dialogue about dialogue

[Prober]

Originally Posted by Dondi

Witnessing, or prostylizing, is against forum rules.

I'm speaking of witnessing as sharing experience and thoughts. I think that's different than procelatizing(sp).

[Dondi]

Originally Posted by Sunny C.

I still don't understand why Christianity has been separated into camps. Liberal Christianity is every bit as mainstream as conservative Christianity. Just ask some Episcopalians. And anything which lightly touches on Christianity is germane to the topic of Christianity. Why does the conservative faction own the prime real estate within Abrahamic? There's something seriously wrong with that.

It would appear that LC is becoming more mainstream. It's a little like when Alternative Rock (which implies an alternate choice of rock not yet mainstream) suddenly becomes mainstream. Then they are no longer 'alternative'.

There are about as many flavors of Christianity as there are ice cream. Not saying we need more separation than already given, but when you start mixing all these flavors of ice cream together, you just get a mess. Then any orthodoxy you can derive from Christianity becomes blurred or even non-existent. There has to be a way where those who hold an orthodox view can discuss issues without having a lot of abbretion entering in to avoid confusion for someone who is inquiring about the Historic Christian faith. While at the same time, LC provides for other avenues of Christianity that can be freely explored.

But I will agree that the LC board ought to at least be a subset of the Christianity board, not the Belief and Spirituality board.

You might ask, would it be proper to have this kind of separation in say the Judaism boards, since there are distinct flavors of Judaism? I dunno, but it doesn't seem to be much of a problem there since there are currently two jewish members on board. For the Islam board, I have no answer, for I am less familiar with distinctions in that faith. But how these boards run are not really my concern, since I'm not a part of them.

[Prober]

Nicely said...

[Dondi]

Originally Posted by Prober

I'm speaking of witnessing as sharing experience and thoughts. I think that's different than procelatizing(sp).

Ah, ok. It's just when anyone speaks of witnessing in the Christian context, it has the connotation of prostylizing. What you speak of is ok.

[Prober]

(Had an awful time with this and had to look it up...it's spelled "proselytizing")

[wil]

Originally Posted by Dondi

It would appear that LC is becoming more mainstream. ....While at the same time, LC provides for other avenues of Christianity that can be freely explored.

You might ask, would it be proper to have this kind of separation in say the Judaism boards, since there are distinct flavors of Judaism?

Wherever the LC is is no longer important to me, I originally felt a little dissed, but as long as there exists a place where the edge can be illuminated and discussed I don't care what it is called.

If their were a larger Judaic presence I can see that happening, as it is we have a couple from two very distinctly different camps that are open enough to discuss with the fur only flying occasionally.

When folks like me danced into the Christian camp there was a tug of war which I can take plenty of blame for, and the box that was created I believe was beneficial to all.

[Tao_Equus]

Originally Posted by Prober

It's fine for you to believe that and I support your right to do so, but some (myself included) think that since G-d created the doctors and gave them all their knowledge, it might be a good idea to go to Him first - not necessarily at the exclusion of the doctors, of course.

And it's hard to hold yourself back from witnessing when you believe it's what a person really needs.

Fair enough. But when someone openly declares themselves to be suffering schizophrenic hallucinatory delusions then to try and fill their heads with more of whats confusing them is morally reprehensible. Anyone who thought what happened on that thread was good and Godly is frankly drunk on religion. Like many alcoholics though, they cant admit that to themselves.

TE

[Prober]

Originally Posted by Tao_Equus

Fair enough. But when someone openly declares themselves to be suffering schizophrenic hallucinatory delusions then to try and fill their heads with more of whats confusing them is morally reprehensible. Anyone who thought what happened on that thread was good and Godly is frankly drunk on religion. Like many alcoholics though, they cant admit that to themselves.

TE

I didn't pick up that he had declared himself to be suffering from hallucinatory delusions. If that's true, then I'm definitely in the wrong. I interpreted his hearing voices differently as I hear voices too, sometimes. But I'm not schizoid.

I just read it differently.

Again, if I was wrong in that case, I'm sorry. I apologize again.

Best regards,
Mark

[ardenz]

Where to find the Liberal Christianity Board?

Its not under Christianity, or the main heading Abrahamic religions.......but under Beliefs and Spirituality.

Please help , I'm lost , I need to find my way.
Is it a belief, is it a religion ?

[Caimanson]

Originally Posted by 17th Angel

Not all believe god created doctors.... And I'd put my life in the hands of my personal doctors than your god any day... They can do more

Sorry 17th, I think god is greater than the NHS doctors by a mile.

[Tao_Equus]

Originally Posted by Caimanson

Sorry 17th, I think god is greater than the NHS doctors by a mile.

So you will wait for God to give you a bypass op should you (God forbid) ever need one?

[Caimanson]

Originally Posted by Tao_Equus

So you will wait for God to give you a bypass op should you (God forbid) ever need one?

It was meant to be joke about GPs. Though you hit the nail on the head, all the focus is on treating the most serious conditions.

(Sorry offtopic)

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by Sunny C.

I still don't understand why Christianity has been separated into camps. Liberal Christianity is every bit as mainstream as conservative Christianity. Just ask some Episcopalians. And anything which lightly touches on Christianity is germane to the topic of Christianity. Why does the conservative faction own the prime real estate within Abrahamic? There's something seriously wrong with that.

I totally agree Sunny. I've said this more than once...not sure why Brian has it where it is but I would also like to see it moved back to Christianity.

[traveler]

Is it a belief, is it a religion ?

Isn't that the question that devides one Christian group from another? We all imagine ourselves to be the ones who aren't "religious". I see an eternal balancing act between the benefits of fixed belief and the benefits of exploring the grey zone. If a liberal point of view puts us in the position of being unable to think that a conservative pov could not possibly be right, then that's religious (dogmatic, systematized).

I see religion as an artifact of not closely examining the true nature of our personal beliefs. I know that sounds strange, but often we coast along in autopilot, spouting the party line, knowing what we stand for because we are standing in a certain group. Wen we take the leap of truthfully examining our real inner terrain, what we in fact believe, what truly motivates our actions, is often quite different.

What that has to do with dialogue...? I guess the purpose for me of coming to a forum of this kind is to examine my own unfolding understanding of the divine, to examine the views and prejudices of others along the path and see if I can discern roadmarks from the tales of fellow travellers.

Be Blessed...

[Prober]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

I totally agree Sunny. I've said this more than once...not sure why Brian has it where it is but I would also like to see it moved back to Christianity.

I see what you're both saying and agree. Perhaps it would make it easier for others to compare positions

BTW, would that make "Liberal" a sub-forum of "Christianity" by itself or make two sub-forums with "Conservative" under "Christianity" as well?