Sorry guys, I think it's less about rules than about civility; several people commented that we shouldn't post anything we wouldn't say to the person face to face… true, that! I know most of us try to do this… some folks just can't resist that chance to slip in the zingger that they can't be slapped for (over the 'net)… sort of an electronic King's X if you will. When the kids make a really snide remark and then say “Just kidding.” we all know they aren't and it is, sadly, the same thing when someone guts another person on a forum and then apologizes like it was just a tease that was misunderstood.Since we can't see faces or body language we need to consider how or posts look in the hard, cold light of a monitor. Glad that the posts here [are] at a high level of civility; kudos on and all. Wally
Sorry guys, I think it's less about rules than about civility; several people commented that we shouldn't post anything we wouldn't say to the person face to face... true, that! I know most of us try to do this... some folks just can't resist that chance to slip in the zingger that they can't be slapped for (over the 'net)... sort of an electronic King's X if you will. When the kids make a really snide remark and then say "Just kidding." we all know they aren't and it is, sadly, the same thing when someone guts another person on a forum and then apologizes like it was just a tease that was misunderstood.Since we can't see faces or body language we need to consider how or posts look in the hard, cold light of a monitor. Glad that the posts here [are] at a high level of civility; kudos on and all. Wally
Too true, however, the more civil we are the fewer rules we will rquire, eh?Something J.S. Mill said about my right to swing my arm ending at the other fellow's nose.
Is this board still active and if so, a “peaceful society of posters?” Western Civ. Forum is one of the few boards I've found to be tolerant of novices in any topic. Life is difficult enough without posters verbally smacking others around so before I take dip in those waters all comments & opinions are welcomed. TYVM
BG, Christian Legacies is still in existence. Here's the link to it. http://www.christian-legacies.com/smf/index.phpThe problem was, when it began there were only a few of us and it was relatively dormant, except for the resident anti-Iraq gay Christian pacifist. Phid, Don, and I decided maybe it would be a good idea to invite a few unbelievers to enhance discussion a bit. All of a sudden, CL was invaded with over 50 militant atheists!! And even worse, they were militant LEFTIST atheists with attitudes. I found them to be insulting (as was I) and didn't like the effect it had on me arguing with them, so I left but have since rejoined because most of the atheists are inactive now. This board (Western Civ) is awesome and hope it keeps growing. So glad to have you here, especially one who is a "beginner" like myself. I'm sure we'll learn a lot not only from the more experienced members here, but from each other. Invite your fellow students. I'll try again too, but my school is online and I'm a little concerned going against any school discussion board rules if I "advertise" too much.
Thank you for the heads-up. Nothing like militant leftist atheists to really start a riot. I will most likely venture towards that board, also. Religion is another exciting topic, imo, especially when combined with History. I've taken an interesting journey with my own religious beliefs (baptised Methodist, grew up Missouri-Synod Lutheran, married a Southern Baptist and I'm now a Byzantine Catholic) so I tend to be very tolerant of other opinions…as long as they are nice! (An interesting topic maybe the current news topic about the Polygamist community situation in Texas.)
I see you registered there. Welcome aboard. Christian Legacies can stir to life again with normal folks posting there, but beware, the atheists still lurk there and may pounce on us again at any moment. LOL
Though I'm not quite ready to re-register at CL, I do lurk a bit and was interested in the item about the duality of sin. It is interesting that the Irish (at least according to the author of How The Irish Saved Civilization) are, more or less, the reason confession works like it does….Seems Patrick was having a bit of trouble getting converts with the contemporary system of public confession and one shot at penance... the Irish were prone to repeat sinfulness (fighting, fornicating, drunkenness, etc., all the fun things) and such an all or nothing go seemed not their thing. They did, however, have the concept of trying to improve... and the method was confession to their soul friend who would give them (secret) counsel and encourage better behavior in the future.Patrick just used this idea to sell the priest as the soul friend with the connection to the One that could make it all right and make it stick... might take a time or two but.... Sounds wild I know but the author makes a good case for it.
Wally, I like that explanation about confession and it makes sense to me! LOL…I'm also adding that book to my list for my next shopping spree at B&N; sounds like an interesting topic to me.LOL...lurking, pouncing, leftist, militant atheist!
By the same author: Desire of the Everlasting Hills; what live in Jesus' time and place was like; The Gifts of the Jews; and Sailing the Wine Red Sea about the Greco-Roman Med.He's supposed to write two or three more... calls it the Hinges of History series.All have been good reads.Sorry I'm more a plodding, stumbling, centrist, militant Druid... ::)