Here's the deal folks....

After many years of experience running communities like this one (since 1996, actually), I've learned a few things.

One thing is that some topics -- like those discussing religion and politics specifically -- tend to polarize people. People feel very strongly about such topics, and so the best way to deal with them is to ask people not to bring them up in threads (which is what we do in our community guidelines here).

Now that doesn't mean spirituality or religion or the like could never enter into a discussion. Of course it does, all the time. But when it becomes a potential melting point for others, that's the point where we often times will put a halt to the discussion. Sometimes we'll close a thread and leave it there with a short explanation of why it was closed, other times we'll remove it altogether.

Nobody has done anything wrong when this happens, and our removing or closing a thread isn't meant to suggest that a single person be called out for their actions or comments. Generally when we have a real issue with how a person is behaving, we privately PM them (as you should do anytime you have an issue with a person as well -- not post a public message asking them to PM you!).

Remember that first and foremost, this is a community for support, guidance, and encouragement above all else for mental health and relationship issues. Sometimes threads go off course and this is just our way of trying to be pro-active on ensuring more people's feelings don't get hurt inadvertantly. Sometimes we will err on the side of caution, and sometimes we'll make mistakes. We're all human here, and we're all just trying the best we can.

Please remember that. Moderators have also been reminded that if they do take action on a specific thread, to ensure they provide notice to that thread's author about why it was removed or closed.

Best,
DocJohn