Posted on 05/14/2008 9:06:42 AM PDT by Religion Moderator
In late April, markomalley and gamecock made a trial run at a “respectful dialog” category for threads on the Religion Forum. The trial failed due to the inability of the posters to agree on what is or is not “respectful.” Then in early May, several other posters appealed for the elimination of posts which seek to tear down other poster’s beliefs (iconoclasm.)
Meanwhile, the situation on the Religion Forum has been exacerbated by posters on the News/Activism forum inadvertently being exposed to religious debate as a result of choosing the “everything” option on browse instead of the “News/Activism” option.
In response to the pleas for a “respectful dialog” and/or the elimination of “iconoclasm” (attacks on other people’s beliefs) – I’m opening the floor for trial postings of a new type of semi-open thread which we shall call “ecumenic.”
Unlike the caucus threads, any poster could reply to an ecumenic thread. And the article on which an ecumenic thread is based could include contrasts and challenges of other beliefs. However, on the ecumenic thread, the poster must not argue against any other beliefs. He can only argue for what he believes – or ask questions.
While we test this new type of thread, be sure to tag every article so that posters will know when to avoid a thread. The tags during this trial run are “prayer” “devotional” “caucus” “ecumenic” or “open.”
Devotional threads are closed to debate of any kind.
Caucus threads are closed to any poster who is not a member of the caucus. If it says “Catholic Caucus” and you are not Catholic, do not post to the thread. However, if the poster of the caucus welcomes you, I will not boot you from the thread.
Ecumenic threads in this trial run are closed to all “anti” arguments. Posters who try to tear down other’s beliefs – or use subterfuge to accomplish the same goal – are the disrupters on ecumenic threads and will be booted from the thread and/or suspended.
Open threads are a town square – posters may argue for or against beliefs of any kind. They may tear down other's beliefs. They may ridicule, similar to the Smoky Backroom with the exception that a poster must never “make it personal.” Reading minds and attributing motives are forms of “making it personal.” Thin-skinned posters will be booted from “open” threads because in the town square, they are the disrupters.
When you see a post which is inappropriate for an ecumenic thread, ping me. Do not bother the Admin Moderators with an abuse report unless the situation requires immediate attention.
Did you see this?
Am I doing something wrong?
I’m not sure that ANYBODY has totally figured out the new system yet.
Am I doing something wrong?
Yes, but I’m sure God knows what it is and will forgive you. :-)
Been here, done this. Found out that religious forums do NOT work, no matter what you do.
Good luck with that.
Check out the religious forums over on Anomalies.net for an example of what happened later.
Does this mean that you can now have closed caucuses for people who are "Ex-Catholic" "Ex-Protestant" "Ex-Mormon" or"Ex-Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster", whatever, to discuss such things as "Why I don't believe in the Great Spaghetti Monster Anymore"?
” He can only argue for what he believes – or ask questions.”
Arguing for what one believes is very good. Too many arguments are not so much what one believes but why one doesn’t believe tenets from another’s faith.
How is asking questions to be moderated? There are certainly loaded questions that would lead to flame wars, i.e., “why don’t you think you are a devil worshipping idolater whose leader is probably the Anti-Christ?”
Respectfully, this "new thread" classification in effect nullifies the very purpose for the Reformation.
If a Catholic thread is posted saying "Mary is the co-Redeemer" (as there have been many already) how is a Protestant supposed to reply with anything other than by the negative "No, Mary is NOT a 'co-redeemer' because according to the Bible, there is ONE only propitiation for our sins, ONE mediator between God and men, ONE Redeemer, Jesus Christ?"
My belief is against that belief. It cannot be otherwise. And what the Catholic doesn't realize is that saying "Mary is a co-redeemer" is offensive to me because we are both considered Christians and yet as a Christian I do not believe that in any way. In fact, that sentence repels me.
Rules like this simply defy the last 500 years of religious history.
Additionally, this "new kind of thread" appears to reward posters who refused to learn how to post within the FR religion forum guidelines. Whining while "making it personal" apparently can pay off.
It seems that the failed "respectful thread" designation has simply morphed into the "ecumenic thread" designation, only this time the penalty for protesting error will be more severe.
Or does it just mean there is one more "protected" class?
Also, if the RM makes a call on content, what's to stop another mod from coming along later and reversing or changing that call?
An "ex" thread can however be posted as Ecumenic, but do not use mocking terms in the tag.
Loading questions in an ecumenic thread is a disruption and the poster will be booted and/or suspended.
Want to take bets that six months from now the "Town Square" dsignation will be dropped entirely as being "too disruptive?"
I vow to give it my very best effort whenever taking part.
Always for, never against....very clever.
LOL. Well, we'll have to have various sub-sets of questions and we'll have to decide which questions are respectful and which are not.
Good luck with that???
How about a "Calvinist" caucus open only to Calvinists. Or a "Reformed Caucus" or a GRPL Caucus open only to those who have applied for and been accepted on the GRPL list?
You’re doing better than me. I would gladly choose news only...if I knew where it was. :p
I’ve searched all my links in my account.
Help me......
I've been saying the same thing for a long time: the Reformation is intrinsically a negative movement built in opposition to the Catholic Church and incapable of standing on its own.
Suspended for asking questions?
I don't envy you your job.
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