carm.org

[heisenburg]

I guess I’m in the minority with this. I think there are a lot of people that have a very poor understanding of catholicism, and I do think the arguments are more, um, heated… but all in all, I’d say that it wasn’t a horrible experience. I left primarily because i was getting too involved and was spending far too much time.

Not because I was forced out.

Do i think there is a great deal of vitriol towards Catholics there? absolutely. The main guy (Matt Slick i think was his name) was just as misinformed about catholics as the rest, But i frequently had discussions with people diametrically opposed, and gave the catholic understanding as best as I could. I was told I was a heathen, going to hell etc, but, I never got any indication that I was violating any rules by a mod.

Anyway… just my personal experience

In Christ

 

[Nancie_Lew]

True, but the way the rules are enforced doesn’t always seem reasonable. I got banned for a week, not for criticizing the actions of an administrator, but for criticizing her attitude.

You were suspended for a week… not banned.

I don’t know the last time you posted on CARM but lately there have been a sizable number of Protestants placed on suspension or banned for criticizing Matt Slick? Far more Protestants have been reprimanded lately than Catholics.

 

[Nancie_Lew]

Also, there is a rule about not having a deceptive avatar, and yet there is at least one evangelical pretending to be Catholic, and nothing has been done.

I am familiar with the individual of whom you speak and it’s down right galling (not to mention un-Christian) when an individual claims to be someone they are not.

By the way have you every met his alter-ego

[SIGN]doppelganger[/SIGN] who poses on CAF as a Methodist?

 

[NotWorthy]

I am familiar with the individual of whom you speak and it’s down right galling (not to mention un-Christian) when an individual claims to be someone they are not.

By the way have you every met his alter-ego

[sign]doppelganger[/sign] who poses on CAF as a Methodist?

Well, knowing what a doppleganger is (yes, I used to play Dungeons and Dragons), at least he is true to his name - if nothing else!!!

I seem to remember him from a few years ago, but not recently

 

[August]

You were suspended for a week… not banned.

The term used in the PM was banned, but you’re right, they meant suspended.

 

[rtconstant]

I don’t know the last time you posted on CARM but lately there have been a sizable number of Protestants placed on suspension or banned for criticizing Matt Slick? Far more Protestants have been reprimanded lately than Catholics.

Oh now I would believe that if for no other reason than the fact the site is a Protestant site. Also, the moderators and such seemed to be a particular brand of evangelical Protestant. I mean I used to be a Southern Baptist and at my most evangelical I would have had a problem with the ideals embraced on CARM.

To be honest it seemed like anyone who was reasonable, charitable or moderate got lit into there. I firmly believe that despite the size of CARM they represent a minority in Protestantism.

I can’t even count on two hands and two feet how many times a Catholic poster, here or elsewhere, has called me “the Devil” or a “child of Satan”…nevermind a dog, pig, or Hellbound, etc…

Seriously? Who here spoke to you like that? That is really uncalled for.

 

[Michael_Francis]

Just a clarification.

As moderator for Apologetics, I see every complaint that comes in from this forum. If there have been the ad hominems that Atemi alleges, then I have not seen his complaints (or anyone else’s) and that is the proper and appropriate way to deal with those because they are an infraction of the rules here at CAF.

We have very clear Forum Rules and Banned Topics Policy and if anyone has any questions they are free to PM me and I will **happily **help them understand what a given rule means.

As for whatever occurs on other forums, either Catholic or non-Catholic, CAF is not responsible for them, so bringing up their failings is irrelevant to us here.

Here is how the Admins here at CAF define our mission.

In an effort to illuminate and explain the Catholic faith, Catholic Answers Forums makes every effort to provide our participants with a pleasant and informative place on the Internet where Catholics and non-Catholics may gather. It is our hope that respectful dialogue and discussion will lead to better faith understandings.

If anyone has any questions or comments on the moderation of CAF they are welcome to freely express them to me via PM to Michael Francis, or by e-mail to forumadmin@catholic.com and we will address them.
MF

 

[LeahInancsi]

carm.org exists to kick Catholics off.

I think I’m registered there, but it was too boring.

 

[Zooey]

I am familiar with the individual of whom you speak and it’s down right galling (not to mention un-Christian) when an individual claims to be someone they are not.

By the way have you every met his alter-ego

[sign]doppelganger[/sign] who poses on CAF as a Methodist?

Well, knowing what a doppleganger is (yes, I used to play Dungeons and Dragons), at least he is true to his name - if nothing else!!!

I seem to remember him from a few years ago, but not recently

Is someone taking my name in vain??? I really am a Methodist! It’s just that there is a certain poster who shall remain nameless, who:shrug: just can’t (or won’t) believe that anyone who advocates proper respect for the Mother of God, and who believes that the Canon of Scripture properly contains 73 books, could possibly be non-Catholic…

Now if someone were to suggest that I were, say, a Baptist, that would upset me…

 

[NotWorthy]

Is someone taking my name in vain??? I really am a Methodist! It’s just that there is a certain poster who shall remain nameless, who:shrug: just can’t (or won’t) believe that anyone who advocates proper respect for the Mother of God, and who believes that the Canon of Scripture properly contains 73 books, could possibly be non-Catholic…

Now if someone were to suggest that I were, say, a Baptist, that would upset me…

I gathered that Nancie Lew was talking about a poster named, “Doppleganger”, not Zooey. Evidently the sign through me off!

 

[lak611]

Is someone taking my name in vain??? I really am a Methodist! It’s just that there is a certain poster who shall remain nameless, who:shrug: just can’t (or won’t) believe that anyone who advocates proper respect for the Mother of God, and who believes that the Canon of Scripture properly contains 73 books, could possibly be non-Catholic…

Now if someone were to suggest that I were, say, a Baptist, that would upset me…

I have a friend who is a Methodist minister. His wife is a Catholic. He is one of the finest Christians I know. I was having a difficult time a few years ago with the sin of envy. I asked him to pray for me. He gave me Matthew 6:25-34 to meditate upon and then prayed with me. I immediately felt like a weight was lifted off of me. I no longer felt envious and was able to rejoice with the person who had better circumstances than I did at the time. Methodists are wonderful Christian people and NOT anti-Catholic. My Methodist pastor friend would never try to convert his wife. He has no issues with her being a practicing Catholic.

 

[Atemi]

Methodists are wonderful Christian people and NOT anti-Catholic. My Methodist pastor friend would never try to convert his wife. He has no issues with her being a practicing Catholic.

Interesting.

So why do so many Catholics here try to convert Methodists or any other Protestant they encounter if such behaviour is less than wonderfully Christian?

 

[rtconstant]

I have a friend who is a Methodist minister. His wife is a Catholic. He is one of the finest Christians I know. I was having a difficult time a few years ago with the sin of envy. I asked him to pray for me. He gave me Matthew 6:25-34 to meditate upon and then prayed with me. I immediately felt like a weight was lifted off of me. I no longer felt envious and was able to rejoice with the person who had better circumstances than I did at the time. Methodists are wonderful Christian people and NOT anti-Catholic. My Methodist pastor friend would never try to convert his wife. He has no issues with her being a practicing Catholic.

This has been my experience too. I’m not sure why but amongst evangelicals Methodist really seem to walk their own path and they seem to not begrudge anyone else their Traditions. I’ve found that Methodists are usually supportive and enthusiastic about other Churchs.

 

[lak611]

Interesting.

So why do so many Catholics here try to convert Methodists or any other Protestant they encounter if such behaviour is less than wonderfully Christian?

Not all of us do. I do not think I can “convert” a person anyway. Only God, the Holy Spirit, can convert a person. I witness my faith to people, but it is up to the Holy Spirit to convert them.

 

[Zooey]

Interesting.

So why do so many Catholics here try to convert Methodists or any other Protestant they encounter if such behaviour is less than wonderfully Christian?

I have not seen this. After more than two years at CAF, I think I would have noticed, if someone were trying to convert me.
Does the subject of conversion ever arise? Of course! There are such wonderfuly passionate Catholics here…I would be surprised if no one ever mentioned their hope that others might become Catholic.
But discussion seems to me, to be centered on instruction in sound doctrine that all Christians-- Catholic, Protestant, & Orthodox – should hold in common (i.e., the hypostatic union)…We are, as I recall, commanded in Scripture, to call one another back to sound doctrine…
God bless all here.

 

[Good_Fella]

The Catholicism section at CARM must’ve been designed for people
who want to bash Catholicism, not discuss it or learn more about it. I once
posted that CARM stands for Curiosity Arousal Regression Mortification -
the full spectrum of temptation. On the first occasion the post was deleted
or maybe hidden in the ‘Conspiracy Theory’ section, the second time I posted
it my account got deleted.

 

[rr1213]

The Catholicism section at CARM must’ve been designed for people
who want to bash Catholicism, not discuss it or learn more about it. I once
posted that CARM stands for Curiosity Arousal Regression Mortification -
the full spectrum of temptation. On the first occasion the post was deleted
or maybe hidden in the ‘Conspiracy Theory’ section, the second time I posted
it my account got deleted.

Well that’s funny, but more than a bit provocative. I think that if you did the same sort of thing here at CA the thread would be deleted also.

 

[heisenburg]

Atemi…

Not to derail, and understanding that i do not hold the same view of CARM as others on here…

All I ask is remember that just as I am sure you have tried to show Catholics where they are wrong, so to have Catholics tried to show others why some aspects of their faith are curious at best. Does that mean we don’t think Methodists, Baptist, etc aren’t Christian? Of coarse not.

Would you show someone that is practicing in what you think is error their error?
I think the answer would be yes.
Would you not also allow us to show someone else what we think is not quite biblical about their belief.

I would expect to get a full fledged defense of Protestantism in CARM. So to, if someone comes here, they should expect to hear the Catholic Defense. I’ve rarely seen anyone on here directly proselytizing another. I have seen debates on what is truth and that is a completely different arena.

It’s OK if I go to CARM and have aspects of my faith questions. I accept that when I go there. (something I think many catholics here need to also understand) But those that do not believe what we believe should likewise expect to be questioned when they come here. it’s Not proselytizing, its debate.

However, it should ALWAYS be done with the love of Christ. And always understood that it is not our job to persuade, but simply to offer what we understand as truth.

Anyway…

May you be blessed in your Journey Atemi

In Christ

 

[clmowry]

A much better question is why don’t we try harder to convert everybody.

Even you.

Chuck

Interesting.

So why do so many Catholics here try to convert Methodists or any other Protestant they encounter if such behaviour is less than wonderfully Christian?

 

[BMZ]

A new Christian member wrote this at CARM:

Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Pedro, L.A., Ca, USA
Posts: 13
11 Reputation Points Islam Forum?

---

I think im lost…im pretty sure this was an Islamic forum.
Yet most all the topics are posted by non-muslims and are not so much as “welcoming” muslims…but instead are “pointing and laughing” at them.

To reach out/understand Islam…isnt it better to allow them to ask the questions or to have them create the argument in an “islamic” forum first?

imean afterall, this is a christian website. and each forum will be heavily christian “biased”/“leaning”.

So for a muslim to come to a christian site discussion board, then to enter the Islamic forum and see nothing but christian lead arguments against islam, what do u expect them to do?

I wouldnt jump headlong into that speeding train. (although i am in a diff muslim group -on myspace- and am the only christian in there. But its different since that is a muslim group ran by muslims for muslims first then non-muslims)…this is a christian site, a christian discussion board, in an islamic forum, thats “infested” by christian “attack” style topics.
this makes it very difficult to reach out.

if, anyone can understand what i am saying…just a thought.
thanx
God Bless