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After having read the debate since yesterday and knowing that there are complications in some circumstances such as Steve mentions above, I would like to make a more concrete proposal:

1. Its clear that none of us (except JimRob) has the authority to impose rules so rather than cale it a truce or a rule, lets call this an experiment that you can publicly join or ignore as you wish.

2. No one is agreeing to violate their conscience and no one will pretend that differences don't matter. They matter so much that in come cases they might he life and death issues. They matter so much that we better find a way to reason with each other in love. Let's argue *for* the other person's sake.

3. So this should be a time limited experiment which can be evaluated at the end. I PROPOSE THE FULL MONTH OF JULY.

4. If you buy in and say so you are pledging (for July only) to the following self restrictions:

- You will not insult or ridicule anyone who has agreed to the experiment.

- Although debate will not decrease (I expect it to icrease) if you buy in you are agreeing to not use argmentation to make your "opponent" look bad or feel bad. That means that if you have an internal reaction of, "He deserved that" or "Got ya on that one, dummy" or any such reaction, you have violated the agreement. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU WON'T TRY TO PROVE OTHERS WRONG. It means that you are not arguing "at" them but "with" them.

- If you agree to the experiment, you are agreeing not to "chat" in a thread with those who agree with you about others who you believe to be wrong in any way that is gloating, unkind, or un-edifying.

5. These agreements are self policing. If you find your self in violation, it is up to YOU to fix things and apologize (if appropriate). The only way any of us should call others on the carpet is via private freepmail.

6. This experiment will even be interesting if only a few join but it will be most interesting if we have lots of us join: Catholics, Orthodox; Calvinists; Arminians; Independents; Baptists; LDS; Others. If you consider someone to be a non-believer or a cultist, I really think that participating in the experiment *increases* the chance of having them really hear what you are saying.

I predict that this will bring the improved atmosphere that we all *say* we want. It will also open the possibilities of cooperation that Brian and others want so much. We'll know in a month (at most).

I, newberger, agree to the experiment.

What say you all ????

Paul (aka newberger)

6. This experiment will even be interesting if only a few join but it will be most interesting if we have lots of us join: Catholics, Orthodox; Calvinists; Arminians; Independents; Baptists; LDS; Others.

I have not visited this part of FR much; I hang out mostly with social issues arguing with homosexuals and (lately) cloning advocates. I would not be counted in your list above; but I think my socially conservative "bona fides" would be satisfactory to most here. I would like to take part in your experiment, if the others here do not get bent out of shape. Personally, I believe it is time for all monotheists who adhere to traditional God-given laws of morality to stand together.