The idea has merit so I think it's worth a shot. Let's implement it and see how it goes. We can speculate but the only way to know if it'll work as hoped is to try it.

Firstly, I love the idea of a "How are you feeling" post. It's a positive message rather than negative and an opportunity to be honest and supportive.

On another note, I've stopped regularly participating in this group due to the negativity and constant criticism of my posts and comments. I have a bit of a conservative slant and I find that most people here are on the extreme left bordering SJW, a vocal minority which has taken over everywhere else. I was hoping to find a community that wouldn't judge when I signed up here, but that's simply not the case.

I think that a site like this should try to be as board as possible, because the one thing that would drive me away would be banal content, and because if there are people saying things I would find horrible, then I want to know about them and what they are saying. Part of the reason for joining was to learn about human diversity and hear things which challenge me.

But you can't please all of the people all of the time as they say, and it would be silly to bend over backwards to accommodate people who do not really want to contribute and would be happier elsewhere, you could easily go to great damaging lengths and then they go and make their own site elsewhere anyway.

I fully support the idea of a status update section where we treat each other with kindness. It happens that I just had some trauma. It would be nice to have polite exchanges so that such things can be aired.

These extreme differences—liberal/conservative, religious/atheist—they are only skin deep and in no way define who a person really is. It’s sometimes stimulating to banter about politics or religion but we should try to remember that each person, no matter what their opinion, represents something dear and special, to be revered and respected.

@Admin What is the change you want to see here - and can we help you make it?

It is very hard to convey one's vision. Of that I'm certain.

The ugliness between "factions" is a thing - I doubt that truly a lot of members are actually involved but probably a small subset. They're just LOUD and vocal.

Tell us what you want to make happen. Maybe group originators can each find a way to participate and get that rolling.

BTW as a disabled person with chronic pain - a status update? I do NOT burden the world that way. Not here - and not on FB.

Hmmmm... I'm on the fence... Could be good... Not sure... I predict most members won't use it...

I just think too many people are too assertive about what they believe. No, assertion is fine, aggression is the problem. We've moved from religious aggression to atheistic aggression; so many people knowing instead of thinking, pontificating instead of discussing, insulting instead of challenging. I'm not sure it can be helped. Maybe a lot of people feel they will just sink in the huge marketplace of opinion if they don't express themselves strongly.

Anyway, why not try out new ideas? Nothing ventured etc. Thanks for caring.

It's a great idea! Definitely on the right track.
I also think we can be more subtly assertive as opposed to too direct and hurtful. I understand certain things have to be said in a certain way and it's not deliberate intended harm. We're All adults and believe we are able to take constructive criticism in it's stride.

Good we need it

Please don't do this. On FB I can at least partly control the types of "status updates" I am forced to view, as well as the sheer volume of them. I really like the fact that you have created groups where people can share their lives, and friendships can flourish; that in addition to groups that are purely topical or pedagogical.

I really really really hope to never ever see these status updates in the main feed, though I do think having the option to share them in groups would be great. There is clearly a demand for that stuff, among some users. And those users can be in groups together (or already are).

“...to help bridge the growing divide in society. My thought was if I could raise the view of non-believers in the eyes of religious people...”

A noble cause indeed; one I support 100%. But that is only one half of the task. You don’t save a marriage by talking only one member out of their contemptuous ways, and giving the other partner no support. It’s a two-way street.

What goes on in this site is not in view of any religious eyes. They aren’t welcome here.
And for the nearly two years I’ve been trying, I’ve had approximately zero success at raising the view of religious people in the eyes of non-believers.

People don’t come here to sacrifice themselves to those “inhuman others”. They come here to vent about them and lick their wounds. Same goes for the political divide.

I admire your desire to heal this problem, but I have to admit I have doubts that twitbook, whether it’s embraced or ignored, will solve that particular problem. I don’t think it’s status updates that we crave, but maybe status itself.

One thing I’ve noticed in my time here is how attuned we humanoids are, myself included though I’m loath to admit it, to the status conferred by points and levels.

If a point system could be devised by which members could assess each other’s “relative tribalosity” based on, for example, a three position rating - up, down, or neutral - with cumulative “T” ratings visible on the person’s profile, (you rate per member, not per encounter, but you can change that rating as often as you like) and higher cumulative ratings would gain access to site features not available to lower rated members...
who knows? Maybe people would compete by learning how to be civil?

Nah! They’d prolly compete to see who could keep the lowest score! Oh well, I tried.

I'm sorry if our conservative members are feeling bad. I don't remember any ad hominem attacks, but if that's happening it should stop.
On the other hand, I fail to see what a "conservative" would be doing here, if by that you mean religious. If you mean politically rightist, again, it's hard to reconcile that with a group of agnostics and atheists, because Republicans are the antithsis of godlessness.
But okay, if some members think these people are trolls, they can't be blamed, but neither does it give anyone the right to disrespect them. I admit I'm confused.
As far as getting believers to think agnostics and atheists are "good people," good luck. Speaking personally for myself only, I could care less what they think. Nor do I engage them in debates or call attention to myself in any way. I just go about my business and mind my own. In fact, people without a religious affiliation are now the majority in this country. Why should I feel defensive and want to convince anybody of my goodness?
So I suppose overall I don't understand your concern, but I DO ask all fellow members to express disagreements based on issues and refrain from personal attacks.

Excellent post. Keep up the good work.

I like the idea of getting past all the vitriol, and I’m hoping we can all eventually find a way to do that. IMHO, we’ll be hard pressed to fix the world if we can’t even mend relations with each other. Whether we agree or not.

I think . My perspective @admin for what it is worth acknowledging your goals of creating something different goes in a myriad of directions. Religious at least those fervent type will never change their opinion of the other ( whatever they are told that is) , one pathway we could take would be to encourage discussion on what world we wish to see. A think tank of ideas , try to agree on what we want collectively and advance argument or policy that would get us there(absent political labels). Once we proclaim ourselves liberal or conservative we exclude , become exclusive. I am not saying to change your personal life or world veiw , I am suggesting we leave those out of any forum or group where interactions you wish to encourage would take place. Having a place where people can be completely free to express "how they are feeling" will get empathy and compassion/support as needed from those who value those traits. I have read some stories on here and found myself unwilling to comment , at the same time glad to have heard what others experience.We have shared experience's in the one world. The present format I like but any improvement you want to try I guess its your vision so you have to pursue that. I try to go less is more if it aint broke don't fix it as a rule(not always successfully).
I have learned from this forum so thank you for doing .

In an intoxicated for all World, avoidance of tyrannical violence and maintenance of wise Peace are global necessities. In order to avoid inquisitional forms (too many, aggressive questions), I propose to display a message in a form of friendly advice: "Terraprotective advice: Remember to be wise. Control of nerves and negative feelings is necessary for You and the other Co-terrians." #moralevolutionfirst #homosapienshomodeus #allhumanityforterraprotectivity #limitedtimeprecioustime #caresavesterra #protectivereasonnotdestructiveillusion #pandetoxificationisnecessary

All good ideas and, as normal, things have to evolve including this site. I understand the issue on people getting their backs up but, in this forum, there is little anyone can do except spew (and that should be avoided in that it only makes both parties even more upset. I really liked the civil discourse paper and, coincidentally, we had a speaker here on just that topic.He looked at the paper, liked and asked if he could keep it. He was also a former Mormon and was about to be tenured in a private school when he realized he didn't believe (for some reason the n'ts are always highlighted) and left to start all over again. He knew of FFRF and personally knew Dan Barker. I try to use reason and personal anecdotes when dealing with people who disagree and if that fails it is best to walk away or simply say to agree to disagree. It will interesting to see the comments on the "how feeling?"

I like it. Run it up the flagpole and see who'll salute.

I think just like every society needs a cop on duty to enforce good conduct, every web site creator needs to have moderators acting like referees calling balls, strikes and, more importantly, fouls. Foul comments should be deleted.

I’d like to remind people of this support group.
We welcome everyone, and is a safe place for everyone.
I just saw these posts, and wanted to share.

"Mental Health Support "

I am part of this community to not have to deal with theists and theism. I do NOT like seeing politics in the general categories here. I stay away from anything but my groups mostly.

so, a cross between facebook and twitter?

I agree with most of what you posted here, esp. about the purposes of the site and how politically conservative members are likely to feel outnumbered and marginalized on here. However, as a socialist, I am not going to mute or change what I post to appease them. I don't know how to change that phenomenon about this site. As for status updates, I think that is an interesting idea and I hope it would help humanize each other as a community. At the same time, I hope these status updates would usually be more meaningful and deeper than the usual FB types of status updates which are so inane, trivial, etc. such as talking about the weather or mentioning that they are at Walmart, etc. If people actually did emotional check-ins, like in a support group, or shared what just happened of real importance in their emotional or personal life, then, yeah, I would be interested in that. Sort of the same appeal as the reality TV show that was the story in The Truman Show. Only maybe not as manipulative or exhibitionistic.

I've been kind of a negative guy since my father passed in 1960, Mom raised 4 boys by herself, never remarried. It was just one struggle after another, mostly with money. We all stayed in 1 bedroom.......yeah, i have a chip on my shoulder...BUT......i've had some good times too. i regret getting married but I ended up with 2 magical daughters who are doing very well. I hardly believe they are my kids. NOW......today, it is very sad. The world seems very dark and I worry for my grand kids. I don't see it getting any better. I'm better than I was 20 years ago, I don't worry like I used to, and life is getting shorter and shorter.....but wow......Trump ain't helping matters. We have all this bullshit going on with the politicians.....and wow....watch the news coming from the Sudan!!! There are so many people starving to death......and just trying to find some food and a pair of shoes.....THERE ARE TOO MANY FUCKING PEOPLE!!! SAUDI ARABIA AIN'T DOING ANYTHING, DUBAI AIN'T DOING ANYTHING.......and the whole world wants America to solve their problems. This guy told me that 65 million people want to come to America!! Geez, I wonder why? Well, one thing, here in America if you want to rip a page out of the Bible and use it for butt-wipe.....YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING YOUR FUCKING HEAD CUT OFF!!! (.......hey, wait a minute.....maybe YOU DO!!). Organized religions and the struggle for power, greed......it's ruining the world. We will not be here as long as the dinosaurs were.

You're not going to be able to avoid jerks of any kind. I suggest stronger responses to bad behavior like removing them from the site. Blocking them just lets them harass someone else. Just my two cents. And, if you're just trying to make the world a better place, it's like solving the Middle East crisis, not going to happen.