Posted on 03/27/2002 10:38:26 AM PST by 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.
A very fine institution much maligned by popular pseudo-history and hysterically parodied by Monty Python. Can I ask you a question? Do you think it was proper to kill or torture those people in cases when the only crime was that they were considered "heretics"?
That's a dodge. You know I mean for the here and now. What kind of government would you prefer and who would be in charge in your perfect America?
Now you are straying away from the question, since I said those whose only crime was being considered a heretic. So, what of all those who were tortured and killed during the Inquisitions and had committed no crimes? Has the RC church admitted their error and sin?
I can't read your mind and you know it.
I meant what I said.
What I care about in a political system is that it only taxes me for the staffing and operations of defense forces, that I may elect those who have temporal authority over my community, that I am completely free to defend myself and my family against any and all threats foreign and domestic, and that I am free to worship as I see fit without being restrained by either another religion or by anti-religious zealots. A republic or a constitutional monarchy would work for me. And I think after the Sinkmeister that a constitutional monarchy has some appeal, so long as the monarch is a person of dignity and is beyond reproach.
I don't understand why others can't understand that it is God's power and God's love that empowers Mary and every Christian. Did Moses part the Red Sea? Yes, but not by himself. Did Matthew, Mark, Luke and John write gospels? Yes, but not without God. Did Peter heal the lame? Yes.....BUT NOT WITHOUT GOD!
And God will provide all the necessary power and ability WE need to accomplish his divine purpose if we but emulate Mary with an obedient and loving, yes. "let it be to me according to your word." Isn't that a comforting thought?
Forget it, if I tell you the truth and someone objects to it, it will be removed, so I guess you'll just have to guess.
I didn't think you'd have an answer. You might actually give some thought as to why your comments were censored rather than jump to a convenient conclusion. Linking someone to the #666 (oh yeah, you're humor was overwhelming) and labeling him the Jack Chick of Catholicism demonstrates you aren't really interested in debate; just in dragging someone through the slime.
You don't know what you are talking about.
Yeah, right. I know what you're about, and that's enough for me.
I think weve been far too generous and charitable with her vile spew, which more often than not is combative and hateful - who is being served.
And yes, I do believe to the bottom of my heart that the foundations of protestantism is the very roots of modern western decadence and decay.
which is entirely your freedom to take - but the differing point between you and her is there is a modicum of grace in your demeanor whereas a large portion of the frothing hyperCalvinists here wield thier message with a hammer, nails, staple guns and incendiary weapons fire.
As for the western decadence - my opinion is frankly one of where you have put the cart before the horse - Given the percentage of population attending church and the larger influence media has upon society as a whole, it seems a stretch to blame Protestantism - However, what is your basis for that claim ? It sounds interesting.
blessings
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.