(Grateful to the nice ones too! 
)We don’t allow anyone to abuse anyone on CAF. If you see someone being abusive report him to the moderators.
But we have. Not that that is the only reason why the forum has the NC forum, but we have.
Maybe not, but shouldn’t we let others speak for themselves–to tell us what they actually believe/practice? We Catholics hate it when others misrepresent us and don’t allow us to speak for ourselves. Shouldn’t we extend charity to all or should we only extend it to those who believe/practice like us?
No doubt some do read/post for this reason. They don’t usually last long, though. Rubbernecking isn’t a good foundation for discussion.
I can’t speak for any other forum but if other forums aren’t interested in hearing what others have to say about their beliefs/practices why should we follow suit? Especially if you see this as a failing?
I understand your frustration. No one likes to have his most cherished beliefs denied/debated. Our emotions and self-identity are too tied up in them to be happy about it. But, apologetics is all about being challenged and having an answer. Our job isn’t to convince anyone of anything, but rather to be a witness to what we know to be true. What more can we do than that (besides pray for everyone who reads/posts here)?
Yes, this is a Catholic website. I joined a few years ago as a way to ask questions and learn more, as my wife is a cradle Catholic with a very weak faith. She couldn’t answer the many questions I had, so I came here. 99% of the time, my postings are friendly and reflect “ah ha” moments where I learn something new about the Catholic faith. 1% of my postings may be criticisms of CAF members who slam other members (even fellow Catholics). For example, this thread regarding a person who felt that a requested fee for an annulment was exorbitant:
I don’t see as much of this car wreck carnage that you are referring to. I do see a handful of Catholics on here who seem to have a persecution complex. It could be (IMHO) that they take any criticism of Catholicism personally.
Of course, non-Catholics will tell you that they are criticizing the CC, not the person…but it’s not as if the two are mutually-exclusive in that regard. You are correct about at least one Baptist forum I know of. They used to allow Catholics, but after some event years ago…they banned them. THEY deem who is Christian and who is not (Catholics are not Christian, in the moderators’ definitions). They have debate forums, but don’t allow anyone but Baptists and a handful of other Protestant denominations to post there; what kind of debate is that?!?I hope you reported that thread to the moderator. People shouldn’t jump on others like that.
And I certainly wouldn’t lay the decisions of one Baptist website on you as a Baptist or on Baptists in general. I wouldn’t even suggest you complain to them about it. After all, it’s their website so they can make the rules. Having said that, do you feel they ought to do as CAF does and let non-Baptists speak for themselves? I think it’s too bad. There’s so much Catholics hold in common with Baptists, especially pro-life issues. Their being so exclusive sends the message that they’re afraid of something. Maybe they aren’t, but it does rather come across that way. Then again, if they aren’t primarily an apologetics forum, I can see why they would want to restrict their membership.I don’t see as much of this car wreck carnage that you are referring to. I do see a handful of Catholics on here who seem to have a persecution complex. It could be (IMHO) that they take any criticism of Catholicism personally.
Justin Mee,I have actually seen a few people that were protestants when I first joined “swim the Tiber” so its not impossible.
I, for one non Catholic Christian here, Wont likely convert but I have learned a lot about Catholics by being here and also a lot about my own faith that I would not have learned without CAF. So I’m posting to say I’m grateful that Non-Catholic Religions forum is here and that there are Catholics willing to irritate and argue with me.
EmergencyOps,
And I thought the Internet was a Googlesin.
I do feel that they should allow Catholics to post on their boards. They post questions like, “What contributions have Catholics made to theology?” and opinions expressed there include: “none whatsoever”, “false doctrines, idol worship”, and the like. There are a few Catholic-supporters on there, but they quickly become overwhelmed by ignorance and hateful rhetoric. The moderators get into the debates and close threads readily. One moderator even had this to say: “And when you take the “Eucharist” you don’t need to worry about how the Lord handles the ingested elements, because HE doesn’t! This age old belief of the RCC is very much like cannibalism if taken literally. But since the one taking it really believes it is flesh and blood when it isn’t, the common person in today’s society would label you a sociopath. Truly believing bread is flesh and ought to taste that way, when indeed it is only bread–someone needs a break! Describe it to a doctor, he will say you need help. Yet this is what the RCC believes. It is not what the Apostles believed, nor what Christ taught. He was not a lunatic.” Plus, if they can’t get past something that happened a few years ago involving one or two Catholic members (the alleged reason behind the ban), they should really re-examine themselves and their website.
EmergencyOps,