Policy Clarification on Adventist Forums

[Letalis]

I was asked to speak in this thread, and clarify a few issues for the members.

First, the decision to divide the Congregation section was organizational in nature. Forums in the Denominations section and forums in the Faith Groups section are equal under the rules. I.e. the congregation rule prohibiting debate by non-members, protecting safe-haven status, etc, applies equally to both the Denominations and Faith Groups. No group is "demoted" because they are in the Faith Groups section, or vice versa.

Some of the forums were specific denominations, others were movements within a denomination, or movements that cross denominational boundaries. An example of this is OBOB, which is listed under Denominations, and Charismatic Catholic Renewal (a movement within Catholicism), which is listed under Faith Groups. Neither of them is granted more "protection" because they are listed in one section or the other. However, as the two forums have different focuses, they are in different sections.

The names for each section (Denominations and Faith Groups) are still being discussed. The placements are still being discussed. Nothing has been decided, nothing is set in stone. There has been no decision to merge the two SDA forums, nor is it an absolute that the two SDA forums must merge in order to be listed under the Denominations section. The final decision for renaming and reorganization will be the Advisors.

 

[Moriah_Conquering_Wind]

Letalis this sounds fine to Moriah. It has never had any problem with the two SDA forums (Tradventists and P/M/FA) being located in the "faith groups" section.

It would, however, like to propose a slight alteration to the FSGs in this section, provided others who consider themselves P/M/FA members agree as well, of course. The Tradventists have a debate prohibition on their subforum that prohibits debate which goes against the 28 Fundamental Beliefs of the SDA church (an official statement of the SDA church which bes available to read on their subforum). Moriah would like to propose a similar parallel debate prohibition for the P/M/FA subforum here, namely that NO ONE be permitted to advocate, argue for, or debate in favor of any form of "lawkeeping" being required to either obtain or retain one's salvation in Christ, period.

The reason for proposing this prohibition? Namely, that this type of slant bes completely unBiblical and against the Gospel. The Gospel of Jesus Christ sets forth clearly that under the law we ALL bes condemned equal and ALL in equal need of mercy from God and that this mercy, provided through the life, sacrificial death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, bes in fact the ONLY thing upon which the Christian can rely for salvation, the grace that brings salvation to him (or her) and the faith needed to lay hold of awareness of that salvation. Also this type of law-focused slant ALWAYS eventually slides into a denial of grace in one form or another (and this can take several different forms).

Moriah would like permission to put this to a vote among the Progressive, Moderate, and Former Adventist subforum members, and if the majority agrees to this singular debate prohibition, request it formally be entered into the FSG for the P/M/FA subforum. May it have your permission to do this Letalis?

 

[moicherie]

I vote that we stay split. Some people cannot handle the opposing views of others so we need to help that weakness and stay apart. What are the benefits of being in the denomination category? Do we get discounts on veggie links or egw books or something lol

 

[Pythons]

What happens to someone like me if the merge takes place? Prior to the adjustment I mainly operated out of the D & D section where I had discussions on the Trinity. If the merge takes place will there still be a Discussion & Debate area and will I as being of a different faith be able to discuss the Trinity in it?

 

[Pythons]

Thanks for brevity ProfessorMom. I for one greatly appreciate it.