Christian Forums Under New Management

[NorrinRadd]

Whether the rules are many or few, specific or vague, there will be problems.

It *should* be enough to just say, "Love your neighbor as yourself. Treat others as you would like them to treat you." But we know from experience and Scripture that those are NOT enough. All the writers of the New Testament had to "flesh out" those basics to deal with specific cases.

On message boards, if the rules are few and general, are easy to simply ignore. But if they are many and specific, it invites the participants to become as the Pharisees, who delighted in mastering the minutiae of their laws and twisting them to their own advantage.

 

[geocajun]

That's impossible.

Exactly. If it were, God would have done in with the bible

 

[psalms 91]

Actually it isnt if people would respect other peoples areas and hold opposing views in the forums designed for that. We can talk about all these things but a lack of respect for oyther peopels areas is a large part of the problem. There is a reason the congregational areas started walling off. Eliminate that problem and you eliminate a lot of the reports as well as the problems.

 

[Nadiine]

I agree with Bill on that one

 

[Thirst_For_Knowledge]

That's impossible.

As saw with as little interpretation as possible.

We can certainly narrow down "no flaming".

It is a "flame" to say that someone who is gay is going to hell? I bet one mod would say yes, and another one would say no. If we narrowed that down, there wouldn't be any room for interpretation.

 

[Servant222]

Lee has paid a not inconsiderable sum for CF.

He has every right to say 'My site, my rules'

And therein lies the potential problem- Erwin ran the site as a non-profit venture, and now it seems as if the ultimate most important motive is likely profit, not promotion of God.

And then there is the matter of democracy- a philosophy of "my site, my rules" is not as likely to succeed as a more democratic one. Christianity flourishes when there is peace, stability, the rule of law, free speech and democracy. Even in Jesus's time, He was allowed to freely promote his ideas and values in the synagoges of Galilee.

Yes, occasionally, benevolent dictators come along and actually do good, but most of the time, it is democratic systems that succeed, and have the best chance of taking the ideas of many people, and incorporating them into something that is much better than any one person can hope for.

So I would make two suggestions to LeeD:

1. As quickly as possible, give power and control of Christian Forums to a board of the most experienced Christian advisors you can get. Solicit the help of well-known and experienced Christian educators and preachers of the calibre of James Dobson or Billy Graham to help.

2. Run Christian Forums as a not-for-profit venture. Pay to get the best possible advisors, but make the successful dissimination of the salvation message to all the world's people to be the most important goal.

 

[psalms 91]

Guess it comes down to what area are you in. Is it appropriate or is it baiting? As I said respect the areas you are in and keep the debates where they belong. I agree that this thread is about posting for Lee and not debate so from now on will just report debate and ask that the thread be cleaned.

 

[Servant222]

Forgive me snipping your post but I wanted to address ^ bit.

No, see, this site is here for God. This site should only ever be about glorifying Him. Profit is inconsequential.

Agreed!

 

[Stormy]

As saw with as little interpretation as possible.

We can certainly narrow down "no flaming".

It is a "flame" to say that someone who is gay is going to hell? I bet one mod would say yes, and another one would say no. If we narrowed that down, there wouldn't be any room for interpretation.

I would think it a flame if you told anyone they were going to Hell.. its not your call.

 

[Servant222]

This is a Christian site and needs to FIRST and foremost meet the needs of the Body of Christ.

(my bold add).

Absolutely fundamental!

God has given this site an incredible opportunity: to be the number 1 site to provide the message of salvation to all of the world.

Matthew 28:

19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

This site may not be able to baptize on-line or share communion, but it can sure bring legions of people to a knowledge of Jesus.

And as I've said before- if you've been to oppressed and third world countries, where normal Christian ministry is difficult or impossible, you suddenly realize the incredible power of a site like this to bring the message of Jesus to ordinary people world-wide.

It is an awesome opportunity.

And an even more awesome responsibility.

 

[eldermike]

As saw with as little interpretation as possible.

We can certainly narrow down "no flaming".

It is a "flame" to say that someone who is gay is going to hell? I bet one mod would say yes, and another one would say no. If we narrowed that down, there wouldn't be any room for interpretation.

Rules based on what one says results in a failure to focus on whats really important. If you tell me I can't say something, I'll find another way to say it.
It's a heart thing, not a list of words or phrases.

 

[Stormy]

I would like the owner or one of the two people that he designated to answer this question..

Why the need to place a veil over the reporting process?

If there is nothing to hide then why hide?

It would help us all to see how the rules are being interpreted so that we will not break them.

 

[DarylFawcett]

I am reading this thread for the purpose of what is going to happen as a result of the things announced in this thread.

I am NOT interested in anything else here, therefore, please take these other side issues to another thread.

 

[DarylFawcett]

I am, however, interested in any questions and discussion relating to the purpose of this thread.

 

[DarylFawcett]

Being one of the newer staff members here, after experiencing the interference, etc. in the reports, either the reports need to be in a private area, or only the mods have the ability to post in the open reports.

 

[Stormy]

Another question...

Are we again changing our web-address?

Are we going to be Christianforums.com?

Did lee buy both domains?

 

[Stormy]

Being one of the newer staff members here, after experiencing the interference, etc. in the reports, either the reports need to be in a private area, or only the mods have the ability to post in the open reports.

Why not allow others to speak if they stay within forum guidelines with their posts?

I do think that anonymous titles should be removed. This would probably eliminate a lot of the reporting, and also a lot of the problems in the report threads.

Christianity works better with the lights kept on.

 

[Servant222]

I think you're right. I think the rules should be as simple as possible... in my opinion, the temporary ones posted by Lee in the OP are good, and the site doesn't really need more rules than that.

I agree- why re-invent the wheel when the Bible already gives a pretty succinct set of rules:

Matthew 22:

36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

 

[cfFosterANGEL31]

PTL PTL PTL!!! A real man of God is finally taking charge!!! As long as HE is being led by the LORD, let's listen, and respect the fact that he is on track with the way the Lord wants this forum to go, give him a chance!! This is what many of us have been praying for, and I know that most of us in the pets forum are just praising the Lord!!!! I thank you in advance for the changes that are going to be made(good bye wiki!!!!!!)
Praying for you Lee, you have a big job in front of you
Bonnie

 

[WalksWithChrist]

Another question...

Are we again changing our web-address?

Are we going to be Christianforums.com?

Did lee buy both domains?

You can actually still type in "www.christianforums.com" and get here. I just tested that...it works.


I do believe I read that Lee owns both domains. So switching back should just be a matter of coding.