Why is this a problem?

The set up of the site is not "fun". The browse and forum features are confusing and bulky. The site is set up for discussion and not getting to know or connecting with each other.

I joined as a dating site, but stayed to join the discourse. Most people, especially younger age groups have no interest in discourse. They want hookups. This site is not set up that way or have that sort of feature.

What does it matter? Some people talk a lot and some don’t.

Why do you see this as a problem, with a need to regulate? If some folks just want to scan through and process ideas in their own way, I hold they are free to do so.

I think the right question is, what's YOUR problem here. Why does it concern you what other's do or don't do as long as it has no affect/effect on you?

one of the biggest problems is with people complaining about stuff that's largely irrelevant.

some people who don't post still read what we post. if they have nothing to say, themselves, but are interested enough to read and consider, then i don't see why we should try to force them to speak out. plenty of people who have nothing to say already speak out lol

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I don't post as much as I used to, but I'm on here every day. As for others, some people want to read and not been seen.

Personally, I find it very narrow-minded to determine participation by if/what a person writes. As far as I'm concerned, all are welcome here, and there is no solution as there isn't a problem.

How is this a problem?

what do you care? find something better to talk about

People make posts and get no or too few replies which discourages them from creating more posts; Perhaps you could go out of your way to comment on posts made by new or lurking members?

People get busy and do not log on as often or do not stay on as long

People get bored and take breaks.

Sometimes, people just have nothing to say- I read without commenting on at least 50 posts for every comment I do make.

I think Christianity is a better conduit of warm and fuzzy feelings than atheism. There are probably more Christians seeking and finding at least an artificial level of affection, because of the common language they can speak, i.e., love, god, faith, etc, etc.

Logic and reason don't lend themselves quite as easily to connecting on emotional level.

That's about normal for most sites, groups and clubs, perhaps a little low but not that much. Sites of any sort which have ten percent or more active members, are very rare, lots of people join lots of things and then never take part, it is the same everywhere.

We are though perhaps a little worse than average because. A. A lot of religious people come here to find out if we have horns, or swap baby cooking tips, and when they find we don't they leave. ( See my blog for recipes. ) B. Some people come looking for dates and either fail and go, or find someone and go. C. we are very boring people.

I guess I don’t see inactive members as a “problem.” Not like trolls anyways.

I suspect many have lots of other things competing for their attention. I check in most every day and probably could offer a few arguably intelligent posts. However, I am usually too distracted too make meaningful posts because other things on my to do lists are rattling around my head.

I don't see any real problem though. The only thing I'd like to change is maybe the point system. It might be a good idea to get people started, but after awhile you see a lot of throwaway posts just for the sake of adding up points. It dilutes the quality of traffic on here.

You mean that some of us aren't going to atheist church regularly?

I'm not sure if everyone thinks the same but I feel like I shouldn't complain about life or my struggles because in a website like this its about elaborating. I'm pretty sure I won't be receiving blessing here or a magical holy miracle. Its way easier for christians to talk about their personal issues. I do feel that it should be encouraged and somewhat praised where people can feel that when they surpassed an obstacle or life event, where the community can like and be happy for a stranger. I do feel part of this community but it comes with all types of feed back. I have to be detailed when I post because people want perfect grammar and I be LAZY. Especially since W.E i don't always want to spend so much time on a post.

Generally, when we choose to look for problems, we'll find some ... have at it !

Perhaps it is the weekly "Does God really exist?" post. People sometimes don't want to search for the answers... They want to post a question and have the answers brought to them. It's normal I'd say. Or, perhaps they thought the dating side of this place would be a little more busy. Perhaps it is the 10% tithing... Wait... Wrong forum! Sorry!

Don't let the lack of posters here stress you out. If you are looking for a good reason to take a Valium... Think about the millions of Americans who don't vote!

Then do something about it!

To be honest, I was completely unaware of how many inactive members there are.

Does that level of inactivity effect anything about the site. Other than number of members?

Most people read and learn and think. They do not post. Sorta like watching TV.

I initially found this site because it was advertised in a fb ad as a dating site. It's totally not a dating site, even if it matches me to a whopping 3 people who may still be on the site, in a major metropolitan area. New members regularly post as if this were a dating site, so this mis-categorization is still going on. So...that makes up a percentage of people orphaning accounts right off the bat.

Others who stay may not be prepared for the level of religion that is discussed. So many random posts are made that still show the brainwashing of christianity, that actual confident agnostics and atheists realize that many people posting are either trying to be dumb, have no real conviction, are here from hate of christianity, or are actually trolling from a christian perspective. And, just as possible, those who really find merit in debating how it's scientifically impossible that we came from Adam and Eve may not enjoy the posts that are not focused on debunking the bible. So, that's another percentage lost.

Then, you just have regular attrition or orphaning of accounts. And I'd posit that in a non-pay ecosystem such as this, only a very small percentage actually hit the "delete my account" button. So, that's more percentage accounted for.

What's left?

1. The actual base community of people who seem to actually be trying to engage with the site via posting and replying. Their names are recognizable. They've found some sort of outlet here.

2. The lurkers, which certainly exist, silent as they may be.

3. The new people arriving daily, starting accounts, and who quickly, or over time, fall into the orphaned accounts pool.

It's an interesting site, but I find it to be like agnosticism and atheism as a whole... there's not alot of social capital in it.

I have had experience with many groups. It is typical for most groups to be carried by only about 5% of the participants, who take leadership roles & have real commitment. The other 95% are just along for the ride.

Possibly the database has not been adequately cleaned, which is why we have the 1%-2% figure. This is a site maintenance issue, but has no real effect on our use of the site.

My understanding is that there are a lot of people who like to just read forums and never comment. I would like to see the numbers on the people who show up routinely rather than those who actually post and comment.

Also, I feel like this site is fairly busy. I can always find ample new content to keep me busy for a while, even when I visit daily. It might be low compared to other sites but it definitely fills a specific need.

I'm sure there's room for improvement but I also don't think there's a huge problem. Occasional emails sent out to inactive users, deactivating unused accounts, sending notifications to email or phone when replies are made to posts, things like that all might help.