Do we need any site specific close reasons?

Question

The entire question "close" system across the Stack Exchange network is going to get a face-lift soon that will (hopefully) make the fall a little bit gentler for new users and ease the learning curve. I expect this will help our site greatly in transitioning people from the normal preconceived notion of what sort of questions to ask to the specific guidelines of this site and the way we have of keeping things constructive.

You can read about the background to the changes here:

• Closing changes: on hold, unclear, too broad, opinion-based, off-topic reasons, bye-bye to Too Localized

In summary, the language of 'closed' is being softened to 'on hold' to help people grasp the idea that this is a chance to potentially fix their question and get it opened again. Along with this change, the close reasons and explanations are also getting an overhaul.

To top it off, we will have the option to configure site specific close reasons:

• How do moderators make changes to the site-specific closed question reasons?

As an example of how this might be used, check out what the Physics site is talking about for a couple potential site specific close reasons:

• https://physics.meta.stackexchange.com/q/4398/3048

The question is, should we consider any site specific close reasons here and if so what should they be and why?

Answer 1

The one thing that I know we do need is a clearer pastoral advice closure reason.

Perhaps

Your question seems to be related to a request for advice that is better served by talking to someone in your local church, perhaps your pastor, priest, an elder or counselor.

would work as a wording for that.

This is one thing in particular that is decidedly off topic and requires no scope change to implement.

Answer 2

At the risk of being self serving, in How we are different than other sites I enumerated several reasons that I think correspond to the main reasons we close things. Ergo, I would suggest the following Close Reasons:

1. No Question Mark -

   There doesn't appear to be an actual question in this posting. Please understand that we ask questions in which people are trying to learn things, not push an agenda. If there is not an objectively verifiable answer to this question, it is not a question

2. No Scope in which to answer

   This site exists to answer objective questions about the doctrines and practices of Christianity - but answering for "all Christians" is too broad. In order to make this question answerable, please identify the group or groups of Christian doctrine that should be referenced in an answer

3. Pastoral Advice is Off-topic

   We are unable to assist with personal problems, for the simple fact that your problems should be brought to a local pastor, priest, or counselor who is able to know you and diagnose you more fully.

4. Truth Questions are Off-Topic

   This site does not seek to answer "What is the correct practice / form" of anything. Rather, we seek to understand existing doctrine and practice of particular groups of Christians. Please scope your question accordingly.

5. Rhetorical / Faulty Premise question

   As it stands, this question relies on too much opinion to be objectively answered, and/or seems to be more interested in making a point than obtaining information. Please reword this question to rely more on objectively verifiable information and to clarify the desired criteria under which an answer would be accepted.

6. Insufficient Notability

   This site seeks to understand the doctrine and practice of all forms of Christianity, but is not concerned with individually sourced opinion - unless if the person in question meets our standards of notability. Please review the minimum standards for notablity

7. Unnecessary Rudeness

   This site is open to adherents and non-adherents alike, but all questions and answers should be phrased politely and objectively. Questions which are excessively combative, rude, or demeaning to others are not acceptable.

Answer 3

Would it be helpful to have a custom message for Truth questions needing a denominational specification? As it is currently, these questions tend to be closed as not constructive, and when one is left open (1, and maybe 2), the question is never improved because it gets votes and [a variety of] answers.

Something like (quoting fredsbend in a comment in #2 above):

As worded, this is what the community here might call a Truth question. You are obviously looking for an answer to what you should do according to what is true and right. Conversely, questions on this site should be scoped within a particular doctrine or denomination.

Answer 4

We should consider a close reason for seeming combative.

As worded, this question appears hostile. It sounds like you are more interested in debating potential answers instead of learning about various forms of Christianity.

It does happen and we need to squash it quickly. Debate and argument is not a good fit for any SE site.

Answer 5

There was one on physics.se about being not mainstream enough for the site. I don't know if it's worth it to put out here l, we've got a too localized which could apply to this or pastoral advice, but these could be the sub-menu options under too localized.

Question requires esoteric knowledge of a marginally, fractionally tiny subset of Christianity so minute that it may only apply to one persons left brain quadrant during certain phases of the moon.

Or something like that