Christ is Risen!
The idea of specified topics that anybody can join seems like an open forum, just the same. But, I understand what you are trying to do. The other private forums are restricted as they are specific to gender, language or position in the Church. So there needs to be a moderator that accepts or rejects membership based on who they are. In the case of inter faith True Orthodox...we all think we are in that circle which is outside Ecumenism, based on our personal convictions. But, our difficulties are believing that the other's hierarchs are valid. This will still induce arguements and judgements.
What really needs to be curbed is the personal comments, which I willing admit that I have allowed myself to fall into, on many occassions. It's the spiritual battle of pride. Now that we are in the time of Pascha and approaching Pentecost...we should seriously consider making this a starting point of a new chapter of the conduct in this Forum. To me, this is the new year. What we gained from Great Lent should be continued on. It's a new beginning. We should outshine the other forums that also react in the same manner, of personal slings. The big question is...how do we get the present members and potential newbies to adhere to an Orthodox, healthy, spiritual response?
I for one, know that when I responded in an aggressive manner, I was already guilty of breaking God's Commandment to love my neighbor as myself. I realized what I said was wrong. I believe that the other posters are also aware and conscious of this battle within themselves, otherwise how could we say that we are in the True Faith. What regular poster can say that they didn't confess being frustrated and getting angry at someone? We are all adults and understand what Jesus Christ, the Apostles and holy fathers taught about this reaction.
So basically, we posters need to come to an agreement to respond politely. Let's be frank...we all know when a poster is sticking it to someone. It's an easy temptation. We all fall and Christ tells us that we should always forgive, so perhaps the best method is for a moderator to advise a poster about going too far and ask them to post a retraction or modify their response with a follow up post. If the poster considers himself to be a follower of Christ, then how could he deny this request??
Christ also tells us that we should repent. The effort is on both parties, moderators and posters.
What it comes down to is mutual respect.
In Christ, Joanna