WWMC Name Change Interest Poll and Discussion

[Paidiske]

PloverWing, what about Open Table - Progressive Christians?

 

[Albion]

5. Progressive Christians take Christ at His word that we are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and to care for the sick. (Matthew 25: 35 - 40) ..........................................................................................
Regarding #5, most progressive/liberal Christians I know would support social programs for the poor, and medical coverage for all.

Thoughts??

Here's a thought. The two statements don't say the same thing.

 

[PloverWing]

PloverWing, what about Open Table - Progressive Christians?

Yes, I think I like that.

 

[Albion]

For non-WWMC members, have you ever been confused at what the phrase "Whoever will, may come" in the context of this forum? If so you think we should have a more definite name?

A more accurate one, sure. But here's something to consider. A similar discussion took place with Conservative Christians some time ago, and even with a name change, people still think it means Political Conservatives who are also Christians. Is that what you want to convey with your own forum? "Progressive Christians" will be seen by a lot of people the same way.

 

[SnowyMacie]

PloverWing, what about Open Table - Progressive Christians?

Not bad, but may be too close to "Lord's Table" for the Liberal Catholic one? I'm just going to start shooting out...

"Love Wins - Progressive Christians"
"The Good Samaritans - Progressive Christians"

A more accurate one, sure. But here's something to consider. A similar discussion took place with Conservative Christians some time ago, and even with a name change, people still think it means Political Conservatives who are also Christians. Is that what you want to convey with your own forum? "Progressive Christians" will be seen by a lot of people the same way.

We less concerned about political vs theological progressive, and more concerned that the name "Whoever Will, May Come" is implying that anyone is welcome to post and debate here regardless of whether or not they are a member of our faith group.

 

[FreeinChrist]

I don't know that "Safe Space" needs to be said in the title, if people are paying attention to the CF rules. All the Faith Groups forums are safe spaces, right? You aren't supposed to post anti-Catholic stuff in the Catholic forum, anti-tongues stuff in the Pentecostal forum, etc.

I do with I could think of a more poetic title to go with "Progressive Christians". I like the others -- "Bridge Builders", "The Voice in the Desert", etc. But I haven't been inspired yet.

An informational question: FreeinChrist said that this was once a safe space for gay Christians (among others):

As I understand it, there is no longer a safe space for gay Christians at CF, not even in WWMC, because of sitewide rules. Is that correct?

I think the SOP as written explains it the best.

 

[FreeinChrist]

The typical Conservative Christian would readily agree to those statements as written, too. The only exception would be the part about higher criticism, but if that's important to include, say it outright without making it sound like this is the only study that can be scholarly.

It is not doing that.
This is about this forum and what the folks here want.

 

[hedrick]

An informational question: FreeinChrist said that this was once a safe space for gay Christians (among others):

I would think this forum would be a safe space for gay Christians. It has a partial exception to the site-wide rules -- the things it prohibits are things I don't think anyone would do. Would someone really advise someone else to become gay?

Whether you think of this group as liberal politically or theologically it would still be accepting. Moderators have take action against people attacking gays in this group.

 

[hedrick]

The typical Conservative Christian would readily agree to those statements as written, too. The only exception would be the part about higher criticism, but if that's important to include, say it outright without making it sound like this is the only study that can be scholarly.

Actually it's a defect if the SOP would sound OK to conservatives, since its purpose is to define liberal. Both liberal politics and liberal theology are based on the approaches to discovering truth that follow from the Enlightenment. That would include higher criticism on the Biblical side, critical analysis of traditional beliefs in the area of theology, and use of social science and other scientific evidence on the political side.

 

[Albion]

We less concerned about political vs theological progressive, and more concerned that the name "Whoever Will, May Come" is implying that anyone is welcome to post and debate here regardless of whether or not they are a member of our faith group.

OK, I agree that the existing name seems to offer a 'come one, come all' invitation. But if the political vs theological issue isn't a concern, then it isn't.

 

[Albion]

Actually it's a defect if the SOP would sound OK to conservatives, since its purpose is to define liberal. .

That's what I thought, hedrick...but I think I've just been told to butt out although the OP invited non-members to comment.

 

[PloverWing]

I find your viewpoint valuable, Albion, because a lot of the problem with the original name is how it sounded to people outside the faith group. If the name and SOP are going to be misunderstood by conservative CF-ers, then we're back where we started.

 

[Paidiske]

Hmm. What about "On The Way - Progressive Christians"?

I don't know. It seems to me that we are trying to define something which is by its nature somewhat fuzzy; and also that we are trying to say, at either end of the spectrum, what this group is not.

So, for example, this group is theologically liberal... we accept women's ordination and gay Christians. But not so liberal that we deny the resurrection. How do you neatly encapsulate that sense of "we occupy this part of what is a much bigger spectrum of ideas"?

 

[graceandpeace]

Ok, I haven't gone through all of the responses, but I'd be fine with Progressive Christianity or something similar.

 

[FreeinChrist]

Is there a reason for the use of "progressive" rather than "liberal"?

 

[Paidiske]

I think "liberal" is often used as an insult; progressive less so.

 

[FreeinChrist]

ahh, okay.

 

[FreeinChrist]

So the ideas are:

"Safe Space - Progressive"
"Safe Space - Liberal"
"Open Table - Progressive Christians"
"Love Wins - Progressive Christians"
"The Good Samaritans - Progressive Christians"
"On The Way - Progressive Christians"
"Progressive Christians"

I think the last five are good choices to vote on. I can set up a poll. Are there any more ideas?

Also, I think we need to focus on the name first and then review the SOP separately.

 

[hedrick]

I think the term "liberal" needs to be reclaimed. But most people in CF seem to think that liberal means (1) they think anything goes, and (2) they don't have enough faith to believe God's Word. The reverse is true, of course, but I can see not wanting to use a term that has such connotations here.

 

[Qyöt27]

Most of things that came to my mind were too cheeky for their own good. Or just as vague as the current title, even if a bit more pointed - like "In omnibus caritas".

I don't like the idea of using any variation of the term safe space, though - that would just be catnip for trolls.