[markomalley]

Before starting such an endeavor, would you weigh in on whether you would support having apologetics threads like I described above as 'caucus' threads?

[markomalley]

Could you ping your lists to see if there is any interest?

[Aggie Mama]

I have to tell you, I've learned more about my faith over the past 6 yrs on FR than I ever learned in CCE. What I really learned how to do, however, is to defend my faith. The 1000+ post threads were an invaluable tool in that. As a matter of fact, inspired by what I've seen here, I helped to develop a program at our kids' school where they learn how to defend themselves (intellectually) against religious attacks like what I've seen here (and what I experienced in high school from Baptist friends).

[Theoden]

As someone who is usually content with just lurking, I have noticed that certain Protestant posters on here are reposting articles that we mark as Catholic Caucus threads and make them Protestant Caucus threads. It is very childish, but it is happening, and it bypasses any ability of ours to combat the misconceptions. There would be no mechanism to prevent this from happening.

On the other hand, I think your idea is still very good, and that it would be beneficial for those Protestants who are on their journey and need information.

[Dumb_Ox]

Alas, I've mostly avoided the apologetics discussions. Either the familiar faces moved on and one just has to repeat things over and over.

[Alex Murphy]

Ping to follow this discussion

[Tax-chick]

No, I don't really have time for this sort of thing, over and over and over again.

But best wishes to anyone who wants to undertake it!

[defconw]

I might be interested. I generally don't post because I have no wish to undertake a thousand protestant posts, that don't belong on a Roman Catholic thread.

[trisham]

It might be interesting. For me, the 1,000 plus threads are generally too long. There is also too much repetition and nonsense on a long thread. It's worth a try.

[mockingbyrd]

I think it could be interesting, and enlightening. It could stay a caucus thread if questions were posed more as "Why do Catholics believe X?" or "What is the scriptural basis for the belief y?"

[AliVeritas]

I'm in.

[Cicero]

My reaction is that I doubt whether such a procedure would do much to change patterns of behavior in the forum. It's pretty certain that no matter how good a case you made that a certain "authoritative" attack on the Churh was false, it would continue to reappear from people who missed the argument or simply didn't care.

So, what you propose would simply add another kind of thread. I'd say that if you or others want to post such threads, why not? Even if you don't persuade the diehard Catholic bashers, such threads could be educational for those with open minds.

[Blue Eyes]

I have to add my voice to those who have stated that they have learned a lot about the Catholic faith from these threads. I was born, baptised, and confirmed a Lutheran (ELCA), lapsed into agnosticism, and am only now (mid-40s) feeling drawn to religion. But, the faith of my family does not interest me; I am drawn very strongly to Catholicism. The threads that explain Catholic faith and traditions provide a comfort to me, and I find them fascinating. That is, until the detractors appear and it turns into a back and forth argument. Then I click out of the threads with a heavy sigh.

While I will probably not be able to contribute doctrine-wise to the threads (though, who knows?!?), I would really enjoy reading them. They are extremely educational, and they reinforce my desire to formally study and become a part of the Catholic church.