Why do you expect forums to be exempt from normal group dynamics? The reality is that the moderators do rule the forums and decide what is appropriate and yes, at times their own biases step in and at times they do censor debate to "protect" the members. This is nothing new. Most of society functions like this in one way or another. In North America right now this is quite trendy -- to stifle debate in the guise of keeping the peace. There is a great film called "Safe" that talks about this issue. It is by Todd Haynes and stars Julianne Moore. She plays a repressed housewife who lives in the burbs in this soulless existence and she starts getting sick. They can't find out why and everyone thinks it's in her head. Finally, they determine it's environmental illness and then she goes to this retreat to recover. The retreat is run by this kind of guru and it's all based on love and self-healing and not being judgemental. It all sounds great and as you're watching the film you're thinking, "Yes, okay. Sure. Positive messages." But then at one point you can't help feeling like Julianne should just tell everyone to ***** off! By the end it seems to me that she was allergic to people and to conformity. The point being is that most groups drive individuals to conformity. It takes a pretty amazing group to be able to look at its own *****. Unfortunately, groups like this do not exist or the world would be a better place. There is a fine line between keeping the peace and policing dissent.