Should Christians be allowed to post in here? 241

10/7/2009 3:15:39 PM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
shakti Red Deer, AB age: 36	Quote from writer1776: The liberty of any should not be infringed. How come y'all allow your liberty to be infringed ? Y'all are laying-down like a bunch of sheeple/people. Any may just BLOCK your posts as you may BLOCK any. This question is broadly stereotypical. And, I believe the infringment promotes conflict-- to what end ? I don't agree with blocking, I will only use it in the most extreme of situations or for a temporary quick fix. The very idea goes against my pluralistic nature.. promotes weird little elitist factions, no thanks. If you percieve this as my being a sheeple? So be it. I would still rather hear from the open minded christians who don't fit into the mainstream than to block out the occasional zealot. If my beliefs cannot stand up against it, then there is a problem. They never seem to stick around in here anyway... And currently, the vote breakdown is sitting at a majority of 30% are neutral on the matter and don't care either way. [Edited 10/7/2009 3:29:52 PM PST]
10/19/2009 12:00:34 PM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
sharenlove Fort Wayne, IN age: 54	Just stopping in to say...HELLO!
10/19/2009 10:00:51 PM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
shakti Red Deer, AB age: 36	Hi to you too Shared : )
10/20/2009 10:59:39 AM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
dunrich2 Brantford, ON age: 55	You know, the thought crossed my mind, maybe we only need 2 groups. 1 group could be called Fans of Hell and Damnation and the other Religion/ supernatural. Strict rules and entry would need to be attained to join the , I love the idea that others will burn for eternity fan cub. One would have to answer yes to one of the following questions : 1. Do you think God hates Homosexuals, liberals , non Americans,Hippies, Canadians, Americans who voted for Obama and any who support support health care for the poor. 2. Woman are not to ever question a man, keep qite and always keep their heads covered. 3.My Church is the correct and only one. We don allow no Hippeis or fruit cakes in it ever. 4. Do you enjoy telling any who disagree with you, that they are going to burn, baby, burn! Answer one of those questions right and bingo, you have membership. Then the rest of us could actually talk to each other about our beliefs in relative peace. What do you think, lol?
10/21/2009 9:22:45 AM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
brigid13 London, ON age: 48	@ dunrich... I like the way you think. I personally have bowed out of these forums for those exact reasons. I always feel like I am banging my head against the wall.... definition of insanity and all that. BB
10/25/2009 10:22:22 AM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
woodsmamma Winton, MN age: 56	Quote from brigid13: @ dunrich... I like the way you think. I personally have bowed out of these forums for those exact reasons. I always feel like I am banging my head against the wall.... definition of insanity and all that. BB I agree, BB, he's a good co-poster, and fun too!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10/25/2009 12:20:52 PM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
shakti Red Deer, AB age: 36	Aww, hope you reconsider brigid! There are people who post in here and never in the religion forum.. there isn't a lot of flaming and stuff going on in here. And yeah, I like the way Dun thinks too.. hope he continues to feel free to post in here. You know what's kind of ironic? The ones who feel bad for the fact the inequality in groups and say they will stay out of here based on respect are exactly the ones who I would want to see posting in here. It's the others.. those who believe they are doing us all a favor by attempting to save our souls that this group can do without.
10/31/2009 6:55:54 AM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
dunrich2 Brantford, ON age: 55	I,ve had a lot of good teachers from Forums. Right off the top of my head, there is a very kind Pagan who took a lot of tme last year explaining the celebration of the soltice, a poster awed my the magic of the Gnostics as compiled by a mutually admired author and concepts like pluralism. Thanks for being so patient at times! (LOL, Brigid, I am still plotting how to steal some more good celebrations off of you. In the mean time, Happy and spooky Halloween,lol,I wonder which group we got this from?)
11/2/2009 3:34:54 AM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
exctbleboy Gainesville, FL age: 45	Sure why not ? I cant wait to hear them explain to me on my thread how they could possibly believe Satan buried all the fossils in the ground . Personaly any body that would believe such insanity belongs in a nut house .I can accept the teachings of Christ .But the total disregard of science is scary and then we wonder why we fear them gaining control of our government ? brave
11/4/2009 12:27:39 PM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
dunrich2 Brantford, ON age: 55	Sure why not ? I cant wait to hear them explain to me on my thread how they could possibly believe Satan buried all the fossils in the ground . Personaly any body that would believe such insanity belongs in a nut house .I can accept the teachings of Christ .But the total disregard of science is scary and then we wonder why we fear them gaining control of our government ? brave So, no Christians are also Scientists or make a living from Science? All Christians believe Satan buried the Dinosaur fossils? I`d respond more, but I has ta read ma Bible. Ah jest founds outs dehs been a teachin ma kids some tom fooleries stuff at de school dat de earth is round. Golly gee, dang idiotsmust know wese would falz off it it dat were true!
11/5/2009 11:06:19 PM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
d_voted Winnipeg, MB age: 57	I fit into a category of 'mainstream' Christianity as I am a regular church goer. In fact I could qualify for a triple 'mainstream' Christian because I go to three different churches each weekend. Although, all three of the communities I attend hold to the Divinity of Jeusus and some other concepts that are common to most Christian deominations (Trinity - baptism although there are differences of opinion on how and when) but I could easily be termed a Zealot if pressed about my faith. Intolerance and 'spreading dogma' is usually done in a way that means well but often is taken as talking down to or baddgering. I understand that those people think they have struck gold and want to share it but often do not build the trust in the relationship first. On the other hand, there are those who love to bait Christians and mock them so intolerance can cut both ways. I suppose, because this is a thread about religions it would seem odd to exclude one of the largest groups (even if they are fragmented and often fighting with each other). However, it doesn't really harm me either way. I suspect I could learn some things here and some things over in the Christian Thread. Maybe some of you might learn something from me too. Not likely - but possible. D PS: Not likely because of my poor teaching skills not your receptive skills. Didn't want to end on what may be viewed as insulting. Sorry if it sounded that way. [Edited 11/5/2009 11:07:35 PM PST]
11/6/2009 1:18:29 AM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
shakti Red Deer, AB age: 36	Quote from d_voted: I could easily be termed a Zealot if pressed about my faith. What in your opinion makes one a zealot? Intolerance and 'spreading dogma' is usually done in a way that means well but often is taken as talking down to or baddgering. I understand that those people think they have struck gold and want to share it but often do not build the trust in the relationship first. So if I build a relationship with you, I can come on over to the christian group (let's assume for a moment that I actually could) and tell you that your perceptions about God and the universe are incorrect and that if you believe as I do that God will actually love you and not send you to a fiery inferno for eternity.. ? You know, share the gold I found and all that? On the other hand, there are those who love to bait Christians and mock them so intolerance can cut both ways. Oh believe me, I am very well aware of this fact. If you stroll through the thread you'll see how many times I have reprimanded a non-christian for doing just that. I suppose, because this is a thread about religions it would seem odd to exclude one of the largest groups (even if they are fragmented and often fighting with each other). However, it doesn't really harm me either way. I suspect I could learn some things here and some things over in the Christian Thread. Surely you are aware of the reason I started this thread, no?
11/7/2009 12:55:15 PM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
xashax Union, NH age: 37	I feel it should be permissible for Christians to post in the "Other" religions forum simply because if we demand that they be excluded, how are we setting any kind of example? Isn't that just meeting intolerance with a stance of intolerance? It really comes down to however the powers that be (Dustin) decides he wants to organize and segregate these forums. He probably wants to eliminate the potential for hostile confrontation and excessive argumentation at all costs. The easiest way for him to do that is to not allow certain members to post in certain areas of the forum. We dont pay to be here. If we did pay, then we would have a little more leeway with which to complain or else demand a refund and go sign up for another dating site.
11/7/2009 5:13:42 PM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
shakti Red Deer, AB age: 36	Hey Asha, nice to see you in these parts : ) Quote from xashax: I feel it should be permissible for Christians to post in the "Other" religions forum simply because if we demand that they be excluded, how are we setting any kind of example? Isn't that just meeting intolerance with a stance of intolerance? It really comes down to however the powers that be (Dustin) decides he wants to organize and segregate these forums. He probably wants to eliminate the potential for hostile confrontation and excessive argumentation at all costs. The easiest way for him to do that is to not allow certain members to post in certain areas of the forum. We dont pay to be here. If we did pay, then we would have a little more leeway with which to complain or else demand a refund and go sign up for another dating site. I think you may have misunderstood the purpose of this thread.. It was merely to get people thinking and talking about the fact that they are allowed to post in here but we are not allowed to post in there. Plus, I wanted to see what the percentage would be. I brought the inequality up in the site suggestions forum, but received no response. I thought I had made it perfectly clear that my goal is not to keep the christians out? To me it is highly ironic that it is this group which seems to embody the inclusivity that Jesus espoused.. And there is less fighting too, go figure!
11/7/2009 7:41:54 PM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
acting_out Eagle, CO age: 46	Can someone be christian and then declare themselves not? By the way.... hi everyone.. i'm back
11/7/2009 8:58:40 PM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
dunrich2 Brantford, ON age: 55	Welcome back acting out! I have other and not Christian ,on my profile.So yes, I do that in a way. Yes, I believe in Christ, but with my universalist beliefs and slight Gnostic leanings, dont fit well with the main liners here. If a polster would ask me, I would say Christian. But around here, it has a different meaning. It avoids issues I find. [Edited 11/7/2009 8:59:35 PM PST]
11/8/2009 6:38:56 AM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
amethyst123 Kent, WA age: 50	Dunrich said "In the mean time, Happy and spooky Halloween,lol,I wonder which group we got this from?)" We got it from pre-christian European pagan traditions. In the Celtic tradition(s) it's called samhain (pronounced "sow'in"), and it's the midpoint between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice. When Constantine decided to make christianity mandatory for the entire Roman empire, it was generally easier to continue to let people celebrate their usual holidays and change the names and meanings than to make people stop celebrating. So the Roman Catholic church, which was the "official" christian church of the time, stole lots of pagan holidays from all over the empire, assigned them to various saints or turned local gods and goddesses into saints, and pretended the holidays were christian. Samhain got turned into "all hallows eve" (Halloween) and "all saints day" (Nov. 1). In the pagan calendar, samhain is the end/beginning of the year, when the harvest is over, and the dark time of the year is upon us. Vegetation appears dead and animals are going into winter modes - hibernating, migrating, whatever they do. The veil between the worlds (that is, between normal human life and consciousness and the "overworld" or "underworld" or "underhill" or other words, depending on the tradition, where spirits reside) is thin, and it is possible for the dead to visit the living and/or for the living to talk to the dead. The masks and costumes may have been used in the past as a way of honoring spirits of beloved dead by imitation to make communication easier. Bonfires, candles in hollowed out gourds, and feasting were also included. This was, and is for many modern pagans, a very sacred time of the year. A time to honor beloved dead, to review the past year and see what has died, or needs to die (metaphorically, perhaps) in order to allow something new to come into being. It is a time to go inward and start incubating, or gestating, new ideas, new consciousness, whatever. Others could probably add to this, or you could do a search on halloween and/or on samhain, if you want more info.
11/8/2009 10:25:49 AM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
dunrich2 Brantford, ON age: 55	Thanks amethyst, I know a lot of that actually, that is why I put the lol. Its an insdie joke with a Pagan freind of mine. I keep telling her to get some some more started , so we can steal them and have some more celebrations. ( You listening Brigid? lol, we need one in that dark boring Feb part of winter.}
11/8/2009 2:29:29 PM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
shakti Red Deer, AB age: 36	You can declare yourself whatever you like.. welcome back Acting out! [Edited 11/8/2009 2:30:41 PM PST]
11/8/2009 4:52:55 PM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
woodsmamma Winton, MN age: 56	Hey , how are you! Acting Out? Good to see you back, you've been missed!
11/9/2009 7:00:07 AM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
wolfyhp Atascadero, CA age: 36	Quote from xashax: I feel it should be permissible for Christians to post in the "Other" religions forum simply because if we demand that they be excluded, how are we setting any kind of example? Isn't that just meeting intolerance with a stance of intolerance? It really comes down to however the powers that be (Dustin) decides he wants to organize and segregate these forums. He probably wants to eliminate the potential for hostile confrontation and excessive argumentation at all costs. The easiest way for him to do that is to not allow certain members to post in certain areas of the forum. We dont pay to be here. If we did pay, then we would have a little more leeway with which to complain or else demand a refund and go sign up for another dating site. First; Most of us in this thread, myself included, agreed that Christians should be allowed to post in here, so long as they are not drive-by-preaching or coming in to lecture and preach to us about how evil we are and how much we need Christ. The Christian forum is for such things. Many of us, again including me, also agree that there are Christians who would not fit in on the Christian forum who should be welcome here. Second; Yes, it is wonderful that this site is free and it is a great service. It has very minimal advertising even. However, Dustin has made statements that make it appear that he wants folks who use the site to say what they like and don't like. It was perfectly fair to have a poll of what the members who use this group want or don't want as far as that goes. That doesn't mean Dustin does everything the members want, but he appears to want to hear what we want. I don't recall anyone being hostile nor trying to find any way to force him to change things. Namaste, Rev. Ancient Wolf [Edited 11/9/2009 7:00:25 AM PST]
11/9/2009 4:27:17 PM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
shakti Red Deer, AB age: 36	^^ Well said : )
11/9/2009 4:45:50 PM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
acting_out Eagle, CO age: 46	Thanx for the welcomes everyone... I've learned to expand my thought on spiritualism and religion... on that note, i'm trying to stay away from labels these days.
11/11/2009 7:16:39 AM	Should Christians be allowed to post in here?
woodsmamma Winton, MN age: 56