Speaking of “antis,” I may not be the greatest Christian in the world, but I do believe there is only One True God and He is the Judeo-Christian God. I also believe in the KJV Christian Bible and was taught not to follow false prophets or false prophecy. I’m sorry, but I cannot believe that Joseph Smith was ever an Apostle of Christ as the original thread in question claimed and I cannot believe that the so-called Books of Mormon are true Christian Scripture or Christian Gospel. In fact, it may be that Smith’s Mormonism was actually created to be ANTI-Christian and if that’s true then it’s the followers of his Mormonism who are the antis.
Furthermore, I broke no rule in removing the caucus designation from the thread in question. Again, the thread’s title and content were highly inflammatory to me as a Christian, and RM can correct me if I’m wrong, but IMHO, it did not deserve to be posted to this forum as a protected caucus thread. If you’re going to make false claims or comparisons about Christianity on this forum, do not expect NOT to be called on it. Paragon Defender seems to be trying to take advantage of our forum to take cheap shots at Christianity (probably for his audience on the “anti” sites) and I’ll be putting a stop to it. You can bet your bottom dollar on that.
My moving it to breaking news may have been a cheap shot by me in return, but it truly was breaking news to me. I had no idea that the Church of Latter Day Saints actually claimed that Joseph Smith was ever an Apostle of Christ and it was a shock to me. My dear sainted mother would roll over in her grave if her son allowed that nonsense to go unchallenged on FR.
Shock and Awe!
” I had no idea that the Church of Latter Day Saints actually claimed that Joseph Smith was ever an Apostle...
= = = = =
“The term apostle is derived from the New Testament Greek word... apostolos, meaning one who is sent forth as a messenger “
-from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostle_%28Christian%29
The word “apostle” has never been solely restricted to the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.
Another church that calls its leaders “apostles” is the New Apostolic Church.
See - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Apostolic_Church
LDS Church leaders have always been called “apostles.”
- from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_members_of_the_Quorum_of_the_Twelve_Apostles_%28LDS_Church%29
The Roman Catholic Church also uses the term for many people:
(Also from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostle_%28Christian%29 )
“A number of successful pioneering missionaries are known as Apostles. In this sense, in the traditional list below, the apostle either first brought Christianity to a land or a people, or spread the faith in places where a few struggling Christian communities did already exist.
* Apostle to the Abyssinians: Saint Frumentius
* Apostle to the Caucasian Albania: Saint Yelisey
* Apostle of the Alleghanies: Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin, 1770–1840
* Apostle of Andalusia: Juan de Avila, 1500–1569
* Apostle of the Ardennes: Saint Hubertus, 656–727
* Apostle to the Armenians: Saint Gregory the Illuminator, 256–331
* Apostle to Berkshire: Thomas Russell
* Apostle to Brazil: José de Anchieta, 1533–1597
* Apostle to Carantania: Saint Vergilius of Salzburg, Bishop, (745–84)
* Apostle to the English: Saint Augustine of Canterbury, died 604
* Apostle of the Eucharist: Saint Peter Julian Eymard
* Apostle to the Franks: Saint Remigius, c. 437–533
* Apostle to the Frisians: Saint Willibrord, 657–738
* Apostle of Gaul: Saint Irenaeus, 130–200
* Apostle of Gaul: Saint Denis (3rd century)
* Apostle of Gaul: Saint Martin of Tours, 338–401
* Apostle to the Gauls: Saint Saturninus, died c. 257
* Apostle to the Georgians: Saint Nino, 320s
* Apostle to the Gentiles: Saint Paul
* Apostle to the Germans: Saint Boniface, 680–755
* Apostle of Holstein: Saint Vicelinus, 1086–1154
* Apostle to Hungary: Saint Anastasius, 954–1044
* Apostle to India: Saint Thomas
* Apostle to India: Saint Francis Xavier; 1506–1552
* Apostle to the “Indians” (Amerindians): John Eliot, 1604–1690
* Apostle to the Indies (West): Bartolomé de las Casas, 1474–1566
* Apostle to the Indies (East): Saint Francis Xavier, 1506–1552
* Apostle to Ireland: Saint Patrick, 373–463
* Apostle to the Iroquois, Francois Piquet, 1708–1781
* Apostle of Mercy: Saint Faustina Kowalska, 1905–1938
* Apostle to Noricum: Saint Severinus
* Apostle to the North: Saint Ansgar, 801–864
* Apostle to the Parthians: Saint Thomas
* Apostle of the Permians: Saint Stephen of Perm, 1340–1396
* Apostle of Peru: Alonzo de Barcena, 1528–1598
* Apostle to the Picts: Saint Ninian, 5th century
* Apostle to the Polish: Saint Adalbert
* Apostle to the Pomeranians: Saint Otto, 1060–1139
* Apostle to the Scots: Saint Columba, 521–597
* Apostles to the Slavs: Saints Cyril and Methodius, c 820–869
* Apostle of Spains: Saint James the Greater (d. 44)
* Apostle of the Wends: Saint Evermode, d.1178
Analogous use for non-Catholic missionaries:
* Apostle to the Americas: Saint Innocent, 1797–1879
* Apostle to the Cherokees: Cephas Washburn
* Apostle to China: Hudson Taylor
* Apostle to the Goths: Bishop Ulfilas (Arian)”
- - -
Perhaps Jim, because you were shocked, as you say, you may have acted just a tiny bit precipitously.
That is understandable; it’s only human. I myself have on occasion felt like removing a thread that I felt was inappropriate.
But ordinary Freepers don’t have the power to do that.
The bottom line is that a caucus label cannot be used as cover to fire pot shots at the beliefs of others whether by title or content of the article or by the discussion on the thread.
In the earlier sidebar, I used the example of a Buddhist caucus posting an article titled "Jesus should have packed heat." That title would be inflammatory enough that the caucus protection would be removed.
You have my full support JR. The caucus label has its uses, but as you pointed out, to make the claim the article makes - then exclude all but mormons on the subject via the caucus designation was wrong.
The voluntary action we take in signing up for membership as a FReeper implies that we will abide not only by the rules as determined by you, but also will abide in the spirit that you have described many times over.
We saw the Guliani supporters, and then the Romney supporters use their posts to batter unsuccessfully against the strength of FR in an attempt to guide it in the wrong direction.
I find it very indicative of your character that you do not allow this great Ship of Conservatism to be shoved onto the rocky shore.
Thanks for the example you bring to us.
As far as I am concern there is no longer a need for a LDS Caucus thread.
One thing would be nice is if those who opposed the LDS would clarify their thread title(Anti LDS) So other posters are not confused and blame the LDS for all those non-descript Open threads
This is something I have discovered by reading many post on FR many see those titles and think the LDS is the one posting those threads.
I also think as an LDS when reading the title Joseph Smith: An Apostle of Jesus Christ it would not register in our minds the way others would perceived it.
Someone could have fleepmail PD and tell him that title would be to offensive to others it needs to be tone down.
Then again maybe it would be best not to have a Religion Forum and just unite on the Godly principles that unites us as a people to keep the constitution strong.
IMHO