But that's how common sense died--don't you know? The slippery slope. The first time around things were okay, but farther and farther away from those orignal mods (or rules), it got down to "Well what could they *really* have meant by this particular thing?" And after awhile it gets to be "Oh *of course* they meant that rules no longer count--it's to be a free-for-all, after all, that's what it means *now*". That's why we have rules written down in the first place--so there is no question. They are "carved in stone" so to speak, even if people sort of "bend" them a little. So that we can always count on that "safe haven" even if we tend to allow a bit more leeway in practice.
Sometimes I even suspect that's why even outdated laws are left on the books. It's "just in case" there *is* a question about what was *really* meant. It's "just in case" it *is* needed.
This does not put the safe haven in jeopardy. I have put in...let see, rough estimate since I became a mod in 2006...3120 hours on this site dealing with the rules. Many times, specifically protecting the safe haven.
I have also written or been part of those who wrote every set of rules on this site (except the wiki stuff) for 6 years, including each of the OBOB safe haven rules and Statements of Faith.
So I am not guessing as to what the intention behind the older sets of rules are when I say this does not oppose or jeopardize the safe haven. This does not make it a free for all.
All it does is open up things slightly to allow for consistency and eliminate people reporting some while allowing others.
Like I said before there are pros and cons.
But the argument you make is just plan wrong. Having put far more time in here than anyone else protecting the OBOB safe haven, and all the congregational safe havens as well...I can say this does not effect that rule. This is not an invitation to free for all.
Catholic dogma and teaching can not be oppose.
Catholicism can not be mocked.
This is the equivalent of having a conversation with your non-Catholic neighbor in your living room. But they must remember it is your house and respect the statue of Mary on the table.