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.
LOL!
>>What an absolute hoot of a thread<<
I said that from the beginning!
I will do my very best to read every post and apply the guidelines equally.
Yes, but who will decide just what “anti” is. On the other thread, everybody and his cousin decided what was “disrespectful”, so much so that the whole thread was just disruptful, no one could post anything. Even Alamo girl was “disrespectful” which was ridiculous.
****************
I would guess that it's lost on many, but there may be more than you think who recognize the irony here.
Saving this post! ;)
That is a John Robinson issue maybe a new thread to air gliches!
You have to put it from a positive. I don’t think it’s that hard. Here’s an example.
Catholic thread on Our Lady of Fatima.
Non-Catholic - You Worship Mary (toss)
Non-Catholic - You are an idol worshiper (toss)
Non-Catholic - You put Mary right up there with Jesus (toss)
Non-Catholic - Can you please show me Biblically where Mary is the Mother of God? (non-toss)
If it’s too confusing, just don’t post there. It’s not hard
If you prefer rigorous debate, stay on the "open" threads - ignore the others.
I must say I think this RM is very fair.
S/He has busted my chops when needed as well as Catholics. (Can’t speak for Mormons cause I just don’t spend much time with them.)
>>I would guess that it’s lost on many, but there may be more than you think who recognize the irony here. <<
Amen!
I don’t plan to post on them, however I do care about the welfare of other Protestant posters, and that they get treated fairly.
Things are not always as the seem.
I think it remains to be seen whether our beloved RM’s job is thereby made harder or easier or no significant change.
I do think that it’s IMPORTANT for the various constituencies to
POLICE THEIR OWN.
CAUSE THEIR OWN TO FEEL THE HEAT OF GROUP REJECTION FOR PERSONAL ATTACKS.
It has appeared that SOME of the RC’s are artists at the personal attack; at waiting until the routine RM is busy or gone—such as on many weekends . . . and at simply getting away with it by various means. I think that has to stop at some level or the
WHOLE EGREGIOUS DOUBLE STANDARD
will continue to erode all kinds of confidence, civility and manageability of the Rel Forum.
To be more correct and better reflect Catholic belief, it would better to rephrase that as coming "straight from the Church". As St. Paul says:
>>Even Alamo girl was “disrespectful” which was ridiculous<<
Why is that? Everyone can get on a roll. I know I have and regretted posts.
All the moderators know “baiting” when we see it. If you want to be challenged - and if you want to challenge others - stay on the “open” threads.
>>I don’t plan to post on them, however I do care about the welfare of other Protestant posters, and that they get treated fairly.<<
Well, if they follow the rules, they will!
How can it still be ecumenic if the “anti still want to be rabit anti” instead of having a civil conversation?
I thought the Open thread was for that?
Ecumenic thread I was thougth was many may disagree but want to build civil bridges!
Concerned with establishing or promoting unity among churches or religions.
This particular Pope is known to be well versed on the UFO field.
One researcher confidently asserted that it was the RESEARCHER’S CONVICTION that this Pope knows that the Fatima event was a UFO folks techonological hoax staged for mysterious reasons [probably having to do with building a following that would later be influencable toward globalist ends—my conjecture on top of the researcher’s convictions/conclusions]
Certainly the ET’s will be “demonstrating” with purported 3D historic videos [which some claim to have seen projected out of a crystal] to undermine the Deity of Christ, His miracles, Resurrection etc. as staged events BY THE ET’s [ACCORDING TO THEM—THE LOT OF WHICH HAVE PROVEN TO BE LIARS and are undoubtedly in cahoots with the father of lies]
However, many luke warm religionists of every brand and flavor will be fooled by what the Bible calls THE GREAT DECEPTION of the end times.
It is highly unlikely that any ET connection would long persist without SOME connection with UFO’s BTW. Any assertion otherwise is totally out of touch with reality, the research, the evidence, the facts.
TOTALLY out of touch.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.