Originally posted by Spurly:
The moderators have noticed we are having a massive increase in the amount of bantering back and forth between Catholics and Protestants here at Grace Centered Forums. As the discussions intensify, which I am sure they will, remember that we are free to discuss doctrine. We are free to discuss why we think a certain belief is true or why we believe a certain belief is not true according to the scriptures. However we are not free to call other posters heretics, cultists, or any other derogatory name. Keep the posts focused on the topic of discussion at hand and off of personal attacks and we will be able to have civil, intelligent discussions with one another.
There have already been some posters on both sides who have overstepped their bounds in this area on a few recent threads. Remember to speak the truth in love. Remember to keep the royal law according to the scriptures. Remember to love your neighbor as yourself. After you have finished a post, read over it a second time to make sure all personal attacks have been edited out. Then, and only then, hit the post button.
For those who are not thick skinned, please remember if someone is explaining why they think a belief you cherish deeply is false according to the scriptures, they are not necessarily attacking you. Instead they may just be trying to let you know how their understanding of a certain scripture differs from yours. But if you feel like someone is attacking you and calling you a heretic or a cultist, please report that to the moderators - we don't catch everything.
Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
In light of some reported posts, I want to reitirate the rules of Grace Centered's Forums, rules I believe that are frequently broken are bolded:
Rule No. 1 - No "Flaming"
1.1 You may discuss another individual's beliefs or religious organization but you will not harass, insult, belittle, threaten, defame or flame the individual (member or non-member) as this is considered personal attacks in posts, PMs and any other communication within this site. This includes, but is not limited to:
a. Directly calling another member "cultist
I want to reiterate what Bon Voyage has said above. There have been a number of catholic and protestant posters who have been claiming the other side are not real Christians, a cult, man made theology, etc. These are all violations of rule 1.1. Please keep the discussions civil and remember, while we are free to disagree on specific doctrines, we all follow Christ and should emmulate Him in our discussions.