Sub-sub Forums?

[alexa]

Originally Posted by Bandit

That might not be a bad way to sub it eventually, keeping Orthodox, Catholic & Protestant all together, then sub the Gnostic, Spiritualist, & whatever else is out there. That way you just have two Christian forums & it is not so divided. That would provide a place for bible believers & the not so bible believers to communicate without the strife.
It sounds goofy, but it might help.

My only concern is the message passed to the other members, not Christian. We are on interfaith forum, which means we are here to learn and meet people with a different religion than ours. What can they say about it ? "Hey, take a look there, they are all Christians but cannot get along with each other ! And they use the same bible". Let's not forget we all have a different perception of the divine and none of us is perfect. I do not believe a muslim is less beliver than myself only because he has quran as guide and not a bible. There is no place for intolerance in here. And those who think they are better than each other only because they give many quotes from the Holy book, think again !

Would someone like to help me move 20 yards of mulch that was just delivered on my driveway? I hurt my back & cant get to it orderly. I promise not to talk about religion.

Well, I cannot cross the border any more without my passport. Sorry neighbour !

[Bandit]

Originally Posted by alexa

My only concern is the message passed to the other members, not Christian. We are on interfaith forum, which means we are here to learn and meet people with a different religion than ours. What can they say about it ? "Hey, take a look there, they are all Christians but cannot get along with each other ! And they use the same bible". Let's not forget we all have a different perception of the divine and none of us is perfect. I do not believe a muslim is less beliver than myself only because he has quran as guide and not a bible. There is no place for intolerance in here. And those who think they are better than each other only because they give many quotes from the Holy book, think again !


Well, I cannot cross the border any more without my passport. Sorry neighbour !

The message being passed to others not Christian is more like confusion, but not because the believers here dont get along.

Right Alexa, I have learned to ignore the stuff that goes thru the forum that i know is not bible or the ones who try to break down the bible & the blood of Jesus. I dont see the bible being quoted in the other forums or people trying to break down the muslims, the jews, the pagans. It happens all the time on the Christian board with the bible & it is very confusing for people who are watching.

Like um, there was a good 5 threads started in one week against catholics & one good one out to prove the bible wrong. So I dont keep watching or participating in those threads.

For example, when I have a question for Judaism, I prefer to hear what the Orthodox has to say because I know they truly believe the bible.

I dont give quotes from the Holy book to people I know do not want to hear it, I have it hid in my heart & that is where I like it best because no one can ever take it away from me.

I guess some have to visit certain boards to understand what I am trying to say. I dont think all the people who say they are Christians are using the same bible. The bible believers who stay here tolerate a lot of intolerance toward Jesus & the bible. A challenge is one thing, but For a believer, the bible & the blood of Jesus are the two most sacred things.
Over all the mods keep a close eye on it which is nice.

Interfaith & Tolerance-Yes. All religions saying the same thing? I dont think so. I still think a sub forum is a good idea, just cant say exactly how to go about it.

Well Alexa, the mulch will be sitting here for awhile & thanks for offering to help. That was sweet neighbor. I will take a little back rub for a rain check. I could sure use that right now

[Bandit]

Originally Posted by path_of_one

The only thing about sub-forums is that the occasional folk like me without a particular affiliation would feel a little lost trying to figure out where to post. I'm not gnostic or spiritualist, but as a mystic I'm obviously a bit "different" from mainstream.

I kind of can guess what Faithful means by "Bible believing" but it gets sticky, because even in mainstream denominations there is a continuum of "Bible believers" from those that take it as literal and inerrant to those that take it as symbolic. Lots of Episcopalians and Quakers, for example, are on the more symbolic end of interpretation. I can see where something like gnosticism and dualism are quite different, but if there were such a split, those like me who interpret the Bible quite differently than many but still believe in it might feel left out and unwelcome on either sub-forum.

Path, you are different & you are very nice. Plus you dont try to make people feel bad for what they believe in the bible or make then feel in the least threatened. I have never felt uncomfortable or like you were ever trying to take away beliefs.
I know there are many symbolic/metaphores in the bible. But the people, the places & events are literal. I do not believe someone sat around making up stories. It all fits too perfectly for being written over such a long time.
I think for every literal thing, there is a symbolic message for it.

It is loaded with types/shadows, parallels etc.
i think it would be kind of cool with a sub forum, then we can see the conversation of how badly some want the bible ripped to shreds. oh well, whatever, the bible will stand forever no matter what people say.

[path_of_one]

Thanks. I occasionally worry about its effects on others when I challenge traditional interpretations of the Bible; I certainly never want to cause others to lose faith, nor do I think my way is necessarily right for others. But if I agree with other than a traditional interpretation, I feel compelled to state why. I guess if there were sub-forums, I'd just continue trying to post the way I do in the forums that made sense to me. I really love a good discussion and even debate on Biblical interpretation, because I often learn a lot from others. But I do agree that it is not nice to shred anyone's sacred text. I own and have read from all the major world religion's sacred texts, and even if they are not the Bible to me, they still contain truth and the beautiful expression of humanity's attempt to relate to God. As such, I think all sacred texts deserve respect.

I do have to say I am a little disturbed at the recent posts that seem like a backlash against Catholicism. While it is not my "flavor" of Christianity, Catholics love Jesus and the Bible and it is always a bit upsetting to see some Christians shoved outside the metaphoric fold by others, implying that they are either not "real" Christians or are even somehow being led astray by Satan. Such discussions are not loving and I know from talking to non-Christians that they reflect badly on the Body of Christ.