Posted on 07/19/2009 9:35:36 AM PDT by delacoert
Open threads providing the ultimate debate forum where the main rule is if you are thin-skinned, don't post. Ecclesiastic threads allowing for a more temperate discussion free from criticism; and Caucus threads, free from any opinion outside the caucus.
I am very impressed with the the end result of the process to develop these thread rules. Early on when the Caucus, Ecclesiastic and Open threads were rolled out I did my bit to test them (as did a few others). By test I mean as a test pilot does it -- see if they could be made to crash and burn. They didn't crash. They developed and strengthened.
Many thanks to the Religion Moderator and the other mods that consulted to help make them.
Regarding my motivations, in a previous thread I wrote an explanation that appears on my profile page (see Reasons Why I Post on the FR Religion Forum for my explanation). Parts of the entire thread in which that post appears are quite informative.
Regarding my state of mind, I had a pleasant day and I am happy. We left for worship services a little late this morning. Other than that I had a very nice day with my wife. Our daughters had been out of town, one in Nebraska and the other in Oklahoma and they both stopped in to be with us this afternoon.
Thank you for asking.
I will be flagging as Abuse any thread that bashes Mormons. I don’t feel that bashing people’s free choice to worship as they choose is appropriate on Free Republic.
Please don't. You are too good a Freeper to get Zotted. See the mods posts above this post.
I will be flagging as Abuse any thread that bashes Mormons. I don’t feel that bashing people’s free choice to worship as they choose is appropriate on Free Republic.
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Just as long as you flag all the threads which bash Christianity...
Mormonism was founded on the basis that Christianity was/is an abomination...
and that Christians are apostates...
Ah, that’s called bashing...
I don’t feel that bashing people’s free choice to worship as they choose is appropriate on Free Republic.
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How are ya on Islam ???
We dont hit the abuse button on the Religion Forum...
It’s the thin skinned posters who get asked to leave or if the comment is personal..
The Christian FReepers post the actual words from the book of mormon etc and the speeches of the various mormon leaders...
and then the mormons scream that WE are lying...
It’s mostly a show for the lurkers...
The mormons post Bible scriptures only in an attempt to use them against Christians or in a futile attempt to back up their phony mormon doctrine...
They claim that the Bible commands them to dead dunk people so they can get saved AFTER they die,
that one of the mormon gods had real sex with Mary in order for her to conceive Jesus,
that Jesus was married and had several wives and children,
that they must practice polygamy in order to go to their mormon heaven, etc
that the Bible teaches we were all spirit children living in the mormon heaven the prodegy of the mormon god and his many wives BEFORE we were conceived by outr earthly mothers and fathers etc
That Joey Smith didnt have 40 wives abnd at the same time they claim polygamy is in the Bible
We post this info FROM THEIR OWN MORMON WEBSITES and they go ballistic...
After all the lurkers will read the truth about the pagan, Joey Smith and his home made religion, mormonism..
Its called lying and bashing to post mormon beliefs
LOL
And yet one does see this often, especially against Mormons, but I don't normally pay attention to these threads.
Open threads are a town square. Antagonism though not encouraged, should be expected.
Posters may argue for or against beliefs of any kind. They may tear down other’s beliefs. They may ridicule.
(snip)
Like the Smoky Backroom, the conversation may be offensive to some.
I ask WHY? Why did we want tearing down of religion in the first place, on FR, including mocking and ridicule? Is there something I do not understand?
Thank you for trying to help me understand this apparent tradition on FR, but I still actually do not get it. And I ask, is this tearing down and antagonism over religions an essential part of FR? Could it be a hill we don't really want to die on?
What bothered me about that lib nut writer publicizing that we are racists at FR and quoting some idiotic racial slurs at the Obama girls, is that I had often in the past year seen such little slurs thrown in on otherwise funny threads about Obama and his cast of characters. And though the one stupid racist caricature post would ruin the fun I had on that thread, I chose to do nothing, not to flag it, just to move on.
I realize now that I was sinning as much as the racists for not reporting it.
Then today I saw a thread that again was trying to intellectualize antagonism to the Mormon religion, and I thought about it. I’ve seen a ton of threads like this here. I ignore them. I have Mormon friends. The conservative community has plenty of Mormon friends. Why do we bash their beliefs on a forum called Free Republic, named after the glorious dreams of those who died to make freedom of worship a reality here?
Am I alone in wondering if this is not counterproductive to the work of FR as a freedom-loving, activist central meeting ground for the conservative mind?
Would I like tenets of my religion taken apart piece by piece here, of all places? Then why would I wish it on others?
Many religions are hostile to other religions within their theology. Maybe we should leave that to other forums so as to elevate Free Republic. I know it's a Christian-based forum because its founder is Christian. But we of other faiths have always felt welcomed. I cherish that inclusion.
That is not the point. I am trying to think out of the box here. Maybe Free Republic would be better off not disrespecting any one-G-d religion at all, just as we should not disrespect anyone's race. We all might have issues with faiths not our own. I know the founder is Christian and the forum honors the Judeo-Christian values of the USA. Islam is tricky because our enemies use it against us.
Many religions are hostile to other religions within their theology
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So that excuses the Christian bashing that the mormons do ???
Well, except there are not Quaker like people on the moon, I am pretty sure that part has been disproved.
I dunno. Have you checked everywhere on Luna?
:-)
Maybe I can help you with your dilemma. I once felt like you, as an apostate mormon, I saw no value in what was being posted. I thought I was taking the “high road” by engaging numerous “anti’s” and even going so far as to call one lovely lady a “snake in the grass”.
But you know, sometimes you just have to be blunt and rude to shake people out of the stupor they are in to get through to them. It took me a couple of years, I even got into very heated “discussions” with some “anti’s” on various threads. Eventually I quit posting and just started reading what was being posted. Lurking.
But the more I read, actually read what they were posting, it caused me to raise serious personal theological questions that needed answers. I have since acknowledged that I was deceived by the book of mormon. I have also come to the point in my life that I need to put the better part of 15 years of my life down as time lost and get to know Christ and to develop and nurture a relationship with Him. The mormon church does not encourage a personal relationship with Christ. Actually quite the opposite.
That being said, these threads do bring value to some, granted, they may not be as polite as most would wish, but I refer you back to my earlier comment about bluntness. It has opened my eyes to the falseness that is the mormon church. In other words, these posters have saved a lost soul. That is the mission of a true Christian. To find and save lost souls. For that, I thank them and endorse the work they do.
SZ
You said: I don’t feel that bashing people’s free choice to worship as they choose is appropriate on Free Republic.
When I answered: How are ya on Islam ???
You said: That is not the point.
So what was your point for saying: I will be flagging as Abuse any thread that bashes Mormons. I don’t feel that bashing people’s free choice to worship as they choose is appropriate on Free Republic.
Were you claiming that mormonism is some kind of protected religion apart from others ???
Each religion is equal but one is more equal than others ???
Thank you SZ...
Jesus loves you and I do too...
:)
No, Thank You and the many others who don’t/won’t back down.
SZ
If you go to the Religion Forum you will see that many Freepers want to comment on Religious matters, some among their own denominations, others on Ecumenical threads, and others on Open Threads like this one. There are plenty of threads bashing Catholicism and various Protestant denominations. Bashing individual Freepers on any Religion Forum thread is strictly forbidden. Do you wish to ban all Freepers who want to discuss religious issues?
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