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.
Heh! I just took that over to the Undead Thread so I wouldn’t lose it!
No Catholics need apply.
No Irish need apply.
Not warranted in Alaska or the Outer Limits.
I wager I stole it from there meself, Lassie.
I will fight in the trenches for my Catholic brothers and sisters, but I will not fight for those who wish to subvert Christianity with ideas such as mankind are gods in embryo form, polygamy is ordained of God, or such.
Bless your Papist heart!
;-o)
Rather than try to wrestle the pig into taking a bath, we are just going to hose it down.
LOL! I could use that!
I’ll fight for anyone who’s in the trench with me with his gun pointed at the enemy.
Do you know for sure who your enemy is?
Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Bp. Carroll and Alexander Hamilton (possibly half jewish) and the atheist Thomas Paine all fought together. When the time comes, I will do no less.
The one who wants to rape my daughters and behead my sons will do for now.
I said before, that one must know his enemy. Don’t lull yourself into complacency, and limit your right to speak out.
Free speech is a vital component of everything we value in our society. Giving it up for the sake of “getting along,” is a very dangerous road to travel down.
While I agree that everyone is entitled to believe anything they darned well choose, we are also afforded the right to speak freely, even if it is deemed ugly by some.
If you refuse to fight for our freedom to express ideas, no matter how offensive they might be, you might as well surrender right now,. Before you know it the Moslems will by using your own words against you and limiting your own speech against their beliefs.
I would gladly fight for anyone who is falsely hounded, but my sense is that the non-trinitarians (of ALL shapes and sizes) will be leading the pack trying to get rid of us. They do not believe that God became flesh.
The first thing the enemies of freedom do, is limit free speech. While discussions concerning religion may not be comfortable, they ARE afforded by our constitution.
Limiting speech is akin to allowing your daughter to be raped. Our freedoms are absolutley essential to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Today it is
No non-trinitarians need apply.
No Mormons apply.
I guess that should include Jews too?
I'm sorry, but there can be no rational response to that other than, "Have a nice day."
You to. Go with God. And I pray that when it comes time to fight for our freedoms, we will be on the same side.
I hope so, too.
“...but I will not fight for those who wish to subvert Christianity with ideas such as mankind are gods in embryo form, polygamy is ordained of God, or such.”
That isn’t the question. Will you fight WITH the atheist, the Jew, the ‘non-trinitarian’ FOR freedom?
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