- Aug 6, 2005
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I've been posting in General Theology for some time; probably over 5,000 posts.
In some ways, I love it here. Diverse. Intense. Direct. Fewer rules.
When I first came on staff, years ago, this is where I was assigned.
The "battleground" or "bloodbath" of CF, it was called in those days, lol.
BUT I learned a long time ago (long before coming to CF over 3 years ago) that forums like this attract people with a range of "agendas."
Some are here to advance their own views - often 1 or 2 things they feel passionately about. They will insert that wherever they can.
Some are here to defend their denomination, no matter what. Defense!
Some are here to condemn other denominations (or maybe 1 or 2 specificially) Offense!
None of the above learn a thing.
Nor do they want to.
SOME, however, cease a golden opportunity that CF affords. We can meet informed, intelligent, articulate, knowledgable people from OTHER groups, OTHER "traditions." People with other ideas, perspectives, customs. AND LEARN. From each other.
For some years, I was active in BOTH the RCC and Protestantism. At the same time.
I came to quickly realize that misunderstandings, mischaracterizations abound.
About equally. On all sides.
Sometimes intentionally, but nearly always innocently.
The same old misconception just keeps getting passed on, unchecked.
AND there is MUCH "talking past" eachother. Christians are sloppy about their vocabulary, often using big, loaded terms but not defining them - so one side thinks this is meant but they couldn't be more wrong.
When I was younger, I posted mostly at Protestant boards for teens. The "Catholic Bashing" often was great there, and since Catholics didn't post, it went "unchecked." I often assumed the role of explaining and defending Catholicism - which more than once caused me to be excorted to the door. I don't have to do that here; I SHOULD not do that here. We have Catholics here to do that, and some do a good job. HERE, my "job" is to speak for conservative, traditional, "first-wave" Protestantism. To TRY to make it understood. Meanwhile, I can learn. From Protestants of other traditions, from Catholics, from Orthodox. An open forum permits that free-flow of teaching/learning - to everyone's benefit.
I don't care if people AGREE with me, I do like it when they understand.
Conversely, I'm pleased if after an exchange, I have a new understanding or simply better understand how others view or feel about something.
Advancing understanding, on my part and that of others, is what I hope to accomplish here.
One often has to step through the minefield of the other agendas to do it, however.
Pax
- Josiah
.
I've been posting in General Theology for some time; probably over 5,000 posts.
In some ways, I love it here. Diverse. Intense. Direct. Fewer rules.
When I first came on staff, years ago, this is where I was assigned.
The "battleground" or "bloodbath" of CF, it was called in those days, lol.
BUT I learned a long time ago (long before coming to CF over 3 years ago) that forums like this attract people with a range of "agendas."
Some are here to advance their own views - often 1 or 2 things they feel passionately about. They will insert that wherever they can.
Some are here to defend their denomination, no matter what. Defense!
Some are here to condemn other denominations (or maybe 1 or 2 specificially) Offense!
None of the above learn a thing.
Nor do they want to.
SOME, however, cease a golden opportunity that CF affords. We can meet informed, intelligent, articulate, knowledgable people from OTHER groups, OTHER "traditions." People with other ideas, perspectives, customs. AND LEARN. From each other.
For some years, I was active in BOTH the RCC and Protestantism. At the same time.
I came to quickly realize that misunderstandings, mischaracterizations abound.
About equally. On all sides.
Sometimes intentionally, but nearly always innocently.
The same old misconception just keeps getting passed on, unchecked.
AND there is MUCH "talking past" eachother. Christians are sloppy about their vocabulary, often using big, loaded terms but not defining them - so one side thinks this is meant but they couldn't be more wrong.
When I was younger, I posted mostly at Protestant boards for teens. The "Catholic Bashing" often was great there, and since Catholics didn't post, it went "unchecked." I often assumed the role of explaining and defending Catholicism - which more than once caused me to be excorted to the door. I don't have to do that here; I SHOULD not do that here. We have Catholics here to do that, and some do a good job. HERE, my "job" is to speak for conservative, traditional, "first-wave" Protestantism. To TRY to make it understood. Meanwhile, I can learn. From Protestants of other traditions, from Catholics, from Orthodox. An open forum permits that free-flow of teaching/learning - to everyone's benefit.
I don't care if people AGREE with me, I do like it when they understand.
Conversely, I'm pleased if after an exchange, I have a new understanding or simply better understand how others view or feel about something.
Advancing understanding, on my part and that of others, is what I hope to accomplish here.
One often has to step through the minefield of the other agendas to do it, however.
Pax
- Josiah
.
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