The "open" threads exist so that RF posters can declare, challenge or even ridicule beliefs.
Whenever one belief spawns from another, both CONDEMN each other in the harshest terms they can muster: anathema, cult, apostate, heretic, Satanic, etc. Those attitudes often become part of the official or holy documents/doctrines.
The "open" threads are a town square and allow posters to air these grievances. It often is contentious. That is why thin skinned posters are the trouble-makers on open Religion Forum threads.
Frequently the believers who complain the loudest about the "antis" actually embrace doctrines which hold the antis' beliefs in official contempt. It is rare to find "clean hands" in open theological debate.
Also, most of the RF posters understand the difference between personal contempt/antagonism - and contempt/antagonism directed a religious belief, deity, religious authority or writer.
If you don't get the difference, you should stay away from the "open" Religion Forum threads altogether.
I can and do intervene to keep posters from "making it personal" - there is nothing I can do to keep posters from taking it personally.
If you don’t get the difference, you should stay away from the “open” Religion Forum threads altogether.
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I get the “difference”, I just think it’s ridiculous, it’s not about being mad or thin skinned, it’s about the convoluted “rules” and “standard” of discourse on those threads.
I can reply to “you” and call you stupid, ignorant, and idolator and a heretic and a pedophile as long as the personal attack includes the qualifier that I’m not really talking about “you” just people who follow your religion. That’s not “making it personal” Suuurre.
Are you upset that the “rubber duck” posters haven’t been posting? The “rubber duck” crowd only alienates sane posters, and outright slander is tolerated as long as the poster believes he’s God?!?! Other posters are allowed to post outright lies with no retractions, make claims that the Catholic Church (or others) advocates all kinds of heresy and degradation, and even when that claim is proven to be a fabrication it’s allowed to stand, the poster of said lies must not apologize or print a retraction, all in the name of “religion”.
The Religion Forum needs to repent and re think it’s standards.