Forum Rules?

[Polycarp1]

It occurred to me on reading another post in this forum that we don't have a set of forum-specific rules here. Take a look at the rules for OBOB or TAW to see the sort of thing I mean -- usually Erwin officially posts such rules as to give them the cachet of board authority, but they're often drafted, and revised, by the staff and membership of the congregation forum.

I presume that we don't want people coming in here and telling us that our bishops and priests don't have valid orders, or that Anglo-Catholicism is idolatry and contrary to (the member's reading of) the Bible, etc. On the other hand, we want to welcome fellowship with other Christians and them asking us what exactly it is that we believe.

I'll drag over the OBOB forum-specific rules in another post to this thread as an example we can work from. But give it some thought as to what you want for rules for this forum -- and when there's some consensus, they'll be proposed to Erwinas forum-specific rules.

[Polycarp1]

Note: These are posted verbatim from the Catholic Forum as an example of the sort of rules we could establish for use in the Anglican Forum. There are some obvious changes, and perhaps some not so obvious, that would be needed.

Catholic Forum Rules

1) This forum is open to all Christians. Non-Christian members are not allowed to post here.

2) Catholic Christian members can post fellowship threads here as well as debate threads to discuss various doctrines to do with their own Church and other denominations (including the Protestant and non-Catholic churches), as long as they are within our rules.

3) Non-Catholic members (eg. Protestant members) can only post fellowship posts here or posts to ask a question regarding Catholic doctrine. Once the question is answered, there shall be no debate over the answer in this forum by the Non-Catholic. Any debate posts by Non-Catholics will be deleted or moved to the Interdenominational Doctrine Debate forum. In other words, only Catholic members can debate here.

4) Only a Catholic moderator can moderate posts in this forum.

5) No posts that denigrate a Christian denomination or Christian group including Protestant denominations will be tolerated - these will be deleted and the poster will be warned.

Basically, we do NOT allow accusations that a particular Christian denomination or group is non-Christian. That is the bottom line. Debates regarding doctrine is allowed. Accusations are not.

Examples of what is not allowed, and what is allowed:

Not allowed: "Martin Luther was influenced by the Devil"
Allowed: "Martin Luther was misguided in his intentions" - as long as scripture and evidence is posted to argue this.

Not allowed: "The Reformation was led by the Devil"
Allowed: "The Reformation was a misguided attempt at reforming the church" - as long as scripture and evidence is posted to argue this.

Not allowed: "Protestant churches are cults"
Allowed: "Some Protestant churches have errors in some doctrines" - as long as scripture and evidence is posted to argue this.

Not allowed: "The Roman Catholic Church is the only Christian Church"
Allowed: "The Catholic church have an important role to play in Christianity" - as long as scripture and evidence is posted to argue this.

Not allowed: "All Non-Catholics go to hell"
Allowed: "Some Non-Catholics may not be saved because they have wrong beliefs" - as long as scripture and evidence is posted to argue this.

Not allowed: "Speaking in tongues is demonic"
Allowed: "Speaking in tongues is being abused in some churches" - as long as scripture and evidence is posted to argue this.

Not allowed: "Charismatic Christians are not saved"
Allowed: "The charismatic movement have gone too far in some cases" - as long as scripture a nd evidence is posted to argue this.

Not allowed: "Word of Faith preachers are false prophets"
Allowed: "The Word of Faith movement have gone too far in certain instances" - as long as scripture and evidence is posted to argue this.

Basically, try to rephrase your question and post so that it does not come across as being judgemental and accusatory. You will find that the message gets across better, and the debate will remain civil.

6) Feel free to report posts that you believe have broken these rules to the moderators of this forum by clicking on the "Report" link at the bottom of each post.

God bless you all. We hope that these rules will promote unity between Christians from all denominations, and foster a better atmosphere for the exchange of ideas so that we can all grow together in God.

[TomUK]

Perhaps in the rules, we should establish exactly what the term anglican refers. Until talking to Colacomb, i assumed only those in the Anglican communion, so perhaps some brief description would be appropriate.

[Polycarp1]

Good point, tomuea!

My assumption is that the forum is for "people who self-identify as Anglican" -- those who use, or could legitimately choose to use, the Celtic Cross faith icon that Erwinset apart for us.

There are a few issues on which Colabomb and I do not see eye to eye -- but I regard him absolutely as my Anglican brother in Christ, and that he's REC is of significance to me only in that I have somebody I count as a friend whom I can ask if I have a question about how the REC does things.

I think probably the right stance is to parallel what TAW does -- where the non-Chalcedonian Oriental Orthodox (Armenians, Copts, etc.) are welcome, and intra-forum debate with respect for each other as Orthodox is acceptable.

That would mean that we're open to all the Anglican Communion, plus Reformed Episcopal, AMiA, the eight BC (Canada) parishes that are separated from the Diocese of New Westminster (and there's a CF member who is active in one of them), and IIRC there's a small Australian splinter group that holds to Anglican tradition and belief.
How does that work for the other active Anglicans who post here?

[PaladinValer]

How about all that rolled into this statement?:

"This forum is designated for those members of the Anglican Communion as well as those churches and denominations of the Anglican heritage ("Continuing Anglicans")"

[Polycarp1]

How about all that rolled into this statement?:

"This forum is designated for those members of the Anglican Communion as well as those churches and denominations of the Anglican heritage ("Continuing Anglicans")"
Beautiful! We might want to give one or two examples of the latter ("...including but not limited to the Reformed Episcopal Church....") for clarification's sake.

Colabomb, your feedback on this is, I think, important -- you were a big part of getting us a separate identity on CF in the first place, and I for one am grateful for that advocacy!

[Colabomb]

Beautiful! We might want to give one or two examples of the latter ("...including but not limited to the Reformed Episcopal Church....") for clarification's sake.

Colabomb, your feedback on this is, I think, important -- you were a big part of getting us a separate identity on CF in the first place, and I for one am grateful for that advocacy!I have just noticed this thread, I really wasn't ignoring anyone! http://christianforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

Thank you for your kindness! http://christianforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

I like the idea of "Anglican Heritage" better than "Continuing Anglican" because although it sounds like nitpicking (and it makes no difference to me really) The REC is not Technically part of the Continuing Church Movement.

Hmm....

But if we use "Anglican Heritage" that would also include (no offense to my Bretheren in these groups) Weslyans and Nazarenes and Methodists.

How about instead, we use "Anglican Tradition"?

What do you guys think of that?

[BAChristian]

But if we use "Anglican Heritage" that would also include (no offense to my Bretheren in these groups) Weslyans and Nazarenes and Methodists.
Probably not. :) I was Nazarene all my life and did a very short Weslyan stint as well, and I never once heard anyone ever say anything about us being affiliated with an Anglican heritage.

Heck, I never even heard of "Anglican" until I came to CF...I heard of Episcopal, but never Anglican...

[PaladinValer]

BA, I know this has nothing to do with the topic at hand, but I've got to say...

That is one heck of a new avatar you got there! :D I love it!; very funny :clap:

[BAChristian]

BA, I know this has nothing to do with the topic at hand, but I've got to say...

That is one heck of a new avatar you got there! :D I love it!; very funny :clap:heh...

[PaladinValer]

We need to make a sticky of the rules. I think for now we should use the universally-recognized ones and then talk about amendments.

[Polycarp1]

1) This forum is open to all Christians. Non-Christian members are not allowed to post here.

2) This forum is intended for people who self-identify as Anglicans (including Episcopalians), including all those in communion with the See of Canterbury, and other churches of the Anglican Tradition, such as the Reformed Episcopal Church and AMiA.

3) Anglican Christian members can post fellowship threads here as well as debate threads to discuss various doctrines to do with their own Church and other denominations, as long as they are within our rules.

4) Non-Anglican members (e.g., Catholic and Protestant members) can only post fellowship posts here or posts to ask a question regarding Anglican doctrine. Once the question is answered, there shall be no debate over the answer in this forum by the Non-Anglican. Any debate posts by Non-Anglican will be trashed or moved to another appropriate forum. In other words, only Anglican members can debate here.

5) Only an Anglican moderator, or a sympathetic moderator who volunteers to man the forum and is so assigned, can moderate posts in this forum.

6) No posts that denigrate a Christian denomination or Christian group including Protestant denominations will be tolerated - these will be deleted and the poster will be warned. In particular, this includes those which condemn an Anglican church's official actions.

Basically, we do NOT allow accusations that a particular Christian denomination or group is non-Christian. That is the bottom line. Debates regarding doctrine is allowed. Accusations are not.

Examples of what is not allowed, and what is allowed:

Not allowed: "Martin Luther was influenced by the Devil"
Allowed: "Martin Luther was misguided in his intentions" - as long as scripture and evidence is posted to argue this.

Not allowed: "The Reformation was led by the Devil"
Allowed: "The Reformation was a misguided attempt at reforming the church" - as long as scripture and evidence is posted to argue this.

Not allowed: "Protestant churches are cults"
Allowed: "Some Protestant churches have errors in some doctrines" - as long as scripture and evidence is posted to argue this.

Not allowed: "The Roman Catholic Church is the only Christian Church"
Allowed: "The Catholic church have an important role to play in Christianity" - as long as scripture and evidence is posted to argue this.

Not allowed: "All Non-Catholics go to hell"
Allowed: "Some Non-Catholics may not be saved because they have wrong beliefs" - as long as scripture and evidence is posted to argue this.

Not allowed: "Speaking in tongues is demonic"
Allowed: "Speaking in tongues is being abused in some churches" - as long as scripture and evidence is posted to argue this.

Not allowed: "Charismatic Christians are not saved"
Allowed: "The charismatic movement have gone too far in some cases" - as long as scripture a nd evidence is posted to argue this.

Not allowed: "Word of Faith preachers are false prophets"
Allowed: "The Word of Faith movement have gone too far in certain instances" - as long as scripture and evidence is posted to argue this.

Basically, try to phrase your question and post so that it does not come across as being judgemental and accusatory. You will find that the message gets across better, and the debate will remain civil.

6) Feel free to report posts that you believe have broken these rules to the moderators of this forum by clicking on the "Report" link at the bottom of each post.

God bless you all. We hope that these rules will promote unity between Christians from all denominations, and foster a better atmosphere for the exchange of ideas so that we can all grow together in God.



====


The above is a rewrite of the forum-specific standards taken from OBOB that I posted above to fit our own situation. They're open for critique, criticism, amendment, etc. to the people identified in #2 (and of course our moderator) -- and any helpful suggestions by others will be welcomed. I left alone the examples, which are standard across the congregational forums.


I suggest that we close discussion here on May 31, 2004 -- giving ten additional days for people to review and add their views. (That time too is subject to member critique.) When we do finally arrive at consensus, BA or I will alert Erwin, who will review the forum specific rules, and, unless he has objections, will post them as official CF rules applicable to this forum.

Need I say that, we being Anglicans, I expect lively debate on this! ;)

[TomUK]

Good job Polycarp. The only things i can see need changing are the examples of what is allowed is not allowed.

These i think should be additions, and are found in the charismatic forum

Not allowed: "The Pope is the Anti-Christ"
Allowed: "The Pope has too much power" or "The Bible did not establish the papacy" - as long as scripture and evidence is posted to argue this.

Allowed: "There is no such thing as purgatory" - as long as scripture and evidence is posted to argue this.

Allowed: "Catholics are preoccupied with visions of Mary" - as long as scripture and evidence is posted to argue this.

And i don't think the following should be included

Not allowed: "Protestant churches are cults"
Allowed: "Some Protestant churches have errors in some doctrines" - as long as scripture and evidence is posted to argue this.

Not allowed: "The Roman Catholic Church is the only Christian Church"
Allowed: "The Catholic church have an important role to play in Christianity" - as long as scripture and evidence is posted to argue this.

Not allowed: "All Non-Catholics go to hell"
Allowed: "Some Non-Catholics may not be saved because they have wrong beliefs" - as long as scripture and evidence is posted to argue this.

I was going to change the word Catholic in the final two to Anglican, but didn't really feel that was necessary as it isn't really a view associated with Anglicans

[PaladinValer]

I think we better mention something about our Apostolic Succession/Historic Episcopate as well.

In addition, I got a good idea for a sticky. Since we Anglicans/Episcopalians are known for our friendliness, how about a "Welcoming Wagon" thread where new Anglicans/Episcopalians can make an introductory post if they like and we can give them "gifts" (ie: **gives xxx a fruit basket**) as if it was after service Fellowship Hour? I think it'd be a big hit! :D

[Colabomb]

6) No posts that denigrate a Christian denomination or Christian group including Protestant denominations will be tolerated - these will be deleted and the poster will be warned. In particular, this includes those which condemn an Anglican church's official actions.

Just for clarification, Anglicans are allowed to debate controversal topics such as the ordination of homosexuals and women (as long as it remains reasonable) under these rules correct?

The line about The Anglican Church's Official Acts bothers me, as I am against many things practiced by the COE and ECUSA.

[Polycarp1]

Mmmmm.... A bunch of issues to address here.

First, we're all obliged to "play by Erwin's rules" -- I can throw a link to them in here if you don't know them. The pertinent one for issues such as you raise is:

[nooff]

What I had in mind in placing that specific in there was to prevent non-Anglicans from moseying in here and posting flames or trolls about Anglican distinctives or the hot-button issues that have hit the news lately. Certainly Anglicans can debate among themselves, if done with respect for the opposing poster.

I think there's a big difference between disagreement and condemnation -- you're entitled to speak your mind on issues, which can include "In my opinion, the Church of England was wrong to...." What I had in mind in drafting that was to prevent something like: "In ordaining Gene Robinson, the Episcopal Church denounced Christ and turned its back on all Christian values." It's someone's privilege to think it, but making a post that says something that harsh and not objectively provable is not constructive debate but flat-out trollery. Having seen your posts on other forums, I know you personally, Colabomb, can very effectively make your position clear without resorting to that sort of language. And intelligent debate with mutual respect for each other is something we Anglicans claim to be good at.

'Zat help?

[Polycarp1]

One additional thought -- it works both ways. BAChristian and I would quickly put the kibosh to anyone who decided to slam the Reformed Episcopal Church as "schismatic sectarians" or something, too.

[Colabomb]

Mmmmm.... A bunch of issues to address here.

First, we're all obliged to "play by Erwin's rules" -- I can throw a link to them in here if you don't know them. The pertinent one for issues such as you raise is:

[nooff]

What I had in mind in placing that specific in there was to prevent non-Anglicans from moseying in here and posting flames or trolls about Anglican distinctives or the hot-button issues that have hit the news lately. Certainly Anglicans can debate among themselves, if done with respect for the opposing poster.

I think there's a big difference between disagreement and condemnation -- you're entitled to speak your mind on issues, which can include "In my opinion, the Church of England was wrong to...." What I had in mind in drafting that was to prevent something like: "In ordaining Gene Robinson, the Episcopal Church denounced Christ and turned its back on all Christian values." It's someone's privilege to think it, but making a post that says something that harsh and not objectively provable is not constructive debate but flat-out trollery. Having seen your posts on other forums, I know you personally, Colabomb, can very effectively make your position clear without resorting to that sort of language. And intelligent debate with mutual respect for each other is something we Anglicans claim to be good at.

'Zat help?
I thought that was what you meant, I simply wanted to be sure!

May the God of Mercies Bless you Richly in the Peace of the Christ!

[Polycarp1]

I'm going to *bump* this for any final comments, then ask Woody to bring it to Erwin's attention (unless the standards for forum-specific rules have changed). We'll need to incorporate the proposed example changes tomuea brought up in post #13 into my draft. PV, any idea where the Historic Episcopate/Apostolic Succession issue ought to fit into the text? My guess is a reference in Rule #6, but I'm open to what you may have in mind.

[TomUK]

Bumping this- not least as we have a distinct lack of stickys compared to other forums (mention no names, OBOB) :)

[Polycarp1]

Thanks to computer and ISP problems, I'm largely offline for this month, so Woody and forum regulars, would you kindly follow up on this according to the CF SOP?

[pmcleanj]

I think it would be a good idea to include, fairly near to the top of these rules (say as the third item), a clarification along the lines of the following:

3) The Anglican church in its historic and formative liturgy frequently refers to itself as Catholic. Although there are varying definitions of what "catholic" is, in this forum the term is understood to include the Anglican church. Visitors should note that the Anglican Church considers itself to be a legitimate continuation of the original Church founded by Christ, and refrain from suggesting that the Anglican Church is characterized by schizm or innovation.

I think some of our visitors really may not understand that suggesting we are schismatic, or suggesting that we believe something other than what the Church has always believed, is offensive. Something up-front like this should clear it up for them.

[Polycarp1]

Anglican Forum Rules -- A Final Cut



1) This forum is open to all Christians. Non-Christian members are not allowed to post here.

2) This forum is intended for people who self-identify as Anglicans (including Episcopalians), including all those in communion with the See of Canterbury, and other churches of the Anglican Tradition, such as the Reformed Episcopal Church and AMiA. The Anglican church in its historic and formative liturgy frequently refers to itself as Catholic, and considers itself as continuing the Historic Episcopate in the Apostolic Succession. Although there are varying definitions of what "catholic" is, in this forum the term is understood to include the Anglican church. Visitors should note that the Anglican Church considers itself to be a legitimate continuation of the original Church founded by Christ, and refrain from suggesting that the Anglican Church is characterized by schism or innovation. In short, if you have a problem with Anglicans considering themselves as "Catholic" or as a part of the Apostolic Succession, say it somewhere else, not here -- or have the charity not to say it at all.


3) Anglican Christian members can post fellowship threads here as well as debate threads to discuss various doctrines to do with their own Church and other denominations, as long as they are within our rules.

4) Non-Anglican members (e.g., Catholic and Protestant members) can only post fellowship posts here or posts to ask a question regarding Anglican doctrine. Once the question is answered, there shall be no debate over the answer in this forum by the Non-Anglican. Any debate posts by Non-Anglican will be trashed or moved to another appropriate forum. In other words, only Anglican members can debate here.

5) Only an Anglican moderator, or a sympathetic moderator who volunteers to man the forum and is so assigned, can moderate posts in this forum.

6) No posts that denigrate a Christian denomination or Christian group including Protestant denominations will be tolerated - these will be deleted and the poster will be warned. In particular, this includes posts from those outside Anglican churches which condemn an Anglican church's official actions.

Basically, we do NOT allow accusations that a particular Christian denomination or group is non-Christian. That is the bottom line. Debates regarding doctrine is allowed. Accusations are not.

Basically, try to phrase your question and post so that it does not come across as being judgemental and accusatory. You will find that the message gets across better, and the debate will remain civil.

6) Feel free to report posts that you believe have broken these rules to the moderators of this forum by clicking on the "Report" link at the bottom of each post.

God bless you all. We hope that these rules will promote unity between Christians from all denominations, and foster a better atmosphere for the exchange of ideas so that we can all grow together in God.

[PaladinValer]

Sounds great!

[JeffreyLloyd]

Looks good to me!

[TomUK]

Perhaps a mod could post these as a sticky?

[JeffreyLloyd]

I'm going to email them to Erwin and get the final "okay" on them first.

[Polycarp1]

For the information of all concerned, I began working on these while still on staff, and took the initiative to finish up the process of revising them to reflect comments after leaving staff. Just after putting together the final draft in post #23, I PM'd a link to it to Woody and Erwin, and a few days later, shamefacedly, to JeffreyLloyd, whom I'd accidentally left off the first PM. As of last night, Erwin has not yet opened and read that PM.

[JeffreyLloyd]

Okay, Erwin gave the okay and the rules are posted :)

Thanks Polycarp1

[Father Rick]

4) Non-Anglican members (e.g., Catholic and Protestant members) can only post fellowship posts here or posts to ask a question regarding Anglican doctrine. Once the question is answered, there shall be no debate over the answer in this forum by the Non-Anglican. Any debate posts by Non-Anglican will be trashed or moved to another appropriate forum. In other words, only Anglican members can debate here.

I think I know the answer already, but....

Can you guys let us OC"S in here for a few days, just till the staff decides officially what to do with us?

Thanks!

[Polycarp1]

Well, I cannot speak for the board authorities, but based on the feedback I've seen, including the Poll thread and PV's "decision to make" thread that accompanied it, I'd say that you're more than welcome to post howsoever you like (presuming you don't see that as an invitation to slam Anglicanism! ;)) And I would assume that the two Moderators would have no problems with threads that discuss OCC theology and such. The rules are to protect us against those with issues about things like women priests, Gene Robinson, etc., coming in and raising trouble, not to discourage people we welcome and count as brothers-in-full-communion from feeling free to speak their minds.

Speaking of threads on the OCC, I'd love to know more about the European OCC churches -- what little I know is that they're bonded together under a grouping based in the Archbishopric of Utrecht, include what the Catholics term Jansenist schismatics in France, formerly included the PNCC, and what your posts on OCC/Utrecht history explained. And how big is the OCCNA?

[TomUK]

I agree- we shouldn't change the rules until Erwin decides exactly what is going to happen, but i think for the next few weeks or so we could all turn a blind eye to that rule.

[Father Rick]

Poly...

Unfortunately, I don't have but a couple of minutes this morning, but I'll be happy to answer any questions you have about OC's.

Here's a link to the Utrecht Union website http://www.utrechter-union.org/english/start.htm Unfortunately, the parts in English are not always kept updated the best in the world. If you can read German or Dutch, you'll be able to get a lot of info though. ;)

This will be a start for you anyway. I'll try to check back in on CF later today.

I am going out of town either tomorrow or the next day for about a week. If you want we can start an OCC thread, but it's probably best to wait til I get back.

Blessings!

[Merseymike]

As I said on another thread, I have been to the Old Catholic church in Amsterdam, and they certainly identify themselves with High Anglicanism. The service was literally the same.