Eliminating Forum Specific Guidelines and OBOB

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Questions for Staff:

I read that there are no more forum specific rules (fsg). The ONLY rules that apply in forums are the rules that apply in ALL forums of CF. Is that correct?

IF so, then I'd like a clarification of OBOB. This forum was created years ago as a "safe haven from Protestants", a place where there would be "walls of separation from Protestants" (to use the exact terminology of the time). Non-Catholics may post fellowship things ("Happy Birthday!") and questions ("How many of you have been to Rome?") but may not present anything ("teach") even if to correct a factual misrepresentation of Protestantism that is NOT held by the Catholic Church (as was stressed to me) or to present anything not officially embraced by the Catholic Church. It is a "safe haven from Protestants" as I was informed repeatedly over several years. But, that is NOT the rule for every forum of CF - it is a special rule for OBOB, a fsg for OBOB alone.

I'd like a charificiation from Staff on what it means that there are no longer any SPECIAL or UNIQUE rules for any forum (if that is the new position of CF) - no more fsg. And specifically what this means for OBOB.

Thanks!


- Josiah




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Hi Josiah,

I can't speak for any upcoming changes but I can speak to the current rules.

The main Christian Forums rules found here: Christian Forums - FAQ: Christian Forums Rules / Terms of Service specify a Congregational Rule which reads:

This rule applies to all Congregational forums which includes the Christian Communities Section and the Faith Groups section and was not subordinate to FSG's. Each congregational forum is a safe-haven. That remains true with this rule. The FSG's were used by many congregational forums to further define membership utilizing a specific statement of faith within the forum for the members of that forum. Those unique FSG's have been removed.

I realize that you have a specific concern about OBOB but I would suggest that all congregational forums have a right to their "safe-haven" where they will not be confronted or debated by non-members. That's all that rule is in place for is to allow a place outside of the debate forums for like-minded groups to dialogue about their faith.

Hope that helps clarify. If it doesn't I'll see if I can get one of the Admins or Advisors to pop in for more clarification.

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I'm not staff so I can not answer with authority but if I read the question and answer thread correctly the FSG's are gone but there are still safe havens. Post #25 over here seems to answer it : link

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Prior to the 777 reforms, before there were FSGs, we did not allow nonCatholics to post against Catholic teachings. I don't see that it will be allowed now.

Allow me to disabuse of you a few notions.

Staff will mod to the site rules. One of which is the Congregational rule which applies to all Congregational forums.


Your question is fairly irrelevant - and loaded to boot. The "history" surrounding the creation of OBOB 7 or 8 years ago is irrelevant...much like a discussion of the old PRE forum and why it was broken up into protestant congregations is irrelevant. I will remind you, however, that the same "non-interference" rules that applied to OBOB also applied to PRE.

As is the Baptist forum a safe haven for Baptists (from Catholics and other Protestants). The rules are no different. More appropriately...safe haven forums exist as safe havens from those not of the denomination...whatever the forum happens to be. I can't help the fact that there seems to be "one forum" for Catholics and a bunch of different ones for Protestants. I didn't design Christianity.


It will mean the same thing for OBOB as it does for every other Congregational forum on this website. You've been doing this this OBOB tilting at windmill thing for years on CF and it is extremely taxing. Frankly, the only people that bring up the old "wall of separation" business are those that had a prior vested interest in the old Catholic / Protestant "balance" - a discussion that we don't have any more because most people around here - particularly on staff - have moved beyond such pettiness.

All forums will be allowed to post a "Statement of Faith / what we believe and teach" etc. Safe haven status will remain for all forums. Fellowship is allowed. Nothing has changed on that point nor will it.

If you have specific questions with respect to the congregational forums in general, the process of developing statements of faith for the forums, or any of the other general issues related to recent changes I'm happy to engage. I - or the rest of CF's staff - isn't going to engage in rehashing a bunch of grievances from years past which do not exist anymore because the conditions and interaction between staff have significantly changed since you were last on staff and, frankly, were a much more active contributor on the site.

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Originally Posted by Tonks

All forums will be allowed to post a "Statement of Faith / what we believe and teach" etc. Safe haven status will remain for all forums. Fellowship is allowed. Nothing has changed on that point nor will it.

If you have specific questions with respect to the congregational forums in general, the process of developing statements of faith for the forums, or any of the other general issues related to recent changes I'm happy to engage.........

Thank you Tonks A question to the congregational statements of faith:

Are the Statements of Faith threads (for discussion, input &....vote???) specific to each congregational safehaven going to be created and overseen by staff? Or should congregational participants take initiative to create a Baptist thread (for example) to discuss an all-inclusive Baptist Statement of Faith?

humbly,
Cam

Staff will be developing the SOFs.