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.
Or every individual just post their very own caucus thread and talk to themselves, then you’ll be safe
Can I repost my "Hollow Earth Thread" which was pulled?
And could you unlock my Hare Krisha Moon-Landing Fraud thread?
Calvinist, Reformed, GRPL, etc. are all free to caucus. Remember the Caucus Threads must not compare beliefs or speak in behalf of others’ beliefs.
On the “browse by forum” to the right of the main screens, select News/Activism.
>>If a Catholic thread is posted saying “Mary is the co-Redeemer” (as there have been many already) how is a Protestant supposed to reply with anything other than by the negative “No, Mary is NOT a ‘co-redeemer’ because according to the Bible, there is ONE only propitiation for our sins, ONE mediator between God and men, ONE Redeemer, Jesus Christ?”
My belief is against that belief. It cannot be otherwise. And what the Catholic doesn’t realize is that saying “Mary is a co-redeemer” is offensive to me because we are both considered Christians and yet as a Christian I do not believe that in any way. In fact, that sentence repels me<<
I guess we all have to be a little less repelled, don’t we?
So on an ecumenic thread, we could not preface that comment with "No, Mary is not a co-redeemer because...?"
Because sometimes that phrase is simply used to redefine the discussion when replying to a post from a few days earlier.
By the grace of God, no, we don’t.
I will not unlock or restore pulled threads because many of them devolved in childish behavior. If you repost a confrontational thread be sure and tag it either “ecumenic” or “open” depending on the type of posts you would like to encourage.
So there is no way to simply filter certain topics out of “Latest Posts”?
You know how to cut and paste. Cut and paste a quote and then you don’t have to redefine. Like this...
>>Because sometimes that phrase is simply used to redefine the discussion when replying to a post from a few days earlier.<<
Then reply. It’s not hard.
I really like this “only positive” idea!
This just gives one more place for the crybabies to control.
TRUE ENOUGH, DEAR HEART.
HOWEVER,
we have sufficient opportunity to post our own threads quite open about any topic we wish.
I applaud the beleagured RM for trying to bring some . . . workableness to the intense emotions and contrasting, competing sensibilities and sensitivities hereon.
At some point, the thin-skinned folks will need to realize that their whining is just that and grossly out of place on such a forum.
Any thread designation that helps the RM’s job and helps bring some fairer, more even-handed handling of the situation—especially when our beloved RM is occupied otherwise—is MOST WELCOME, to me.
I’m quite willing to give it more than a college try.
There you go, RM. You have exposed yourself as a Papist-sympathizer. ;-)
>>By the grace of God, no, we don’t.<<
By the grace of your religion mod here on FR, Yes you do. Or not post, which actually would be just okay with me.
Anyone who wants to break the rules, hey, well, bye!
They should move to “Chat” and open up the Tender Feelings Euro Cafe.
I know you're on sabbatical, but ping to post #56, since the poster referenced a term I believe you used.
This can be a very good thing.
open dropped?
No.
I’d wager, I’m confident . . . not.
Not as long as our beloved RM is alive and kicking.
No, a Caucus thread must not compare beliefs or speak for others beliefs, e.g. “ex” whatever.
How about a “Calvinist” caucus open only to Calvinists. Or a “Reformed Caucus” or a GRPL Caucus open only to those who have applied for and been accepted on the GRPL list?
= =
That’s already a well established standard. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our beloved RM.
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