Christian Forum

[Xangsamhua]

Reason is the most valuable asset we have, but it has its limits. In the long run, neither faith nor reason gives you the answers to the ultimate questions.

Religions are largely cultural and political constructs, no matter how they started, but the mainstream ones have given plenty of thought over the years to serious philosophy. The fact that some might think they've had their day doesn't make them go away or become less interesting.

Most people in the world have religious beliefs. To turn one's back altogether on religion is to deny much of humanity's experience, needs and aspirations. Nevertheless, religion may fade from the repertoire of human responses to cosmic absurdity and ultimate human meaninglessness. And the question then is: what will replace it?

Totster, what is it that makes a forum on religion and philosophy a bad idea? Kropotkin's response? Canuckamuck's response? Your fear that the forum will wallow in irrationality and abuse? I wasn't sure what "this" referred to.

[nicegirl]

And this is why a Christian forum or religions forum is a BAD idea.

totster

+1, no, +2

[monkfish]

I think the forum is a good idea and should not be over moderated.

Standard TV rules should be enough to keep it in check. No flaming, Trolling, no personal insults etc....

After all If people have doubts about the aspects of a religion how are they going to find out other than asking questions or voicing concerns.

As long as its done in a civilized manner why not?

[transam]

I think the forum is a good idea and should not be over moderated.

Standard TV rules should be enough to keep it in check. No flaming, Trolling, no personal insults etc....

After all If people have doubts about the aspects of a religion how are they going to find out other than asking questions or voicing concerns.

As long as its done in a civilized manner why not?

Cos it never works out that way, what ever the subject.

[Jingthing]

Of course, people can start Christian related topics already without a specialist forum. For example, if you live in Phuket, you can ask about good churches there in the Phuket forum. If you want to talk about celebrating Christmas in Thailand you could do that in the general forum. Also, now that the news announcement forums are open to pretty much everything, there are quite often topics of Christian interest, such as the Pope's pronouncements on condoms. If you want to talk about Christian theological theories in general unrelated to Thailand, aren't there many external internet forums about that already? Why the need here any more than there is a need for a dedicated Canadian politics forum here?

Edited December 22, 2010 by Jingthing

[jdinasia]

I think the forum is a good idea and should not be over moderated.

Standard TV rules should be enough to keep it in check. No flaming, Trolling, no personal insults etc....

After all If people have doubts about the aspects of a religion how are they going to find out other than asking questions or voicing concerns.

As long as its done in a civilized manner why not?

If it is about the where/when/why of Christianity in Thailand then you'd have a point. If it about Christianity then there are certainly other places all over the internet to talk about that. There is no doubt in my mind that it would be far more work for the moderators than even the "Gay People in Thailand" forum was (and should be.)

[Xangsamhua]

Of course, people can start Christian related topics now without a specialist forum already. For example, if you live in Phuket, you can ask about good churches there in the Phuket forum. If you want to talk about celebrating Christmas in Thailand you could do that in the general forum. Also, now that the news announcement forums are open to pretty much everything, there are quite often topics of Christian interest, such as the Pope's pronouncements on condoms. If you want to talk about Christian theological theories in general unrelated to Thailand, aren't there many external internet forums about that already? Why the need here any more than there is a need for a dedicated Canadian politics forum here?

I think the external internet forums are largely faith-based and tend to be a bit soulless. And the last thing I'd want to get into would be a bunch of religious folk all stroking each other. Thaivisa is more of a web-based community, I feel, and a robust one at that.

The Buddhism forum works well because (i) most of the posts are respectful (even if people get a bit tetchy at times ), (ii) posters get to know each other fairly well, and (iii) the different threads often relate to each other. A forum on religion and philosophy and /or Christianity would enable people to develop a community of interested people without bringing non-Buddhist issues into the Buddhism forum (this tends to happen without people intending it to).

I think a new religious/philosophical forum is worth considering, perhaps on a trial basis. People who don't like to talk about religion don't need to visit it, and people who think any discussion on religion is an abnegation of intellectual responsibility would be very welcome to say so, as long as they are reasonably courteous. Reasonable and well-grounded objection to religion is perfectly acceptable, in my view, to discussion on religious belief and practice.

It's up to the Admin. I can get my religio-philosophical kicks from various sources, but I suspect Thaivisa members bring an interestingly different range of views, and the TV community is one I can relate to.

Edited December 22, 2010 by Xangsamhua

[Thaddeus]

Totster, what is it that makes a forum on religion and philosophy a bad idea?

Because he has a very good idea of how much work would be involved in policing it.

[sbk]

I think the forum is a good idea and should not be over moderated.

Standard TV rules should be enough to keep it in check. No flaming, Trolling, no personal insults etc....

After all If people have doubts about the aspects of a religion how are they going to find out other than asking questions or voicing concerns.

As long as its done in a civilized manner why not?

Cos it never works out that way, what ever the subject.

Seems some members can't even manage a discussion about having a discussion of it without going off the rails.

[canuckamuck]

I think the external internet forums are largely faith-based and tend to be a bit soulless. And the last thing I'd want to get into would be a bunch of religious folk all stroking each other. Thaivisa is more of a web-based community, I feel, and a robust one at that.

The Buddhism forum works well because (i) most of the posts are respectful (even if people get a bit tetchy at times ), (ii) posters get to know each other fairly well, and (iii) the different threads often relate to each other. A forum on religion and philosophy and /or Christianity would enable people to develop a community of interested people without bringing non-Buddhist issues into the Buddhism forum (this tends to happen without people intending it to).

I think a new religious/philosophical forum is worth considering, perhaps on a trial basis. People who don't like to talk about religion don't need to visit it, and people who think any discussion on religion is an abnegation of intellectual responsibility would be very welcome to say so, as long as they are reasonably courteous. Reasonable and well-grounded objection to religion is perfectly acceptable, in my view, to discussion on religious belief and practice.

It's up to the Admin. I can get my religio-philosophical kicks from various sources, but I suspect Thaivisa members bring an interestingly different range of views, and the TV community is one I can relate to.

+1

PS jingthing: not even Canadians would read a dedicated Canadian political forum.

[sarahsbloke]

There are quite a lot of Christian Missionaries operating in Thailand, and it would most likely get them to join TV.

After all. I came to Thailand to save fallen women, failed with 2 so far, working on a third.

Edited December 22, 2010 by sarahsbloke

[isanbirder]

If you want an argument against a Christian forum, just read the thread on 'Prostitutes wearing condoms' in the General Topics forum. Hardly anything on topic, a lot of abuse of the Catholic Church (got to get rid of their bile somewhere). I would like such a forum, but doubt whether the hate posters, as Ulysses G. calls them, would leave it alone. In a forum, hate is stronger than love! I hate (yes, me too) to let such people have their way (if I described them properly you would have me for flaming)... but I don't see the moderators putting the effort into stopping them. They (the moderators) have enough to do already.

[sbk]

Posts have been deleted, it seems members are absolutely incapable of READING or even grasping what ON TOPIC means.

Given the contentious nature of this thread and the utter antagonism it has generated I see no ability for some members of this thread to have a reasoned discussion.

//CLOSED// as my patience is now finished.