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.
Why do you ask?
about my being sighted vs dictating my posts?
Happy to answer then.
Sorry, i keep few such things straight. I think you’re right.
There are some RC’s who have been prone or at least very tempted and often falling to temptation
to hitting the abuse button . . . for such things . . .
if SEQUENCES OF EVIDENCE on the threads are any clue.
If I don’t need a decoder ring, then could you please make your posts easier to read by,
Using appropriate capital letters, wrap around sentances that begin with a capital letter and end with some kind of puncuation and consider paragraphs.
This is easy stuff and makes your posts much more readable. If you need help with it, there are easy and simple ways to help. One would be to write what you want in a Word document, correct it and then cut and paste it here.
I always feel like I’m missing the beginnings and ends in your posts.
Something I persistently keep inmind.
I’m quite thankful that I have NO guile, ranchor, resentment etc. toward RC’s hereon.
If I catch some welling up, I quickly strangle it and confess forgiveness and seek God’s blessing for those individuals.
Because you use very little puncuation and it makes it hard to read. Sometimes the dictators for the blind do that.
yeah, I’ve used it for that far more than for any other reason.
LOL! You really do not know how the Vatican operates, do you? Also, remember Martin Luther was a licensed CATHOLIC theologian when he posted his theses. You would not attribute his ideas to the Catholic Church, would you?
The recent rash of posts to the Moderators and, in more than one instance to Jim Robinson could lead a suspicious person (me for instance) to believe there has been a concerted effort of a few to shut down threads through "abuse button" pushing and general complaints. I can't recall so many threads to be locked so quickly for some time.
I certainly hope the promise to "boot" the "thin-skinned" from the Open threads will be followed through.
***********************************************************
For information purposes only I will re-post a reply from Jim Robinson more than five years ago:
If it becomes an abuse button war you may find that I decide a religious forum doesn't work on FR and it will have to be shut down. And, no, these "discussions" will not be allowed on our Political News discussion forum. You will have to take it to another website. If you cannot live with each other then, sorry, but I don't want to put up with the hassle. It just is not worth the misery.
213 posted on 02/22/2003 7:49 PM CST by Jim Robinson
The "Open" Religion Forum is very important to me and I appreciate the effort of Free Republic to host this forum. I don't want the few to destroy it for the many. Better to identify the "constant naggers" and say goodbye to them.
They already told us...It's the Vatican...The Vatican talks...Apparently the Vatican eats and sleeps as well...The Vatican isn't a place...It's a 'thing'...It's alive...
Ask it on this thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2015428/posts?page=87#87
And I’ll be happy to elaborate slightly. Not a whole lot else to say.
I try for laughter.
Though many RC’s just think I’m TRYING generally.
Interestingly,
There’s never been a record of
AN AUTHENTIC CHRISTAN IN AN ALIVE, VIABLE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
being abducted.
453 posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:21:20 PM by Quix ___________________________________________________
AND then I read THIS, again: ___________________________________________________
LOL.
Actually, i haven’t been able to track the source down again.
However, once upon a time, I read a convincing doc that
RC’S
AND
JEWS
were SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER REPRESENTED . . . AS IN RARELY ABDUCTED
in the abduction victim population.
327 posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 3:57:28 PM by Quix ___________________________________________
Thank you. You are most kind.
I have no doubt about the capacity
and inclination
of several to obsfucate, muddy,
castarophize . . . etc.
the simplest of truths simply stated.
Generally speaking, I think Anti-is a much easier boundary to police.
Sometimes religious delusions can cause one problems.
And just what the hell is that supposed to mean
That means they know about our pact with the Joooooos and the Grays!
Stand ready for word from X for commands to burn the documents!
Mary’s role as Co-Redeemer and Mediatrix of grace is not a formally defined dogma of the Catholic Church. It remains a pious opinion—a useful devotional and theological way of meditating on Mary.
I have given you Truth. If you have Truth you have no need for reason or common sense.
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