Questions from an Outsider

[SwirlingEd]

I realize that many of you will not appreciate me posting here. I honestly have been struggling with whether to post or not, because I am honestly not trying to create any additional tension (as if there is any more room). But I have come to respect and appreciate many of you as I have kept up with the CC forum over the last few months. I realize there are long histories and relationships here, and I am not trying to ignore that. But sometimes when you get so close to something, it is hard to be objective.

I am a very junior member of this forum in that I have not posted on many occasions, but I have been around for a couple of years and have been reading nearly every CC thread since all of this erupted. I am not a member of any particular sub-forum, and I really don't have an agenda here at all. My goal in posting this is merely to provide a fresh perspective and ask a few questions.

My personal beliefs are irrelevant to this discussion, so I will leave them out. As I see it, there are two trains of thought at war in the forum that will never see eye to eye. But you must know that by now. These two polarized perspectives will NEVER reach a consensus This has to be obvious to others besides me, so it makes me wonder why the struggle for harmony continues. Yes, admittedly, on one hand both groups fall into the Conservative Christian category, but on the other hand, the gap in ideology relating to the purpose of the forum and how to deal with other groups is huge.

Wouldn't it just be easier to split the forums and let each group go their own way. I see many statements about having a safe area to post with like minded people, so why so much time spend arguing with people who feel as strongly in their beliefs as you do? I'm honestly asking. Is it a battle for the name "Conservative Christian" forum, or is it resistance to change by some - or insistence on change by others?

Again, I hope I have not offended anyone by posting here. As I said, I have great respect for many of you. Also, if this is not the appropriate time or place for this thread and if it needs to be moved or deleted, I'll understand that as well.

God bless.

-SwirlingEd

 

[BelindaP]

Your post has a certain amount of wisdom, and I agree with your assessment to a certain degree. There is a forum for conservatives who oppose ecumenism, and it would be the Fundamentalist forum.

I think where some of the problem resides is that not everyone agrees that it is a case of conservative against conservative. Instead, they view it as conservatives against liberal infiltrators, and they aren't willing to yield the forum to the 'liberals'.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

I realize that many of you will not appreciate me posting here. I honestly have been struggling with whether to post or not, because I am honestly not trying to create any additional tension (as if there is any more room). But I have come to respect and appreciate many of you as I have kept up with the CC forum over the last few months. I realize there are long histories and relationships here, and I am not trying to ignore that. But sometimes when you get so close to something, it is hard to be objective.

I am a very junior member of this forum in that I have not posted on many occasions, but I have been around for a couple of years and have been reading nearly every CC thread since all of this erupted. I am not a member of any particular sub-forum, and I really don't have an agenda here at all. My goal in posting this is merely to provide a fresh perspective and ask a few questions.

My personal beliefs are irrelevant to this discussion, so I will leave them out. As I see it, there are two trains of thought at war in the forum that will never see eye to eye. But you must know that by now. These two polarized perspectives will NEVER reach a consensus This has to be obvious to others besides me, so it makes me wonder why the struggle for harmony continues. Yes, admittedly, on one hand both groups fall into the Conservative Christian category, but on the other hand, the gap in ideology relating to the purpose of the forum and how to deal with other groups is huge.

Wouldn't it just be easier to split the forums and let each group go their own way. I see many statements about having a safe area to post with like minded people, so why so much time spend arguing with people who feel as strongly in their beliefs as you do? I'm honestly asking. Is it a battle for the name "Conservative Christian" forum, or is it resistance to change by some - or insistence on change by others?

Again, I hope I have not offended anyone by posting here. As I said, I have great respect for many of you. Also, if this is not the appropriate time or place for this thread and if it needs to be moved or deleted, I'll understand that as well.

God bless.

-SwirlingEd

Dude, please please never feel concerned about posting here. It was created to be welcoming to *everyone*. Thank you very, very much for your thread

You've made some valid points. But splitting the forum seems to final. Know what I mean? CC was just as ecumenical 2 weeks ago, but it wasn't in a constant state of uproar. You're right, though. That it's become conservative vs conservative is completely nonsensical

Thank you for posting that. Not offended *at all*. Very grateful

 

[desmalia]

LOL, I had a response typed out, but I think I'll refrain for now. I'd like to address this post though, if no one minds too much.

Your post has a certain amount of wisdom, and I agree with your assessment to a certain degree. There is a forum for conservatives who oppose ecumenism, and it would be the Fundamentalist forum.

Belinda, if I may ask, how do you see a comment like this as being helpful in solving the current problems here? Just asking. Thanks.

I think where some of the problem resides is that not everyone agrees that it is a case of conservative against conservative. Instead, they view it as conservatives against liberal infiltrators, and they aren't willing to yield the forum to the 'liberals'.

Certainly that is one view. If it is indeed part of the problem, have you any suggestions as to the solution to it?

 

[BelindaP]

LOL, I had a response typed out, but I think I'll refrain for now. I'd like to address this post though, if no one minds too much.

Belinda, if I may ask, how do you see a comment like this as being helpful in solving the current problems here? Just asking. Thanks.

I wasn't trying to fan any flames. In fact, I tried to take care in what I did say. My response goes with my view that a large part of the problem right now stems from the divide between those who are ecumenical in their views and those who aren't. I don't want to start an argument, but I'm not going to lie about what I think the problem is either.

Certainly that is one view. If it is indeed part of the problem, have you any suggestions as to the solution to it?

I do have a potential solution, but I think that if I posted it, the forum would blow-up again, so I'm refraining for now. I'm hoping God will step in and help out.

 

[SwirlingEd]

Dude, please please never feel concerned about posting here. It was created to be welcoming to *everyone*. Thank you very, very much for your thread

You've made some valid points. But splitting the forum seems to final. Know what I mean? CC was just as ecumenical 2 weeks ago, but it wasn't in a constant state of uproar. You're right, though. That it's become conservative vs conservative is completely nonsensical

Thank you for posting that. Not offended *at all*. Very grateful

Thanks very much. I appreciate the welcome.

Yes, I can see how splitting the forums might be considered drastic. It just seems as if the differences of opinion go to the core of how each person will respond to almost every topic. Hopefully I'm wrong. Maybe there are some neutral topics that won't digress into heated debate. I mean, of course everyone can agree on that pesky Harry Potter... oh wait, doh!

All kidding aside. Thanks for your comments.

 

[Criada]

I realize that many of you will not appreciate me posting here. I honestly have been struggling with whether to post or not, because I am honestly not trying to create any additional tension (as if there is any more room). But I have come to respect and appreciate many of you as I have kept up with the CC forum over the last few months. I realize there are long histories and relationships here, and I am not trying to ignore that. But sometimes when you get so close to something, it is hard to be objective.

I am a very junior member of this forum in that I have not posted on many occasions, but I have been around for a couple of years and have been reading nearly every CC thread since all of this erupted. I am not a member of any particular sub-forum, and I really don't have an agenda here at all. My goal in posting this is merely to provide a fresh perspective and ask a few questions.

My personal beliefs are irrelevant to this discussion, so I will leave them out. As I see it, there are two trains of thought at war in the forum that will never see eye to eye. But you must know that by now. These two polarized perspectives will NEVER reach a consensus This has to be obvious to others besides me, so it makes me wonder why the struggle for harmony continues. Yes, admittedly, on one hand both groups fall into the Conservative Christian category, but on the other hand, the gap in ideology relating to the purpose of the forum and how to deal with other groups is huge.

Wouldn't it just be easier to split the forums and let each group go their own way. I see many statements about having a safe area to post with like minded people, so why so much time spend arguing with people who feel as strongly in their beliefs as you do? I'm honestly asking. Is it a battle for the name "Conservative Christian" forum, or is it resistance to change by some - or insistence on change by others?

Again, I hope I have not offended anyone by posting here. As I said, I have great respect for many of you. Also, if this is not the appropriate time or place for this thread and if it needs to be moved or deleted, I'll understand that as well.

God bless.

-SwirlingEd

Thanks! Is actually good to get an outside perspective on things - hard to be objective when you are hurting..
And what you say is true - sad, but true.
But - I think we *can* get out of this without splitting the forum. Because God is bigger than our pettiness.

Thanks for the input.

 

[ContentInHim]

I wasn't trying to fan any flames. In fact, I tried to take care in what I did say. My response goes with my view that a large part of the problem right now stems from the divide between those who are ecumenical in their views and those who aren't. I don't want to start an argument, but I'm not going to lie about what I think the problem is either.



I do have a potential solution, but I think that if I posted it, the forum would blow-up again, so I'm refraining for now. I'm hoping God will step in and help out.

I don't believe that "ecumenism" is a characteristic that is much valued by conservative Christians. I'm positive that it's not included in the Conservative Christian Wiki. Otherwise I would NEVER EVER have joined. You must be thinking of the newer more liberal evangelical churches like those led by Joel Osteen and Rick Warren.

Seriously, ecumenism is not "getting along" but rather blurring doctrine so we can all be one. Very different concepts.

 

[BelindaP]

I must respectfully disagree. That is NOT what ecumenism is. It has nothing to do with doctrine. It has everything to do with getting along with those with whom you might disagree about things. One may be ecumenical without ever compromising doctrine. Just have a look at Billy Graham for an example.

 

[Criada]

Um - this forum is by its nature eccumenical!
We have members from many different churches, denominations and traditions.
And we need to focus on what we have in common - because the differences are very small compared to our shared beliefs.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

Thanks very much. I appreciate the welcome.

Yes, I can see how splitting the forums might be considered drastic. It just seems as if the differences of opinion go to the core of how each person will respond to almost every topic. Hopefully I'm wrong. Maybe there are some neutral topics that won't digress into heated debate. I mean, of course everyone can agree on that pesky Harry Potter... oh wait, doh!

All kidding aside. Thanks for your comments.

Harry Potter's probably a relatively safe topic.

The thing is, to be honest, I think much of this is spiritual. It feels like we're very much in the midst of a spiritual attack. We need to call on the Lord more and stop focusing on the arguments less.

You know, though, I can't think of anyone here who isn't a genuinely lovely person. And we all love God. If we stop poking the wounds, it'll get better, I think.

 

[MrJim]

You know, though, I can't think of anyone here who isn't a genuinely lovely person. /COLOR]

that includes me , nicest thing anyone has said to me all day.

 

[desmalia]

I wasn't trying to fan any flames. In fact, I tried to take care in what I did say. My response goes with my view that a large part of the problem right now stems from the divide between those who are ecumenical in their views and those who aren't. I don't want to start an argument, but I'm not going to lie about what I think the problem is either.

Thank you for your answer. I actually agree with you that this is a key issue at hand. Of course how you and I each interpret ecumenicism might vary. And our viewpoints on this forum certainly do. I think if this thread is going to remain peaceful it's best to not cast blame squarely on one group or the other. Sound fair?

I do have a potential solution, but I think that if I posted it, the forum would blow-up again, so I'm refraining for now. I'm hoping God will step in and help out.

I don't understand. If it's a solution, why would it cause a blow-up?

 

[ReformedChapin]

Maybe I will accused of having an agenda by making this statement but I can safely say that this division was due for a while. In it's foundation two groups of inviduals formulated CC. One were the individuals who wanted a "peaceful environment" and wanted nothing but fellowship. My assumption is that they want to wtiness by grace but in doing so they refuse to accept the liberal agenda which has long been infultrate with deception still using biblical termionology but it having different meaning. The other was a group not willling compromise the Gospel for the CF agenda fo relativism and "unity." As many of you know I have always been part of the latter. My issue with peace and unity with the liberals is their intent. It's more than clear to me that they are familar with the truth. This isn't about ignorance but about setting another agenda in this forum which has already perverted CF as a whole.

 

[tkoman]

Well, Swirling, and I hope I can call you swirling:

Yah see - there was this witch-hunt going on - really upset a lot of people - and unfortunately it landed here in this forum. And yeah, it drug in a lot of new people who probably were pretty astounded that CCC was in that state since it seemed like such a nice board.

Then something happened, but since the hunt started, well you know they say that once the hunt starts it really is hard to stop. Now the hunt is still on - but no one really knows why. Are we hunting liberals (where are they?) a secret satanic cult (where are they?) or are we being hunted? The paranoia remains, but it cannot be described or spoken about.

Make no mistake - it is real and very 'spiritual'.

 

[BelindaP]

It would cause a blowup because the blame-game would start all over again, and I would be accused of trying to take over the forum again. And since I'm a fallible human and quite likely to be wrong, I'm trying to wait on God.

 

[Epiphanygirl]

Um - this forum is by its nature eccumenical!
We have members from many different churches, denominations and traditions.
And we need to focus on what we have in common - because the differences are very small compared to our shared beliefs.

This is the one place other than my own OBOB forum that I can come to without fearing that my faith "ID" is going to interfere, at least thats what I thought!!!
I was able to come together on key christian principles with others without letting "doctrine" get in the way

 

[desmalia]

It would cause a blowup because the blame-game would start all over again, and I would be accused of trying to take over the forum again. And since I'm a fallible human and quite likely to be wrong, I'm trying to wait on God.

Maybe it's just me, but that already doesn't sound like a very viable solution then.

 

[BelindaP]

It's probably not.

 

[ReformedChapin]

Well, Swirling, and I hope I can call you swirling:

Yah see - there was this witch-hunt going on - really upset a lot of people - and unfortunately it landed here in this forum. And yeah, it drug in a lot of new people who probably were pretty astounded that CCC was in that state since it seemed like such a nice board.

Then something happened, but since the hunt started, well you know they say that once the hunt starts it really is hard to stop. Now the hunt is still on - but no one really knows why. Are we hunting liberals (where are they?) a secret satanic cult (where are they?) or are we being hunted? The paranoia remains, but it cannot be described or spoken about.

Make no mistake - it is real and very 'spiritual'.

IC you mind describing this witch hunt? I have been in CF for 2 years and I have never noticed it.