Do we really want an Anabaptist forum?

[Crazy Liz]

I just started a thread in the Baptist Forum to try to start a dialogue about reconciliation:

With all the changes happening at CF, I was wondering if it would be OK to talk about reconciliation between the Baptists and the Anabaptists and Quakers.

I see that a number of people who basically left the Congregation forums (or took refuge in WWMC) have posted here in the last few days. In this new, open atmosphere, could we talk together about what happened and how we might move forward in better relationships?

I'd really like that. Anyone else?

I'm actually wondering how many really want a forum exclusively for Anabaptists and Quakers. It's been a pretty quiet forum, and one most of us never wanted formed in the first place.

Maybe we would fit better as a subforum in a reconciled Baptist/Anabaptist, or Non-Denominational, or even Restoration Movement. We have much in common with these traditions. I know the idea of merging with another Congregation is kind of "outside the box" thinking, in that the assumption seems to be that more people will want their separated "safe havens," but I'm not sure that's what I'm looking for.

Anyone else have any "outside the box" ideas?

 

[CelticRose]

I wasn't round when the split happened. All I know is this forum seems to have had a lot of fighting in it & has gradually been abandoned by everyone it was created for. shrugs. However I haven't been real comfortable in any of the other forums...but this may be a cultural divide rather than a denomonitional one.

 

[Joykins]

I was thinking of proposing an odds 'n' ends Protestant congregational forum. For those that don't fit in the current forum umbrellas. I would include the Anabaptist group in that seeing as the Anabaptists don't seem to have enough people to sustain a lot of positive activity?

Such a forum would probably require unique safehaven rules, though.

 

[WayneinMaine]

I was thinking of proposing an odds 'n' ends Protestant congregational forum. For those that don't fit in the current forum umbrellas. I would include the Anabaptist group in that seeing as the Anabaptists don't seem to have enough people to sustain a lot of positive activity?

Such a forum would probably require unique safehaven rules, though.

I think we need this forum, I think this can be a a good forum. There are many Anabaptist groups that are not "Baptists with something extra", the Old order and conservative groups among the Mennonites, Amish, and Hutterites have a distinctive theology and spiritul perspective that distinguishes them from the Protestants and Catholics (both persecuted the Anabaptists at one time). I think "Anabapist" needs some definition to distinguish itself from other denominational groups and that definition and the boundaries it represents should be respected by people of a different persuasion -even if they are ex-Mennonite or ex-Amish. I suspect that more Anabaptists would participate here if they didn't have to defend themselves or put up with irrelevent meanderings of quacks carrying on about "the Prophets of Meunster" and "Revelation 11" and other things that have nothing whatsoever to do with any actual historic Anabaptist church.

I think too it only reinforces misconceptions about the Amish and Mennonites and Hutterites to include the Quakers in the same grouping. While we do have some common practices, we come from entirely different historical and theological roots and many of our beliefs and practices are quite at odds. The Quakers should have their own forum.

I'm glad that some of the biggest abusers of this forum have finally left. Lets start off on a good, clear path where "Anabaptists" need not fear to tread.

 

[Crazy Liz]

I think we need this forum, I think this can be a a good forum. There are many Anabaptist groups that are not "Baptists with something extra", the Old order and conservative groups among the Mennonites, Amish, and Hutterites have a distinctive theology and spiritul perspective that distinguishes them from the Protestants and Catholics (both persecuted the Anabaptists at one time). I think "Anabapist" needs some definition to distinguish itself from other denominational groups and that definition and the boundaries it represents should be respected by people of a different persuasion -even if they are ex-Mennonite or ex-Amish. I suspect that more Anabaptists would participate here if they didn't have to defend themselves or put up with irrelevent meanderings of quacks carrying on about "the Prophets of Meunster" and "Revelation 11" and other things that have nothing whatsoever to do with any actual historic Anabaptist church.

I think too it only reinforces misconceptions about the Amish and Mennonites and Hutterites to include the Quakers in the same grouping. While we do have some common practices, we come from entirely different historical and theological roots and many of our beliefs and practices are quite at odds. The Quakers should have their own forum.

I'm glad that some of the biggest abusers of this forum have finally left. Lets start off on a good, clear path where "Anabaptists" need not fear to tread.

You want to make this forum even smaller and more restrictive?

The modern descendants of the historic Anabaptists are quite diverse. Having grown up as a Mennonite, but now living in an area with no Mennonite churches, I belong to a Friends church, and find much in common. In fact, there are at least 5 families of Mennonite background attending our Friends church.

Sure, we have different histories, but we also share a lot. My theology remains more Anabaptist than Quaker. The lack of a well-articulated ecclesiology is the biggest difference, and one that still bothers me from time to time.

We are diverse, and my preference would be to recognize that diversity and try to learn from each other. However, I have not been very active here for some time, and if it is the consensus of the current participants to have a small, narrow forum, I will again count myself among the unwanted and depart.

 

[CelticRose]

That makes 2 of us.

 

[TestedNTriedNTrue]

I think the AnaBaptist Forum should remain as well. The AnaBaptists have long held a tradition of Ultra-Conservative Beliefs and I do not like the idea of having to mingle with a bunch of Liberals, thank you very much.

So, I ask kindly, that you leave this forum alone. Thank you very much.

 

[MrJim]

I think the AnaBaptist Forum should remain as well. The AnaBaptists have long held a tradition of Ultra-Conservative Beliefs and I do not like the idea of having to mingle with a bunch of Liberals, thank you very much.

So, I ask kindly, that you leave this forum alone. Thank you very much.

Many of the ultra-conservative anabaptists don't even have electricity.

Don't limit yourself into thinking they're all "plain" in buggies or black cars. There is a huge "progressive" wing in the anabaptist churches.

 

[JimfromOhio]

I agree with MrJim about

"ultra-conservative anabaptists don't even have electricity. Don't limit yourself into thinking they're all "plain" in buggies or black cars. There is a huge "progressive" wing in the anabaptist churches."

Living in Ohio, we have Amish communities as well as Mennonites communities. We also have other Anabaptist denominations in this area that are very progressive. I hardly see "untra-conservative anabaptists" come in here.

 

[WayneinMaine]

Many of the ultra-conservative anabaptists don't even have electricity.

Don't limit yourself into thinking they're all "plain" in buggies or black cars. There is a huge "progressive" wing in the anabaptist churches.

And there is a conservative wing (conservative=not changing) which is not all about buggies and quilting bees.

There is a significant progressive wing among ethnic Mennonites who have joined their family's church, but who really don't agree with its practices and ideas -and so they have tried to change it. If their beliefs are more Roman Catholic, or more Lutheran, or more Baptist, than they should feel comfortable in one of those groups instead of driving conservatives (as so frequently happens) out of the church to which they have pledged loyalty. I see on CF that there is even a "Liberal” forum in which all are welcome, so do we need another one labeled "Anabaptist"?

If people are interested in historical, traditional Anabaptism, then they should have a forum for themselves, it seems only fair.

 

[WayneinMaine]

I guess, when I think about it I have to wonder why someone who does not think there should be an Anbabaptist forum would participate in an Anabaptist forum suggestiung that there should not be an Anabaptist forum. What's wrong with an Anabaptist forum? If you don't like it that there is one, don't participate in and don't try to effect its organization and statement nof faith (for lack of a better term) rather than advocating for its elimination. -Leave it to people who would like to participate in a distinctly Anabaptist forum on CF.

 

[CaDan]

*plops his Roman Catholic butt down in the middle of yer forum*


[size=+2]Hi everybody![/size]

 

[CelticRose]

Hey, CaDan!

The forum title is misleading; this forum was never just for Anabaptists, let alone just conservative or liberal ones.

 

[WayneinMaine]

Hey, CaDan!

The forum title is misleading; this forum was never just for Anabaptists, let alone just conservative or liberal ones.

Then what was this forum supposed to be all about? Is it a liberal everyone-is-welcome forum? Is it an anti-war Baptist forum? Is it a Christians-that-don't-fit-in-anywhere-else forum? If it was intended to be any of the above, I would not have joined it, and peoiple trying to learn about Anabaptism would learn about pacifist Baptists or Liberation theology, or how awful and un-Christian the Amish are. If this forum was not intended to be Anabaptist, then start a forum for the things this forum is not supposed to be and let there also be an Anabaptist forum.

I'm certainly not suggesting that only dyed-in-the-wool conservative Anabaptist shouild be allowed to post to the forum, but an Anabaptist forum should be -Anabaptist, just as the Catholic forum should reflect Catholicism (not ex-Catholicism or anti-Catholicism).

 

[CelticRose]

I believe it was formed for all the peace churches, who are a fairly small minority overall & includes the Quakers who, as you so rightly point out, have little in common with Anabaptist theology. The Quakers also run the gamut of very conservative to very liberal.

 

[CaDan]

I believe it was formed for all the peace churches, who are a fairly small minority overall & includes the Quakers who, as you so rightly point out, have little in common with Anabaptist theology. The Quakers also run the gamut of very conservative to very liberal.

A slight correction.

If was formed for the more violent of the Baptists who no longer wished to hear about peace and kicked y'all out of their forum with the assistance of Reformed Administrators.

 

[Crazy Liz]

I think the AnaBaptist Forum should remain as well. The AnaBaptists have long held a tradition of Ultra-Conservative Beliefs and I do not like the idea of having to mingle with a bunch of Liberals, thank you very much.

So, I ask kindly, that you leave this forum alone. Thank you very much.

I am a historical Anabaptist (NOT AnaBaptist, thank you very much! ) and politically liberal, theologically, leaning more toward the liberal side than what would be called the Fundamentalist side, as the spectrum would be drawn in 20th century terms. Thank you very much for letting me know that I'm not wanted here.

 

[Crazy Liz]

And there is a conservative wing (conservative=not changing) which is not all about buggies and quilting bees.

There is a significant progressive wing among ethnic Mennonites who have joined their family's church, but who really don't agree with its practices and ideas -and so they have tried to change it. If their beliefs are more Roman Catholic, or more Lutheran, or more Baptist, than they should feel comfortable in one of those groups instead of driving conservatives (as so frequently happens) out of the church to which they have pledged loyalty. I see on CF that there is even a "Liberal” forum in which all are welcome, so do we need another one labeled "Anabaptist"?

If people are interested in historical, traditional Anabaptism, then they should have a forum for themselves, it seems only fair.

I don't want to kick the conservatives out. It is you who want to kick me out.

 

[CelticRose]

I don't want to kick you out, Liz.... but I feel like I'm being frozen out so I guess I'm not much help.

 

[MrJim]

The more things change the more they stay the same