Where Have All the FR Protestants Gone?

drstevej

[drstevej]

OBSERVATIONS:

[1] There seems to be a significantly reduced number of Protestant Threads (KJV Only being the exception for sure) in the FR Religion Forum.

[2] There seems to be a reduced number of FR Protestant posts in the Religion Forum.

This thread is a place to discuss these observations.

[Calvinist_Dark_Lord]

I'll tell ya what the real problem is...no new bodys, we all have talked each other to death and know what is coming when we see the name of the poster even before we read what he posted.

Hey Mack, good to meet you, my first reply to you or Becky.

i don't really think that i should suggest a place where people might get banned for uttering (ok, typing) the word "Mormon". i know i'd REALLY feel bad about them paying to be censored. One would expect a little more than Lip Service Paid to the First Amendment. If i wanted that i could join DU.

Some of us have to be real careful these days, while others can do what ever they want, and insult who ever they want. i guess Orwell had it pegged that "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others."

[Delphinium]

Reduced in number as a large percent HAVE left for greener pastures due to censorship issues. You see, we can discuss Calvin, Wesley, Servetus, Augustine, Popes, Luther and thier shortcomings both personally and theologically.....but the minute Protestants mention Joseph Smith the topic is squashed and we are told to "knock it off".

I agree this must be the reason that less Christian feel welcome on freerepublic.It is the reason I post less, and less.

I have read many posts where a certain Mormon, (Illbay) says very ugly remarks about protestants, and jews, but gets to continue.

Some of the Mormons are constantly trying to win converts to their religion, and if someone like myself tries to bring some light on the doctrines that are more hidden, and controversial,they are told to knock it off, and quit picking on the poor Mormons.

Even discussing the Elizabeth Smart case was off limits because it involved hidden Mormon doctrine.

Freerepublic is getting much like the left, where Christians, and Jews are the only people you are able bash.

I feel bad about this because in many other areas I agree with many of these folks, but I find the censorship of my faith so offensive that I find myself staying away for that reason.

[Jim Robinson]

Why do you have to bash anyone?

[Delphinium]

I actually cast my first vote for a Libertarian about 3 weeks

Do they believe in LIFE, LIBERTY, and PROPERTY?

[ksen]

Delphinium: Some of the Mormons are constantly trying to win converts to their religion, and if someone like myself tries to bring some light on the doctrines that are more hidden, and controversial,they are told to knock it off, and quit picking on the poor Mormons.

Jim Rob: Why do you have to bash anyone?

Where did Delphinium say that she "bashed" anyone?

If person "A" makes a claim, is it "bashing" to examine those claims and point out where they are wrong?

[ksen]

Whoop, meant to ping you to #25.

[ksen]

Do they believe in LIFE, LIBERTY, and PROPERTY?

Yep.

[Jim Robinson]

"Freerepublic is getting much like the left, where Christians, and Jews are the only people you are able bash."

[snerkel]

Some of us have found places where honest discussion is allowed. No tattle-tale button for the whiners.

[Corin Stormhands]

"Freerepublic is getting much like the left, where Christians, and Jews are the only people you are able bash."

With all due respect Jim, that's the point. Delphinium doesn't want to bash anyone. Her(?) point is that it appears that it is still acceptable to bash Christians and Jews. While, at the same time, any challenge to another very prominent sect is met with the very heavy hand of the moderators.

We all know that things get out of hand here sometimes. And we all (okay most of us) acknowledge that you can make and enforce any rules you want.

But in the last 2-3 months, the religion forum has taken a very pro-LDS bias. And that's a shame.

[Jim Robinson]

No it is not acceptable to bash anyone.

[ksen]

"Freerepublic is getting much like the left, where Christians, and Jews are the only people you are able bash."

Right, she is saying that as someone being bashed, not as someone doing the bashing.

More and more it seems that there is a protected class on the Religion Forum: Mormons.

Someone said it elsewhere about us over here being able to critically examine the theology and personalities behind the various faiths here, except Mormonism.

Illbay can post things critical of the Pope, restornu can attack Jewish people, and nothing is said. But if someone brings up Joseph Smith marrying young adolescents then they are the ones told to knock it off or are given a timeout.

[snerkel]

With all due respect Jim Robinson, there are many times that personal attacks occur in the forum. Many times the personal attacks are overlooked by many of us and we simply consider the source. However, I do not agree that discussion and comparison of religious beliefs (Christianity and Mormonism, the Bible and the Book of Mormon) to be bashing. If a person does not possess a solid foundation in their beliefs and they are no capable of defending their beliefs, they should not venture into cyberspace where their tiny world will be rocked and refuted.

[Jim Robinson]

Respectfully, there are several on this forum who make Mormon bashing a career. And some who make Catholic bashing, Jew bashing, etc., etc., etc., a career. And it aint discussion. It's bashing. It's religious persecution. And whether or not the targets of this persecution are too sensitive to be on the net is not the point. I do not want it on my web site. Period. Keep it off. If you all leave, then that's the way it goes.

[Corin Stormhands]

Then there's a lot of bashing that's being swept under the rug.

ksen is right. Illbay trashes Catholics (and earlier this week Southern Baptists and Assembly of God - my denomination). restornu bashes Jews.

At the risk of your ire, I'd have to ask why that's allowed but drstevej is expressly forbidden to discuss Mormonism.

I'm pinging others that have specific examples of their posts being pulled when challenging Mormons.

[ponyespresso]

I would post more but I try to limit myself to one hour of internet time a night. Honestly, I don't know how many hours some of you spend on here but I suspect that it must be A LOT.

However, I am on here, as a lurker (though recently promoted to weatherman) fairly regularly and I too have noticed a real change in the tone and frequency of discussion. And, yes, I too would agree that there are specific members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who I would accuse of being directly responsible for severly inhibiting discussion and debate on this forum.

I can honestly say that I have learned a tremendous amount by being here and I really miss the knowledgeable and passionate discussion that used to prevail, so if many have indeed moved on to greener pastures, then I would hope someone would lend me their map so that I could tag along too.

[Jim Robinson]

Look, if you see someone going over the line, use the abuse button. If the moderators agree, the posts will normally be removed. However, in many cases, especially on this forum, the abuse is going both ways. It's tough for a moderator to take any action at all when there are NO clean hands. Many times we will simply post a knock it off warning to all involved or sometimes we delete the entire thread. I'm often tempted to just delete the entire Religion forum. If the particpants here cannot learn to be civil to each other, then why bother. It ain't worth the grief.

And then, there are the abuse button abusers.... sheesh, this stuff can drive a person nuts.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

The religious forum is good for learning, some bash, I've done it before, I try not to anymore, it does no good, as far as the mormons go, who cares? Leave them to themselfs, overlook their posts, as far as I'm concerned their not here.

As far as the rules go, I can only do as they apply to me, the rest, its their problem.

BigMack

[ksen]

Respectfully, there are several on this forum who make Mormon bashing a career.

Is posting verifiable facts considered bashing?

And some who make Catholic bashing, Jew bashing, etc., etc., etc., a career.

True.

And it aint discussion. It's bashing.

That may be true, but when you set this forum up you said the rules would be loosened up over here. That doesn't seem to be the case anymore.

It's religious persecution. And whether or not the targets of this persecution are too sensitive to be on the net is not the point. I do not want it on my web site. Period. Keep it off.

Persecution? Don't you think that's a bit over the top?

Was it persecution to bring up Clinton's felonies? Was is persecution to bring up Democrat scandals? Was it persecution to bring up RINO backstabbing?

It's not persecution to discuss and challenge deeply held beliefs. I would submit that the Founders would have thought religious expression more important to protect than political expression.

People just being plain nasty shouldn't be tolerated, but I don't see very much of that on this forum.

If you all leave, then that's the way it goes.

Like they say, it is your living room.

[Corin Stormhands]

If the moderators agree, the posts will normally be removed.

The moderators are the ones with the bias.