So what exactly is a Moderate Christian anyway?

[Criada]

He closed it and you need to come sign right back in cuz I NEED you there! You CAN have dual membership at least for now. Don't let anyone run you off. You are one of the first members there and you have a right to be there. If you feel this is simply a better fit for you, then, that is okay, but don't sign out just because of a few people.

Lisa

I'll still be around, sis. Can't sign back in at the moment. This is the second time I've felt pushed out - and is just too painful at the moment.
And I am NOT blaminfg anyone but myself for that - am not in a good place at the moment, and probably reacting irrationally.
Anyway - will be around.
Love you.

 

[Criada]

I am taking a breather from Foru.ms.

Bye Bye

Will miss you, Jim.
God bless you.

 

[ReformedChapin]

So a moderate is whoever calls themselves a moderate?

 

[BelindaP]

For the purposes of this forum, yes.

 

[ReformedChapin]

For the purposes of this forum, yes.

Can I be a Athiest Christian Liberal Conservative Moderate?

 

[BelindaP]

I don't know. Do you have any moderate views?

 

[GreenMunchkin]

I don't know. Do you have any moderate views?

Ahhh, sticky wicket. Do you mean moderate theologically, or socially/politically?

 

[BelindaP]

Theologically, of course.

 

[Willtor]

So a moderate is whoever calls themselves a moderate?

I think as with any term one has to balance what is meant by the speaker (especially if the speaker self-identifies with the term) and what is generally understood by the term in the broader discussion. For example, I have no inherent opposition to either "liberal" or "conservative" but the way the terms are generally used and the way people who typically self-identify as those things use them, I don't do so.

With "moderate" things are a little less well-defined in the general discourse. And given the etymology of the word, some of us (potentially with radically different views on a few or many matters) have an interest in applying it to ourselves. As it happens, some people who self-identify as "conservative" and "liberal" are among us. But there are no well-defined connotations to the word, "moderate." This is probably one of the reasons it's appealing.

The rule for fellowship here is basically one of general kindness, even in disagreement.

 

[MrJim]

I think as with any term one has to balance what is meant by the speaker (especially if the speaker self-identifies with the term) and what is generally understood by the term in the broader discussion. For example, I have no inherent opposition to either "liberal" or "conservative" but the way the terms are generally used and the way people who typically self-identify as those things use them, I don't do so.

With "moderate" things are a little less well-defined in the general discourse. And given the etymology of the word, some of us (potentially with radically different views on a few or many matters) have an interest in applying it to ourselves. As it happens, some people who self-identify as "conservative" and "liberal" are among us. But there are no well-defined connotations to the word, "moderate." This is probably one of the reasons it's appealing.

The rule for fellowship here is basically one of general kindness, even in disagreement.

great response~everyone is someone else's liberal & someone else's conservative.

By even being on the internet the absolute most conservative member here at 4U is considered liberal by my plain mennonite friends

 

[GreenMunchkin]

Theologically, of course.

Hmm. Ok, compared to who or to what?

 

[BelindaP]

Well, I think that depends upon the person. Everyone has a point of reference. I consider myself moderate in my views because I believe it is wrong to impose my views on others. Many conservatives believe it is their duty to do so. However, I'm not a liberal either, because I don't think that everyone should choose a view that is right for them and they'll be just fine.

 

[Willtor]

great response~everyone is someone else's liberal & someone else's conservative.

By even being on the internet the absolute most conservative member here at 4U is considered liberal by my plain mennonite friends

Haha! I can imagine that.

Although I would contend that even "conservative" is taken differently in different contexts. For example, in General Theology, I frequently see an Eastern Orthodox member talk about conservative theology in a way that is decidedly different from the theology I've considered conservative in my Baptist upbringing.

 

[Criada]

Hmm. Ok, compared to who or to what?

Now there's the question!

I think it's one of those 'depends where you're standing' things.

I see the moderate thing more as an attitude rather than any set beliefs. My beliefs are pretty much conservative - but I don't feel it is right to berate people who disagree. If the basics are there, we can get along - and even, perhaps, discuss our differences without being nasty to one another.

 

[pgp_protector]

So a moderate is whoever calls themselves a moderate?

For the purposes of this forum, yes.

Can I be a Athiest Christian Liberal Conservative Moderate?

I don't know. Do you have any moderate views?

So do they need moderate views if they call them selfs moderate or not ?
First it's Yes, then you have to have moderate views

 

[GreenMunchkin]

Well, I think that depends upon the person. Everyone has a point of reference. I consider myself moderate in my views because I believe it is wrong to impose my views on others. Many conservatives believe it is their duty to do so. However, I'm not a liberal either, because I don't think that everyone should choose a view that is right for them and they'll be just fine.

More hmm. I unequivocally affirm the CC SoF... what I disagree with is the new approach of a few and the change in CC's direction in terms of approach. But that doesn't detract from my theological standing... however, if people who claim to be conservative Christians repeatedly infer you're really a liberal, maybe you're actually a liberal

 

[Willtor]

More hmm. I unequivocally affirm the CC SoF... what I disagree with is the new approach of a few and the change in CC's direction in terms of approach. But that doesn't detract from my theological standing... however, if people who claim to be conservative Christians repeatedly infer you're really a liberal, maybe you're actually a liberal

Maybe the pictures of the be-speedo'ed David Hasselhoff had something to do with it?

 

[BelindaP]

More hmm. I unequivocally affirm the CC SoF... what I disagree with is the new approach of a few and the change in CC's direction in terms of approach. But that doesn't detract from my theological standing... however, if people who claim to be conservative Christians repeatedly infer you're really a liberal, maybe you're actually a liberal

Depends on if those conservatives are truly conservative. But that's an argument for another thread.

 

[Athene]

More hmm. I unequivocally affirm the CC SoF... what I disagree with is the new approach of a few and the change in CC's direction in terms of approach. But that doesn't detract from my theological standing... however, if people who claim to be conservative Christians repeatedly infer you're really a liberal, maybe you're actually a liberal

What I suspect might be the problem could merely be the differences between UK conservatism and US conservatism, I hope I can say this without getting beaten up but from my outsiders point of view conservatism in the US goes to extremes which are unheard of in the UK or most places for that matter, our friends over the pond don't do things by halves. In UK standards from what I know of your theology you are very much a conservative.

 

[edie19]

For me (and I've had multiple theologically conservative pastors agree with me) while I consider my self conservative theologically, I often find that some "conservatives" get too hung up on certain issues that don't matter in the grand scheme of things. Based on that I feel that I have what many may consider "moderate" views.

edie