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I think that's important to note. There are hundreds of Christian message boards out there that are quite controlling of the discussions they allow. Any discussion outside of the mainstream, conservative view of Christianity is quickly squashed. And, non-Christians are tightly controlled as well, often only allowed to post in certain forums. So, if you're looking for a "safe haven" for conservative Christians, you can easily find one.
On the other hand, places like City-Data's Christian forum, which appeal to those of us who are interested in discussing Christianity and the bible, and enjoy seeing a broader range of viewpoints represented, are rare indeed. I'm grateful for it.
Amen, Pleroo. The desire to cloak one's beliefs in a shroud of like-minded believers is natural if your views are acceptable and comforting to you. It is confirming and safe . . . and there are many sites out there for that. Those who genuinely want to know God will seek more open discourse . . . even challenging discourse . . . to test their understanding against. There are far fewer sites for that . . . sad to say. C-D is a beacon of light in that regard.
I've noticed by going into the public visitor messages section for forum members that many of these people team up, high five one another for comments, cover one another's back, etc.. The internet is full of articles and stories by people who are forum shills, some even paid to push an agenda or idea or manipulate a forum. Also, I've read that some forums purposely turn a blind eye to flaming, flamebaiting, spamming, stalking and trolling. Defined as excessive use of one line responses that do little to add to the topic being discussed, spamming on here is rampant.
Sadly, I've seen many Christians come on this forum all excited and looking for fellowship or guidance on an issue quickly leave. With literally hundreds of Christian forums out there that don't allow such nonsense it makes sense to leave. It's too bad this particular part of C-D forum has been allowed to go this direction.
JGHorton, if you'd like I could direct message the names of a couple of other Christian forums where members are selected after answering some Christian questions, and the moderators keep a close eye on what is said. I was on one of these forums not long ago and came across some posts by a couple of members saying they hoped Mike555 and you would somehow find them.
Is that why you hide behind: Pastor Al profile is accessible only for friends.
You are more than welcome to access mine, no hidden agenda exists.
Of course, you might be a secret agent or a peeking tom. As for one liners, I will be more than happy to expound upon mine - if need be.
Here is a perfect example of why a large percentage of college-aged young people are dropping out of Christianity in droves: Christian intolerance of any views that challenge their own deeply-held dogmas based on the endless circular reasoning found in the Bible.
A study that came out earlier this year found the main reason millennials are less religious are LGBT issues. That topic rarely comes up on here, and when it does is quickly closed due to personal attacks about different beliefs. Instead we have thread after thread relentlessly attacking the Bible as God's Word, insinuating Paul, Matthew, and Luke were all insane, that John was tripping on 'shrooms, that the God of the OT is not the God of the NT, that because Jesus talked about heaven and hell more than anything else they don't exist, etc........
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Many members here, like myself, in their long religious evolution, find themselves in between certain theologies--I, for example, find myself believing certain dogmas identified with Christianity, but also with deism. This fact causes me to question certain immovable beliefs that fundamentalists insist on rigidly hold onto, even in the face of irrefutable evidence to the contrary. If this is what jg is looking for in a Christian board I would suggest that such a board would turn into a sterile environment devoid of any kind of meaningful exchange of ideas really fast. I don't think the owners of City Data want this, and I certainly don't think they want it turning into a travesty like the Christian Forums.
I don't find much of anything on here to be a meaningful exchange. If I ask a person to elaborate or try to dig deeper into their beliefs I'm assaulted by others. Sometimes I have to sift through half a dozen or more meaningless posts before finding one that remotely relates to my question. Also, having 3 active threads about the same topic all the time is not fostering meaningful exchanges, but instead the same old things over and over.
What is most disconcerting on this forum is how people claim they are right and everyone else is wrong-end of discussion. I see this attitude not from the "fundamentalists" so much as those who hold views outside mainline Christianity. No one from this group ever says, "I'm sorry but I disagree because........." Instead, they try to rip the other person. I've been called by these so-called Christians a "false teacher," an "embarrassment to Jesus" and an "abomination to the Lord," by the very people you say should seek meaningful exchange. For one thing, this is not how true Christians are to talk to one another.
I'll probably get banned for life for disclosing this but since you brought up the owners of C-D forum Advameg own over 50 forums sites including another religious forum. They have a F rating on BBB.
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Christians who find competing ideas threatening should look within themselves for solutions rather than being so insecure about their faith that they have to chase off people who merely offer alternative thoughts.
Funny, I've thought the same thing about people who relentlessly attack the Bible as God's Word, insinuate Paul was insane, that John was tripping on 'shrooms, that the God of the OT is not the God of the NT, that because Jesus talked about heaven and hell more than anything else they don't exist, etc.........If I was secure in my theology I wouldn't need to degrade other who disagree with personal attacks. I wouldn't need to start thread after thread about the same topic looking for support if I was secure.
Even though I'll most likely be banned anyway, I think this forum needs more categories like other Christian forums have. I know for a fact some Catholics would like their own forum. Many Christian forums have Catholic, Protestant, Everything Else and a place for debate.
When looking at a new topic on the CD Christian forum, I've found that one need only look at the list of "replies" (responders) on the summary page ... to know what is being said in most threads. Unfortunately, there are a large number of folks whose sole purpose seems to be to attack traditional Christianity and Bible beliefs ... while "trotting-out their own 'one-trick pony." That 'pony' is always and only about injecting the same 'drumbeat' responses to every question or issue: 1). God is only about love and nothing else matters; 2) Hell doesn't exist; 3) Everyone will ultimately be saved and spend eternity in heaven; 4). All churches are led by self-serving pastors who spread false doctrine; and 5) The Bible is an outdated book penned by superstitious ancients ... and unreliable for use today.
Some folks claim these are only "alternative Christian beliefs" or "interpretations," but, in truth, they are really only 'anti-Christian' attacks on the core tenants of Christianity. This is particularly evident when these are the ONLY positions espoused by the same list of posters... regardless of the issue or question. Yes, this is an 'Open Forum' and "people can say whatever they want to say," but, is it really? OR, has it been allowed to morph into an 'anti-Christian Forum' where people freely attack every Christian belief or tenant, without regulation? Perhaps this is a reflection of a society in which 'Christians' are considered 'fair game', yet, where there would be a huge 'politically correct' uproar if the same attacks were directed at Muslims, atheists, blacks, homosexuals or any other group.
In other forums, when Christian beliefs or tenants are brought into a secular discussion, there seems to be little hesitation to quickly declare the post "off topic" -- Why not here? In fact, it would not surprise me if this post were dis-allowed because it is standing-up for Christianity, rather than attacking it!
What do you think? Are you happy with the way things are going on this forum ... OR are you ready to turn it back into a 'Christian Forum', rather than a place to simply attack Christians and Christianity?
It's a shame, and makes discussions about Biblical topics nearly impossible.
Is that why you hide behind: Pastor Al profile is accessible only for friends.
You are more than welcome to access mine, no hidden agenda exists. Of course, you might be a secret agent or a peeking tom. As for one liners, I will be more than happy to expound upon mine - if need be.
Good catch, Jerwade. Why would anyone hide their profile if they are not a shill or "agent provocateur"? Always look at what others accuse you of to see their own possible motivations.
Just what are these "core" tenants of Christianity you speak of? Do you really mean core tenants of a particular or perhaps group of church denominations?
I second this. Which of the 30,000 different flavors of Christianity do you specifically refer to, jg?
Amen, Pleroo. The desire to cloak one's beliefs in a shroud of like-minded believers is natural if your views are acceptable and comforting to you. It is confirming and safe . . . and there are many sites out there for that. Those who genuinely want to know God will seek more open discourse . . . even challenging discourse . . . to test their understanding against. There are far fewer sites for that . . . sad to say. C-D is a beacon of light in that regard.
Yes. Go to a board like RITA. The moment you even question the rapture you are immediately banned.
It's much like the Spanish Inquisition, and I know a few members who wish they could bring it back.
Good catch, Jerwade. Why would anyone hide their profile if they are not a shill or "agent provocateur"? Always look at what others accuse you of to see their own possible motivations.
Exactly.
And the good pastor confessed to checking on his "enemies'" profiles to read messages left by others.
But denies others the same opportunity to read his.
A study that came out earlier this year found the main reason millennials are less religious are LGBT issues. That topic rarely comes up on here, and when it does is quickly closed due to personal attacks about different beliefs. Instead we have thread after thread relentlessly attacking the Bible as God's Word, insinuating Paul, Matthew, and Luke were all insane, that John was tripping on 'shrooms, that the God of the OT is not the God of the NT, that because Jesus talked about heaven and hell more than anything else they don't exist, etc........
I don't find much of anything on here to be a meaningful exchange. If I ask a person to elaborate or try to dig deeper into their beliefs I'm assaulted by others. Sometimes I have to sift through half a dozen or more meaningless posts before finding one that remotely relates to my question. Also, having 3 active threads about the same topic all the time is not fostering meaningful exchanges, but instead the same old things over and over.
Well, as I person who is assaulted every time I post, I can sympathize with your sentiments. I am called an atheist by fundamentalists constantly even though I have proclaimed endlessly I believe in Jesus; I accept His death and resurrection, openly proclaim that He is our ransom and that His death opened the doors of heaven to ALL sinners. It's that last part that gets fundamentalists in here in a lather.
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