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.
I feel like I'm standing on the shore watching the tsunami of socialist counterrevolution coming in from the horizon, all the while being harassed for (allegedly) leaving the garden hose running.
Focus people.
I really am fine with civil questions.
The trouble some want to mock, scorned, Bible thump, poison the water, say the most hateful things that come to mind with out any discipline it is like a free for all from the same few freeper day in and out.
I do enjoy exchange even with those who civilly disagree, even those who get emotional but in their heart it was not contempt.
I now have solution I use the Header and I can tune them out on days I don't want to deal with them and those I want to read I click text to Open!
Focus people.
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Agree, completely. Thanks, narses, for putting it out there.
The day will come, and sadly all too soon, when the Mormon and the Catholic, the Methodist and the Lutheran will ALL be in the same foxhole fighting the same enemy. We had BETTER find common ground.
Other decrees:
The Russian banks were all nationalized.
Control of the factories was given to the soviets.
Private bank accounts were confiscated.
The Church’s properties (including bank accounts) were seized.
Wages were fixed at higher rates than during the war and a shorter, eight-hour working day was introduced.
All foreign debts were repudiated.
Ping. Please review and ping if you think it appropos.
You’re free to believe whatever you want, and to disagree with whatever you want. I just don’t think it is helpful on a forum that is supposed to unite conservatives. We should concentrate on the principles we have in common, and stop picking at the scabs of our disagreement.
If Mormons and Catholics (for example) talk about their beliefs, they will see what they have in common and that will bring about greater unity than exists today. Talking about religion in good, if civility is preserved.
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Agreed. I remember back in the 80's when I first read that our future threat would be terrorism. I thought it seemed ludicrous. I was so wrong.
**It would be bitterly ironic if one could say the most evil things about what others hold sacred, but one could not make the honest observation that the discourse in some Religion Forum threads is reminiscent of DU.**
I tend to agree.
Well the LDS have been pleading for that kind of comradery but their are a few who try very hard to prevent that!
FM
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LOL! “Fight the food fight”? We’ll get ants!
I read that aloud. I hurt myself laughing. Thank you.
If you refer to the religious, narses, then write this down: we’ll not be in the same foxhole with non-trinitarians.
Nicely said, all y’all.
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