Foru.ms - a new beginning and a fresh start (2)

[Jere209]

(ERWIN)

This is why I have little to no problem that "Christian Forums" name is changed.

I"m not bothered by that, I'm bothered by the drastic format changes that harm the integrity of the Christian body /members within it.
Causing chaos.

The name change could work out to be a real inventive idea to get more nonchristians visiting - but if you want to bring them in TO BE WITNESSED TO, YOU'VE CORRUPTED THE CHRISTIAN BASE BRINGING THEM THE MESSAGE by watering it down to generic Xtianity - anything goes.

Keep the name! Change your format to define CHRISTIAN properly, then bringing in nonchristians will be a fantastic thing.
Otherwise, you're going to have worse infighting in the Faith section (depending on who stays of course).

AMEN!
I could not have said it better!
Erwin, I hope you listen!

 

[Nadiine]

I do not intend this statement as debate. I do, however, want the Christians to try to understand my viewpoint just a little bit. There are few things that demonstrate to me a certain moral bankruptcy of Christianity than evangelization by stealth. If God exists and is all powerful, all loving and all knowledgeable, then why do believers resort to tactics like this?

To me, it is a rather powerful argument for atheism rather than for Christianity.

I know this isn't up for debate, but I'd like to clarify that just becuz we find ONE or some people doing something we find questionable or dislike, is not reason to run to a position of: "that's why I won't be a Christian".

Becuz I can gaurantee you that I"ve seen some NASTY stuff done by Atheists (and people of every creed & color) doing NASTY crap.

GOD represents Christianity - He tells us right from wrong (we fail to do right at times) - HE is the pure example, look to Him for your model and do what you will. People are a flawed mess in need of help (which is WHY I CHOOSE JESUS CHRIST!).

*not intended for debate - just making a note about observing people of all groups who fail & give bad examples.

 

[Jere209]

Originally Posted by CoachR64
The title of "Christian" is huge to me. It is a title I was given by Christ, and I get offended when I see people wanting to wipe it away.

Really? When did Christ give you that title

? And who is trying to wipe that title away from you? Only those who tell others that they are not Christian are trying to wipe that title away. You aren't this website. Its title is not your title.

Would you care to elaborate on that a bit, please?

 

[Esquire]

I completely agree. As Christians, we need to show our faith, hope and love by how we live and treat others.

Although, as human beings, (especially me) sometimes we do fall short of the glory of God and we really mess up big time and then hopefully we find our way back to doing things right.

I won't have anything to do with this kind of tactic. It's just not honest.

Your choice of the word tactic as it was used in the context of your sentence implies a planned move that was underhanded in some way. Please explain. .

 

[CoachR64]

I'm not going to hi-jack this thread with debate about my beliefs. I simply stated how I feel. I'm tired and going to bed. I've been following this thread all evening, and I've really had enough for one night.

Bottom line: I disagree with the change. I don't like it and that is basicly how I feel. I think the change is wrong and unnecessary. I think it is a cop out.

Coach

 

[D'Ann]

Your choice of the word tactic as it was used in the context of your sentence implies a planned move that was underhanded in some way. Please explain. .

From what I'm understanding from what has been said here and what Erwin posted...

He changed the name of the site so that non-Christians would think that this is more of a networking social site and then hopefully we can then start witnessing to them and bring them via the Holy Spirit to Christ.

Well, if I recommended this site to my friends who are not Christians under the pretense that this was only a networking.. social site and then they found out that it was a Christian site in disguise... they would be offended, hurt and angry at me for misleading them and they might feel as if I purposely deceived them.

I won't do it. It's imperative that we be honest with all people.

If we think non-Christians will come here if we somewhat disguise the Christian side of this site and then we start sharing Christ with them, they won't respond very well. They will feel as if we hoodwinked them.

I hope this makes sense.

 

[Esquire]

From what I'm understanding from what has been said here and what Erwin posted...

He changed the name of the site so that non-Christians would think that this is more of a networking social site and then hopefully we can then start witnessing to them and bring them via the Holy Spirit to Christ.

Well, if I recommended this site to my friends who are not Christians under the pretense that this was only a networking.. social site and then they found out that it was a Christian site in disguise... they would be offended, hurt and angry at me for misleading them and they might feel as if I purposely deceived them.

I won't do it. It's imperative that we be honest with all people.

If we think non-Christians will come here if we somewhat disguise the Christian side of this site and then we start sharing Christ with them, they won't respond very well. They will feel as if we hoodwinked them.

I hope this makes sense.

That is not what he said in his explanation. Though I believe his business sense completely sucks as it pertains to this transition that is not what he said. He never said lie to anyone. You have an agenda and that is clear.

 

[CaDan]

That is not what he said in his explanation. Though I believe his business sense completely sucks as it pertains to this transition that is not what he said. He never said lie to anyone. You have an agenda and that is clear.

Of course she has an agenda!

I have an agenda. You have an agenda. We all have agendas. It's 2007 and we're barbarians!

(Loose paraphrase from The Lion in Winter)

 

[Esquire]

Of course she has an agenda!

I have an agenda. You have an agenda. We all have agendas. It's 2007 and we're barbarians!

(Loose paraphrase from The Lion in Winter)

You must be psychic. Do you read cards too. I wait for the facts to display the agenda. I do not assume it.

 

[D'Ann]

That is not what he said in his explanation. Though I believe his business sense completely sucks as it pertains to this transition that is not what he said. He never said lie to anyone. You have an agenda and that is clear.

I do have an agenda. I want the truth and I want to understand the truth.

And Erwin may of not expressed it in that way, but inbetween the lines, that is exactly what he meant. Whether we agree or don't agree... that is the impression that he has given to me and many others here.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

You have an agenda and that is clear.

You owe her an apology. That's the problem with socks. They can be as unpleasant as they want and get away with it without repercussion.

 

[Esquire]

I do have an agenda. I want the truth and I want to understand the truth.

And Erwin may of not expressed it in that way, but inbetween the lines, that is exactly what he meant. Whether we agree or don't agree... that is the impression that he has given to me and many others here.

You inferred that meaning . The man deserves the benefit of the doubt too. He did not say that.

To assert such a negative comment and twist words that are public and can be read by everyone only indicates to me a negative agenda. It does no good .

 

[CaDan]

You must be psychic. Do you read cards too. I wait for the facts to display the agenda. I do not assume it.

I infer it. There is a bit of a difference, counsel.

I like D'Ann. I think she is an important member of this site--whatever it is called. I think she also has some keen insights on the name issue.

 

[Esquire]

I infer it. There is a bit of a difference, counsel.

I like D'Ann. I think she is an important member of this site--whatever it is called. I think she also has some keen insights on the name issue.

Why do you play both sides of the issue ? Is is friendship? If it is then I understand. If not then I don't get it.

 

[D'Ann]

You inferred that meaning . The man deserves the benefit of the doubt too. He did not say that.

To assert such a negative comment and twist words that are public and can be read by everyone only indicates to me a negative agenda. It does no good .

Nope... you can debate all you want, but you will not change the truth, nor my opinion, nor anyone else's opinions here.

By what he wrote, he implied it in my opinion.

I didn't twist his words. You need to go back and start reading these threads with his comments. It's all there.

 

[D'Ann]

Why do you play both sides of the issue ? Is is friendship? If it is then I understand. If not then I don't get it.

CaDan and I are friends. We don't agree very often, but I respect his opinion and his insight. He is dear to me.

 

[D'Ann]

I infer it. There is a bit of a difference, counsel.

I like D'Ann. I think she is an important member of this site--whatever it is called. I think she also has some keen insights on the name issue.

Not to get mushy... or to cause you embarrassment... but thank you. It's been a rough day and your kindness means a lot to me, more than I can say.

 

[Esquire]

CaDan and I are friends. We don't agree very often, but I respect his opinion and his insight. He is dear to me.

Have you ever used those terms about anyone else on this site? What were your feelings pre transition regarding these same people?

 

[CaDan]

Why do you play both sides of the issue ? Is is friendship? If it is then I understand. If not then I don't get it.

Because we're just talking here--trying to work through some confusion and some issues. "Sides" aren't really that relevant.

Maybe I'll kick into advocacy mode later. Maybe not.

 

[Erwin]

From what I'm understanding from what has been said here and what Erwin posted...

He changed the name of the site so that non-Christians would think that this is more of a networking social site and then hopefully we can then start witnessing to them and bring them via the Holy Spirit to Christ.

Well, if I recommended this site to my friends who are not Christians under the pretense that this was only a networking.. social site and then they found out that it was a Christian site in disguise... they would be offended, hurt and angry at me for misleading them and they might feel as if I purposely deceived them.

I won't do it. It's imperative that we be honest with all people.

If we think non-Christians will come here if we somewhat disguise the Christian side of this site and then we start sharing Christ with them, they won't respond very well. They will feel as if we hoodwinked them.

I hope this makes sense.

I can see what you mean. However, the intention is not to "hoodwink" people.

CF, which is now Foru.ms, is still the same site, with the same people (well, some of the same people) who are friendly, with a warm atmosphere (hopefully we can return to that) and great fellowship.

A lot of non-Christians would love to be part of it. When we invite non-Christian friends to the site, we are not doing it because we want to "hoodwink" them - we are doing it because they are our friends. Exactly the same reason why you would invite friends to other so-called "social networking" sites. Except that this will be a site based on Christian principles, which I think a lot of non-Christians would find attractive - in fact, having a site like this based on Christian pricinples which means we will moderate tightly and ensure civility, would be something that a lot of non-Christians would be looking out for. I would think that people would be inviting their friends not purely to "hoodwink" them but because they love them and want to catch up with them online in a community setting. There is no "false advertising" as such - we are what we are, an online community. The reason why the name was changed is to address the claim that I was "false advertising" - so I addressed it.

Hope that makes sense. No matter how I type something out, someone's going to find a different interpretation - let's hope I got out what I was hoping to mean.