

[brewer]

Let's do a trial test run:

[Serious] The Benefits of Creationism

Min, you first! lol

Post #2: You've  seriously benefited from the rich and full fantasy life creationism that has bestowed.

[Shell B]

I personally don't think I'll be partaking in [serious] threads, tbh.
Much like the "civil" subforum. For exactly the same reasons.
That said. Your house, your rules. And someone making a thread in your house: their sub-house and sub-rules. I'm perfectly fine with them setting their bar for discussion.

I'm free not to talk to them in said threads. Just too bad that it might become a bit less chatty in here.
(Then again, I might be mistaken, it might lead to more and deeper discussion. But I personally doubt it.)

That's the great thing. We can choose not to participate. I may even make a serious thread or two if something comes up and I don't want to deal with in-fighting or off-topic comments. It could be useful for everyone.