Catholic's Lair: Issues about the Catholic DIR

[Renji]

Catholic brothers and sisters, I decided to open this thread to hear your suggestions/ideas/issues encountered in the Catholic DIR.

As you all know guys, there's a rule stating that there should be no arguments and/ or bashing of faith in DIR forums. Personally, I don't think there have been something like that that ever occur in the Catholic DIR. Now, I wanted to ask you these questions:

1) Have you encountered something like that (arguments and stuff) in the Catholic DIR?
2) How do you feel about non-Catholics posting in here?
3) How do you feel about ex Catholics posting in the Catholic DIR?
4) Do you think that the Catholic DIR is over/under moderated?
5) Do you have something in mind that (you think) could be added to the policy with regards to the Catholic DIR?
6) Do you want any improvements of some sort in the Catholic DIR?

--- If you have something to add, feel free to respond.

NOTE: The poll could only be answered by Catholics.

As your representative, I want to hear your opinions and raise these issues. All of the issues that you brought up here will reach the RF's Members Committee. Thanks guys.

Kyrie, Eleison.

 

[JacobEzra.]

I see no problem really. The Catholic DIR is pretty non-active/slow to begin with. When I do see rude remarks, I just report them, and they are taken care of.

I have more problem with people on other threads who either harass me for an unpopular stance on some issue, such as on the "homosexuality included" thread, with repetitive sly remarks and nonsense responses.

 

[Mister Emu]

I think the way we run the DIRs is pretty good... personally I don't really care if a non/ex Catholic answers a question as long as it is true to Catholic teachings and they defer to actual Catholics who answer... but I know why the rule is in place that says they cannot.

 

[Mister Emu]

But it does happen that even if the case is that, non members/ex members tends to post on behalf of the Catholics, which sometimes is not actually based on what the Church/our doctrine says, but just based on their opinion. What's your take on that?

Those posts should be removed. If I see someone make a post that is contrary to Church doctrine/teaching, I report it.

 

[kepha31]

Most ex-Catholics are anti-Catholics, so lets not kid ourselves. They left the church over annulments, birth control, or some other emotionally charged excuse. I find most ex-Catholics hostile. egotistical and ignorant. I fail at being patient with them.

Some parishes invite ex-Catholics to special seminars for healing of their hurts.

 

[Renji]

Greetings, from your Catholic representative on the members committee.

I started this thread to gather some ideas that you have in mind about the Catholic DIR (I started a new thread and have the old one thrashed because of some errors that I made.). Specifically, I wanted to discuss about some things like:

1) How do you guys feel when non members/ex members discusses on behalf of the Catholic faith (this excludes asking questions since DIR's are specifically designed to have questions whether in be from the member of that specific group or not)?

- In my opinion guys, it's okay for non members to discuss about our faith, as long as it is actually referred to the original teachings of Catholic Church and if that particular poster uses responses from another member of our Church in addressing a topic to seek/give clarification on such issue(some of you might agree also). But, if, in any case that the non member discusses a Catholic topic on our behalf, based only in his opinion and /or is not actually basing his/her response on the Catholicism , how do you feel/react about it?

2) As a follow-up, do you think that non members/ex members should only be limited in asking questions?

- The goal actually of some Catholic members here is to have ecumenical discussions (things we have in common with other faith). Hence, discussion from non/ex members seem to be permissible. What's your take on it, brothers and sisters?

3) If they are allowed to discuss on our behalf, to what extent do you think that it should be permitted (considering the possible scenario in # 1)?

4) Do you found the Catholic DIR over/ under moderated?

- I think moderation here is quite good. But, do you have something in mind that we can add up to the policy on moderation of the Catholic DIR?

5) Any suggestions that we can consider for the 'improvement' of the Catholic DIR?
- Or, do you think that we can add up something in terms of the policy, discussions, etc to improve this DIR?

For any serious issues/suggestions, you can send me a PM so that we can speculate on that.

Rest assured guys that any suggestions/issues that we are able to tackle in this thread will be raised on the discussion of the Members Committee. Thank you guys, Kyrie, Eleison.

 

[Renji]

Kepha has mentioned this on the older thread that I made (the conclave)

Most ex-Catholics are anti-Catholics, so lets not kid ourselves. They left the church over annulments, birth control, or some other emotionally charged excuse. I find most ex-Catholics hostile. egotistical and ignorant. I fail at being patient with them.

Some parishes invite ex-Catholics to special seminars for healing of their hurts.

Having those things mentioned, can you please elaborate it further? Are you saying that ex-Catholics cannot discuss issues on the Catholic DIR on our behalf because, as you said, they are mostly "anti Catholics" and/or "hostile"?

 

[Renji]

I see no problem really. The Catholic DIR is pretty non-active/slow to begin with. When I do see rude remarks, I just report them, and they are taken care of.

I have more problem with people on other threads who either harass me for an unpopular stance on some issue, such as on the "homosexuality included" thread, with repetitive sly remarks and nonsense responses.

As I said on the thread I created earlier, I agree on this. You mentioned about what you perceived as "rude" remarks, have you seen anything(or recall such posts) like that in the Catholic DIR? If yes, do you see anything to add on the policy that could have prevent this? Or let's just say, do you think that we can add something on the policy of the Catholic DIR to avoid/lessen instances like this one?

 

[Renji]

Those posts should be removed. If I see someone make a post that is contrary to Church doctrine/teaching, I report it.

So, having that said, as your point of view of being a Catholic, do you think that there could possibly be a parameter/ additional policy wherein the non/ex Catholics can look at, so that this instance can be avoided/lessen (although personally, I haven't seen much of this type of issue)? Also, may I ask you, up to what extent can we allow/disallow non/ex members to discuss on our behalf, especially if their response is more based on their opinions than what the Catholics really believe in?

 

[Mister Emu]

The goal actually of some Catholic members here is to have ecumenical discussions (things we have in common with other faith). Hence, discussion from non/ex members seem to be permissible. What's your take on it, brothers and sisters?

I think that the Catholic DIR specifically isn't the right place for that goal to be brought about.

So, having that said, as your point of view of being a Catholic, do you think that there could possibly be a parameter/ additional policy wherein the non/ex Catholics can look at, so that this instance can be avoided/lessen

They can read the rules, that they cannot disagree with the Catholic Church in the Catholic DIR is spelled out in rule 10... the DIR rules are straightforward. Unless you are a member of that religion, you cannot post anything except respectful questions in the DIRs.

Also, may I ask you, up to what extent can we allow/disallow non/ex members to discuss on our behalf, especially if their response is more based on their opinions than what the Catholics really believe in?

If someone answers knowledgeably from the Catholic perspective, I might suggest a PM letting them know the rules and leave the post. But disregard for Catholic doctrine/teachings/beliefs/etc. would be a blatant violation and lead to deletion of the offending post.

 

[Me Myself]

I think the way we run the DIRs is pretty good... personally I don't really care if a non/ex Catholic answers a question as long as it is true to Catholic teachings and they defer to actual Catholics who answer... but I know why the rule is in place that says they cannot.

I think I have done this before, though probably out of this DIR. (Former catholic)

Besides the way things are already I would only say it would be cool if this action was not penalized, beyond it I do understand the best interest of the DIRs to be free from inter-religion debates, that´s what DIRs are for after all.

 

[Mister Emu]

Besides the way things are already I would only say it would be cool if this action was not penalized

Several years ago, way back yonder around when I first joined , it was allowed. Non-religion members were allowed to post as long as it did not contradict the faith of the DIR.

I believe this unfortunately led to some of the DIRs being overwhelmed with knowledgeable outsiders answering questions and somewhat drowning out the "natives" if you will. If I am remembering correctly, that is why the rules was changed to "only respectful questions".

 

[Renji]

I think that the Catholic DIR specifically isn't the right place for that goal to be brought about.

Upon reviewing some threads in the DIR, there is actually a thread there where the user wants to discuss what makes our faith in common with other denominations, the thing that unites us. For me it's okay than having discussions that talks about the differences, because it might cause some arguments.

They can read the rules, that they cannot disagree with the Catholic Church in the Catholic DIR is spelled out in rule 10... the DIR rules are straightforward. Unless you are a member of that religion, you cannot post anything except respectful questions in the DIRs.

I actually have something in mind that will help remind non members of that (I already discussed it in the committee). Because you know, some tend to forget reading the forum rules part of RF.

If someone answers knowledgeably from the Catholic perspective, I might suggest a PM letting them know the rules and leave the post. But disregard for Catholic doctrine/teachings/beliefs/etc. would be a blatant violation and lead to deletion of the offending post.

This helps a lot, I'll consider that one too

 

[Renji]

Ok guys, this is what I am actually discussing in the committee (though I will not reveal about what exactly I am going to do with these yet). I am able to think of these reminders in addition to forum rule number 10 since the forum rule is general. It applies to all DIR forums. This reminders, although it can also be applicable to other DIR's, are done specifically to target the Catholic DIR since these applies to the issues that is existing (or might probably exist) here (I based this on all of your responses and my own observation in the Catholic DIR).

Reminders for Catholics, non members and ex members of the Catholic faith posting in the Catholic DIR:

1) Catholics do welcome non/ex members discussing a particular topic on our behalf as long as it confines with the morals, teachings and/or refers to the responses of other Catholics about a particular issue in the Catholic DIR.

2) Personal opinions of ex/non members about a particular issue on that DIR should be (carefully) evaluated if it confines with what we Catholics really believe in about a specific topic.

3) Same way, Catholics should also be careful (and be reminded as well) of discussing about other people's faith in the Catholic DIR on their behalf by just merely using their personal opinions (example of this is, in the thread that I started in the DIR, someone actually said that "ex Catholics are usually anti Catholics." This is merely just a personal opinion which needs basis/have no basis at all or needs clarification). Opinions are always subjective. What may be true to you, may not be true to others.

4) Discussions of non/ex members on Catholic's behalf using personal opinion should only be allowed if it is based on experience (or if it's done knowledgeably). Still, it should agree with the condition stated on number 1.

5) Reminder to the ex/non members that discussions about difference (contrasting) of beliefs should and always (and most likely) will remain on the general debates and/or other discussion part of the forum since it can sometimes lead to arguments.

Anyway guys, I need your suggestions/ additions/recommendations about this.