The different thread types on the Religion Forum are explained below:
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 invites you, I will not boot you from the thread. The “caucus” article and posts must not compare beliefs or speak in behalf of a belief outside the caucus.
Ecumenic threads are closed to all “anti” arguments. Posters may express the beliefs they are “for” but not those they are “against.” They may also ask questions. 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. Do not “pick at scabs” by mentioning prior “open” threads. If you need to make a point previously made on an “open” thread, summarize it anew.
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.
Another restriction was added last night. Articles which are the basis of an ecumenic thread cannot contain direct attacks on the beliefs of others. This article is compliant, but you might want to change the standard explanation to match what is on my profile page.