Forum Replacement and Closure of GA

Status
Not open for further replies.

Rajni

☯ Ego ad Eum pertinent ☯
Supporter
Dec 26, 2007
8,552
3,930
Visit site
✟1,210,647.00
Country
United States
Faith
Unorthodox
Marital Status
Single
[serious];49133146 said:
To treat an idea as dangerous enough to merit suppression is to admit it is reasonable enough to merit consideration.

Anyone secure in their own beliefs should not hesitate to test them against other ideas. "As steel sharpens steel..."

:amen:
 
Upvote 0

[serious]

'As we treat the least of our brothers...' RIP GA
Supporter
Aug 29, 2006
15,100
1,716
✟72,846.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
The problem with GA is that it had a record of more deconversions than conversions. Instead of reaching the lost for Christ the forum tended to shatter the faith of Christians who were not prepared to debate in that forum.

I think this strikes to the heart of the issue and also exemplifies why I disagree with the decision. WHat is making people deconvert? It certainly isn't being insulted by those of another (or no) religion. So what is it? Over at IIDB there is actually a thread about what has caused various people to deconvert. it's worth a peruse if people actually want to find out what the cause of it is. Simply trying to suppress the the discussion will only lend credence to the ideas.
 
Upvote 0

Rajni

☯ Ego ad Eum pertinent ☯
Supporter
Dec 26, 2007
8,552
3,930
Visit site
✟1,210,647.00
Country
United States
Faith
Unorthodox
Marital Status
Single
aFu_GoodbyeCruelWorld.jpg


Noooooo .... don't flush da kitty!!! :unbelievable::ueee::waaah:



.
 
Upvote 0

AV1611VET

SCIENCE CAN TAKE A HIKE
Supporter
Jun 18, 2006
3,850,675
51,421
Guam
✟4,896,860.00
Country
United States
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
Thanks, AV. I'll drop in at C&E until I get purged from there, too. They just don't have the same quality creationists on other boards. ;-D
I'm just as obnoxious there too! ^_^
 
Upvote 0

3sigma

Well-Known Member
Jan 9, 2008
2,339
72
✟3,007.00
Faith
Atheist
In GA I have seen the same questions asked repeatedly by the same members, over and over again. It's apparent that they aren't seriously looking for an answer to their question because every time they ask the question they get the same answers.
That’s often because the responses they receive are evasive and don’t actually answer or even address the question that was asked. Other Christian responses in GA are simply unsupported assertions, errors, logical fallacies or misapprehensions that don’t provide reasonable answers to questions. Is it any wonder that people who are looking seriously for answers to their questions repeat them in the hope that someone will eventually provide a reasonable answer?

I originally posted in Questions for Non-Christians and was reported several times for entering into a debate with respondents. The rules were such that non-Christians just had to accept the Christian responses as true and final. There, evasive answers and unsupported assertions were treated as valid responses and no debate over them was to be permitted. Is that same policy going to apply to this new Exploring Christianity forum?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Crazy Liz
Upvote 0

Angel4Truth

Legend
Aug 27, 2003
27,676
4,634
Visit site
✟65,490.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
This announcement is to make everyone aware of Exploring Chirstianity in Outreach that will replace Questions By Non Christiains.

The FSG's are below


Also as noted in the title of this announcment General Apologetics will be closed as of Saturday, October 25 around 10 PM CST.


Here is a statement from Lee
http://christianforums.com/showpost.php?p=47885292&postcount=68


This announcment is going to be open and there will be some admins to be here to help facilitate discussion. Please post within the rules so the thread doesn't get heated and or closed.

If you have a complaint go to the Suggestion and Complaint Box.


God Bless,

Matt
For the Advisors and Lee


I think this is both good and bad. The first part is badly needed since many use questions by non christians as a way to get around posting guidelines to debate in GA which isnt what the forum was for.

Sad to see GA go - it is a useful forum but lacks strong leadership in staff to moderate it properly - it should have never even been considered to be moderated by non believers and should only have been moderated by mature christians secure in their faith who are skillfull in apologetics and who have no trouble enforcing the guidelines of the site.

There should be some outreach even with the focus on inreach. The problem with GA is that for far too long the guidelines havent been enforced and should be strongly enforced in an area where outreach can occur. The problem has been allowing it to be savehaven for other beliefs instead of a place to give a defense for the hope that is in us like the bible states.

This is throwing the baby out with the bathwater imo.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bubblefish
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

faster_jackrabbit

IPU Stable Hand
Mar 10, 2006
12,791
408
Houston Texas vicinity
✟22,566.00
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
Private
It's not an indictment of Christianity, I don't think. What you have to realise is most Christians genuinely want to share what we believe is the truth of Christ, because we want others to have that joy. When I first joined CF, I was a baby Christian and I was drawn to GA because I really believed I'd be able to witness for Him. Actually, I epic failed and ran away, but many will be persistent even when their own faith is shaky. Because it *matters* to them to share the Gospel.
That's one of the biggest problems that others have with christianity. Just because you think it is so wonderful, it doesn't follow that everyone else does.
The simple fact is, we become what we behold. Ya know? If someone young in the faith is exposed to the atheist apologia day in day out, and they take no time to fellowship with other Christians and to grow in the faith, they'll stumble.
And how do people get in the faith in the first place? By being exposed to preaching day in and day out. If evangelism was simply handing the "so simple a child could understand" bible to someone and letting them figure it out for themselves, there would never be another convert.
Can I ask you something, though, please? Do you want for people to lose their faith?
Yes and no. It depends on who and what they do with it. I really don't care what people believe, just what they do based on that belief. My primary concern is christian behavior that has a negative effect on me: uninvited evangelism, christian politics, attacks on the adult and entertainment industries, assaults on the Establishment Clause, faith-based initiatives, creationism in science class, having to sit through prayers at public events, etc. It's not so much that I want people to deconvert, but to convince them to stop doing those things.

I do think christians are frittering away their lives on basically nothing. To me it is no different from being obsessed about werewolves and vampires and watching horror movies day in and day out, thinking they are "historical dramas". But hey, if that's what makes you happy, whatever. I just don't want to be forced to practice your religion with you via legislation.

Let me ask you a question: why is converting a good thing and deconverting a bad thing? Remember that the person who asked the question does not believe in heaven or hell. Now, this is a christian forum, but what if someone was deconverted elsewhere? What reason can you provide not to do it?
 
  • Like
Reactions: GreenMunchkin
Upvote 0

KCDAD

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2005
12,536
372
68
Illinois
✟14,800.00
Faith
Methodist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
The problem with GA is that it had a record of more deconversions than conversions. Instead of reaching the lost for Christ the forum tended to shatter the faith of Christians who were not prepared to debate in that forum.
]

And yet that was the admonishment of Paul to be ever ready to defend your faith. If it can not be defended, (Paul certainly was able to defend himself) then perhaps it isn't the right set of beliefs or faith.
 
Upvote 0

LittleLambofJesus

Hebrews 2:14.... Pesky Devil, git!
Supporter
May 19, 2015
125,492
28,587
73
GOD's country of Texas
Visit site
✟1,237,240.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Libertarian
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

katautumn

Prodigal Daughter
May 14, 2015
7,497
157
43
Atlanta, GA
✟24,189.00
Country
United States
Faith
Other Religion
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
The problem with GA is that it had a record of more deconversions than conversions.

Because of the way many of the Christians there treat not only non-christians and those questioning their faith, but also each other. It has nothing to do with Christians not being prepared to debate their faith with non-theists.

I'm bracing myself for the next round of closures. I'm almost certain that NCR will be closed next. I sure wouldn't want anyone getting the wrong idea that a religion other than Christianity has positive aspects to it. Then what? Ethics & Morality? Will Politics be moved to the CO section? Will Life Stages be made CO again?

I don't know why I came back. CF has only got worse. When Erwin owned this site not only did I feel tolerated, I felt that my presence here, regardless of religious affiliation, was an asset.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Crazy Liz
Upvote 0

GreenMunchkin

Likes things. And stuff. But mostly things.
Supporter
Jan 21, 2007
20,382
7,476
45
United Kingdom of wo0t
✟99,941.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
That's one of the biggest problems that others have with christianity. Just because you think it is so wonderful, it doesn't follow that everyone else does.
I get that. But it goes without saying that you'll run into a disproportionately high number of Christians here - so it's natural that you'll encounter people believing and expressing that Christianity is wonderful.

Why would you have an issue with Christians feeling Christianity is beautiful? I don't understand.
And how do people get in the faith in the first place? By being exposed to preaching day in and day out.
No, that's not the case. We all come to the faith in different ways. There's no set route. In fact, I'd posit that relatively few Christians come to the faith by being exposed to preaching day in day out. It would imply they were wilfully exposing themselves to incessant preaching while a non-Christian. I'm not sure that's feasible, really.
If evangelism was simply handing the "so simple a child could understand" bible to someone and letting them figure it out for themselves, there would never be another convert.
Whoever said the Bible is simple? It takes a lifetime of study to even scratch the surface. But, yes, many people come to faith precisely that way. It's reading the Bible that convinces them of Christ's divinity.
Yes and no. It depends on who and what they do with it. I really don't care what people believe, just what they do based on that belief. My primary concern is christian behavior that has a negative effect on me: uninvited evangelism, christian politics, attacks on the adult and entertainment industries, assaults on the Establishment Clause, faith-based initiatives, creationism in science class, having to sit through prayers at public events, etc. It's not so much that I want people to deconvert, but to convince them to stop doing those things.
Ok. I have to ask, then: are the people in GA the ones with the power to make those changes?

And (please forgive me if I've misconstrued :hug:) you seem to resent being on the end of evangelism here. But, honestly, how uninvited will it be given this is a Christian forum? You're more than entitled to ask people to stop, and the onus is with them to respect your wishes once they understand your position, but it's like me going to a restaurant and being annoyed when the waiter assumes I want food.
I do think christians are frittering away their lives on basically nothing. To me it is no different from being obsessed about werewolves and vampires and watching horror movies day in and day out, thinking they are "historical dramas". But hey, if that's what makes you happy, whatever. I just don't want to be forced to practice your religion with you via legislation.
Ok... but, again, what does that have to do with GA? I'm honestly not being facetious, but am not seeing the link you're making. How does an environment like GA have any bearing on the legislature?
Let me ask you a question: why is converting a good thing and deconverting a bad thing? Remember that the person who asked the question does not believe in heaven or hell. Now, this is a christian forum, but what if someone was deconverted elsewhere? What reason can you provide not to do it?
I can't provide any reason. It's something every single Christian will ultimately choose for themselves, and I don't wish to "persuade" someone to stay near Jesus - only He can do that. But at a Christian forum, something is fundamentally wrong with the culture if people are walking away from the Lord.

We are charged with building one another up, and holding one another accountable, and loving one another - if we're going so wrong that people are actually turning away from their Saviour, it really means something has to change. I won't say how I feel about this announcement, because my feelings aren't relevant - but the situation as is is clearly untenable.
 
Upvote 0

Bombila

Veteran
Nov 28, 2006
3,474
445
✟13,256.00
Faith
Agnostic
Marital Status
Married
Because of the way many of the Christians there treat not only non-christians and those questioning their faith, but also each other. It has nothing to do with Christians not being prepared to debate their faith with non-theists.

I'm bracing myself for the next round of closures. I'm almost certain that NCR will be closed next. I sure wouldn't want anyone getting the wrong idea that a religion other than Christianity has positive aspects to it. Then what? Ethics & Morality? Will Politics be moved to the CO section? Will Life Stages be made CO again?

I don't know why I came back. CF has only got worse. When Erwin owned this site not only did I feel tolerated, I felt that my presence here, regardless of religious affiliation, was an asset.

Well, there lies the crux of the matter, I think. CF was at one time a welcoming place. A non-Christian could come in and feel, if not one of the flock, at least an honourable guest, and eventually, a friend. Of course there was argument, of course with so many people some will be angry or unpleasant or unreasonable or immature or unstable, but the overall atmosphere was good - I would recommend CF to Christians or non-Christians.

The atmosphere has changed enormously in recent months. While the participants have not changed much, the site itself is rigged to be unwelcoming, full of walls, barriers, draconian splitting and scattering of established communities, one is always waiting for the other shoe to drop. What next? Who will be persona non grata tomorrow?
 
Upvote 0

faster_jackrabbit

IPU Stable Hand
Mar 10, 2006
12,791
408
Houston Texas vicinity
✟22,566.00
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
Private
I get that. But it goes without saying that you'll run into a disproportionately high number of Christians here - so it's natural that you'll encounter people believing and expressing that Christianity is wonderful.
I'm not talking about here specifically. I am talking about in general.
Ok. I have to ask, then: are the people in GA the ones with the power to make those changes?
You tell me. Is there anyone here who votes for "family values" candidates? Who votes for the religious right? Who supports inappropriate content crusades? Then yes.
And (please forgive me if I've misconstrued :hug:) you seem to resent being on the end of evangelism here. But, honestly, how uninvited will it be given this is a Christian forum? You're more than entitled to ask people to stop, and the onus is with them to respect your wishes once they understand your position, but it's like me going to a restaurant and being annoyed when the waiter assumes I want food.
I said uninvited evangelism. Uninvited. Uninvited.

I'm not talking about here, where the evangelism is expected (though it doesn't belong in GA). I am talking about someone just showing up on my doorstep. About people who start in on jesus without being asked. Like the guy who started a conversation about computers in the checkout line of Fry's Electronics to get me talking and then suddenly switched it to jesus.
Ok... but, again, what does that have to do with GA? I'm honestly not being facetious, but am not seeing the link you're making. How does an environment like GA have any bearing on the legislature?
You asked why it was to my benefit for people to deconvert. One less vote for the religious right. Again, convincing them to not bully others politically would be sufficient.
I can't provide any reason. It's something every single Christian will ultimately choose for themselves, and I don't wish to "persuade" someone to stay near Jesus - only He can do that.
Actually, I didn't word that right. When I said "What reason can you provide not to do it?", what I meant was "What reason can you provide for me not attempting to deconvert someone?"
But at a Christian forum, something is fundamentally wrong with the culture if people are walking away from the Lord.
<Staff edit>
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

ebia

Senior Contributor
Jul 6, 2004
41,711
2,142
A very long way away. Sometimes even further.
✟54,775.00
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
Politics
AU-Greens
Sigh.

For all the problems with the discussions here I've got a lot out of this place. There's a place for safe spaces, and there is a place for a limted questions and answers board, but there is also a place for open dialog with whomsoever wants to talk.

The new Exploring Christianity forum seems to be no more than the old QNC rebadged. That forum served a useful purpose, but in no way can it duplicate the type of open dialog possible here.

I don't want a place where my ideas are never challenged, where hard questions can't be asked, where different ideas are never heard. If this goes ahead I'll be looking for another site. Where are you guys off to?
 
Upvote 0
Status
Not open for further replies.