GOOD NEWS - BAD NEWS (Don't Say You Weren't Warned)

Self | 1-22-04 | Sidebar Moderator

[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.

[polemikos]

The Bible SHOWS that Simon was called 'Peter' BEFORE your famous name change verse.

Sorry. I don't get your point.
Jesus still names him "Rock".

"Simon whom he surnamed Peter" Mk 3:16 (KJV)
"Simon, whom he named Peter" Lk 6:14a (KJV)

Both the new name and the act of God changing the name are significant.

[Barnacle]

The "Church" was built on Jesus Christ. I truly wish that you and the rest of my RC brothers & sisters would look at that fact and try to restore the whole Church, instead of trying to re-enforce the authority of the Bishop of Rome.

If I might respond; The way I see it, Jesus built the Church. And, he built it upon Peter.

Rather than attempt to disprove the legitimacy of other religions, it is my hope to defend Catholicism from those who attempt who would do that to us.

I also defend our pope. But, more importantly, I try to live in accordance with his application of Christ's teaching to the challenges that we all face in this day.

E.g., Pope Says Media Damaging Families
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1064749/posts

[P-Marlowe]

Just out of curiosity. Are protestants capable of being saved? Or is salvation only through the Roman Catholic Church?

Because if salvation is available to people who are not under the authority of the Roman Catholic Church organization, then the "Church" is not the Roman Catholic organization, but the entire Body of believers in Christ, who are members of any and all organizations that subscribe to the teachings of Jesus and are saved, not by some Church, but by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

So, regardless of whether or not Peter was the first pope, if Salvation is available outside the Catholic Church, then it is irrelevant who is, or is not, Pope.

So, polemikos, what is it? I claim to be a member of the Body of Christ. I claim to believe in Christ through faith. I am not now nor have I ever been a member of the Catholic Church. Is it possible that I am saved?

[Invincibly Ignorant]

Note that it was technically the Saducees who sat in Moses' seat...they controled the priesthood and the government. While the Pharisees are being slapped on the wrist, the REAL insult is to the Saducees. Interesting, no?

Very interesting. I know that Sadducees dominated the government, sanhedrin, etc., but did they the priesthood as well? Was Ciaphas a Sadducee?

[Invincibly Ignorant]

So, polemikos, what is it? I claim to be a member of the Body of Christ. I claim to believe in Christ through faith. I am not now nor have I ever been a member of the Catholic Church. Is it possible that I am saved?

I can answer that. You're Invincibly Ignorant. You'll be fine. Welcome to my world. :-)

[Barnacle]

Barbara Feldon bump.

See Post #780.

That's me on the left. Take a good look too, because it might be the only time you see me on the left side of anything. I even bought an old mail truck just so I can drive from the right.

?;^T

[polemikos]

The "Church" was built on Jesus Christ. I truly wish that you and the rest of my RC brothers & sisters would look at that fact and try to restore the whole Church, instead of trying to re-enforce the authority of the Bishop of Rome.

Could you help me out here? Rather than ignore my argument(s), show me where it is wrong or explain why I should ignore what sacred Scripture plainly says.

While I wholeheartedly agree with the directive that there should be "one flock" I am also constrained by the one truth. And it is because our separated bretheren rely on their unbiblical private interpretation of sacred Scripture (and we all witness the heartache that that has engendered) that we turn to sacred Scripture to defend those interpretations that have been held since the beginning of the "Church". To see the fullness of Christian truth, we invite you into the Church that Jesus Christ established on earth. Examine its claims, seek the historical foundations, understand how the Bible was read and interpreted by the Fathers of the Church and receive a holy shock.

[TradicalRC]

Good point. However, I must say your title,to wit: "moderator" is in itself prejudicial toward a moderate middle way. That must necessarily bias you against extremes whether they are speaking truthfully or not. Perhaps we also should have an extremetor as well.

[Lead Moderator]

"I don't buy into that BS"

Your buying into it is not a requirement. However, your adhering to the guidelines we set is a requirement if you are going to be a participant here.

Thanks, LM

[polemikos]

Are protestants capable of being saved? Or is salvation only through the Roman Catholic Church?

Because if salvation is available to people who are not under the authority of the Roman Catholic Church organization, then the "Church" is not the Roman Catholic organization, but the entire Body of believers in Christ, who are members of any and all organizations that subscribe to the teachings of Jesus and are saved, not by some Church, but by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

So, regardless of whether or not Peter was the first pope, if Salvation is available outside the Catholic Church, then it is irrelevant who is, or is not, Pope.

So, polemikos, what is it? I claim to be a member of the Body of Christ. I claim to believe in Christ through faith. I am not now nor have I ever been a member of the Catholic Church. Is it possible that I am saved?

For a good exposition on how the Church has understood this issue all the way back to the earliest Fathers of the Church, see "Salvation outside the Church".

[Lead Moderator]

I know just the guy.

Joke the property of our very own KC

[TradicalRC]

Hey! That's no way to talk about your Grammar.

[P-Marlowe]

Could you please just answer the questions? Its a yes or no question. After you answer yes or no, then you can give me a synopsis of your article.

I'll repeat the question:

I claim to be a member of the Body of Christ. I claim to believe in Christ through faith. I am not now nor have I ever been a member of the Catholic Church. Is it possible that I am saved?

A simple yes, or no, or I don't know will do.

Thanks.

[RnMomof7]

As usual excellent

[Invincibly Ignorant]

You know what I see? I see Jews embracing a certian type of evangelical Christian. I see Jews accepting a form of christianity that furthers their cause. What would it benefit them to antagonize a large financial supporter of theirs? From their point of view I can understand why they choose not to participate

Unbelievable. Its typical that you would think a Jew participating in a religious forum is merely a financial decision. Yo malakhi? Is this why you participate?

[TradicalRC]

I just had an Amber Hill Cabernet Sauvignon -2000 for about $10.00 a bottle. Full flavor, clean finish. Can drink with or without a meal.

[TradicalRC]

It's not that two buck Chuck is good, it's that it's not Bad. The glut in the wine industry has pushed the price of wine down so far that wine is often cheaper than water.

Who says there is no God?

[RnMomof7]

(A) The Papacy and the Magisterium don't rely on sola Scriptura and (B) the Papacy and the Magisterium don't lead to error, so I must confess I don't see your point.

Not to speak for AJ But I do think the point is that you claim that Sola Scriptura causes apostasies and cults etc.

AJ's point was that you DO NOT use the Bible as the basis for your faith and yet it can not keep itself together either ..

B) So you believe the selling of indulgents for the dead ..and In advance to your own sin so you could buy your own way into heaven was not an error??...

You need to look at the cafeteria Catholics ..each believing what they choose..

People in glass houses should not caste stone

[polemikos]

Could you please just answer the questions? Its a yes or no question. After you answer yes or no, then you can give me a synopsis of your article.

I note with some amusement the response given by Invincibly Ignorant in post 785 above. In effect, I suppose it all depends on whether you're innocently (some would indeed say "invincibly") ignorant.

But all potentially smart-@$$ remarks aside, please see "Salvation outside the Church" for a fuller explanation. It's a short read and the issues involved require that one knows the state of one's own mind and heart.

[White Mountain]

My #767:

1938 should be 1838.

"fifteenth" (century) should be "sixteenth", or the 1500s.