If a non-Catholic comes to the forum to discuss their religious beliefs, I encounter a NUMBER of individuals who decide that is proselytizing, and bring it to my attention, when I can see from the non-Catholic posts, that the individual is merely having a conversation- and integrating their beliefs into it.
Sometimes, a non-Catholic will come to the forum wanting to have a discussion, but from their experience on other boards they expect a dirty fight, and begin their posting similarly, which is most often always followed by at least one similarly “dirty pool” response from a Catholic here.
My goal as moderator of NCR is to provide an environment where people feel free to discuss their religions and be passionate about their religions without fear of personal attacks, attacks on their religions, or just underhanded debate style.
Typically, a non-Catholic will post a topic here about their religous beliefs. Sensitive Catholics almost immediately jump in to defend Catholicism and most often create an almost apologetic thread. Rather than discussing the non-Catholic religion and bringing up points about said religion (and the logic/consistency/truth), the focus is most often turned into a comparison of the two religions. Your religion is wrong because Catholicism is RIGHT!
As a Catholic, I of course believe this to be the case, but that doesn’t mean I cannot have a discussion with a Muslim or a SDA, or a Jehova’s Witness about the LOGIC or the historical consistencies, or the theology of their respective religions WITHOUT EVEN MENTIONING CATHOLICISM. For, the forum is called NON-Catholic religions, not “a comparison of Catholicism with all other religions”.
I respect the desire of all Catholics to bring religions unity under the Mother Church. But people who post in NCR are not Catholic, in fact they are most often very solid believers of their own professed religion.
Individuals who are opening proselytizing are usually counseled privately and a deeper understanding of their intents here on the board are explored. Most often once they understand that they are welcome to post without harrasment and without personal attacks, they become less defensive in their remarks. Please note I did NOT say they become less passionate about their religious beliefs… just less defensive.
Catholics who consider this forum home, would be wise to remain charitable in ALL their comentary and debate and provide a place where discussion is WELCOME. Being charitable does not make one a less passionate Catholic. And having an intellectual discussion on another relgion does not mean a Catholic is undermining his or her Faith.
As a rule, if you see a post that is full of personal attacks, and blatant proselytizing, your best bet is to complete a bad post report to bring it to moderator attention. If you choose to participate in the discussion, remember your charity, logical debate skills, and your Faith. Request the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all your responses, and enjoy your time in the non-Catholic forum! But remember to keep the discussion on topic, and not create a comparison of Catholicism with the relgion up for discussion. THAT is what ends up undermining most of the threads here in NCR.
As always, feel free to contact me anytime via email or PM. And thanks for posting!
