If everyone were as conciliatory as I, the Molasses Miasma of Niceness would pervade the Religion Forum, and we could all have a Guinness together.
On the previous thread, there was a suggestion that offensive posts simply be ignored. That might work. We'll see if it catches on.
If everyone were as conciliatory as I, the Molasses Miasma of Niceness would pervade the Religion Forum, and we could all have a Guinness together.
To throw out some more suggestions: Since this can only be useful with great precision of words, it might be worth encouraging the use of phrases like "some," "most," or "faithful"/"nominal" in terms of describing confessions. For example: "Some nominal and uncatechized Catholics think it's ok to worship Mary, even though the Church says that it isn't. Faithful Catholics know better and follow what the Church teaches."
For issues like Quix's "RC Edifice" issue, it might simply be worth naming the confessional group instead of the ecclesial institution. "Catholics" (or "faithful Catholics" per what I said above) instead of "RCC" or "RC Edifice." I think I can understand his hesitation to use the phrase "Church" in regards to Catholicism given his particular confession. (courtesy ping to Quix.) As another example: we can say what a particular Anglican believes regarding a matter, but to say what the Anglican Communion in general believes (or asserts what individual Anglicans should believe) would be a difficult if not impossible exercise.
And a huge dose of Christian humility doesn't hurt. Rewording or apologizing for something that was taken as offensive (even if one doesn't think it should have been) would be far superior to arguing whether it was or wasn't. It would also do well to breed the sort of good will that this type of thread would require, should more of them come about.
Apparently the word “edifice” is offensive.
You might reconsider whether or not you’re going to have to keep a list of banned words.
“Respectful” is in the eye of the beholder, and it not only boils down to whose ox is being gored, it boils down to whether one believes his ox is being gored.
It cuts the heart out of conversation and turns the thread into something straight out of those nuanced speeches so famous at the United Nations or the hallowed halls of the US Congress.
Instead of “respectful dialogue” lets call it “Politically Correct Diaglogue Only Please.”