I know I'll probably get a new ass rippeed me by a moderator and probably several members... I don't believe in the censorship of free speech, except in certain cases where people exercising their right to free speech could be dangerous (i.e. the classic "Yelling 'FIRE!' in a crowded theatre" example. I come to question the rules of the Christianity forum. The rules Now, I call these rules into question. I'm not for censoring free speech (unless, as I said, somebody uses free speech dangerously. For example, Hitler. If he were alive in this age, I'd support censorship, detainment, and possibly neutralization. I believe in my own form of activism... If anybody would like to understand what I believe (and I'm trying to spread it among my peers. It's truly the way to go.) let me know. However, I believe that by not allowing testimony, quoting bible passages, and quote "PROSELITIZING" (spelling error, IIRC) that the forum rules are indeed themselves restricting free speech. I will quote the rules to prove my case. Read the rules along with this to understand my point-by-point. A quote from the first rule on the list: "We are not sheep around here, get used to it!" 1. If you are not sheep, and truly free thinkers, you should be able to read post about "Why you need to follow Jesus" and think about it in your own way. You should be able to come to your own conclusions, and disregard what you don't believe. I was taught that the cardinal rule of the internet is to dislike what you dislike, but not get stressed over it. Ya dig? So, if you don't like a post, don't read it. "So what is allowed? This forum is for discussing the religion of Christianity, and its impact upon the world in the last 2,000 years, positive and negative." 2. I believe that its impact includes people's lives, not just the world in general. Sometimes, we must think of individuals. "You can discuss other elements of the faith, IN YOUR OWN WORDS. We don't need quotes. These forums are for FREE SPEECH, meaning YOUR words, not parroting the words of others." 3. The point of religion is to read the books, and find what you believe. So, if I state a bible passage, and say what it means to me that would be my own words, protected by free speech. "Christianity has a long and horror filled history of repression of free speech, banning of books and intellectual and scientific thought, burning of witches, and intolerance of non-Christian ways." 4. You make no mention of Christians like myself. I am tolerant. I may think things are wrong, and I may try to change what I believe is wrong by peaceful means, but I don't stand and tell anybody that they're wrong based only on my religious beliefs. I make statements based on my personal beliefs. I am tolerant. I know several christians who are totally tolerant. The entire history of my religion is not dark. All religions have darkness in their history. Some pagan religions had inhumane sacrifices of animals or humans. Radical militants in our generation claim the practice of Islam, a peaceful religion, and yet the militants preach the slaughter of a people just because of their race. "Thus we cannot let this forum be hijacked by Christian missionaries whose goals are diametrically opposed to the goals of this website - primarily opening people's minds to NEW IDEAS and concepts." 5. These may be new ideas to some people. How is opening someone's mind to all ideas, including christian beliefs, and letting them decide, against the goals of this website? "Don't like these restrictions - Go somewhere else to peddle your wares! It's a big Internet, and we don't allow those who support intolerance and the suppression of Free Speech in any way shape or form!" 6. How is saying that I can't speak my beliefs and testimony openly on this forum not a suppression of free speech? I am a free thinker. I was taught from an early age to question everything, and choose by myself what to believe. The lack of free thinking in our world today sickens me... Before I became homeschooled, I took a test in 3rd grade. It was a proficiency test. One of the questions was "You become the owner of a grocery store. Would the job be easy, or difficult?" I failed that section of the test because my answer was "Both. Easy sometimes, and hard sometimes." They failed me, because school curriculum is designed now to turn our youth into sheep who can only think one way... Sheep who question nothing, and go with the popular belief. Free speech, tolerance, and fighting the government's attempts to turn us into sheep who puppet the MIC... These are the only ways to save our youth... I believe that the above quoted rules are a sickening example of hypocrisy, simply because they censor my right to free speech by way of saying that I can't state my beliefs and testimony openly, and quote an ancient religious text which I believe in. Is not the pillar of free speech the idea of all speech being truly free unless said speech is harmful to the greater good? I am a christian, however... I am a free thinker. I would say I'm a christian hippie. I believe in peace. I only support war when it's necessary. (example: WWII was necessary, simply due to the fact that Adolf Hitler was a madman who supported and preached the slaughter of Jews, just because they were Jews. That is wrong. All people have a right to live.) The only hate that I carry is a hatred of the simple fact that the man is stealing the ability of our generation to think freely and decide for themselves what's right and what's wrong... Now, before you all rip me a new ass: I'm a free thinker, taught to question rules and authority and have a good long think and do some soul searching before I accept what somebody tosses at me... I was taught to question authority, and stand up and say something when I find a beef with authority. Well, I'm challenging authority here because I believe those rules are a form of censorship... Point made. Just please don't ban me, since I want to be a part of this community. I just felt extremely compelled to say this... It's not just that I'm a Christian either. If I found rules in a forum on Islam forbidding quoting the Koran, or forbidding testimony about Islam or saying they can't preach, I'd do the same thing... It doesn't matter what religion... Freedom of speech and freedom of religion are paramount ideas, and we're losing them both quickly, world-round. We cannot become part of the problem, or all will be lost. End of post.
I share your brand of Christianity and agree with everything you say. In defense of the rules, though, the site administrators have provided "Sanctuary", where we can quote the Bible (I haven't noticed much Bible quoting going on there, but it's allowed).
As I understand it, the early Christian forum was full of people who loved to quote scripture as opposed to intelligent conversation about what they actually believed in. They didn't like to be challenged on any of it either. People, myself included, hate to be preached at by people who don't really understand why they believe what they do. They put on a nice white choir gown and then can't sing. Sanctuary was created to give these folks a place away from those who are hostile to those beliefs. You can still post there, but you need to keep it civil and respectful. If you want to pull somebody's hair, you need to bring it down here in the regular Christian forum. x
Sometimes it comes up in a debate over the substance of their religion. If someone says, oh, that chirstians are never told to question anything, someone could retort with a biblical quote that says the exact opposite. though in the end, the bible says a lot of stuff, and you can make it say whatever you want (ever read anything by sign related when he's in his messianic mode?)
It would be difficult to discuss the merits of Shakespeare without quoting anything he wrote. Same goes with the Bible, where a lot centers on wording and interpretation. Unlike Shakespeare, the words are supposed to be God's. Putting it in our own words doesn't cut it. The question is: what did God say, or was supposed to have said? And yes, I know there are different translations and major questions about who really wrote what and when. The principle still holds. Try discussing Islam without quoting the Qur'an.
I don't think the ban is in spirit on quoting, period. I think the spirit was to reduce arguments that went along the lines of... Q: Hey, what does everyone think of tpoic B? G: I think yadda yadda yadda. M: You're wrong the bible says X. If you don't believe the bible you aren't a true Christian. It says so here: LLL... et cetera. i agree that some topics are futile to engage in critically if you "ban" the bible from them. for example, if someone asked "why are christians such big loudmouths and try to convert everyone?". you could say it is because Jesus commanded Christians to, but then the person might say "Where", hence the need for quotes. However, when quoting becomes simply a pissing contest about know can quote more scripture in their favour, then it should be reduced or taken to the Sanctuary...
