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GOOD NEWS - BAD NEWS (Don't Say You Weren't Warned)
Self | 1-22-04 | Sidebar Moderator

Posted on 01/22/2004 6:34:29 PM PST by Sidebar Moderator

GOOD NEWS - BAD NEWS

(Don't Say You Weren't Warned)

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:

'You don't tug on Superman's cape
You don't spit into the wind
You don't pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger
And you don't mess around with Jim'

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.


TOPICS: Catholic; Charismatic Christian; Eastern Religions; Evangelical Christian; Islam; Judaism; Mainline Protestant; Orthodox Christian; Other Christian; Other non-Christian; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics; Theology
KEYWORDS: adminlectureseries; catholiclist; fr; ick; law; lexicon; sidebarpastor; zionist
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To: Alex Murphy
Sinners in the hands of an angry Mod

Now that's funny. ;o)

61 posted on 01/22/2004 8:05:03 PM PST by malakhi
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To: P-Marlowe; CARepubGal; Alex Murphy
Ah yes, that's the one I was looking for.
62 posted on 01/22/2004 8:05:22 PM PST by Corin Stormhands (Virginia Senator John ChaChingChester is TAXING my nerves.)
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To: Sidebar Moderator
I hope you are seminary-trained, since some of the ad hominems are subtle, or at least esoteric to the uninitiated.
63 posted on 01/22/2004 8:06:39 PM PST by Fifth Business
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To: Sidebar Moderator
I LIKE IT! I LIKE IT!

We might just have a spot in the world where people can discuss religion with an attitude of learning from each other instead of insulting each other.

WHODA THUNK IT?

Sidebar Moderator: Great piece of writing. Good Luck to you and all of us. A noble cause!
64 posted on 01/22/2004 8:07:20 PM PST by kitkat
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To: DouglasKC; Quester; PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain; CindyDawg
Think Smoky Back Room before complete and total elimination.

Looks like SB is an annihilationist. ;o)

65 posted on 01/22/2004 8:08:26 PM PST by malakhi
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To: Sidebar Moderator
How about demerit cards. It would bring back memories for lots of us.
66 posted on 01/22/2004 8:09:22 PM PST by Desdemona (Kempis' Imitation of Christ online! http://www.leaderu.com/cyber/books/imitation/imitation.html)
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To: Sidebar Moderator
Thanks for bringing it to his attention, but he's heard it before and disagrees.

Is my tag line going to get me suspended?

If not, I'll leave it there on this thread, as I feel its appropriate. I think your statement, that Free Republic is embarrassed by religious debate, is the bottom line, and was the primary reason the Religion Forum Ghetto was created.

Stop trying to please the power brokers in the GOP and return to trying to please God. My post # 56 is spot on.

67 posted on 01/22/2004 8:10:43 PM PST by Polycarp IV (Is this how the Jews felt after going into the ghetto but prior to Auschwitz?)
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To: Fifth Business
some of the ad hominems are subtle, or at least esoteric to the uninitiated.


68 posted on 01/22/2004 8:11:17 PM PST by P-Marlowe (LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o* &AAGG)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg
But you cannot expect anyone of strong religious belief, especially if that person is a conservative, to agree that "your God is the same as my God; all Gods are equal."

I think FR has turned Unitarian.

69 posted on 01/22/2004 8:11:38 PM PST by Dr Warmoose
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To: malakhi
Nah, I've been there. They usually let you out after awhile. I think it depends on what level you are put in though.
70 posted on 01/22/2004 8:13:46 PM PST by CindyDawg
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To: CAtholic Family Association
That's one.

Lose the tag line.

71 posted on 01/22/2004 8:14:50 PM PST by Sidebar Moderator (I'm keeping a log; wouldn't want to shortchange anyone on their three chances.)
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To: Alex Murphy
Groan :>)
72 posted on 01/22/2004 8:14:51 PM PST by irishtenor (If animals weren't meant to be eaten, why did God make them out of meat?)
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To: CAtholic Family Association
Brian, don't do this. I want you around. Remember my one week prophecy? Don't prove me right.

Take a break.... please.
73 posted on 01/22/2004 8:16:16 PM PST by drstevej
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To: Sidebar Moderator
OK.
74 posted on 01/22/2004 8:16:40 PM PST by Polycarp IV (So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth)
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To: Sidebar Moderator
Oh come on now. The first thread should be for airing views, freely
75 posted on 01/22/2004 8:16:41 PM PST by Markofhumanfeet (That's fair. I'm quoting some of the bible all of the time,)
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To: drstevej
I've said my piece.
76 posted on 01/22/2004 8:18:33 PM PST by Polycarp IV ("Illegitmus non tatum carborundum.")
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To: P-Marlowe
Alas, the significance of your post is lost on me. Care to explain?
77 posted on 01/22/2004 8:18:34 PM PST by Fifth Business
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To: CAtholic Family Association
Is my tag line going to get me suspended?

Not to worry. I, for one, will remember you as the "Father of the Liquidation". Your tireless efforts will have been rewarded.

78 posted on 01/22/2004 8:19:49 PM PST by St.Chuck
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To: CAtholic Family Association
Tag line sounds familiar

Quoting Millie Limbaugh is a nice touch!

:-)
79 posted on 01/22/2004 8:21:00 PM PST by drstevej
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To: Fifth Business
Did you press your pointer on the birdie? If you did, then you should have heard an esoteric ad-hominem. The kind that only learned theologians would be able to discipher.
80 posted on 01/22/2004 8:21:49 PM PST by P-Marlowe (LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o* &AAGG)
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