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Locked on 01/26/2004 9:33:25 AM PST by Sidebar Moderator, reason:
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Posted on 01/22/2004 6:34:29 PM PST by Sidebar Moderator
The bad news is that I am the newly designated moderator of Free Republic's Religion Forum. The good news is that I am the newly designated moderator of Free Republic's Religion Forum.
First, let's discuss why this is bad news.
I have no doubt that everyone who participates in this forum is aware of the general posting guidelines of Free Republic; they've been in effect as long as Free Republic has been in existence. Just for clarity, here they are again: "NO profanity, NO personal attacks, NO racism or violence in posts."
Having spent the better part of a week reading as much as I was able to get to on the Religion Forum, which includes virtually every currently posted thread, I can say that I've seen no profanity (should be a given on a forum devoted to religion), and only one or two posts which could be construed to contain violence. On that score I commend you all.
Unfortunately, however, personal attacks are rampant. Protestants attack Catholics, and vice versa. Within these two major Christian families, Calvinists attack Arminians, and tit-for-tat. Traditional Catholics attack New Age Catholics, and back it comes. Self-professed Christians of all flavors post gratuitous insults and jibes directed toward Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses frequently. Threads are posted for the obvious and sole purpose of flaming "the opposition", whoever that might be in any particular instance. I could go on and on with further examples, but from many of your posted comments it is clear that all of you are aware of these facts, and seemingly, accept them as the order of things.
It is not the order of things, and it will no longer be tolerated.
Sadly, a forum devoted to perhaps the highest endeavor of the human mind and soul, that of the religious expression of faith, has become an embarrassment to Free Republic. All too often the discourse appearing in the Religion Forum resembles that found in those threads devoted to the War on Drugs, less the profanity, of course. Consequently, the question whether the Religion Forum will remain much longer as a feature of Free Republic, at least in its present format, is very much up in the air. How that question is answered depends entirely on the response each and every one of you make to this announcement in the next few weeks.
Therefore, from this time forward, the Free Republic rule of " NO profanity, NO personal attacks, NO racism or violence in posts.", will be more strictly enforced. Furthermore, you are all reminded that this is a religion forum; that is, all practitioners of any recognized religion, provided they also follow the rules, are welcome. However, since a large majority of posters to this forum are self-professing Christians, of one flavor or another, some additional rules will be imposed. You should all be quite familiar with them, even though some of you seem to pay them no heed at present.
These rules are:
"The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'." [Mark 12:31 (RSV)]
"But I say to you that hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." [Luke 6:27 (RSV)]
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." [John 13:34 (RSV)]
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments." [John 14:15 (RSV)]
Or, if the commandments of our Lord Jesus are insufficient (paraphrasing Paul) speak the truth in love.
For now, enough of the harsh words. There really is good news.
First and foremost, all that has passed prior to today is forgiven. However, my forgiveness, unlike that of God, is continuing but not unlimited. After all, I'm a sinner, too. Transgressions of the rules will be met with three warnings, followed by three progressively lengthy suspensions, after which unrepentant posters will be, shall we say, cast into the outer darkness. Totally outrageous violations, of course, remain subject to the ultimate penalty immediately, as always.
However, I am also aware that love, in the Biblical sense, is not the Hollywood kind of love we hear about all around us these days. Spirited debate is a hallmark of Free Republic, and is welcome. Sometimes the truth (at least as we understand it, through a glass darkly) sounds rather harsh, but even harsh truth can be couched in terms that allow the Christian love of the speaker to come through.
Further, no matter how you read the tenor of this announcement, I am not a martinet. I can be persuaded to change my mind by reasoned discourse. On the other hand, sinful nature that I have, I do not suffer fools gladly. Directing complaints to me over some action I have taken is fine; doing so with insulting language will not achieve the results you desire, and in fact, will probably result in something far worse. And, as always, I am not the ultimate authority regarding any decision I make; anything I do can be appealed to one higher court - Jim Robinson, by whose direction I am here as moderator.
There are some things I will not do. I will not arbitrate theological disputes. I will not resolve questions of church polity. Nor will I render judgment on interpretations of Scripture. Those are all issues for legitimate debate, and I do not propose to take part as just another poster on this forum. Naturally, I have my own opinions on all these issues, but my opinions are my own and I will keep them to myself.
You should also know, I suppose, that I was selected as the moderator of the Religion Forum because no one else wanted to wade into the mess that this forum has become. All too often when abuse reports come into the moderators from the Religion Forum it is discovered that there are no clean hands in the dispute under complaint. More often than not removing the post complained about generates another abuse report asking "why was I punished when he said thus-and-so first". In many cases, removing all of the offending posts makes the thread unreadable. So, whatever you think of me now, or come to think of me in the next few weeks, I'm your last chance. After me comes the abyss.
And do yourself a favor; before you respond to this announcement remember the immortal advice of Jim Croce:
I'm not Jim, but I've got his ear.
One final word. I am not here 24/7. I actually have a life away from Free Republic; consequently your questions/complaints/comments may not be answered immediately. Be patient, they will be answered eventually. In the end, my goal is (our goal should be) that there will come the day when my presence here is unnoticed. That should be attainable if we all act like the Christian brothers and sisters we claim to be.
May God bless you all.
I fear that Free Republic is no longer going to be “free,” in regards to the Religion forum. Having read your new posting guidelines in regards to what you deem "appropriate" to be posted within the "Religion" section of "Free" Republic, I along with many others have a simple question for you:
Apart from being chosen by Mr. Robinson, what qualifies you from an academic and Biblical perspective to be the arbitrator of what is viewed as "appropriate" on the Free Republic forum on Religion?
I am not seeking to be controversial but this is a valid question, especially given the fact that you will now control what is deemed or perceived as suitable or not. As for qualifications, in my case I possess a BA in Biblical Studies, a MA in the New Testament and a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies. By God's grace I have taught multitudes of courses on the graduate and undergraduate level and have extensive pastoral, missions and chaplaincy experience.
I do not include the above in order to brag, but because, I believe it is only fair, in asking you to share your qualifications, to humbly present my own.
Unfortunately, in spite of our qualifications, I have a feeling that I along with many others will not pass your level of censorship when we call into question false doctrine or dubious religious beliefs and practices. Because your criterion for what seems appropriate is that which does not confront, cause dissention or debate or that which makes waves among those reading and posting within this forum. That presumptive criteria is false on the face of it.
In your letter you cite Christ's law of love as your guideline for posting. While that is admirable you however overlook or negate His willingness to take a stand for the truth in spite of the fallout. In some instances this same Christ called the religious leaders of his days "whitewashed tombs" or a "brood of vipers" because of what they taught or how they acted. I have a feeling our Lord would not have passed your criteria either.
The apostle Paul makes it very clear that the followers of Christ and those who lead them have a responsibility to speak the truth in love and to “contend earnestly for the faith once and for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3) because many false teachers have gone out into the world. Of necessity that command involves pointing out that which is false and faithful correction via the Word of God because "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (2Timothy 3:16 - 17). This concept is reiterated by the apostle Peter and was avidly practiced by the prophets throughout the Old Testament. Many of them were not deemed appropriate and those in power didn’t like their message either, but they were true Prophets of God and their message was and is the infallible Word of God.
In closing, your one claim to fame for being the moderator is that you purport to be moderating at the behest of Jim Robinson. You stated that you are not the “ultimate authority regarding any decision” and that any decision you make “can be appealed to one higher court - Jim Robinson, by whose direction I am here as moderator”. My one response is this: God and His Holy Word, not any man, needs to be your ultimate authority and “higher court” behind the decisions you make as the moderator of the forum on Religion.
Humbly yours in Christ,
Dr. S, aka: Jmouse007
It is my nature to suggest things rather than give orders. It keeps things pleasant, and that is our aim here, at least partially. When I said that your tag line was not helping, I was hoping you would be willing to help us improve the atmosphere around here. It seemed that you weren't.
However, everyone should now be aware that I have absolutely no problem making decisions or following through with them. For the record, I have a very well developed sense of humor, and enjoy a good joke or story as much as the next person. But...this is not a game I'm playing here. Every word in this announcement was carefully chosen (okay, except for "New Age Catholic"; I forgot the correct terminology), and vetted through Jim Robinson and all the other moderators. It would do everyone well to re-read what it says.
~Raises hand~
You know Religion. The Moderator knows rudeness.
I DEMAND REPARATIONS! I DEMAND THAT THE MODS EXPEL YOU BECAUSE OF THIS CRUEL AND DESPICABLE FLAME AND ATTACK!
We shall see if that continues. There is a chill wind blowing...
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