I'm confused-What are we doing????

[Oakback]

Originally Posted by weatherologist

Finally, validation! Thank you, Irish! I was beginning to think that I was crazy.

I concur, but I'm still working on the crazy part.

[Pathwalker]

I'm sorry, Weather. I should have validated your thoughts before now. I actually agree with you and Irish.

I'm not going to feel comfortable in here. I feel like the decision about what this sub-forum should be was made by only a certain few who all tend to believe the same way, and to heck with what the rest of us Christians might want.

I won't be coming in here. I just don't think I'll feel like I belong.

[yhwhshalomjr]

I'm asking you all as Christians and non-believers alike to forgive me, if a thread that I posted seemed to be hurting anyone,
Love You All in Christ Jesus
God Bless

[irishmom]

Originally Posted by weatherologist

Finally, validation! Thank you, Irish! I was beginning to think that I was crazy.

You're not crazy...and I would have told you sooner but I was crazy busy this week. Sorry about that.

[Blueberry]

It's probably time for me to be quiet on this issue. I certainly hope that just because I've been mouthy in this thread that everyone doesn't think I'm setting the rules. Honestly, there's been very little feedback on my posts. As far as I know, I'm only speaking for myself. The OP was about how we, as individuals, see the purpose of this sub-forum and it's relationship to the main one. My posts are just that, my opinion. I wish others would say what it is, exactly, they want to see in this forum, especially those who don't feel welcome here.

Perhaps I'm delusional, but I thought I said I see this forum as inclusive. I've seen praiseworthy posts by Christians from many different sects, and I've seen many thoughtful exchanges between non-Christians and Christians. I think these things can still be included in the sub-forum. Are people reading my words but doubting the sincerity behind them? Are you projecting onto others judgment that isn't there?

I'm completely baffled and more than a little frustrated. Before the forums were split, I saw posts stating that the religion forum should be renamed the Christianity forum because of the number of Christians posting to it. ("Where's the diversity?!" was the charge.) I saw other posts criticizing Christians for quoting Scripture. I even saw posts that complained how Christians upheld a Biblical argument even if they didn't quote Scripture. People say they want the Christian point of view but take exception to the fact that the Bible is included in that viewpoint. It seems to me that people aren't going to be completely satisfied until we take the Bible out of the picture altogether! So, is that what you want? Do you want Christians to deny the one thing that they all claim they base their faith on? I gotta say, that sure is how it appears. If so, then come out and say it and quit beating around the bush!!!

Forum regulars have left because of the atmosphere in the main forum. Other C-D members won't even venture into the place because of the animosity displayed. Non-Christians won't participate because there are too many Christians. Christians won't participate because of the heated debates. It seemed to me the best solution all around was to separate some of the Christian threads so the main forum would attract more people (a greater diversity of opinion would be apparent), and so the Christians who would like to talk to other Christians would finally feel free to participate, also. I agree that it would be nice if we could do this in one forum--however, it wasn't working before, so what makes anyone think it would work now? We're truly in a situation of damned-if-you-do and damned-if-you-don't! Also, why are we worried about the perception that we're alienating the forum regulars (the same ones that often complained about Christians) and not worried that non-forum regulars have felt alienated all along? Is the same type of discussion taking place on the main forum? I certainly haven't seen one. What do the majority of the non-Christians think about Christians having a separate forum? How would they like to see the two forums operate?

I'll admit I've read very little in either forum recently. Am I missing something? Is there blatant hostility, and are people being told they're not welcome? If so, is it pervasive, or is it only a couple of posters? Is fundamentalism the problem, and--if so--how is it a problem? Is there hostility, even among professing Christians, over the use of the Bible? (I've got to admit, I don't understand if that is the case. Why would Christians be bothered by the Scriptures?) I certainly don't expect others to agree with me 100% of the time, and I doubt anyone else does either. I'll be the first to admit that I don't agree with all the Christian sects that I would like to see participate in this forum. However, I believe everyone has valuable things to say, even non-Christians who would like to venture over. I would like everyone to feel welcome here. So far, I haven't seen where people aren't. However, I'm beginning to feel that it's the fundamentalists that aren't welcome because everyone is tiptoeing around the elephant in the room and won't say what they really think. If we can't have an honest discussion, we're really lost!

[kawgpz550]

Originally Posted by Administrator

Yes, I'd say this is a good description of what this forum should be about. We will post an announcement some guidelines later.

I posted this somewhere else, however, maybe we would all be better off if we simply changed the sub-forum from "Christianity" to "Friendly Fellowship...No Debate"

I can understand why so many are feeling alienated and/or uncomfortable. There are too many denominations...There are too many varying Christian beliefs to be all summed up in "Christianity". The thought was good in the beginning, however, I am really beginning to think this was a mistake.

Wouldn't it be better and make it more inclusive to just make the sub-forum a place where people can just be FRIENDLY...perhaps be made known NO DEBATE, just fellowship? That wouldn't stop us from having Bible studies or discussion fundamental issues. It would just help alleviate the negativity of some believers not feeling welcome because their beliefs differ from others.

[Administrator]

I think that worrying ahead of time about debates making people feel alienated or exactly where this or that thread should go is unnecessary. Ultimately, we have to rely on our members to be able to choose where to post and which threads to read.

[Alpha8207]

I might be in trouble for cross-posting, but I hope not since I feel this is quite relevant in both threads....

Originally Posted by Alpha8207

1-Has anyone that's reading these threads been told they aren't welcome and, if so, have you reported that out-of-line poster to the mods? If not, then the consensus is everyone's welcome.

2-I didn't start any posts or threads with the intent of division, I was, in fact, responding to a concern that was brought to my attention. If it wasn't broke before all this came up, there's nothing to fix, I just needed clarification.

3-I spend more time than I should here, and I have not seen one thread in the Christianity sub-forum that was trying to exclude anyone. If someone can point me to a specific incident that is lurking beneath the surface here.

4-Could it be considered that if someone doesn't feel welcome, that feeling might just be them? If I can't get some evidence that there's been some kind of purposeful alienation going on, then it very well may be that this person feels out of place like would if I was in a 'sewing' forum. Free to post but not sure what to say. That might be the case regardless of where they are, in real life or not. At any rate, the parent forum is still there for anyone who wants to stay there exclusively.

If this sub-forum was formed and it's up to the posters to shape it, then let's post and see what happens.

For the record, IMO, all are welcome, all are valued and all are free.

That doesn't mean I would agree with all, but if I wanted to only talk to someone I agree with, I'd be in June's office trying to figure out why I talk to myself all the time!

[irishmom]

Originally Posted by Alpha8207

I might be in trouble for cross-posting, but I hope not since I feel this is quite relevant in both threads....

Ok I'll do it too. I nominate Alpha to be a religion moderator!