Tramart, you make some good points. As someone who self-identifies as - I don't know, 40-50% pious - and who only rarely manages to get to the end of a Listener on the day it is published - may I add my thoughts?
I think you're right that pretty much any discussion of a puzzle like this can give information away to a solver who has engaged with it, but not yet finished it. That said, I personally really, really like the balance that is struck on this board. It's purely a matter of taste (which, of course, can't be disputed) but I for one come here because I can see feedback from posters whose views I respect, and interest me.
And there is real self-discipline about not giving the theme or other details away. As you point out, that does happen elsewhere. Whilst I shudder at the thought of censoring what other people freely share openly on the internet, that sort of thing (to my mind) really misses the point of what these puzzles are all about. But, for all that, they are puzzles, and their raison d'etre is to be enjoyed. As you very rightly say, it's only a game. That said, it must be galling to a setter to see the punchline to their joke, and other spoilers, casually and explicitly splashed out on an internet discussion forum.
For all of that, I for one would value others' opinions about some of the detail of this puzzle! With that in mind, I'll open a thread on the Friday when the Listen With Others and George v the Listener blogs comes out, if I may.
Just my (fairly irrelevant) opinion. And, that regardless, Happy Christmas to everyone here.