[lafsunlmtd]

Folks, On our satellite forum abadss.com, we are having a huge influx of political discussion. It has gotten rather heated and escalated to off color remarks etc. I usually don't mind these type of threads because it keeps people comin back and talking and discussion. Some members though have requested that political discussions not be allowed because they have nothing to do with our forum. Anyone having similar problems and what do you do?

The threads are in our general chit chat forums.

[Moelman]

I am on staff at lucasforums.com and in one of the sections we have a serious discussion forum, and it has been the biggest source of drama on the forums since it has been introduced over a year ago. It is probably the most active section on the forum too (most of the forum's discussion is off topic because most of the star wars games it covers have been out for so long, but the community is very close), but it seems like somebody always has a problem with a post or a member in there. There are a couple moderators assigned specifically to the section and they do the best they can but it is hard when they also get involved in the debate. Overall though I think it is worth it to allow the discussions. If some members don't like them they don't have to read those threads but that is no reason to not allow the other members to discuss that stuff. If it becomes a popular enough topic you might even make a subforum for serious discussion.

[my left foot]

I have to reply to this as it is close to my heart.
I admin on a lot of Satellite hacking forums (or did until i sort of retired) and i know they attract members from all over the world, all different races and religions. The common factor we have is to see free tv and this has made many friends in the community.
What may be someones correct political view may not be anothers because they live in a different part of the world.
Although individual people can become great friends a political comment can ruin it forever.
Trust me.... keep politics out of your forums, i have seen some forums explode because of this.

[Shawn Gossman]

I have ran into this numerous times. The best solution I have found is making a subforum off your OT board for debates. Put your into them and explain to people to be mature about it and respect the opinions of others.

[spurssheriff]

If they insist on talking politics why not open a political forum on your board. of course you'll probably have to assign a mod to keep an eye on that forum and when it calms down either delete the forum or turn it into a Headlines Forum. That way you keep it out of your main forum and it gives your posters somewhere to vent without them leaving your site completely.

[dually]

We don't allow any political discussions on our forum because I don't have time to babysit.

[txconx]

The board I inherited had a political forum that was the cause of much contention. People just lose all sense of decency when discussing politics, it seems.

I (mistakenly) allowed myself to be talked into keeping it, in spite of complaints from many members that it was not conducive to a good community. The people who participate in it fought hard for it to stay. My solution was to make it a private forum, by request only - and then I didn't want any complaints about what happened there.

I shut down the forum for the holiday because, quite frankly, the behavior there disgusts me. Guess what? The people who posted there and rarely elsewhere on the forum are now participating in discussions that actually have relevance to the purpose of the board.

Political discussions have no place on a non-political forum. I'm seriously considering not reopening this forum after the holidays.

[kruzzen]

Why not make a subforum for political discussions only. Tell people to stay out if they don't want to see it or make it where you have to join a group to see it. Keeps everyone happy.

[Aries]

I allow any kind of discussion, and even things I strongly disagree with, because people have the right to say things and I'll defend their right to say it.

But when people start blowing things out of proportion, that's when I step in and say "I don't know who started it, but I'm finishing it, and anyone who as much as rolled their eyes in this thread is getting a one-week ban."

I myself love being ridiculously controversial, but I will not stand for political discussions ending in personal attacks. If you disagree with what I say, debate my point or remain silent. If you scream and shout over it, it gives rise to the belief that the {insert leaning here} party is full of whiny douchebags.

[MrRusty]

Hello,

I would make a post viewable to all of the community clearly stating that political threads not in the political section will result in a 1-3 day suspension from the forums. It sounds harsh but it will get you the results you want.