Is this a Baptist forum?

I mainly post on here because:

1. Everywhere else I try to post on this site that isn't in Christian Communities (except to the welcome forum), I have insufficient privileges.

2. I think I align more Baptist than I align with the other communities, so I figure I'd be more welcome in this community than in the others.

FreeinChrist said:

Point is, some have Reformed icons but are Reformed Baptists. They may debate and teach in this forum. However, no one can teach against our common Baptist beliefs - like believers baptism and the priesthood of all believers.

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FreeinChrist,

It seems that sometimes we forget that Jacobus (James) Arminius was a Dutch Reformed minister until his dying day. He taught in a Reformed university.

Therefore, Arminius's theology was that of a Reformed Arminian. See: 'A Reformed Arminian View' by Stephen Ashby.

Oz

OzSpen said:

FreeinChrist,

It seems that sometimes we forget that Jacobus (James) Arminius was a Dutch Reformed minister until his dying day. He taught in a Reformed university.

Therefore, Arminius's theology was that of a Reformed Arminian. See: 'A Reformed Arminian View' by Stephen Ashby.

Oz

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Those facts are true but do not take into account how the label Reformed has taken on a new meaning. It is like saying that I am gay without qualifying it with the meaning of being happy. It is not actually honest to use the term in its historic context without explaining that at that time in history anyone who had had left the RCC was considered Reformed. It is a twisting of truth in order to convey a false understanding.

Though the article does give the explanation somewhat it is still a questionable use of the term.

JM said:

I see a lot of posts by Christians of other denominations or claiming to have no denomination teaching in this forum. The rule is pretty clear, "Members who do not truly share the core beliefs and teachings of a specific congregational forum may post in fellowship or ask questions, but they may not teach or debate within the forum.

Yours in the Lord,

jm

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I'm a visitor here. And I'm not going to go anywhere near criticizing Baptists or trying to teach anything here.

You have the same problem with outsiders coming in that we do in the Catholic forum. Annoying as all get out. These outsiders seem to think they have a right to teach their opinions and even get offended when told it's not their forum but that they are guests as long as they follow the rules. I don't know the solution. We all want openness to a degree. But it has become whacko lately.

chevyontheriver said:

I'm a visitor here. And I'm not going to go anywhere near criticizing Baptists or trying to teach anything here.

You have the same problem with outsiders coming in that we do in the Catholic forum. Annoying as all get out. These outsiders seem to think they have a right to teach their opinions and even get offended when told it's not their forum but that they are guests as long as they follow the rules. I don't know the solution. We all want openness to a degree. But it has become whacko lately.

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chevy,

Does the US support Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that affirms freedom of speech?

Should that be appealed to here?

Oz

JM said:

I can no longer post here as a Baptist. I don't even care anymore but like you said, it's annoying to have opinionated 'non denominationals' pretending to be something they are not.

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JM,

I recommend that you don't leave the Baptist directory but provide evidence to challenge their posts if that is necessary.

Also, use the 'report' button so that moderators would get onto the infractions asap.

Oz.

OzSpen said:

Does the US support Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that affirms freedom of speech?
Should that be appealed to here?

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I have to be careful what I say here because I'm not Baptist and I don't want to offend or intrude.
I don't know if the USA follows Article 19. I would presume the First Amendment to the US is pretty good, but does not apply to private venues such as internet fora generally. Generally we are all considered guests of the owner of the fora and we don't get to set the rules of speech. But the problem here seems to be how to create and maintain fora for communities that intentionally do not include everybody. How do Baptists have a discussion about Bible versions without Lutherans saying they are all wrong about refusing paedobaptism? How do Catholics have a discussion about marriage without someone identified only as 'Christian' barging in and telling us we're all going to hell because we are Catholic?
We had one fellow calling himself a Reformation Catholic, whatever that is, saying it wasn't nice for us to wonder if he was really Catholic. He wasn't. I suppose I could say I was Baptist because I was baptized. It's kind of silly. By the way, I wouldn't do that. But he got all offended when we weren't jumping to accept that a Reformation Catholic is an actual Catholic. His posts were finally cleaned from the thread. So would Article 19 give him rights to post in that thread? Would Article 19 give me the right to pose as Baptist and start challenging Baptist teaching? I hope not. The question, at least for me, is how to maintain a community in the face of overeager challengers. And still have room for friendly visitors, people with something constructive to say, and people who are seekers.

chevyontheriver said:

We had one fellow calling himself a Reformation Catholic....His posts were finally cleaned from the thread.

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Yeah, that was one of the few times I've peeked over at that side of the forum, when I ran out of other stuff to read. I've never reported any real people (only bots), but I've known Baptists to leave the Christian Forums entirely because the mods did nothing about the Catholics who invaded the Baptist section. In fact, our section is mostly dead, now, compared to what it used to be, and the Baptists have become a minority in their own section. I spend little time in your section, but I get the impression that the uninvited guests are still very much in the minority.

nonaeroterraqueous said:

Yeah, that was one of the few times I've peeked over at that side of the forum, when I ran out of other stuff to read. I've never reported any real people (only bots), but I've known Baptists to leave the Christian Forums entirely because the mods did nothing about the Catholics who invaded the Baptist section. In fact, our section is mostly dead, now, compared to what it used to be, and the Baptists have become a minority in their own section. I spend little time in your section, but I get the impression that the uninvited guests are still very much in the minority.

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While still in the minority they do seem common. One guy just yesterday replied to a 'CATHOLICS ONLY' thread and then when an Orthodox moderator challenged him he acted like he still owned the place. Pretty much the whole of Christian Forums seems that it can be hostile, that's a given, and then it comes right into the Catholic forum.

Sorry that you had a bad experience with Catholics pushing themselves on your Baptist Forum. Wasn't me. Until this thread I have never in my memory (very faulty memory) posted here. And while I may disagree with things posted here it's not my business to deny you guys a place to discuss with each other.

I don't have a solution, except maybe to report every instance of posting gone wrong. But on the other hand we all want to encourage visitors, and for them to ask good questions, find common ground, be friendly. Well, I've said my thing now. Thanks for the response.