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Religion Forum Guidelines – Ecumenism
May 14, 2008 | Religion Moderator

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.

If you are offended that conservatives have serious religious disagreements, do not use the “everything” browse option. If you are new to the Religion Forum, click on my profile page for guidelines.

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.”

Prayer threads are closed to debate of any kind.

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.


TOPICS: Ecumenism
KEYWORDS: faq
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To: netmilsmom

Nope


281 posted on 05/14/2008 1:24:35 PM PDT by greyfoxx39 (Plea to mormon FReepers, "DONT HOSE ME, BRO!")
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To: netmilsmom

No, it’s me. And the sissies that hit that darn abuse button. lol

I am offended at people who get offended all the time at things they just need to get over. lol So when someone reads something I said and then takes it completely out of context, or worse, says “You said” something I didn’t actually say, it really makes me mad and I go after them, and I swing usually for the kneecaps.

I don’t pull punches and I tell it EXACTLY as I see it.

I could care less if people are “offended” by something I say, because, in life, we all need to gather our senses and think clearly, and not lie and cheat people out of their opinions and beliefs.

I don’t think people who hit the “abuse button” think clearly, or they do so out of anger.

I think they need to get over it (hence my cracks today that apparently got some of my stuff removed. lol!)


282 posted on 05/14/2008 1:25:19 PM PDT by Rick.Donaldson (http://www.transasianaxis.com - Please visit for latest on DPRK/Russia/China/et al.)
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To: xzins

Why not?


283 posted on 05/14/2008 1:25:19 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Gamecock

Protestants are NOT Orthodox. They reject a good portion of the early tradition that Orthodoxy preserves. Most reject the Liturgy entirely, except for some High Church Anglicans and Lutherans. The Liturgy is one of the most vital parts of Orthodox tradition.

Most reject the Eucharist and everything else “spiritual” about the Church in favor of Churches that are little more than Sunday Schools and Bible Study Sessions.


284 posted on 05/14/2008 1:26:38 PM PDT by ChurtleDawg (voting only encourages them)
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To: greyfoxx39

Well, to your Nope....

>>or will certain posters continue to be allowed to post ad hominems and be tolerated?<<

Guess you wouldn’t be tolerated.


285 posted on 05/14/2008 1:26:39 PM PDT by netmilsmom (I am Ironmom. (but really made from Gold plated titanium))
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To: wmfights

The “open” threads will still be there so you can “fight it out.” The difference is that thin-skinned posters will be booted from the “open” threads - just like “anti” posters will be booted from the “ecumenic” threads.


286 posted on 05/14/2008 1:28:01 PM PDT by Religion Moderator
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To: Rick.Donaldson

>>“You said” something I didn’t actually say, it really makes me mad and I go after them, and I swing usually for the kneecaps.<<

My heart goes out to you, truly. I’ve seen that happen, then when it’s the end of the discussion, it’s almost like a bully situation in some schools. The Bully that started it doesn’t get punished, the kid that hit back after months of crap, does.


287 posted on 05/14/2008 1:29:45 PM PDT by netmilsmom (I am Ironmom. (but really made from Gold plated titanium))
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To: sandyeggo
EXACTLY. Which means when you talk of abuse-button-pushers, you DON'T KNOW who is doing the pushing. No one does, except the mod. So you have NO IDEA who does the most button-pushing around here.

But we do know who is always pinging the Religion Moderator and whining and complaining about what is being said that they are unable to reasonably dispute. Those are a matter of record.

288 posted on 05/14/2008 1:31:31 PM PDT by Uncle Chip (TRUTH : Ignore it. Deride it. Allegorize it. Interpret it. But you can't ESCAPE it.)
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To: greyfoxx39

Yes.


289 posted on 05/14/2008 1:32:55 PM PDT by Religion Moderator
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To: Titanites

That’s because your minds (plural) won’t receive it unless it comes straight from the Pope or the Vatican or the Magesterium.


290 posted on 05/14/2008 1:33:00 PM PDT by Marysecretary (.GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL)
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To: Religion Moderator

Ok, so I post an Oswald Chambers devotional but I do not care if people post for/against it how would I approach that.
It ask this because I love the debate and challenge because it helps me stand firm and possibly point out where someone else may have missed the TRUE GLORY or God.
Just wondering.


291 posted on 05/14/2008 1:33:49 PM PDT by svcw (There is no plan B.)
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To: Religion Moderator
What an absolute hoot of a thread. The irony of trying to bring order to a "Religion" forum and to control self-identified followers of Jesus Christ in order to stop them insulting and swatting each other, seems lost on most.

I wonder what a non-believer who was forced to read it would make of it? The milk of human kindness is not much in evidence. In fact, the overwhelming impression is of a group of part-time lawyers who have a problem with authority and who want to push the rules to the limits.

It's pretty clear that most of you spend way too much time around here and some of you appear completely obsessed and unbalanced.

292 posted on 05/14/2008 1:34:19 PM PDT by marshmallow
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To: ChurtleDawg
Interesting use of words.

You use the word "not" and "most"

If "most" don't, the fact is some do, but with a different understanding of what Rome/EOs have.

Perhaps you have never heard of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church?

Again, some of us do consider ourselves Orthodox. And let's not forget our Orthodox Jewish FRiends.

293 posted on 05/14/2008 1:34:25 PM PDT by Gamecock (The question is not, “Am I good enough to be a Christian?” rather “Am I good enough not to be?")
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To: wmfights

Yep, that’s right. I always say if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Now it looks as though they’re closing the kitchen!


294 posted on 05/14/2008 1:34:44 PM PDT by Marysecretary (.GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL)
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To: Uncle Chip

>>But we do know who is always pinging the Religion Moderator and whining and complaining about what is being said that they are unable to reasonably dispute<<

Reasonably dispute? *snicker*

If some of the “reasonable disputes” happened on one of Alouette’s threads, she would actually show you what “reasonable” means. Lord Love her! I want to be just like her, but I’m not as clever.


295 posted on 05/14/2008 1:34:53 PM PDT by netmilsmom (I am Ironmom. (but really made from Gold plated titanium))
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To: sandyeggo

Uh, huh. From both sides.


296 posted on 05/14/2008 1:35:40 PM PDT by Marysecretary (.GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL)
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To: Marysecretary

>>Now it looks as though they’re closing the kitchen!<<

I think I’m going to Applebees for dinner!


297 posted on 05/14/2008 1:37:23 PM PDT by netmilsmom (I am Ironmom. (but really made from Gold plated titanium))
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To: 1000 silverlings
What you will see on these ecumenical threads is exactly what went on on the first "respectful dialogue thread" one. Disrupters will take up their little posts and lie in wait for anyone that they happen to disagree with.

I don't think so - the "cut" here is very easy to understand. No "anti" posts on "ecumenic" threads. In the "respectful dialog" attempt there was no agreement as to what was or was not "respectful."
298 posted on 05/14/2008 1:37:31 PM PDT by Religion Moderator
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To: Religion Moderator

If we cannot ask questions on a post, how on earth do we get clarification on what someone believes?
I personal do not care if people challenge me, keeps me on my toes.
I wonder why people are so afraid of questions?


299 posted on 05/14/2008 1:38:09 PM PDT by svcw (There is no plan B.)
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To: marshmallow

Welcome to the thread.

Based on you assessment of what goes on around here you might be spending a bit too much time lurking the RF. What does that say about you?


300 posted on 05/14/2008 1:38:17 PM PDT by Gamecock (The question is not, “Am I good enough to be a Christian?” rather “Am I good enough not to be?")
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