That all sounds good Tish, but as others said the Main forum should be for the Main members, to discuss whatever but by our beliefs. Even something like "I went to the movies to see ___________ and I wanted popcorn but wasn't sure if the butter was Kosher". Now this may be considered a fellowship post because it isn't hard core theology being discussed but from our perspective it does touch on our beliefs. So then someone comes in that believes that you have 'liberty to eat whatever you want' makes some remake, or posts a cartoon or something that may seem to them to be appropriate but to us it is going against our beliefs.
We then are made to feel inferior, on the fringe of Christianity, or heathens for not realizing this shouldn't be an issue. (this is just an extreme case for example). but this does then lead to anti-Jewish thoughts and remarks and it's hurtful and we don't feel safe, but rather picked upon. Because remember the main Christian mentality that separates us is that the Torah is done away with and , and that's the politically correct way to say what's been said for centuries, that the law, the Sabbath and the Holy days are only for the Jews.
I think to keep our conversations more fruitful and peaceful we should go back to the time where we had a question thread for those seeking.
The main forum should be for all members to participate in, I don't think we should be relegated to a sub forum to talk about Torah when Torah is what rules our life, obeying G-d and doing what he wants. How can we make that just a sub-titled? It effects our way of thinking, doing and seeing life in everything we do.
If someone comes searching they can go to this thread and ask questions in the proper setting. This way the regular threads don't derail and degrade into accusation, separation, fruitlessness and basically chaos. I think it is because others are allowed to come into any thread and ask a question that makes us all be on guard, be on the defensive. We need a place where we can talk without feeling we have to be in this defensive mode, which ends up going against each other too.
Many times these questions are seen as accusatory, or baiting in some way, so the defense comes on. Then we end up with every person truely seeking to learn immediately told when they come in to read the rules, read the rules and that in itself is wearisome to have to read over and over again when all you want to do is talk about the subject at hand, to share what you know and hope to learn something from others. Instead it turns into debate about who can post, who can teach and the threads where we could really discuss really interesting topics get derailed into nothingness.
I think that is what another poster described as works of the enemy and it is. If he can get us off talking about obeying G-d then he has won and we have failed the test. HaShem continues to test us today. It doesn't matter what Torah we keep, if we keep going after our brother we have failed.
The two greatest are
#1 Loving G-d (obeying Him is the only way to show this love)
#2 Loving your neighbor (the only way to do this is to be helping them in keeping #1
That's all I gotta say, and hope it made sense, I didn't get back until almost 3 this morning so am a little tired and missed some of this.
Oh and I do want to add to Tishri, I know that you work harder than anyone to keep the peace, I knew that way, way back when I trained you to be an MJ mod when I was your supervisor
and I've watched how you've grown and I too am proud of you and the way you never loose your temper and always want the best for us as well as the rest of the forum. This is too commendable for words, but I hope you can feel the love and it helps a little for all you do.
