so...

[tulc]

Now that they're closing the non-Nicean forums how soon before this area is closed also?
tulc(just curious)

 

[OllieFranz]

Now that they're closing the non-Nicean forums how soon before this area is closed also?
tulc(just curious)

Although closing the non-Nicean forums is regretable, it is a direct consequence of the new site-wide rule that one can't "promote" (as opposed to "discuss") any doctrine that opposes the Nicean Creed. Since the Creed does not take a stand on homosexuality, there is no basis for closing his forum.
OllieFranz(That does not mean it won't happen, though. The site owner is not compelled to be logical. )

 

[BreadAlone]

I don't THINK it will happen..this forum hopefully tends to get under the radar since it's burried under CP&E in the Theology section. As far as I'm concerned I see no reason to close it..(But I also see no reason to close the non-Nicene congregation areas..so you can se how far my reasoning gets around here..)

 

[BAFRIEND]

Well for one thing, certain folks here cannot come along and argue their position, in a Christian context from a non-nicene point of view. We will be on the same page now.

No more of this "I am a lesbian/gay unitarian, so I don't take the Bible literally, etc. etc."

Debating your point within the Christian context from a non-nicene POV will be a violation of forum rules. I don't know why they would hang around now anyway.

 

[OllieFranz]

Well for one thing, certain folks here cannot come along and argue their position, in a Christian context from a non-nicene point of view. We will be on the same page now.

No more of this "I am a lesbian/gay unitarian, so I don't take the Bible literally, etc. etc."

Debating your point within the Christian context from a non-nicene POV will be a violation of forum rules. I don't know why they would hang around now anyway.

No, at least not according to both the site-wide guidelines and the forum-specific guidelines. Non-Niceans can debate from their viewpoints. They can explain their non-Nicean perspectives. They just can't promote their non-Nicean religion. (Something which the particular non-Nicean which you described has never done anyway)

And I know that the mods will be governed by these posted guidelines as long as the forum stays open.

The only question is whether the forum will stay open. For that I remain guardedly optimistic.

Posts that promote non-Christian or non-Nicene beliefs will be removed by staff. Posts that merely provide information about a non-Christian or non-Nicene belief are allowed for informational purposes.

Staff may expand on this (via forum-specific guidelines) based on the specific needs of those forums.

Restrictions as to where non-Christian and non-Nicene members [may post(?)] will not be imposed, nor will there be a return to forced icon changes. The intent is to moderate based on post content.
(emphasis mine)

3: Focus on Topics: Discussions should be about doctrines and history, not about other members or their personal faith. Posters who include egregious personal insults and accusations in their posts have their posts edited by moderator staff, and may be issued warnings or infractions due to them, depending on the seriousness of the flame.

4: Provide Supporting Statements: Posters in Theology are expected to treat one another with courtesy and respect at all times, ESPECIALLY if you disagree with each other. When you disagree with someone's position, you should post evidence and supporting statements for your position. This policy, sometimes referred to as "X means Y because of Z", must be followed especially when posting claims that are widely considered to be controversial.

5. Respect Differing Points of Reference: It is expected that people who post in Theology will respect people of faith, including those for whom faith and logic are not contradictions, but complements to one another. To some Christians, arguments from the Bible, from doctrine, and from tradition, are just as valid (and at times more valid) than arguments from logic, reason, science, or history. Whether you are arguing from faith or from logic or some combination thereof, you should respect the other person's point of reference.

6. Accusations of non-Christian doctrine: Stating that another member's church is not Christian is not allowed. However, stating a teaching or belief of another church is not Christian because of X, Y, and Z, is allowed.

7: "Tread Carefully" Topics: Theology posters are expected to understand that accusations of heresy, false doctrine, idolatry, anti-Christ, cult, non-Christian beliefs, antisemitism, etc., are very emotionally laden. They are not conducive to clear discussion. While they are not forbidden in the context of a discussion (with evidence, examples, and/or support), they are discouraged by themselves, as terms of insult. This rule may be referred to as the "tread carefully" rule.

(emphasis in color mine)

This forum is for discussion and debate about homosexuality from a Christian perspective. This may include, but is not limited to, such issues as

• what Christians teach about homosexuality in a Christian life,
• what the Scriptures teach about homosexual behavior,
• what impact, if any, such teachings should have on government and education.

Post in this forum may not be directed at other posters or at groups of people. You may not make it personal, for instance, by slinging around accusations and calling each other names. Before you make a post, think about whether you would say it to the person if they were standing in front of you.
If a member self-identifies as Christian, you are to respect that. You may debate their beliefs, but you may not tell them they are not Christian.
(emphasis mine)

 

[Ohioprof]

I think we will have to wait and see how the moderators and administrators interpret this new rule. What, exactly, does it mean to "promote" non-Nicene theology? That's not clear, and in the various discussion forums on this new rule, people have been wrestling with this question.

I am sad to see the Non-Nicene threads closed down, though I rarely posted there. And the rule makes me sad, frankly, however it is interpreted. I think the more open and wide-ranging the discussions, the more viewpoints people get to hear, the more we all learn. I think it benefits no one to shut out viewpoints simply because some people disagree with them. It harms no one to have people advocating Mormonism, for example, or Arianism. They get to hear those other viewpoints.

 

[Ohioprof]

I think that for now the new rule will not much affect the Debates on Homosexuality subforum, since the subject we are debating is not the Nicene Creed, and homosexuality is not mentioned in the Nicene Creed.

 

[BAFRIEND]

They just can't promote their non-Nicean religion.

Debating with a non-nicene POV is in fact promoting the belief.

 

[BAFRIEND]

I believe we are going back full scale with the old forum rules and that if you are non-nicene, you will be limited in which forums you can post in. I believe that before July, a non-nicene would not have been allowed to debate in here.

Am I right? I am not certain. You may even lose your icon if you are non-nicene.

 

[BAFRIEND]

I am sad to see the Moromon sub forum close because they are people of very high morals and they have a seperate theology and set of beliefs. However, the denoms that run contrary to nicene and promote extremely differing views that are contrary to the shared beliefs of mainstream Christianity need to go. Like I said, Jesus spoke of unity and being on the same page for once would be wonderful.

 

[catlover]

Debating with a non-nicene POV is in fact promoting the belief.

Fancy censorship....

 

[BreadAlone]

Fancy censorship....

Debating from a Non-Nicene POV has been against Theology rules anyways..so nothing will really change around here..just if you post elsewhere things might be a little different..

 

[tulc]

Ahhh! the famous "Since we can't seem to prove you wrong with arguments, we'll win by banning you instead!"
tulc(that's...disappointing)

 

[OllieFranz]

Ahhh! the famous "Since we can't seem to prove you wrong with arguments, we'll win by banning you instead!"
tulc(that's...disappointing)

The Theology Team has proven itself trustworthy. I doubt they'll gut the forum.
OllieFranz(Unless they are ordered to from higher up)

 

[tulc]

OllieFranz(Unless they are ordered to from higher up)

Just a matter of time.
tulc(not enough coffee in the world)

 

[Zaac]

Now that they're closing the non-Nicean forums how soon before this area is closed also?
tulc(just curious)

Hopefully just a matter of days. I must continue to bring it to the attention of the powers that be.

 

[tulc]

Hopefully just a matter of days. I must continue to bring it to the attention of the powers that be.

Ahhh! Happy days indeed! So, are you just giving up arguing altogether and just concentrating on getting the people you don't agree with kicked off CF or what?
tulc(just wondering)

 

[united4Peace]

But of course everyone knows a homosexual/lesbian/transexual/transgendered/bisexual cannot be Christian...!!

Where on earth would you even come up with an idea like that!!
















pssst...anyone that knows me knows my real thoughts

 

[catlover]

Ahhh! the famous "Since we can't seem to prove you wrong with arguments, we'll win by banning you instead!"
tulc(that's...disappointing)

Yes...pretty typical

 

[Zaac]

Ahhh! Happy days indeed! So, are you just giving up arguing altogether and just concentrating on getting the people you don't agree with kicked off CF or what?
tulc(just wondering)

Man, you been around long enough to know that I don't debate or argue about sin. Sin is sin because God says so which is why you'll find me repeating Scripture while some of you demand more.

Closing DoH wouldn't get anyone kicked off CF. It simply limits the promotion of behavior that God says is sin. But that needs to be a CF wide rule anyhow.