Posted on 05/14/2008 9:06:42 AM PDT by Religion Moderator
In late April, markomalley and gamecock made a trial run at a “respectful dialog” category for threads on the Religion Forum. The trial failed due to the inability of the posters to agree on what is or is not “respectful.” Then in early May, several other posters appealed for the elimination of posts which seek to tear down other poster’s beliefs (iconoclasm.)
Meanwhile, the situation on the Religion Forum has been exacerbated by posters on the News/Activism forum inadvertently being exposed to religious debate as a result of choosing the “everything” option on browse instead of the “News/Activism” option.
In response to the pleas for a “respectful dialog” and/or the elimination of “iconoclasm” (attacks on other people’s beliefs) – I’m opening the floor for trial postings of a new type of semi-open thread which we shall call “ecumenic.”
Unlike the caucus threads, any poster could reply to an ecumenic thread. And the article on which an ecumenic thread is based could include contrasts and challenges of other beliefs. However, on the ecumenic thread, the poster must not argue against any other beliefs. He can only argue for what he believes – or ask questions.
While we test this new type of thread, be sure to tag every article so that posters will know when to avoid a thread. The tags during this trial run are “prayer” “devotional” “caucus” “ecumenic” or “open.”
Devotional threads are closed to debate of any kind.
Caucus threads are closed to any poster who is not a member of the caucus. If it says “Catholic Caucus” and you are not Catholic, do not post to the thread. However, if the poster of the caucus welcomes you, I will not boot you from the thread.
Ecumenic threads in this trial run are closed to all “anti” arguments. 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.
Open threads are a town square – posters may argue for or against beliefs of any kind. They may tear down other's beliefs. They may ridicule, similar to the Smoky Backroom with the exception that a poster must never “make it personal.” Reading minds and attributing motives are forms of “making it personal.” Thin-skinned posters will be booted from “open” threads because in the town square, they are the disrupters.
When you see a post which is inappropriate for an ecumenic thread, ping me. Do not bother the Admin Moderators with an abuse report unless the situation requires immediate attention.
It is impossible to talk about the reformation without talking about disagreements.
lol. Exactly. Add to that all the contradictions and double-speak...
Even on this thread there's quibbling about what Rome teaches concerning life on other planets.
If the official Vatican Astronomer isn't the one speaking for the Vatican regarding astronomy, then who, pray tell, is???
You ask good questions that lead to clarification of the issue — questions that would not be allowed on the ecumenic forum. Better get them out of your system.
lol
Have to read what I said :)
No I don’t participate on the religious forums, ANYWHERE. :)
I have been involved with, and running BBSes and forums since about 1980.
Mostly dialup. I have helped to run some strictly religious forums back on dial up days and they were, to say the least, the WORST forums with which I was ever associated. We tried setting rules and trying to keep the peace but in the end, it was finally no good.
If the forum was specific enough, there weren’t any problems, but due to the sometimes extreme differences of opinion, even in the same group of people, we gave up trying and eventually shut everything down.
Why am I ‘negative’? I’m not, not really, I was wishing you folks good luck with it, but my personal experiences as a system operator, forum administrator and moderator for over a dozen different sites tells me that no one has a lock on “how it will work” and no matter how many rules you put into place, someone will figure out a way to screw things up.
Mainly, it will be trolls and extreme opposite ends of the same spectrum that come into conflict.
So, no, I wasn’t trying to be “negative”, just wishing you all best of luck and I hope for the best for everyone.
If it were irrelevant then you wouldn’t react to it.
>>If you start to be aware, you will notice they bring nothing to a discussion, just a tendency to be offended.<<
No, I’ve noticed a group that come to a discussion TO offend, but hey, that’s over now!
This "Co-Redemptrix" thing is "Deja Vu all over again" (Yogi Berra).
Prepare yourself.
NET: Not on a caucus thread. On an open thread you can.
No one is talking about caucus threads. I won't venture onto a Catholic caucus thread because I respect the designation of a "caucus."
We're talking about what we can and cannot say on "ecumenic" threads.
Nooo, dear annalex, that’s not one of them.
Oh, so then they won’t be posting on the open threads! Good
Pot. Kettle. Black.
If the official Vatican Astronomer isn't the one speaking for the Vatican regarding astronomy, then who, pray tell, is???
Astronomy.... theology. There is a difference, you know?
>>Posters always have the option to ignore those posters they don’t believe offer anything of importance to the discussion<<
I got the same type of answer from the Assistant Principal at my daughter’s school when a group of “Alpha Girl/Mean Girls” were picking on her.
That’s how the libs handle bullies.
Such things are posted also to deceive. Thus, they should be corrected.
Hey it's nice to see you get on a thread!
We see, but the TRUTH still gets through doesn't it! :-)
Agree. Me, too.
Sounds about right.
Bile would be what I taste in my mouth when I read such as your tag line or that of Mad Dawg, or much of the extra-Biblical RCC dogma & doctrine.
He's the Vatican astronomer.
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