Ecumenic threads are closed to antagonism.
To antagonize is to incur or to provoke hostility in others.
Unlike the “caucus” threads, the article and reply posts of an “ecumenic” thread can discuss more than one belief, but antagonism is not tolerable.
More leeway is granted to what is acceptable in the text of the article than to the reply posts. For example, the term “gross error” in an article will not prevent an ecumenical discussion, but a poster should not use that term in his reply because it is antagonistic. As another example, the article might be a passage from the Bible which would be antagonistic to Jews. The passage should be considered historical fact and a legitimate subject for an ecumenic discussion. The reply posts however must not be antagonistic.
Contrasting of beliefs or even criticisms can be made without provoking hostilities. But when in doubt, only post what you are “for” and not what you are “against.” Or ask questions.
Ecumenical threads will be moderated on a “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” basis. When hostility has broken out on an “ecumenic” thread, I’ll be looking for the source.
Therefore “anti” posters must not try to finesse the guidelines by asking loaded questions, using inflammatory taglines, gratuitous quote mining or trying to slip in an “anti” or “ex” article under the color of the “ecumenic” tag.
Posters who try to tear down other’s beliefs or use subterfuge to accomplish the same goal are the disrupters on ecumenic threads and will be booted from the thread and/or suspended.
My mom has been harping on this for some time & last year she came very close to convincing the priest to hold a parish seder meal for Passover. I agree with your point.
Good post.
Seems Christians celebrating Passover is becoming more common these days. I quite enjoy a good traditional Seder. ...except for the gefilte fish part.
The question “why do Jews continue to be Jews” is a critical one for Jews and Christians alike, and answers can be found in the history of the Passover, the First Commandment, and Moses’ adventures at Sinai.
Christians certainly share this history, but adhere to the New and Eternal Covenant as defined in the New Testament, which, they believe, critically revises God’s older covenant.
In any case, for Christians, the material observance of the Jewish Passover can be an enlightening and spiritually fulfilling glimpse at the ways of a people (including Rabbi Jesus of Nazareth) who worship the singular God of Abraham, Isaac, Jesus, et al.
Be Steadfast in the LORD, read the HAGADDAH at your worshipful feast, and eat that matzoh, my Christian brothers!