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  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

Tolerance is not a virtue

rturner76

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Yes, we must always use discernment when dealing with people—especially those living openly in sin. A little self-disclosure, I have in the past struggled with the sin of drunkenness. I know (or I have discerned) that socializing with someone who currently carries that sin would more likely lead me to sin than I lead them to the light. However, if a person with the sin of drunkenness were to seek repentance, it would be my duty to do my best to first, set an example of one that has been freed of that sin and two, to do my best to help them free themselves from that sin. Not taking on the entire job on my own but being a resource for them and help them get the help that they need. For me to judge that person as a lost soul would do neither they nor I any good. I was taught "we can't keep it unless we give it away." To me, that means helpful solutions rather than casting them out. Now allowing a person to make trouble in the sanctuary while they are chemically impaired or even worse, allowing a preditor access to vulnerable people would just be irresponsible as a congregation. Still not casting them out but perhaps not allowing them free access to things that make them vulnerable to going back into their sin (whatever it is). So there is judgment and there is discernment as you also differentiated it.
 
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