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.
Well yes it is. My post to you about the UFOs was taken as “antiCatholicism,” so you see the problem.
HMMMM
that must have muddied the water considerably! LOL.
*actually a dimestore hairpiece...
You put that in quotes. Did someone actually call the post in question “anti-Catholicism?”
I’m just saying that I’m convinced by what I’ve read that this Pope is very well versed, informed, knowledgeable about the whole UFO field.
I realize that’s MY conviction about my sources.
I merely offer it as information. I do not expect you to be greatly moved by such assertions. I just offer them as puzzle pieces for you to toss or collect or ponder as you see fit, or not.
I understand the narrow limits of your assertions from your perspective and appreciate your clarification though I didn’t need it.
Go for it.
If you want to discuss that in a Catholic Caucus, you should have every right to do so without interference from any Calvinist or Lutheran. If the Calvinists and Lutherans don't like it, they can discuss their distaste for what is going on in your caucus on an open thread or they can stay the Hell away from the caucus for which they are not a member.
How hard is that?
If those were the rules and you had a Catholic Caucus, I would stay away and let you say whatever you wanted about my religion or my theology and we can avoid turning that caucus into a free-for-all, like we see so many threads turning into these days. Those who are insecure in their faith or who are lousy debaters can go into a caucus and feel free to discuss any issue they want without fear that some "Anti" is going to make a fool of them on the thread.
I would think that Catholics would welcome a retreat from contentious debate, where they would be free to CAUCUS among themselves and where they could leave the heavy lifting to those who are not afraid of vigorous debate, and not proned to pushing the abuse button everytime their sensibilites are offended.
If we are going to have caucuses, then by golly they need to be considered caucuses. You shouldn't have to be afraid that you might offend some other faith while you are caucusing those who are in agreement with you.
Mine too.
Silly, self-contradictory and doomed to failure. A much better plan would be for everyone on the forum to just grow up so they don't require babysitting.
thank you very much for that clarification.
No, that’s not kosher on an open forum.
Besides, except for 1-3 folks, it’s not readily guessible with any accuracy who the others are. They are likely part of a relatively small group but beyond that, God and the powers that be only know.
Grow up!
I think I’ve used it 3-4 times in 10 years having anything to do with dialogue on the thread.
I’ve used it 2-4 times for outrageous racism, cursing, wholsale outrageous generalized NONFREEPER libral, satanist, Jihadi type abuse on the forum.
Interestingly,
There’s never been a record of
AN AUTHENTIC CHRISTAN IN AN ALIVE, VIABLE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
being abducted.
I would think that Catholics would welcome a retreat from contentious debate, where they would be free to CAUCUS among themselves and where they could leave the heavy lifting to those who are not afraid of vigorous debate, and not proned to pushing the abuse button everytime their sensibilites are offended.
Scripture tells us you will be known by your fruits.
I suspect that technically . . . that’s obviously true.
However,
I doubt that the Vatican astronomer would have said such a thing without the Pope’s authorization.
>>Actually I find the best use for that button is when you post something really stupid and you don’t want anyone to see it, you push the abuse button and beg the Moderator to make that post disappear.<<
A self Zot! I have to remember that!
Decoder ring?
only on alternate Thursdays . . .
and on full moons
and when the light from the Pieta bounces off the dome of St Peter’s through the dove window and from thence off the Space Station and from thence is scattered all around the faithful in the form of twinkling eyes in the plastic statues . . .
then
the decoder ring might be wise.
LOL.
Which, to the rest of us is the
truly truest truely true TROOF.
There is that hope, alright.
Thanks for the point well made.
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