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Guidelines on Hatred and the Religion Forum
Religion Moderator | June 22, 2012 | Religion Moderator

Posted on 06/22/2012 8:48:35 AM PDT by Religion Moderator

It is within the bounds of “open” Religion Forum town square style debate for a Freeper to express his hatred of a belief. But such posts are never allowed on RF threads labeled “prayer” “devotional” “caucus” or “ecumenical.”

It is never within the bounds on the Religion Forum for a Freeper to express his hatred of people who hold a particular belief when any Freeper is part of the belief group.

For example:

It is ok to express hatred towards MormonISM on “open” Religion Forum threads. It is never ok to express hatred towards Mormons because some Freepers are Mormon.

It is ok to express hatred towards CatholicISM on “open” Religion Forum threads. It is never ok to express hatred towards Catholics because some Freepers are Catholic.

It is ok to express hatred towards ProtestantISM on “open” Religion Forum threads. It is never ok to express hatred towards Protestants because some Freepers are Protestant.

It is ok to express hatred towards SatanISM and Satanists both because no Freeper is Satanist.

Some political posters are now venturing onto the Religion Forum probably because Romney’s beliefs are at issue in this election.

If you don’t know whether you are on the Religion Forum, look at the top of your internet browser window. If the current address (URL) begins with http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/ then you are on the Religion Forum.

If you do not wish to see RF posts, do NOT use the "everything" option on the Free Republic browse option list. Instead, browse by "News/Activism." When you log back in, the browse will reset to "everything" - so be sure to set it back to "News/Activism."

Finally, whereas posters may argue vigorously for and against beliefs on “open” Religion Forum threads it is never tolerable to use ad hominems in religious debate because they invariably lead to flame wars when the subject is one’s deeply held religious beliefs.

For something to be "making it personal" it must be speaking to another Freeper, personally.

"Protestants are heretics" is not making it personal. "You are a heretic" is making it personal. "Catholics worship Mary" is not making it personal. "You worship Mary" is making it personal. "Mormons worship many gods" is not making it personal. "You worship many gods" is making it personal.

However, when a poster paints with a brush that accuses an entire religion of criminal behavior - his post will be pulled as flame bait. For example, posts that say "Protestants kill babies" or "Catholics molest children" or "Mormons kill non-Mormons" will be pulled. However, if the post is specific about a non-Freeper, I will not pull it. For example "Rev. Doe says abortion and infanticide are not sin" or "Father Doe was convicted for molesting those kids" or "Mormons killed non-Mormons at Mountain Meadows" would not be pulled.

Statements formed as questions are rarely "making it personal."

"Are you a heretic" is not making it personal. "You are a heretic" is making it personal.

Forms of "making it personal" include mind reading, attributing motive, accusing another Freeper of telling a lie (because it attributes motive, the intent to deceive) - making the thread "about" individual Freeper(s), following a Freeper from thread to thread and badgering a Freeper over-and-again with the same question.

When in doubt, avoid the use of the pronoun "you" and Freeper's names - or put yourself in the other guy's shoes.

Despite all these efforts to eliminate ad hominems, there is nothing I can do to keep you from "taking it personally."

If you keep getting your feelings hurt because other posters ridicule or disapprove or hate what you hold dear, then you are too thin-skinned to be involved in “open” RF debate. You should IGNORE “open” RF threads altogether and instead post to RF threads labeled “prayer” “devotional” “caucus” or “ecumenical.”


TOPICS: Free Republic
KEYWORDS: adminlectureseries; faq; guidelines; religionforum
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To: count-your-change
Sadly, most of the discussions on the religion forum turn into insult fests between a few members.

We keep hoping that MORMONs uh, members of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints would clean up their act; but few can keep up in a debate, so they fall back on insults.

161 posted on 06/23/2012 8:35:45 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: count-your-change
Sadly, most of the discussions on the religion forum turn into insult fests between a few members.

Yup; just like over on the POLITICAL side of the fence!

162 posted on 06/23/2012 8:36:19 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: Religion Moderator

Perhaps you didn’t see this above:


What about this situation:

Mr. Z is known claim no label at all regarding his own religion, but has a habit of critiquing other religions .

Mr. Z replies to Mr. X (an adherent of Religion X) by posting “Religion X sucks canal water” or “Religion X is of the devil” or “Religion X is filled with malingerers and criminals” or “People of Religion X love sin” or some other derogatory remark.

Mr. X replies to Mr. Z “Your religion also sucks canal water” (etc.)

_________

Please explain how the RF rules apply to that scenario.


163 posted on 06/23/2012 8:36:29 AM PDT by Notwithstanding (Christ Jesus Victor, Ruler, Lord and Redeemer!)
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To: count-your-change
Sadly, most of the discussions on the religion forum turn into insult fests between a few members.

Rodney King LIVES!

164 posted on 06/23/2012 8:36:53 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: JCBreckenridge
The statement should be prefaced as:

“I believe that Catholics have taken the 'call you blessed' thing and RAN with it!

Jesus said, "WHO is my MOTHER and my Brothers?"

165 posted on 06/23/2012 8:39:38 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: Notwithstanding
If a Religion Forum poster chooses to not reveal his religious label, then do not badger him to reveal it. That would be making the thread "about" him - it would be "making it personal."

In this case, there is nothing to prevent Mr. X from saying to Mr. Z "Your religion also sucks canal water" when he doesn't know what that religion is. However, he might appear foolish to those reading along for saying it that way instead of "Since you have refused to reveal your religion, we may safely presume it also sucks canal water."

166 posted on 06/23/2012 8:40:52 AM PDT by Religion Moderator
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To: Jeff Chandler
ld you add a rule against rehashing the same arguments over and over for years on end?

Then what the hecky-durn would WE do for a year of our lives?

Go to SCHOOL??


167 posted on 06/23/2012 8:42:06 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: Jeff Chandler
Could you add a rule against rehashing the same arguments over and over for years on end?

We do give the FSM it's due; on the pages of FR.

168 posted on 06/23/2012 8:43:07 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: Jeff Chandler

His noodly appendage will comfort you.


169 posted on 06/23/2012 8:43:51 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: netmilsmom
You are certainly welcome to your opinion.

Those who offended by the town square format of "open" Religion Forum threads should IGNORE them altogether and instead post to RF threads labeled "caucus" "ecumenical" "prayer" or "devotional."

170 posted on 06/23/2012 8:44:58 AM PDT by Religion Moderator
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To: afraidfortherepublic
I think that it is anti Christian to express hatred at all. You can dislike, or disapprove, someone’s actions, but hatred is a very strong word.

“Let those who love the Lord hate evil” (Psalm 97:10a).

I guess the question is:

"Are false teachings 'evil'"?

171 posted on 06/23/2012 8:46:34 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: Religion Moderator

Thank you for your intelligent and helpful reply.


172 posted on 06/23/2012 8:46:55 AM PDT by Notwithstanding (Christ Jesus Victor, Ruler, Lord and Redeemer!)
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To: Elsie

Thank you.


173 posted on 06/23/2012 8:47:48 AM PDT by Religion Moderator
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To: metmom

You don’t treat me with respect!

I’m leavin’!


174 posted on 06/23/2012 8:48:21 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: Elsie

Your suggestion has also been passed along.


175 posted on 06/23/2012 8:49:19 AM PDT by Religion Moderator
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To: Religion Moderator

THANKS!


176 posted on 06/23/2012 8:51:20 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: glock rocks
I don’t care to join in the rampage against any brother or sister. I personally wish God’s blessings on all. (Phil 4:19,20)

Would you like to join a group of knowledgeable Christians in the FIGHT against false teachings?

2 John 1:10
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him.

177 posted on 06/23/2012 8:52:37 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: netmilsmom

If you believe you should have the “last word” on a locked Religion Forum thread, send me a Freepmail explaining why. I have been known to reopen a thread for that purpose and then relocking it.


178 posted on 06/23/2012 8:53:10 AM PDT by Religion Moderator
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To: Religion Moderator

Hey!

I resemble that remark!


179 posted on 06/23/2012 8:53:50 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: Quix

Thanks for the recommendation.


180 posted on 06/23/2012 8:55:42 AM PDT by Religion Moderator
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