I have merged the several threads on this topic into one main thread…
There was some discussion last evening, that many people were uncomforatble with- or felt was uncharitable. I have reviewed all the posts and have elected to leave a good portion of that discussion.
If we elect to censor beliefs because we don’t like them or disagree with them, we cannot claim to be operating a discussion forum that educates Catholics as to the belief systems of others. Instead, we run the risk of creating a very insular, parochial site in which Catholics speak only with Catholics and that, eventually, will be better labeled “Catholics Liking Catholics”, since we will have no answers for anyone.
Attempting to answer others without taking the time and making the effort to know and understand their beliefs produces a dogmatic, pedantic product that, if accepted by the listener, results in a poorly catechized Catholic who doesn’t really understand why he left his origins, only that he did. Most converts forged in that mold eventually move on, generally resentful of what they perceive, rightly, to have been manipulation that afforded them answers, not to their questions, but to the questions that others decided they should have. The kind of dialogue that has transpired is the reason why there is a Non-Catholic Forum.
That said, this discussion walks a very thin line between appropriate intellectual discussion and word brawl. I would encourage ALL who decide to continue with the discussion to keep this in mind. Remember to check your post for tone and content before hitting submit.
May God be with each of us in this discussion-