New Forum topic suggestions: Continationism & Cessationism

[Crossfire]

Personally, I would like to see two new forums added which allow both Cessationists and Continuationists a place to go to ask questions concerning their beliefs and fellowship with like minded individuals without fear of being scrutanized by others who may hold to different beliefs. Both Cessationisism and Continuationism span across multiple denominations thus there should be no reason to fear that either forum would become dominated by one particular denomination or doctrine.

The criteria to post in either room is simple: either you believe the gifts are for today or you don't, one makes you a Continuationist, the other makes you a Cessationist. One should only post in the forum that most closely represents your personal beliefs and, in good faith, avoid the other.

Such forums could save the mods a lot of headaches in the long run.

 

[1still_waters]

Be a good idea.

For now you can..

1. Create a chat group.
link--->http://christianchat.com/group.php?do=create

I created one for like minded folks and it's functional.
Not as functional as a dedicated forum though.

 

[Crossfire]

Be a good idea.

For now you can..

1. Create a chat group.
link--->http://christianchat.com/group.php?do=create

I created one for like minded folks and it's functional.
Not as functional as a dedicated forum though.

I did think about that however, I'm not sure if most realize that chat groups are actually a part of this site. I've joined many over the years about a variety of different topics and none of them were active for more than just a few weeks.

 

[1still_waters]

I did think about that however, I'm not sure if most realize that chat groups are actually a part of this site. I've joined many over the years about a variety of different topics and none of them were active for more than just a few weeks.

Yeah making them work takes a little more strategery.

Instead of dividing the forums up along doctrinal lines. do you think another alternative would be to allow thread posters to declare their thread a "no debate zone"? Or a "for like minded people only zone"?

That way we don't have even more categories for people to have to decide where to post. Yet it would allow folks to have a discussion amongst like minded peeps, without someone coming in and dumping all over the discussion.

Also if someone complained about the discussion in said thread, we could simply say, "Well then don't go in it!"

 

[Crossfire]

Yeah making them work takes a little more strategery.

Instead of dividing the forums up along doctrinal lines. do you think another alternative would be to allow thread posters to declare their thread a "no debate zone"? Or a "for like minded people only zone"?

That way we don't have even more categories for people to have to decide where to post. Yet it would allow folks to have a discussion amongst like minded peeps, without someone coming in and dumping all over the discussion.

Also if someone complained about the discussion in said thread, we could simply say, "Well then don't go in it!"

I'm sure that you are most likely aware of the reason why I'm making this suggestion. In the past the forums have had a problem with people refusing recognize and respect the salvation of others due to doctrinal pride and indifference and it looks as though we could be headed toward another rough patch again. If we do not learn from the past then we are doomed to repeat it.

The question that needs to be asked is this: regardless of what we perceive to be true, are we really doing anyone any good by exposing others to this "truth" if we do not do so in a loving, compassionate, Christ-like manner? Any attempt to reveal "truth" in an offensive, arrogant manner will only result in turning people off to what you have to say regardless of how true it may be. In doing so, one has done more to damage the cause of Christ than to help it, a sad but all too true reality.

The way I see it, the creation of these two threads will do far more to help people by reducing conflict than possible harm by causing division. The positives far out weigh the negatives. For me, this suggestion is not about doctrinal indifference at all, but rather the over all good of the people.

At least give the idea some serious thought and prayer before you dismiss it.

 

[Crossfire]

Yeah making them work takes a little more strategery.

Instead of dividing the forums up along doctrinal lines. do you think another alternative would be to allow thread posters to declare their thread a "no debate zone"? Or a "for like minded people only zone"?

That way we don't have even more categories for people to have to decide where to post. Yet it would allow folks to have a discussion amongst like minded peeps, without someone coming in and dumping all over the discussion.

Also if someone complained about the discussion in said thread, we could simply say, "Well then don't go in it!"

For me this isn't about "doctrine" but rather the over all good of the people. What good is possessing right doctrine if the delivery method is all wrong? "Truth" without love is no truth at all.

I don't see why you are worried about possible division by creating two forums when the all the conflict that goes on by keeping these people together has done far more damage.

 

[kenisyes]

We have had several requests for new forums in the last couple weeks. Maybe it's time to create a tree structure, like a few Scripture forums under the Scripture heading; another heading for teen, family, single, widows, etc; combine music and poetry; a heading for separate regions of the planet with those various forums; a category for doctrinal forums, etc.

 

[1still_waters]

For me this isn't about "doctrine" but rather the over all good of the people. What good is possessing right doctrine if the delivery method is all wrong? "Truth" without love is no truth at all.

I don't see why you are worried about possible division by creating two forums when the all the conflict that goes on by keeping these people together has done far more damage.

It's not so much about "division" as it is usability of the forums.

The more nuanced a forum becomes with categories, the more difficult it can become for people to decide to know where to post.And also the more categories, the more overwhelming it can be for new comers to know where to start.

That's why I suggested enabling a poster to declare their thread a no debate zone. That way you don't have the intrusion into said threads from the "exposers" you were talking about.

Also if the mere existence of a thread bothers someone, isn't that more an issue for them to deal with? No one is forcing them to go in it. No one is forcing them to go in and read it all. At worse they just have to see the subject title in the list of threads. I'm sure that's an adversity most can overcome.

 

[Crossfire]

It's not so much about "division" as it is usability of the forums.

The more nuanced a forum becomes with categories, the more difficult it can become for people to decide to know where to post.And also the more categories, the more overwhelming it can be for new comers to know where to start.

Isn't that what the Bible Study forum is for?

That's why I suggested enabling a poster to declare their thread a no debate zone. That way you don't have the intrusion into said threads from the "exposers" you were talking about.

Umm yeah, good luck with that.

Also if the mere existence of a thread bothers someone, isn't that more an issue for them to deal with? No one is forcing them to go in it. No one is forcing them to go in and read it all. At worse they just have to see the subject title in the list of threads. I'm sure that's an adversity most can overcome.

True because that's hardly the problem. You're suggestions do not address what once was and will most likely become a huge problem once again: People who stalk others across multiple threads to carry on a long standing disagreement / argument, the reason I don't plan on visiting the Bible Study forums any time soon.

Anyways, we've had similar conversations in the past and this one seems to be going in the same direction as the others so I guess I'll bow out out of the conversation. However, I do sincerely hope that your reasons for dismissing my suggestions are indeed what you say they are. It would be a real shame for one in a position of authority to place one's own doctrinal biases over the well being of the people.

 

[1still_waters]

Isn't that what the Bible Study forum is for?



Umm yeah, good luck with that.



True because that's hardly the problem. You're suggestions do not address what once was and will most likely become a huge problem once again: People who stalk others across multiple threads to carry on a long standing disagreement / argument, the reason I don't plan on visiting the Bible Study forums any time soon.

Anyways, we've had similar conversations in the past and this one seems to be going in the same direction as the others so I guess I'll bow out out of the conversation. However, I do sincerely hope that your reasons for dismissing my suggestions are indeed what you say they are. It would be a real shame for one in a position of authority to place one's own doctrinal biases over the well being of the people.

If folks won't honor a OPs request for like minds. then they won't honor the separate forum categories either.

At this point I think the overall issue is obnoxious people.
And as stated in many places.
If someone is doing that, then report it.

And I probably shouldn't have done this back and forth with you anyways..cuz you were simply giving a suggestion. ...and that is what this forum is for!

So suggest away.

 

[1still_waters]

However, I do sincerely hope that your reasons for dismissing my suggestions are indeed what you say they are. It would be a real shame for one in a position of authority to place one's own doctrinal biases over the well being of the people. [/b]

I'm not really dismissing it.
Just more trying to find a functional way to carry out the spirit of it.

The spirit of it seems to be to find a way for users to post amongst like minded folks without intrusion from those trying to impose their contrary views.

As far as you still posting in the bible study forums.
Please post away.

If there are any obnoxious people, trying to change the topic of a thread by imposing their hobby horses, please report them.

I'm pretty sure any past behaviors have been corrected. But if they become uncorrected, report it and it will be reviewed and dealt with if it needs dealing with.

 

[jimmydiggs]

I still don't understand why everyone and their mom has to have a separate forum.