Ad-Hoc Religion Forum Committee Discussion - Thread 3

3/27/02 | angelo

[malakhi]

I've reviewed the critiques and suggestions from Thread 2, have incorporated those I could, and have come up with the following Topic list. One point that was questioned by a number of people were the names of the Denominational Topics categories. I have tried to stay with names that are in common use, and/or are preferred by members of those groups. If you suggested a change here and I did not put it in place, that is probably why.

What I would like to do is to have all interested parties vote a straight up or down on the topics as they stand. If over half of the voters oppose the present list, then we'll reopen it for further changes. If the majority is in favor of the present list, then this is what we'll go with. Keep in mind that additions to the list are always possible down the road.

I will be offline from sunset tonight until Saturday night for the first two days of Passover and then for Shabbat. That will give everyone a chance to weigh in and vote. I'll tally the votes Saturday night, and let Jim Robinson know the results.

Thanks for your participation and the many great suggestions!

General Topics
Activism	Opportunities to make your voice heard.
Apologetics	Defense of doctrine.
Current Events	Religion or religion-related news of the day.
Ecumenism	Pertaining to discussion, cooperation and understanding among denominations.
History	History of religion, religion and secular history, tradition, sacred texts.
Humor	If at first you don't succeed, don't skydive.
Ministry/Outreach	Pastoral issues, proselytization, missions.
Moral Issues	Abortion, divorce, sexuality, social justice, ethics.
Prayer	Requests for prayer, articles about prayer, spirituality.
Religion & Culture	Religious critique of secular culture, influence of religion on culture.
Religion & Politics	Church/state issues, legislation, court cases, 1st amendment, the political process.
Religion & Science	Creation, evolution, ethical issues posed by scientific advances.
Theology	Nature of God and religious truth, rational inquiry into religious questions.
Worship	Methods of worship, liturgy, communal prayer.

Denominational Topics	This is not intended to be a complete list, but rather to indicate broad categories.
Catholic	Latin rite, Eastern rites.
Charismatic Christian	Assemblies of God, pentacostalism, charismatic movement.
Eastern Religions	Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Taoism.
Evangelical Christian	Baptist, sola scriptura, non-denominational, independent fundamentalist Bible believers.
Islam	Sunni, Shiite, Sufism, Wahhabism.
Judaism	Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, Karaite.
Mainline Protestant	Anglican, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Unitarian, UCC.
Orthodox Christian	Greek, Russian, Armenian, Antiochian etc.
Other Christian	7th Day Adventist, Churches of God, Messianic Christians, LDS, etc.
Other non-Christian	Baha'i, Zoroastrianism, animism, Wicca, etc.
Skeptics/Seekers	Agnosticism, atheism, secular humanism, etc.

[BibChr]

As far as the Mormons go, they self-identify as Christian, so they do, IMO, fit more appropriately in "Other Christian" than in "Other non-Christian".

Thanks. But Orthodox Presbyterian might "self-identify" as "spiritual Israelite." Would you put him under "Jews, other"? I believe heartily that my Christian faith is a culmination of OT revelation. Does that make me "Jews, other"? It's my self identification.

I think you just have to say it doesn't fit the standard definition of what it means to be Christian. If you had a "Christianoid spin-offs" category — or Christianoid cults — then maybe....

Dan

[ThomasMore]

Should make searching very easy.

I agree. Good job Angelo! I see nothing I can't deal with here. I vote good to go!

[OLD REGGIE]

Would "Other Christian" be acceptable?

I don't see why not. That doesn't mean you won't get some arguments.

[L,TOWM]

(with the exception of Messianics, who probably should be listed as "Evangelicals, Kosher").

OP, if no one else has told you today, let me be the first; You're beautiful, Man!. And no, I am not Kosher, just evangelical (Foursquare Gospel).

BTW, angel, thumbs up. And thank you for your hard work.

[malakhi]

If you had a "Christianoid spin-offs" category — or Christianoid cults — then maybe....

I'm sure many of the more 'orthodox' Christians would agree with you. However, in coming up with topic names and descriptions, I was trying to avoid using terms that some would consider derogatory.

[malakhi]

I don't see why not. That doesn't mean you won't get some arguments.

Apparently, there will be arguments no matter how we finalize it. I guess it will be just right when no one is completely happy. ;o)

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Trust me on this Ang...Mac accused some of Highjacking a thread yesterday...It is a given that it will happen.......and happen alot..

If ya want cheese just ask. :)

BigMack

[trad_anglican]

Apparently, there will be arguments no matter how we finalize it.

I expect that doesn't come as a suprise to you. Good job! One thumb unresersvedly up.

[tiki]

Yes

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Do it already, ain't nobody gonna use them anyway. :)

BigMack

[RnMomof7]

I will take swiss...they are a peaceful bunch:>))

[Preech1]

Looks good to me...shalom chaverim.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I will take swiss...they are a peaceful bunch:>))

Yeah, and they got all the money and guns too! :)

BigMack

[Elsie]

Atheism is not a religion.

---

Oh, but it requires MUCH more 'faith' than ANY of the others!

[RnMomof7]

Oh, but it requires MUCH more 'faith' than ANY of the others!

AMEM ELSIE

[RnMomof7]

Hey aren't Baptist's bible Believing or sola scripture?? Do Reform Baptists go with the regular Baptists?(See Chart)

[malakhi]

Hey aren't Baptist's bible Believing or sola scripture?

You will note that I worked the "IFBB" terminology right into the description. ;o)

[winstonchurchill]

Count me as a "yes".

[RnMomof7]

I have one questions Ange if I say I am a dog..does that make me one? Or would I have to pass the four legs ,long ears panting test..or is saying so enough?

That is why I am against the church classification..you are labeling people that do not accept the basic beliefs of the creed as Christians just cause they say so

Why not just have people type their religion in the key word if it is important to the subject..

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Hey aren't Baptist's bible Believing or sola scripture?? Do Reform Baptists go with the regular Baptists?(See Chart)

Yes on the first, and baptists are baptists, some just nuttier than the rest, say like say calvinist baptists.

:)

BigMack