SURVEY TIME: Why are you at The Cauldron?

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[RandallS]

I hope everyone with a Cauldron membership (even lurkers!) will take a few minutes and answer the following questions. Thank you very much in advance!

1) Why are you at The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum? 

2) What brings you here instead of elsewhere?

3) What do you get (or hope to get) out of The Cauldron?

4) What (if anything) really impresses you about The Cauldron?

5) What (if anything) really disappoints you about The Cauldron?

[Star]

I hope everyone with a Cauldron membership (even lurkers!) will take a few minutes and answer the following questions. Thank you very much in advance!

I'm hoping they will too.  I'm thinking those answers could really help point out to us what we're doing right and where we need improvement.  Feedback is a good thing!

[HeartShadow - Cutethulhu]

I hope everyone with a Cauldron membership (even lurkers!) will take a few minutes and answer the following questions. Thank you very much in advance!

1) Why are you at The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum? 

2) What brings you here instead of elsewhere?

3) What do you get (or hope to get) out of The Cauldron?

4) What (if anything) really impresses you about The Cauldron?

5) What (if anything) really disappoints you about The Cauldron?

1) well, I've been here this long .....

2+3) intelligent conversation.

y'know, this one's hard to answer - I'm here because it's home.  y'know?

[Star]

y'know, this one's hard to answer - I'm here because it's home.  y'know?

Yeah.  That's why I didn't post any answers of my own.  This is home to me now.  I love this place, and that's why I'm here.  There have been bumpy times, sure, but I couldn't even consider going somewhere else; I would rather stay and help make this place the place I want it to be.  That's why I'm here and not elsewhere:  because there is not here.  What I hope to get out of this place is...  home.  And that's what I get.  I mean, there's all kinds of other things, I guess--intelligent conversation, as you say, and a broad exposure to lots of different ideas, and plenty of practical experience in critical thinking.   But when you get to the root of it, what I really want here is home.

[Melamphoros]

1) Why are you at The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum? 

I've been here for about five years (I think).  I've made friends here and enjoy the conversation.

2) What brings you here instead of elsewhere?

I know the people here.  I like the diversity and intelligent conversation and I have problems trying to follow more than two forums at the same time.

3) What do you get (or hope to get) out of The Cauldron?

Intelligent conversation, a good laugh and the occasional barf-inducing SPAM recipe  

4) What (if anything) really impresses you about The Cauldron?

The diversity is probably the main one.  There are not that many pagan forums to have a Catholic, an atheist and someone in the process of converting to Judaism on their staff.  Among the pagans here, we have a nice balance between recons, neo-pagans and eclectics.  And the fact that this is more of an interfaith forum than strictly pagan is somewhat unique.

Also the amount of intelligent people here.  I enjoy thought provoking conversations about everything from religion, to politics and current events, to popular culture to everything else under the sun.

5) What (if anything) really disappoints you about The Cauldron?

I can't think of a single thing

[Melamphoros]

Yeah.  That's why I didn't post any answers of my own.  This is home to me now.  I love this place, and that's why I'm here.  There have been bumpy times, sure, but I couldn't even consider going somewhere else; I would rather stay and help make this place the place I want it to be.  That's why I'm here and not elsewhere:  because there is not here.  What I hope to get out of this place is...  home.  And that's what I get.  I mean, there's all kinds of other things, I guess--intelligent conversation, as you say, and a broad exposure to lots of different ideas, and plenty of practical experience in critical thinking.   But when you get to the root of it, what I really want here is home.

And this is also one of the reasons I'm here.  Out of all the major life changes and milestones over the past few years, TC has been one of the few things that has been somewhat consistent in my life.  Sure there have been times when I couldn't get on due to lack of internet, but those times I missed TC so much that I can't say that I ever left.  Unless something BIG happens, I can't see myself ever leaving for good.

[Starglade]

Hm. Good questions, for those who like me aren't pagan... :-)

I found TC back on Delphi and I've followed it ever since. There are folks here with whom I really enjoy discussing various topics, from whom I've learned SO much (Thanks, Koi!!). It's stimulating to me.

When I started way back when, I was pagan (Wiccish). That part of my life was 20 years or so. Four years or so ago I was drawn to Buddhism (that was a thwap, I tell you), but--I saw no reason to leave here. It's "home" as others have already said. Even if I don't post much, I read. A lot. I speak when I think I have something helpful to say, otherwise, I keep to myself--and read more.

As for what really impresses me--the staff. You guys (and gals), all of you, are amazing to me. I wouldn't have the patience to do what you do, day in and day out.

The level of discourse is usually pretty above average, too. :-)

What doesn't impress me? I can't think of much. Nothing, really. I wouldn't stick around if I wasn't getting something positive out of my interactions here.

[Sperran]

I hope everyone with a Cauldron membership (even lurkers!) will take a few minutes and answer the following questions. Thank you very much in advance!

1) Why are you at The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum? 

I'm here for lots of reasons.  I have a lot of friends here.  Studying religion is a hobby of mine.  Also this place has a lot of really smart people that know a lot about a huge variety of issues...gardening, cooking, pet care, philosophy, psychology, computers, and on and on.  It's my own personal About.com.

2) What brings you here instead of elsewhere?

Elsewhere is stupid.  I'm only half joking.  A lot of the reason I keep coming back here is that there are lots of smart people that aren't extremists.  I tried looking for Jewish forums and found them dominated by extreme Zionists ranting about the evils of Harry Potter.   

3) What do you get (or hope to get) out of The Cauldron?

See number 1.

4) What (if anything) really impresses you about The Cauldron?

Again, see number 1.

5) What (if anything) really disappoints you about The Cauldron?

I wouldn't say *really* disappointed, but sometimes I wish there was more discussion of non-Pagan faiths in the interfaith folder.  However, I also understand that this is a Pagan forum and if folks were that interested in JCI faiths they probably wouldn't have converted to their current belief system.  I also have myself to blame for not starting more threads.

Sperran

[FierFlye]

1) Why are you at The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum? 

To learn, discuss, debate, share, and make new friends.

2) What brings you here instead of elsewhere?

I was on another forum before this one, but was drawn here because of the larger amount of information.  Other forums I've looked at since the Cauldron have been dominated by people who seem too fluffy or misinformed.

3) What do you get (or hope to get) out of The Cauldron?

Knowledge about different paths and practices that interest me. 
Informed information from intelligent people. 
Challenges to my thoughts/beliefs/opinions. 
A sense of community.

4) What (if anything) really impresses you about The Cauldron?

The way it's managed.  At first when I was just reading, before I joined, I thought the rules seemed a bit over-the-top.  Now I'm thankful for them, because they keep the drama down and the crap away.

The knowledge of people here! 

The diversity of paths represented by members.

The amount of information there is here.

5) What (if anything) really disappoints you about The Cauldron?

I cant think of anything...

[RhiannonWhiteMare]

1. I joined mainly in order to meet other Pagans. Since I live in the Bible Belt finding others like me is difficult, especially when I don't openly advertise to the public that I'm a Pagan.

2. I have been on other forums, but others seemed to have flat-lined and there was little posting on them. Plus, TC has a wider variety of message boards. We can exchange ideas about a lot of different topics, from very serious debates to downright silliness.

3. What I mostly hope to get from it is a sense of community among the people here. Sometimes it's not always a good thing that there are so many types of Pagans and so many different paths to take. We don't have central meeting places, like a church or a temple and it's difficult to find others who have similar ideas. Sometimes you can feel like you're the only person in the world who believes the way that you do.

4. I like the fact that there is so much information included on the site. Not all forums include articles and where to find information. I also like the fact that there is a lot of diversity among the members, in that not everyone is Wiccan or a Recon or whatever, but there is a wide variety of paths represented here. It's interesting to see how others celebrate the particular holidays of their paths or perform rituals. I've been to too many forums where it is automatically assumed that Paganism=Wicca or they were too fluffy bunny for my tastes.

5. I really can't think of anything about TC that I don't like.

[FunkyDemon]

I hope everyone with a Cauldron membership (even lurkers!) will take a few minutes and answer the following questions. Thank you very much in advance!

1) Why are you at The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum? 

I am at the Cauldron because it is one of the only Pagan forums I have found.

2) What brings you here instead of elsewhere?

Well I also have an account on AsatruLore, but it is a relatively inactive forum by comparison.

3) What do you get (or hope to get) out of The Cauldron?

Sometime some information, but mostly I get chuckles.

4) What (if anything) really impresses you about The Cauldron?

The diversity of Pagan beliefs.

5) What (if anything) really disappoints you about The Cauldron?

Lack of Asatru/Heathen topics.  I know I could always start some up, but that means I would have to think of something.  I am much better at replying to an existing topic than coming up with one on my own.  Hence I don't post much.  Magic topics seem to dominate, and I can't contribute to those (at least people wouldn't want to see what I am thinking when I see those).

[Kasmira]

I hope everyone with a Cauldron membership (even lurkers!) will take a few minutes and answer the following questions. Thank you very much in advance!

1) Why are you at The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum? 

2) What brings you here instead of elsewhere?

3) What do you get (or hope to get) out of The Cauldron?

4) What (if anything) really impresses you about The Cauldron?

5) What (if anything) really disappoints you about The Cauldron?

1) It started out as a learning resource and it has turned into an online home and community of friends. I may have only been here 4/5 years, but that is about a quarter of my whole life, and I can't imagine not being at TC at this point...

2) Such a long list! TC is intellectual, diverse, active, interesting, funny, thought-provoking, light bulb lobbing, and a thousand other things that I can't think to list just now. The few times I have tried other forums they just haven't managed to compare to TC on any of these counts.

3) Light bulbs, information, a space to explore religious, political, and other subjects, and a community that I feel like I know well even if I haven't met any of y'all face to face.

4) I think I have covered most of it in 1-3. An extra shout out here to the staff. The rules here and their implementation make everything work the way it does and I am infinitely grateful to y'all.

5) Ummm... I can't really think of anything. I guess that we sometimes scare folks away, which is a bit of a shame, but I can't think of a way to change that without sacrificing all that I love about TC, so I figure that we'll have to make do with getting the input and views of those who choose to stick around.

Hope that this helps.

[WarHorse]

5) What (if anything) really disappoints you about The Cauldron?

It takes at least two minutes for the hot water to reach the shower in the guest bedroom.

...

Guess that's about it.

[Finn]

I hope everyone with a Cauldron membership (even lurkers!) will take a few minutes and answer the following questions. Thank you very much in advance!

My answers are basically the same as everyone else's, but oh well.

1. I'm here because... well, I've been here for a while. TC was one of the first places I found when I first start exploring other faiths. Being here has deepened both my irrational and my rational side, deepened my faith and my hope, given me strength, laughter and encouragement. TC has become part of my greater family.

2. Knowledge, lightbulbs, steady friendships and support, trust, laughter, no nonsense (or at least acceptable amounts of nonsense  ). I, like many others here, feel at home here.

3. See the above.

4. See the above, and add the wealth of wisdom so many people have, from all ages and all walks of life.

5. Can't think of anything.

[Pow]

1) Why are you at The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum? 

great info source

2) What brings you here instead of elsewhere?

better info source, seems troll-free

3) What do you get (or hope to get) out of The Cauldron?

spitirual expansion I hope - and to just enjoy my time here

4) What (if anything) really impresses you about The Cauldron?

the posters and the posts 

5) What (if anything) really disappoints you about The Cauldron? the running timer that says how long you've been logged in . . . freaks me out lol

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