Christianity forum update (doctrine, churches, beliefs, scripture)
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IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ALL POSTING IN THIS SUB FORUM
For the purpose of this forum, an individual Christian, or Christianity as a whole, is not defined by the
doctrines and practices of any of the many denominations within Christianity, or by the particular church one attends, but as one who believes on Christ, and follows the teachings and ways of Him.
Due to the overall dynamics of the particular subforum, where personal attacks of other's belief systems occur on a daily basis, this Sticky has been added by way of addressing the issue of what constitutes a "personal attack" upon another member, relative to their beliefs.
The issue being addressed here is that is not acceptable to attack another member's beliefs.
It is perfectly fine to disagree with other members, and to let them know why. There are certain aspects pertaining to Christianity in particular that people are simply not ever going to agree with one another about. The moderators have no problem with this, and understand that it is to be expected in both real life, as well as on this forum.
When it comes to what someone believes regarding their faith, it is not the same dynamic as a political stance, which one chooses based on reason or critical thinking, and how they feel about politically-based policies or issues. When it comes to religious belief, what one believes is personal to them, it is what they base their lives and actions around, and in many respects defines who they are, based on their understanding and belief of Christianity, and how it pertains to them as individuals. In short: Their belief is an extremely important part in terms of their definition of who they are. In overtly attacking their beliefs, you are also attacking that member.
Disagreements, even passionately adamant disagreements (to the point of telling another member that they are wrong in what they believe) is permissible, so long as it addresses the particular point that is disagreed with. However, it must be done without attacking that other individual for what they believe.
--And that has to be upheld among the members who post on this forum.
The moderators are aware of the fact that there are aspects of Christianity that not every member accepts, or even feels to be correct in terms of another member's beliefs of what Christianity is. It is absolutely fine to disagree with another member regarding this, even to the point of stating that you feel they are wrong, and explaining your reasons why. But what is NOT acceptable, and what takes place on this forum every day is to attack that person for what in essence, is an integral part of who they are in what is highly personal to them in their perception of Christianity, and scripture, and is something they base their live's on, and what greatly defines who they are as individuals upon.
WHAT IS BEING MANDATED IS HAVING RESPECT IN ONE'S POST TOWARDS THOSE WITH WHOM ONE ADAMANTLY DISAGREES, no matter how adamantly you disagree with or feel another member's beliefs are wrong, BUT IT CANNOT BE DONE IN AN ATTACKING WAY, WHEREBY THE INDIVIDUAL HIM/HERSELF IS BEING ATTACKED BASED ON THEIR OWN PERSONAL BELIEFS.
By outright attacking another member's beliefs in their interpretation of, and understanding of Christianity, you are attacking that person. You are attacking that person inasmuch as their beliefs contribute greatly to who they are as people. This will no longer be tolerated. Despite the inevitable disagreements among members, these disagreements must be constructed in one's posts, where the member him/herself is not personally attacked for what they believe.
Should this occur, infractions will be issued as being "personal attacks."
In order to preserve the peace and harmony in the Christianity forum, the moderators have agreed that the following policy is in order. Please adhere.
This is the Christianity forum, where we discuss issues about Christianity. Obviously, the existence of God/Jesus is a given in such discussions, so arguments against the existence of God are off topic in the Christianity forum. Please confine any such discussions to the main Religion & Spirituality forum.
Most of the rules that we follow are posted at the top of the main Religion and Spirituality forum. They are there because they apply to all of the sub-forums.
We have deleted posts consistently that have referred to any Christian denomination as a "cult." Expect to receive an infraction if you feel compelled to do so.
Among other things that define a cult are a) it is typically a small, single group of people, b) the group has one charismatic leader, and c) the members are expected to give extraordinary amounts to the group. There may be other defining characteristics.
Don't refer to any churches as "cults" unless it is clearly and obviously seen as a cult by mainstream readers. (Examples would include Heaven's Gate, The People's Temple, and the Branch Davidians.)
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