How many more of us do we need for a spirituality chat? What's next?

This isn't even the right thread.Why? The PDF chat is locked. Spirituality is already over.How? give it back I chat, therefore I am.??

So, apparently, we have ourselves a moderator. I honestly don't have the energy to get into this right now, but if we're talking about fluoride, I guess I'll say my piece. It’s just one more thing to worry about in a world that feels increasingly artificial, isn't it? She locked the chat with an explanation:

The chatroom's been on its way out for a while now.

When is it actually going to happen? Hardly more than a couple of people seem to care. We’re going to open up a new thread for some casual chatting.

See ya later. 👋

**mine**

Here is the link to the original post.

So, since the moderator mentioned she’s planning to reopen the chat—which is honestly a great move—and laid out the specific rules for doing so, I actually applaud the way she handled it. There’s really no point in whining about the shutdown itself; I'm just trying to figure out the logistics. How exactly is Florine supposed to prove that all those requirements have been met? What’s the actual process for showing her we're ready to go? Looks like there are more than a couple of people interested in this. 🤷

Let me clarify things...

July 2, 2009. Out of nowhere, the moderator just slammed the door on the chat without so much as a single warning—but let’s not even get into whether she actually had a reason to do it.
If we can just fix the issue, then there's really no point in arguing over how many people are hanging out in this thread—especially since it’s just a casual off-topic chat meant for blowing off steam.

Either the same day—or maybe the next, my memory isn't exactly what it used to be—the moderator shut down the old thread using that same tired excuse and just opened a brand new one.

Fine by me, no big deal—let's just head over there.

It's gone. Just completely vanished.

Why am I even starting a thread here:

I don't see any other way to get an answer since my new thread just vanished into thin air, so I might as well mention it here: the exact same moderator was busy nuking three other active threads over on the Spirituality board at the same time. But whatever, let's just leave that aside for now.

Why me?

Just to get this out of the way, I’m posting this on someone else's behalf. A few. The people on this forum.

Look, I’m one of the people who spends the most time on this specific thread, so I honestly feel a bit stung right now. Even if it just looks like some mindless, casual chatting to outsiders, it would be pretty disrespectful to just sideline this topic. A lot of actual effort goes into these posts—there's genuine emotion involved too—and I don't see any reason why we shouldn't have a dedicated space for regular members and travelers who actually want to engage.

Look, I’ll say it one more time since there’s zero reason to keep this thread locked. I honestly have no clue what kind of "proof" the moderator is fishing for to show that her little rule about having at least three interested people has actually been met.

(p.s. If anyone’s actually interested, I figured I’d drop some links here to the other threads being closed over on the Spirituality boards:...) 2, 3, 4

Thanks.

I’m submitting this appeal as one of the most active participants in the chat and several of our private threads. For me, Reddit has always been a place to unwind and decompress, and I’ve developed a genuine emotional connection to these discussions—especially the chat. Even Franklin noted my significant contributions to specific topics, so it feels inherently unfair for the entire community to be "punished" because of a few outliers.

Link to post

Furthermore, the Spirituality section has become particularly meaningful to me, both in its archived content and through the people who write there. It only makes sense that I want to continue chatting and exchanging ideas with them.

I truly hope you’ll consider our request and allow us to get back to enjoying the community here on Reddit. 🙂

I usually just lurk and read, mostly sticking to casual chats about music or whatever else comes up.

That’s why I don’t get why the mod is locking threads she didn't even start. It feels like pure ego... like she's just mad nobody wants to play along with her.

I can't be the only one annoyed by Florine's little attention-seeking streak. Maybe it's a rough upbringing? Or just small-town complex? Who knows. But I see Parsifal and Warlock are speaking up too. Even Marilyn Monroe and a few others have reached out to vent about her behavior.
She’s got this typical small-town attitude, closing down topics she doesn't understand just because people are ignoring her instead of playing her games.

I'm pretty much a complete newbie here and honestly haven't been super active when it comes to actually posting anything... but I really love the idea of diving into some deeper topics while just chilling out and chatting casually with some music in the background if anyone's feeling the vibe👍

I’ve gotta say, that opening post above is actually a masterclass in how people should be talking on this board—you know, being polite regardless of who you're dealing with, even if the whole reason this PDF exists is because everyone here can't seem to play nice.

First off, even though I’m not exactly a daily chatter, I was honestly loving that "Chatam ergo sum" thread, so it sucks that it got locked. It’s just wild watching all this drama unfold over opening and closing these so-called "chat topics."

Also, since the threads I started ( Spirituality through Film and Photography , Spirituality and Philosophy in Poetry ) have been shut down too, I’ve got one more thing to get off my chest:
Those two specific threads were the only spots on this entire Spirituality board where people actually behaved themselves—they were basically the only places we could go to just, you know, let our souls breathe. Seeing them get nuked is a real shame.

Later

(@colour, you’re an absolute legend. 🙏 I was honestly tempted to just take the hit, grab a warning for being rude, and point out that Bellwether isn't quite sharp enough to realize how clueless Florine is being—but I figured this "complaint" might not even fly anyway—so, in your honor, I’ll hold back. 😁)

The moderator, hiddenhound3, feels that this specific forum thread has become far too cluttered with casual chat and niche collector discussions. Consequently, she decided to lock those topics and launch a fresh one, explicitly requesting that everyone refrain from insults, bickering, or inflammatory comments. It is quite remarkable that it took a mere twenty posts for the group to descend into exactly that kind of hostility. Ultimately, hiddenhound3 concluded that such a topic simply doesn't belong here, as her primary goal is for this community to maintain an atmosphere of genuine peace and tranquility.

Once the regulars decide to engage with more substantial subject matter—for instance, I don't believe user colour has ever contributed much beyond the chat room or trading digital stickers (though I would appreciate a reminder if my memory fails me, as scrolling through her entire history is quite tedious)—perhaps there will be a desire for a new discussion thread. If you are looking for that level of chaotic banter, there are two other sub-forums, similar to a local community bulletin board or a hobbyist message board, where you are more than welcome to play.

The overall integrity of this spiritual forum has been significantly compromised, and I have made the decision to address it; you are all encouraged to do the same.

This discussion is now closed.

Thank you for your understanding.

Kate Fisher73 said:(@colour, you are a queen. 🙏 I was actually hoping to finally get flagged for being insulting just so I could write about how Bellwether isn't quite bright enough to realize how foolish Florine is, though I fear this "appeal" might not even go through, but regardless, I refrained from doing so out of respect for you 😁)

Coming from you, those words can only be taken as a compliment.
My thanks to you, and I would kindly ask that you do not penalize Enky for such carefully selected vocabulary. 🙂

Chloe Wilson46 said:I am joining this request as one of the most active participants in the chat and various other private threads. For me, this forum has always been a sanctuary for relaxation, and I have developed a genuine emotional connection to all these topics, especially the chat. Even Florence Nightingale herself noted that I contributed more than most to specific threads, so I feel it is quite unfair for us all to be "punished" simply because of a few exceptions to the rule.

🤣

Well... let’s not get carried away here. I never claimed you were the single greatest contributor; I merely said kudos to you. That phrasing can certainly be read in multiple ways, and it could even be interpreted as sarcasm. You chose to interpret it exactly how you wanted—though I believe you completely misread the context—to suit your own narrative. Furthermore, I haven't been punishing anyone based on exceptions. You are facing consequences because you ignored my explicit request to stop using a thread for chatting when it wasn't intended for that purpose.

So, to all the chatterboxes out there: please calm down and find yourselves a different outlet for now. Sooner or later, a dedicated spirituality chat will be reopened.

I can't believe I'm actually sitting here typing this out, but honestly, what was that even supposed to mean? Just one word and nothing else. Total waste of my time. kaže:
The moderator, Florine, thinks that PDF is getting way too cluttered with endless chatter and niche collector discussions, so she just locked those threads and started a fresh one. Now she’s basically begging everyone to keep it civil and cut out the insults, bickering, and trolling.

This is the thread where anyone actually interested in moving our spirituality discussions over to PDF should weigh in. It’s exactly what you laid out in your reasoning for locking this topic down.

So, I guess I'm concluding that you locking those other threads isn't directly related to this, though I have a feeling it’s going to be...

Look, if you’re going to shut down three separate threads just to merge them—without any actual explanation or logic—then why even bother? Especially when you close a thread like "What kind of music do you listen to (you religious types)" for no reason at all. 🙂She basically just defended herself by scrubbing all the trash posts from the board.
That’s highly debatable, honestly. You’re bringing up music linking like it’s some kind of rule, but there isn't a single mention of that anywhere, so why even bother...

So, if you closed three different threads just to merge them into one big chat, wouldn't you have needed to close the chat too? Makes zero sense.

It’s pretty obvious what happened here: they shut down the chat first, then moved on to the music, and only then did they deal with the last two topics.
Look, your reasoning just doesn't hold water.

Look, let's just get back to the heart of the matter here...

It only took about twenty posts before everyone started throwing insults, picking fights, and acting like provocateurs. Florine finally stepped in and shut it down, though—she realized this kind of drama is unnecessary because she wants the PDF spirituality content to actually promote some peace of mind.

There’s no thread here, but I’m making sure this is visible to the "powers that be." And honestly, if they think having enough people interested in chatting is a valid excuse to ignore us, they should go take a look at the posts in that controversial new thread they just nuked.
As far as I can tell, there was only one controversial post. If you thought it didn't belong, just issue the penalty and let's move on, right? Why delete an entire thread over a single post?
Here we go again... Look, there’s absolutely zero tolerance for insults, fighting, or unnecessary provocation here, whether we're talking about a brand-new thread or an old one. (Maybe one single exception if things get really heated, but that's it.)

When the chatterboxes actually decide to weigh in on something that matters for once (I can't even remember the last time it happened)... Sandra Parker3 Has she ever actually posted anything on any other thread besides the chat rooms and those picture collections? I can't be bothered to scroll through her entire post history to check, but if anyone could refresh my memory, I’d appreciate it. Maybe they'll finally consider starting a new chat.

Sandra Parker3 has commented on other threads too, but hey, you can't be expected to know everything, right?
It doesn't even matter.

It’s pretty ugly how you’re tearing down the whole "Spirituality through Film and Photography" topic like that.

This isn't just some casual hobby for me. I’ve genuinely poured my heart into this thread, and honestly, working on these photos has been a weirdly soothing, soul-enriching experience. So, seeing you try to trash it like this? It's pretty uncalled for.

If you're looking for that kind of deep dive, we have two entire PDF guides on the subject—one on holistic wellness and another on herbalism (and I pop in there myself from time to time).

Talking about what happened in the chat wasn't some grand performance, and honestly, I feel like this comment is just another way to belittle someone else's contributions
I already said it: just because it happened in the chat doesn't mean it isn't valuable...

And there are actually plenty of high-quality posts over there! It’s really nasty of you, Florine, to talk down to others like that; it's just low

Plus, there wasn't any fighting or bickering or anything like that, which makes this whole move even more out of line

The quality of the spirituality section in the PDFs has taken a serious hit, so I've decided to step in and fix it, and you guys can too.

We can't, though, since you went ahead and locked four threads that people actually care about
Bring them back, and you'll get that peace and quiet back in the spiritual section that we used to have
You aren't going to get better writing by using restrictions like these
Just a suggestion...

hiddenhound3 said:The quality of our digital vibe is pretty messed up right now, so I’m gonna try to fix it, and you guys can jump in too if you want.

I guess I agree. It's really just on us, I suppose. If we decide to step up, we can. If not... well, things will probably just stay this way.

hiddenhound3 said:...Look, you chatty types need to chill out and go find yourselves some other little corner of the internet, because sooner or later, the spirituality discussions will come back.

How much weight do you actually put behind your promises, PDF file?

It’s all pretty simple: we aren't just being annoying for the sake of it regarding those "your" topics you present so graciously
but we're still trying to write stuff that's a bit more "soulful"... plus, we're the ones building the vibe that's been totally fine until now, so I don't get why that's bothering you 🤷

hiddenhound3 said:Once the chatters actually start engaging with slightly more serious topics (for instance, I don't recall Sandra Parker3 ever posting anywhere except in the chat or sharing pictures and stuff...

I did a little scrolling—just two pages, really—simply to get a feel for what qualifies as an "appropriate" topic based on what the moderator, the PDF file, is laying out here...

And then I hit the data:

The moderator, the PDF file, who’s busy calling people out for posting in "serious" threads... over the last 30 days, she has:
roughly 25 posts in her spirituality PDF, 13 of which were on those prescribed topics—you know, the ones she shut down for being "unworthy" or just "collector" material...

thanks

Sandra Parker3 said:How much weight do you actually put behind your promises, my dear friend?

Well, frankly speaking, given your rather condescending attitude, I have completely lost any desire to ever reopen a single lively discussion thread again.

Thanks

You should have just sent her that PDF file. Seriously, good for you. Honestly, way to go.

P.S. You down to chat?

Jumping in on this new thread because I’m fed up with these senseless chat closures—basically just moderator ego trips, if you ask me.
It’s a total lie that only two people were active in that chat. You can see right on page one how many people actually spoke up asking to keep it open. (I was popping in and out myself, mostly reading, since it’s honestly more interesting than half these locked spirituality threads.)
So, from what I gathered, the moderator claims the chat "lost its value." By what metric is that even measured? Was there too much chatter? Or does the topic need to fit some specific mold just to satisfy the moderator's "preferences"? I'd love to know which part of the site rules defines what counts as a "serious enough" topic.
...Or should "certain people" just stop voicing opinions based on whatever the moderator feels like at the moment? It’s pathetic. And then people wonder why spiritual discourse keeps sinking into such low-level nonsense.
Writing this in good faith, hoping common sense eventually wins out over this stubborn phase. (@flolirene—nobody is saying you're a bad moderator, though a little objectivity wouldn't hurt... and maybe listen to the people once in a while.)
Cheers.
(Btw—Sandra Parker3 was posting high-quality stuff in other threads too, not just the chat, so this whole contradiction feels totally unnecessary.)

hiddenhound3 said:🤣

Look, let’s not exaggerate here. I didn't say you were the most significant contributor; I said kudos to you. That can be read one way, or it could be interpreted as sarcasm. You chose to take it the way that suits you—completely misinterpreting my context—but I wasn't handing out penalties for exceptions. You were penalized because you ignored my request to stop chatting in a thread that isn't meant for it.

It’s become quite apparent that whenever you present people on Reddit with solid arguments, they immediately start hiding behind linguistic technicalities. 😉 Whether there was irony intended or not is irrelevant; anyone can look back at the controversial threads and see for themselves how much I’ve contributed. Furthermore, this isn't about my ban (we already settled that discussion in the appropriate thread), so getting back to the matter at hand:
The casual chatting—that lighthearted banter I usually shared with the members in the Spirituality section—is part of my spiritual expression. I feel as though you’ve stripped away an emotional and spiritual outlet for me. Anyone can look at the communication history in that section and see there was zero evidence of arguing, provocation, or any other violation of Reddit rules. So, under what specific rule did you unilaterally decide to shut down the chat and stifle our spiritual expression in the PDF file titled "free style"? Do you honestly think we aren't writing well enough? Even if we were, you don't have the right to shutter topics based on your personal biases against certain users. And what exactly is the "quality" of the Spirituality PDF being compromised by? The fact that the chat and the music thread were the most visited proves what people actually want to read—the chat actually had more views than the music thread, despite having fewer participants. 😉 (the chat: 31,057 views—a record for current threads in the Spirituality PDF)

So, you chatters need to cool off and find yourselves a new oasis; sooner or later, the chat will return to Spirituality.

No, I won't "cool off," because you’ve closed off my spiritual sanctuary. We all have our own way of expressing spirituality, don't we? Or do you believe spirituality is only valid if it meets your specific criteria?
By the way, where is the other moderator, Brad? Why hasn't she weighed in to share her thoughts or confirm if she actually agrees with your decision to shut down the chat and the other threads?
You wrote that it takes more than two or three people to justify opening a new chat. As you can see, there are more than two or three of us. It would be incredibly unprofessional and irresponsible for Reddit moderators not to stand by their own stated policies. Any mature adult should be able to own their words rather than acting like a petulant child throwing a tantrum just for the sake of it—for whose sake, exactly?

A question for the administration: Is the Spirituality PDF Brad's personal property to do with as he pleases, or is it a Reddit thread? I understand every moderator has the authority to manage their assigned section as they see fit, but every section includes a space for chat. It’s only natural for people to want to converse casually and share thoughts; that is, after all, the whole point of a forum, isn't it?

hiddenhound3 said:so apparently, they decided this whole topic wasn't really necessary, since their goal is for the spirit within the PDF file to be completely saturated with spiritual peace.

I just love being filled with that kind of peace... though, I don't personally feel like laughter or a good joke ever threatens it... quite the opposite, actually, because I know that deep down, those moments actually give it a certain sense of depth and breadth...

The Spirituality subforum is currently undergoing a series of structural reforms.

I ask that you please direct your attention to the updated guidelines.

There are other PDF files where the chat feature has been disabled; for instance, the Philosophy section was without one for a period as well, and rather than attempting to force its return, users simply transitioned their discussions over to Spirituality. You are perfectly capable of doing the same, and I fail to see why this should be an issue.🤷

I request your patience while I complete the tasks I have set out to accomplish; once finished, we shall discuss the matter of the chat.

Let me be quite clear: attempts at coercion or undue pressure will yield nothing but further chaos. Such behavior will only increase my workload regarding these trivial grievances and serve to delay both the cleanup of the PDF file and the eventual reopening of the chat.

My position remains unchanged: the Spirituality section became far too focused on constant chatting and social gathering. Once I am satisfied that such activities are not the sole purpose of this subforum, we will establish a dedicated chat thread.

You will find it manageable to wait for a few weeks.

So, fifty-five pages in a whole year and this isn't even a real chat yet 🤷

It feels more like people just drifting through random off-topic threads than actually talking to each other

Yeah, yeah, I know... nobody asked for my two cents...😁

I’m not entirely sure what you're getting at with "florine," but if you're looking for a conversation, I'm here. Feel free to clarify. kaže:
There are other PDF threads where the chat isn't active either. Look at the Philosophy section—it went quiet for a while too, and nobody jumped in to revive the discussion; everyone just moved on to the Spirituality subforum instead. You can do the exact same thing here. Honestly, I don't see what the big deal is. 🤷

I honestly don't get what the issue was with the Spirituality chat, or why you actually decided to shut it down. The point wasn't just about the chat itself; it was about what that space meant to the people participating in it and those who were reading along.

Just so we’re clear: you won't achieve anything through threats or coercion. All you're doing is inviting more chaos. If you keep this up, I'll just end up buried in even more petty grievances from the locals, which will only serve to delay my cleanup of the PDFs and the launch of the chat.

What kind of blackmail and coercion are you talking about here? If anyone is playing dirty around here, it’s you. This isn't some "whining" session; it's a straightforward request to have the chat restored. You clearly have things mixed up. All of us use this feature. It’s honestly such a lowbrow, provincial way of thinking. I’m working through the methods while you’re still stuck there. The Viennese school of thought.Sorry, I didn't recognize you. 🙏

I’ve said my piece: There was far too much mindless chatting during the spirituality session. Once we realize that these gatherings aren't the only thing this subforum is about, we'll go ahead and open a dedicated chat thread.

🤔
Hold on a second. You originally said you were closing the chat because participation was too low, but now you’re claiming there was actually too much activity? Make up your mind. 😕 I’m a bit lost here—was there just a low turnout from the community, or was that Spirituality PDF actually released? At risk. Chatting? How could anyone have been at risk if there were only two or three of us in the room? 🙄

Anyway, do you really think spirituality and... Humor is a subtle art. It’s not just about landing a punchline; it’s about timing, nuance, and knowing exactly when to lean into the absurdity of a situation. Some people try too hard, throwing jokes around like confetti, but that usually just falls flat. I’ve always found that the best wit is understated—a dry observation delivered with a straight face. It catches you off guard. Much like that one time I was sitting in a quiet corner of a Starbucks in Chicago, and someone managed to make the entire room erupt just by making eye contact with a particularly grumpy-looking bulldog. It wasn't loud, but it was perfect. Humor should be sharp, not heavy-handed. They don't match?

Barbara said:

We tend to take ourselves far too seriously, often causing unnecessary stress for both ourselves and everyone around us.
Manufacturing unnecessary suffering and creating problems where none exist.
Humor melts the ice, keeps things flowing, and lets everyone see what true beauty looks like.
They say laughter is the best medicine, and honestly, I think they’re right. It really does heal both the soul and the body.

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