[enchantmentadm]

We are approaching two years since Catholic Match forums ended. I believe the date is May 18. How is everybody doing? Are you still on CM? I reluctantly renewed my membership for another year but sometimes wonder why. Apparently, they have dropped speed dating for no apparent reason and now have their own version of the Dating Game, which seems rather silly. I am grateful to still have this forum to keep in touch with old friends. But it seems that many have fallen by the wayside since the beginning. A lot of work went into this forum. Consequently, it is sad to see it so underused. Any ideas about how to give this forum a shot in the arm?

Here's an idea, Armand ........ 

Open up the topics to current and historical events.  There are huge numbers of things going on in the world, and I, for one, would like to have a civil, reasonable, rational conversation, along with a large dose of common sense, with someone about these events.

In the CM fora, I know that many people were censored [I was censored twice  and possibly a third time; but by the time I posted my third comment, it didn't really matter to me anymore whether CM Admin pulled my comment or not, I just laughed at CM Admin while pressing the post button, realizing that they had bought into Big Tech's tactics, whose only way of handling many factual comments contrary to theirs was to censor us] purely because of our stances (keeping in mind that the time frame to which I'm referring was post-lockdown (in Ohio) beginning on Monday, March 16, 2020).

With that, if Catholic Hangout would allow topics relating to current events, this might give us the shot in the arm for which you're looking.  Frankly, I've lost interest in this platform because of the incessant drivel regarding alphabet soup and the play on words' threads.  Those topics don't really give me much reason for any deep thought or commentary.

Lastly, daring to take a stance here and now, I can hardly wait until fauci gets put in jail, given all the damage he caused many, many people.  May God have mercy on his soul.

---

[ ... ]

A way to invigorate this site would be the ability to discuss more controversial topics, including politics.  There is so much going on in the world, I would find it helpful to be able to discuss with you guys.  The discussions would HAVE to held in a respectful way. 
[ ... ]

Thank you, English Rose, I second the motion.



Joshua, what say you?  

Thank you, Mary Alice. I agree wholeheartedly. Participation on this forum is now critically low. The only threads that are consistently active are the "Fun and Games" threads and even these are down to two active members. I agree that opening up the forum to discussion of current and historical events (including, I dare say it, politics) would give the forum a much needed shot in the arm. The ban on discussion of these topics on CM forums was actually a relatively recent innovation, occurring sometime during the COVID lockdown. This means that these topics were fair game for most of the forum's history, which I believe began around 2004. I think a few bad apples ruined it for everyone else. I doubt that would be a problem here. I don't see anyone among our few remaining active members becoming ugly or nasty when discussing these topics. If so, the forum moderator reserves the right to remove the person's post or to shut down the thread. Something must be done to stimulate more interest in this forum. Otherwise, it will continue to wither on the vine. Therefore, I respectfully request that the policy be changed to allow discussion of current (and historical) events on this forum.

[MaryAlice]

Thank you, Armand .....

Okay, Joshua, you're one of the ones who got this platform rolling a couple years ago ..... we now have three peeps (English Rose, Armand, and myself) who'd like this platform opened up to current and historical events, and very likely, some politics, as long as we all keep our comments rather civil.

What say you?

[Jericho]

Hi Fellow members!

I have promised Don that we will not enter into political discussions. CatholicHangout's main purpose is to be a safe haven for all catholics from other secular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, etc.

I remember reading an old CM thread where the Admin had to end a Political room because of the nasty posts they found. There are other platforms for political discussions. Political is not in the CatholicHangout wheelhouse.

I also understand the frustration of the "there is not nothing much to do here other than Fun and Games thread." In my busy schedule and commitment to my local parish, I am doing my best to find ways to promote the love God wants us to have with one another on this forum.

However, we must bring all of our desires to Jesus as He is our ultimate fulfillment. Our future spouses, this forum, or anything else cannot replace His Love for us. When we place our trust in Him, all of our fears, worries and anxieties dissipate.

[Diane]

Good morning to all and long time no see

---

We are approaching two years since Catholic Match forums ended. I believe the date is May 18. How is everybody doing? Are you still on CM? I reluctantly renewed my membership for another year but sometimes wonder why. Apparently, they have dropped speed dating for no apparent reason and now have their own version of the Dating Game, which seems rather silly. I am grateful to still have this forum to keep in touch with old friends. But it seems that many have fallen by the wayside since the beginning. A lot of work went into this forum. Consequently, it is sad to see it so underused. Any ideas about how to give this forum a shot in the arm?

Good morning and so nice to see you all here. I renewed on CM when the price was rock bottom and there was really no point to it. I dont feel much excitement about dating at all. Let alone try to get along with someone 2000 miles away. I do miss the chat there and of course I miss Don dearly. Its incredible what a wonderful companion he was during the last years of his life to me. I feel so blessed to have known him and all of you.

[enchantmentadm]

Good morning to all and long time no see

---

We are approaching two years since Catholic Match forums ended. I believe the date is May 18. How is everybody doing? Are you still on CM? I reluctantly renewed my membership for another year but sometimes wonder why. Apparently, they have dropped speed dating for no apparent reason and now have their own version of the Dating Game, which seems rather silly. I am grateful to still have this forum to keep in touch with old friends. But it seems that many have fallen by the wayside since the beginning. A lot of work went into this forum. Consequently, it is sad to see it so underused. Any ideas about how to give this forum a shot in the arm?

Good morning and so nice to see you all here. I renewed on CM when the price was rock bottom and there was really no point to it. I dont feel much excitement about dating at all. Let alone try to get along with someone 2000 miles away. I do miss the chat there and of course I miss Don dearly. Its incredible what a wonderful companion he was during the last years of his life to me. I feel so blessed to have known him and all of you.

Welcome back, Diane. "No point to it" is my feeling exactly about renewing on CM. I renewed in April for one year (at the regular price) and am wondering why. I think I have sent two messages since then, which achieved no results. Maybe there is a fear of missing out but then I see what I would have missed out on. I don't feel much excitement about dating at this point either. 

As for dating someone 2,000 miles away or even somewhat less, I am more adamant than ever about not wanting to do long distance, maybe one hour to two hours max. About two years ago, I pushed out my boundaries to 500 miles in any direction. This included cities like Denver and Tucson. Nothing came of it. I ended up meeting one lady, who lived in the same state about 100 miles away. It went nowhere. 

CM and other sites are constantly trying to convince people to do long distance. But my experience is that most people do not want to do long distance. That was the feedback I got from the messages I sent to women in remote cities. Maybe this is more true of my age group and younger people are more willing. 

I also dislike CM's new messaging system. It is good that they are requiring a minimum word count. But there is a price for it. There are now no paragraph breaks. One of the things I always thought set CM apart from other sites is that you could send long and detailed messages. You can still do that but it is harder with no paragraph breaks. It has been proven that people stop reading if a paragraph just goes on and on without a break. 

I miss Don's wit and wisdom also. I feel that this forum would be in a better place now if he were still around.

---

Hi Fellow members!

I have promised Don that we will not enter into political discussions. CatholicHangout's main purpose is to be a safe haven for all catholics from other secular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, etc.

I remember reading an old CM thread where the Admin had to end a Political room because of the nasty posts they found. There are other platforms for political discussions. Political is not in the CatholicHangout wheelhouse.

I also understand the frustration of the "there is not nothing much to do here other than Fun and Games thread." In my busy schedule and commitment to my local parish, I am doing my best to find ways to promote the love God wants us to have with one another on this forum.

However, we must bring all of our desires to Jesus as He is our ultimate fulfillment. Our future spouses, this forum, or anything else cannot replace His Love for us. When we place our trust in Him, all of our fears, worries and anxieties dissipate.

Thanks, Joshua. I respect your position on this. I certainly would not want you to renege on your promise to Don. At this point, I am at a loss about what to do to shore up this forum. I note that we have lost several active members since the first of this year. Even the "fun and games" thread seems moribund. I will try to come up with some ideas as the spirit moves me. One question is how do you define "politics"? Where would you draw the line between "current or historical events" and "politics"? Could there be discussions of current or historical events that are not political and therefore acceptable on the forum? This is something to think about. I agree we should put our trust in Jesus and not in human beings or human endeavors.

[Diane]

Good morning to all and long time no see

---

Agreed. I am not just struggling with the idea of dating but socializing at all. I no longer drink at all. So that means no meeting for happy hours. I just dont want to. Its incredible the number of friends I have to leave  behind just because I dont want to party. Yes. I can still go but I dont enjoy them any longer. Hate to say. Its funny how technology is changing our interactions. I just went to Ross for a dog bed. I expected to at least chit chat with the cashier. Laugh. Smile. Nope. I was sent to self check out. Why would I shop in a store at all any longer? Easier to do it online if it is all this impersonal. 
Missing those good ol' days more and more!!







Good morning and so nice to see you all here. I renewed on CM when the price was rock bottom and there was really no point to it. I dont feel much excitement about dating at all. Let alone try to get along with someone 2000 miles away. I do miss the chat there and of course I miss Don dearly. Its incredible what a wonderful companion he was during the last years of his life to me. I feel so blessed to have known him and all of you.

Welcome back, Diane. "No point to it" is my feeling exactly about renewing on CM. I renewed in April for one year (at the regular price) and am wondering why. I think I have sent two messages since then, which achieved no results. Maybe there is a fear of missing out but then I see what I would have missed out on. I don't feel much excitement about dating at this point either. 

As for dating someone 2,000 miles away or even somewhat less, I am more adamant than ever about not wanting to do long distance, maybe one hour to two hours max. About two years ago, I pushed out my boundaries to 500 miles in any direction. This included cities like Denver and Tucson. Nothing came of it. I ended up meeting one lady, who lived in the same state about 100 miles away. It went nowhere. 

CM and other sites are constantly trying to convince people to do long distance. But my experience is that most people do not want to do long distance. That was the feedback I got from the messages I sent to women in remote cities. Maybe this is more true of my age group and younger people are more willing. 

I also dislike CM's new messaging system. It is good that they are requiring a minimum word count. But there is a price for it. There are now no paragraph breaks. One of the things I always thought set CM apart from other sites is that you could send long and detailed messages. You can still do that but it is harder with no paragraph breaks. It has been proven that people stop reading if a paragraph just goes on and on without a break. 

I miss Don's wit and wisdom also. I feel that this forum would be in a better place now if he were still around.

---

Hi Fellow members!

I have promised Don that we will not enter into political discussions. CatholicHangout's main purpose is to be a safe haven for all catholics from other secular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, etc.

I remember reading an old CM thread where the Admin had to end a Political room because of the nasty posts they found. There are other platforms for political discussions. Political is not in the CatholicHangout wheelhouse.

I also understand the frustration of the "there is not nothing much to do here other than Fun and Games thread." In my busy schedule and commitment to my local parish, I am doing my best to find ways to promote the love God wants us to have with one another on this forum.

However, we must bring all of our desires to Jesus as He is our ultimate fulfillment. Our future spouses, this forum, or anything else cannot replace His Love for us. When we place our trust in Him, all of our fears, worries and anxieties dissipate.

Thanks, Joshua. I respect your position on this. I certainly would not want you to renege on your promise to Don. At this point, I am at a loss about what to do to shore up this forum. I note that we have lost several active members since the first of this year. Even the "fun and games" thread seems moribund. I will try to come up with some ideas as the spirit moves me. One question is how do you define "politics"? Where would you draw the line between "current or historical events" and "politics"? Could there be discussions of current or historical events that are not political and therefore acceptable on the forum? This is something to think about. I agree we should put our trust in Jesus and not in human beings or human endeavors.

[Jericho]

Let me take this to prayer

[Jericho]

Welcome Back Diane!

[enchantmentadm]

Let me take this to prayer

Thanks, Joshua. Sounds good.