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.
******************
Without knowing exactly what was said, it's impossible to know. Much depends on *how* something is said.
If you need to define a word to post the belief you are “for” on an ecumenic thread, then do so. An academic definition of a word is not arguing “against” another’s beliefs. For instance:
“Redeem” means “to atone” (Merriam Webster)
I believe ...
= = =
I think that’s an important point.
HOWEVER, GROUP . . .
can’t we treat this as a requested experiment by our Beloved RM????
Can’t we do our more or less earnest best to make it work.
There’s nothing lost . . .
we still have the open threads!
One would think the RM had just asked that we handle snakes online! Sheesh!
But now that’s mind reading and will get you booted
Glad I assumed right about it being open!
However, there is some . . . comfort, insurance . . . in being reviewed! LOL.
Good clarification, imho.
What is?
Oh, I think it’s done tremendous good.
Being more or less typically charitable towards the RC’s in my personal network . . .
heretofore . . . I’d never realized how SERIOUSLY
HORRIFIC
THE ROT WAS
in the edifice.
Now, I have a much better understanding and awareness.
Much to the good.
>>No. The Caucus threads are unchanged.<<
So (I think I have this right).
I can’t post a “Protestants treat the Bible like a (whatever would be mean)” and throw a caucus onto it.
I’m just trying to clear it up, no meanspirited titles with a “caucus” thrown on, right?
Well just from words from a computer you are diagnosing intent. You could be assuming I meant something when I did not.
Time will tell.
If, as some seem ‘hell-bent’ to do on the open threads . . .
using EXCESSIVE EGREGIOUS DOUBLE STANDARD PERSONAL ATTACK
stuff to sabotage such threads wholesale . . .
then the new designation will be stillborn.
IF
on the other hand we all try and make the designation work, It will likely be anemic or die because of low attendance.
Sure it has. I have not only learned a lot about what the RCC actually believes and teaches, but also a lot about what the RCC doesn’t want us to know that it believes and teaches :)
= = =
WELL PUT. LOL.
Do I need a decoder ring for your posts?
I suspect there will be a bit of a learning curve here.
That’s correct. The Caucus must not challenge or speak for any other belief. And if a poster is not a member of the caucus group, he should not post to the caucused thread.
For some . . .
like herding inebriated cats on angel dust.
to have it challenged
ONLY
WHEN
it is challenged with a sugary mint; on a golden tray wrapped in 7 layers of white rabbit fur and endless sweet platitudes and polite submissive kowtowing deferences . . . .
ROTFL....Naahhhhh...even that doesn't work with some. You gotta remember, they have the TRUTH!
Not really.
I’ve just been incredibly MORE CONVINCED
by all the gyrations and rationalizations and
DOUBLE STANDARD pontifications hereon
that the deification is a lot worse; a lot more cloaked in denial and a lot more deeply entrenched as well as a lot more wide-spread
than I’d ever guessed.
And the numbers of RC’s who’ve gone way overboard convincing me of that hereon are more than 2 or 3.
But "Batman" is a kinder, gentler villain-fighter, the exact kind of motif we need to extend to our moderators extraordinaire!
Thanks!
INDEED.
However, some are chronically like
little Johnny . . .
determined to keep poking his fingers in the fire . . . and then to poke the charred stubs in someone else’s eyes.
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