Proposed additions to the SOP

Tallguy88

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I ran across an old version of the Statement of Purpose for TLT from when it was first created, largely written by the members here (some of whom are still active here). While most of it is covered by our current SOP, there were two parts that could do well to be added to the existing one. They clarify who is a member here and where the line in debating is.

I'd like input as to whether these are OK with you to add as is, or whether there are any suggested changes, or if they are unnecessary.

First part:

"All those who consider themselves Liberal Catholics, in the broadest sense, are welcome to fully participate in the life and work of this forum community, including participating in debates. We also want to explicitly and especially extend an invitation to lapsed and former Catholics who have an attachment to Catholicism and view themselves as sharing some of the same values or cultural backgrounds as other members of the forum, to participate as full members."

Second part:

"Members and Non-Members

This is the congregational forum for members of Christian Forums who self-identify as "Liberal Catholics". While all catholics are able to debate in this forum, those who are anti-liberal should be aware they are visitors here.

Those who aggressively and actively reject theological liberalism are welcome for fellowship, questions and inquiries, non-debate discussion, and finally, at the discretion of the moderating team, limited congenial debate. Flamers will be removed.

It is the responsibility of any non-member posting in this forum to avoid contentious topics."

Thoughts?
 

Shiloh Raven

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Hi Tad. I really liked what you said about liberal Catholicism in your other post. I think you stated that really well. I also think what you said relates to this thread too.
 
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Fantine

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There are some participants in this forum who are Episcopal/Anglican (Paidiske, for example) with whom we all feel very congenial. I certainly would not want them to feel unwelcome. As a matter of fact, if we could choose a moderator for this forum, she'd be my first choice even though she isn't Catholic because I find her comments and participation so positive and affirming.

I don't find most of our discussions here to be so theologically technical that the non-Catholic Christians who participate here would be unwelcome. They're liberal after all, and theological technicalities usually aren't their primary focus.
 
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Paidiske

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I think I might have said this on TLT before, but Fantine's post has just prompted me to kind of reflect on it again:

I like TLT, appeciate being welcome here and participate without any sense of discomfort. But I am not a Catholic, and within my own tradition, I am not a liberal; and although I feel that this forum and I share a pretty similar ethos in many ways, I actually am more comfortable identifying as a guest, and observing those boundaries, than being treated as potentially a member when I don't actually quite fit.
I have no objection to TLT defining itself as you see fit; but I would not want to encourage you to broaden it simply so that I could be officially a "member" rather than a "guest." That doesn't mean you're going to get rid of me; I shall continue to be a regular guest!
 
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Shiloh Raven

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I love this forum and I love its welcoming and friendly atmosphere the most. I love the discussions on important social (immigrants, refugees, indigenous) issues and environmental issues too. I have felt welcome since I first came here last year. And back then it was mostly just me, Marty, and Paul (bettercallpaul) here. I helped them revive this forum and I am proud of what it has become. Being a part of TLT has renewed my respect for the Christian faith and it has also piqued my interest in Catholicism. If I return to my Christian faith, it will more than likely be through Catholicism that mirrors the mercy and compassion of TLT or another Christian church that mirrors the atmosphere of TLT.
 
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tadoflamb

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Hi Tad. I really liked what you said about liberal Catholicism in your other post. I think you stated that really well. I also think what you said relates to this thread too.

Thank you. For the purposes of CF, I'm actually fine with the liberal label. The way derisive way liberals are spoken of on these boards make me think that they're doing something right, and those are the type of people I want to hang out with.
 
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tadoflamb

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I love this forum and I love its welcoming and friendly atmosphere the most. I love the discussions on important social (immigrants, refugees, indigenous) issues and environmental issues too. I have felt welcome since I first came here last year. And back then it was mostly just me, Marty, and Paul (bettercallpaul) here. I helped them revive this forum and I am proud of what it has become. Being a part of TLT has renewed my respect for the Christian faith and it has also piqued my interest in Catholicism. If I return to my Christian faith, it will more than likely be through Catholicism that mirrors the mercy and compassion of TLT or another Christian church that mirrors the atmosphere of TLT.

Reading through the OP, only one thought came to mind. The revisions to the SOP seem to be forgetting one of our most active members who isn't a Christian. I wonder what it's like to be a major contributor to a forum and still be considered a guest.

That aside, we're down to just a handful of regular posters now and I suspect we'll continue to form TLT into the forum we want it to be. I don't see any real need to add to the SOP. We're pretty much self-moderated around here and since what we talk about isn't of general interest to CF, I imagine we'll remain a quiet little corner on the internet.
 
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Fish and Bread

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I ran across an old version of the Statement of Purpose for TLT from when it was first created, largely written by the members here (some of whom are still active here).

While most of it is covered by our current SOP, there were two parts that could do well to be added to the existing one. They clarify who is a member here and where the line in debating is.

I'd like input as to whether these are OK with you to add as is, or whether there are any suggested changes, or if they are unnecessary.

First part:

"All those who consider themselves Liberal Catholics, in the broadest sense, are welcome to fully participate in the life and work of this forum community, including participating in debates. We also want to explicitly and especially extend an invitation to lapsed and former Catholics who have an attachment to Catholicism and view themselves as sharing some of the same values or cultural backgrounds as other members of the forum, to participate as full members."

Would it be possible for me to view the old State of Purpose? The first paragraph quoted is something I think I wrote ten years ago (The style seems very familiar, and I do remember having written broad swathes of that document- I just don't remember which parts and what it said in every detail- plus, of course, there were many parts I didn't write and a lot of "cross-editing"), so naturally it sounds agreeable to me (I sound very persuasive to myself. ;) ), but I am curious as to the context of how it fit into the complete document originally. I think it may have been leading up to a section extending membership to Anglo-Catholic Episcopalians, as Fantine requested here in the thread (Which is something I agree with her about). And there may have been some additional caveats that we'd want to port, that might keep too much trolling from the right from cropping up- I honestly don't remember, which is why reading the original document might help.

On a side note, as long as we're looking at the SOP. The current SOP (Which I did not write) has these lines in it:

Although the teachings of the Church are clear that certain issues are non-negotiable, discussion of why things are what they are is not forbidden. For example, while abortion and homosexual acts may not be promoted, it is acceptable to discuss how society should respond to those controversial issues.

However, later it says:

This area allows for what would normally be considered by Rome dissent from the teachings the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. The limit on this would be where the conversation violates other CF rules.

I think the paragraph beginning with "Although" comes from before the decision to let first the conservative Salt of the Earth area and then TLT to have more leeway with theology that some might consider unorthodox. The paragraph beginning with "This area" would seem cover any still existing limits with it's second sentence. So I would move to strike the two sentence quote beginning with "Although" and let the quote beginning with "This area" stand.

My other reasoning there is that "non-negotiable" in this context is very closely associated with the conservative Catholic Answers Political Action Committee and some very select clergy, but opposed by many liberal Catholic organizations and some other Catholic clergy. It's been really hotly debated on CF in the past. So, it's a bit of a trigger word for some people, especially some liberals, and perhaps should not be included in the SOP as expressing the general consensus on the forum. It's the type of thing we might discuss in the forum and have differing opinions about in the normal course of discussion threads, rather than the type of thing we'd all agree with as representing us.

It is always a good idea to re-examine Statements of Purpose periodically, and I appreciate you bringing this topic up. I'm sorry I took a while to delve into it. I wanted to get some thoughts together first.
 
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Shiloh Raven

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We need to get away from the pro choice, women's ordination and homosexuality stereotype anyway.

I hope I am not misunderstanding you, Paul, but these are social issues that are important and they should not be disregarded or ignored, IMO. I think the one thing that makes TLT unique and special is its non-judgmental and compassionate approach to discussing these issues in this forum. This is the kind of Christian mercy and charity that helped me respect the Christian faith again and reconsider it. I sincerely hope this merciful attitude and peaceful atmosphere will continue to flourish in this forum.
 
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Godlovesmetwo

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but these are social issues that are important and they should not be disregarded or ignored, IMO.
No I didn't mean that Red. I meant those 3 issues alone shouldn't define us. I find it way too narrow. Surely we are more interesting than that.
 
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Shiloh Raven

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No I didn't mean that Red. I meant those 3 issues alone shouldn't define us. I find it way too narrow. Surely we are more interesting than that.

I apologize for misunderstanding you then, Paul. And if I may ask you respectfully, please do not call me Red. My name is Red Fox and this name is very important to me. I mean no disrespect or offense in asking you this favor. I would appreciate your understanding. Thank you.
 
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tadoflamb

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Exceprt:

"Liberalism" in this context conveys the sense of classical liberalism as it developed in the Enlightenment era, which forms the starting point of both religious and political liberalism; but religious liberalism does not necessarily coincide with "liberalism" in its various contemporary meanings in political philosophy. Attempts to show a link between religious liberal and political liberal adherents have proved inconclusive in a 1973 study,

That's good to know.
 
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Shiloh Raven

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Reading through the OP, only one thought came to mind. The revisions to the SOP seem to be forgetting one of our most active members who isn't a Christian. I wonder what it's like to be a major contributor to a forum and still be considered a guest.

That aside, we're down to just a handful of regular posters now and I suspect we'll continue to form TLT into the forum we want it to be. I don't see any real need to add to the SOP. We're pretty much self-moderated around here and since what we talk about isn't of general interest to CF, I imagine we'll remain a quiet little corner on the internet.

To be honest with you, Tad, I felt disheartened when I first read the OP of this thread. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like an outsider again who was still trying to fit in. I have devoted so much of my time to this forum. I feel like I have poured my heart and soul into trying to make it successful and help make it safe from conflict. I have stuck my neck out a few times too in defense of the Catholics here and for Catholicism itself. Long story short, it kind of sucks still being considered a guest after all this time, but I respect the rules and will continue to live with my lowly guest status. ;)
 
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Fish and Bread

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To be honest with you, Tad, I felt disheartened when I first read the OP of this thread. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like an outsider again who was still trying to fit in. I have devoted so much of my time to this forum. I feel like I have poured my heart and soul into trying to make it successful and help make it safe from conflict. I have stuck my neck out a few times too in defense of the Catholics here and for Catholicism itself. Long story short, it kind of sucks still being considered a guest after all this time, but I respect the rules and will continue to live with my lowly guest status. ;)

I would be in favor of voicesthatcarry being grandfathered (Is that a sexist term? Grandmothered? Grandpersoned?) in as a full member in recognition of her immense contributions to this forum past and present, and its restoration as an active community. She fits in very well here and certainly at least fits the liberal part of Liberal Catholic, and jumps to the defense of Catholic belief and practice and reminds people of our safe haven status on a regular basis.

I realize making special exceptions in that manner is generally not the way CF works, and I respect that, but if anyone is asking, I think that if anyone deserves it, she does.
 
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