[Brian Kopp DPM]

See post 55. You have multiple posters here who, when Catholics defend the Church and try to make proper Christian distinctions, accuse us of endorsing evil (i.e., "making it personal"). And they've been doing it for a long time, without correction.

How about a little "Fair and Balanced" in the moderation department, OK?

[Natural Law]

Dr. Kopp makes an excellent point. When someone makes an accusation about “Catholics” and I am a Catholic it is personal. When someone makes a false statement about what “Catholics believe” and I am a Catholic it is personal. When someone accuses Catholics of committing, endorsing or covering up grave evil and I am a Catholic it is personal. My ability to tolerate it because of the thickness of my skin does skin does not justify it.

[Religion Moderator]

In order for something to be "making it personal" on the Religion Forum, it must be speaking of another Freeper, individually.

Also, when one religion spawns from another both often condemn each other in harsh terms: anathema, heretic, apostate, cult, sect, Satanic, blaspheme. Frequently those terms are part of a belief's holy writ or official documents or articles. And the beliefs - including the "anti" beliefs - are deeply held.

The only place on the Religion Forum where Freepers may express their "anti" beliefs are "open" RF threads. I will not gag Freepers on "open" threads because some other posters "take it personally."

In other words, "open" Religion Forum threads are in a town square format. Posters argue for and against beliefs. They may ridicule or condemn religions, beliefs, religious authorities, deities, etc. It can become very contentious.

Thin-skinned posters on “open” RF threads are the disruptors. They often take statements against their deeply held beliefs very personally. And whereas I can and do intervene to prevent posters from “making it personal” there is nothing I can do to keep a poster from “taking it personally.” And some posters are drawn like a moth to the flame.

If you "take it personally" then you should complete IGNORE "open" RF threads and instead read and post to RF "caucus" "ecumenical" "devotional" or "prayer" threads.