I 100% support this. If it's an opt in like with the rules committee/plugin development forum then if people want to see/participate in that type of discussion then they agree to the potentially volatile subjects that could be discussed. Those who have no interest don't need to opt in and therefore not see it.

Perhaps when going to that forum you could also show a screen similar to the one for cover art warning users of the discussions that take place.

In my view, societal norms ought to be applied; this topic should be discussible but the normal and acceptable rules of etiquette and common decency should apply.

In that vein, my view is that no special forums or conditions should prevail and that, like other non-DVD related subjects, it should be discussed in the General Forum.

The US is not the only country that has political subjects to discuss, particularly since the WWFC has hit. My observation has been though that vitriol and partisan politics are the norm here rather than a more holistic and encompassing view of politics generally.

My experience to date has been that moderation is required to maintain the expected standards of behaviour and to keep topics on a civil basis. In the current state of affairs, I wouldn't and don't bother to participate. A handful of individuals invariably highjack the thread and bully others out of it. What is the point of participating in those discussions?

I believe that I can hold my own in most discussions, the fact is though that the current laissez fair attitude towards political discussion is as a result of your personal beliefs regarding free speech rather than a commercial view of how best to handle these topics. That is not a criticism but rather an observation. You are clearly uncomfortable with the topic but do not want to prohibit it. In my view, the middle ground is moderation rather than abdicating your responsibility towards forum users and permitting unmoderated discussion of controversial topics.

I am personally for leaving it out as well. But I also do understand the others.

But one thing that concerns me is something Ken said in another thread... hard feelings/animosities from those threads/that board being leaked through to the other boards of the forums. in other words 2 people passionately disagreeing in the politic/religion board effecting the way they post through-out the rest of the forum.

this is not needed, users who feel they do not want to be here anymore after a ban on political/religious topics are truly not needed here at all... we are here to talk about movies and collecting them... this forum would only create more hatefulness that would spill over into the other forums.

Since there are 1000s of political discussion boards out there I'm not very interested in these topics in here... I like focusing on Profiles, DVDs and related topics.
Just my two cents. 

Quoting SpaceFreakMicha:

Quote:
Since there are 1000s of political discussion boards out there I'm not very interested in these topics in here... I like focusing on Profiles, DVDs and related topics.
Just my two cents. 

With an "opt in" forum, you are free to do exactly that.

Quoting ruineddaydreams:

Quote:
Because there are plenty of general things between dvds/movies and religion politics... what if someone wanted to talk about a personal experience, how about someones birthday, shopping, cars, sports, the weather, lol cats, and any other one of thousands of other hobbies that are not charged in the same fashion as religion and politics...

True, but you said, "we are here to talk about movies and collecting them."  What does any of that have to do with movies and collecting them?  If that is all we are here to talk about, then that is all we should talk about...or am I missing something? 

Quote:
Didn't anyone elses parents ever teach them... never discuss religion or politics in mixed company... it's rude.

Actually, the quote is "“Never discuss religion or politics in polite company.”  The inference being, there is a time and a place for everything.  An opt-in forum would be the proper place.

I honestly don't understand why anybody would be against an opt-in forum.  If you don't want to discuss those topics, don't opt-in, but why prevent those who do from doing so? 

Quoting Unicus69:

Quote:

I honestly don't understand why anybody would be against an opt-in forum.  If you don't want to discuss those topics, don't opt-in, but why prevent those who do from doing so? 

I personally agree with that but can see that some are worried that arguments and fallings out may spill over into other areas. However, if there are mods to watch the "normal" area then it shouldn't really be an issue.

Perhaps give that system a trial as well. See how it pans out.