Matters of Faith (Explained)

[modcat5]

At the suggestion of GSC posters, we have decided to rearrange what was formerly the "doctrinal" section. The "main forum" is now called "Matters of Faith."

"Matters of Faith" is for threads that are difficult to categorize. Ideally, it should be empty. But sometimes a thread is hard to categorize by design. Most threads have been moved from this forum accordingly. Some remain because they were too hard to categorize or because they are old and inactive. 

"Doctrinal: Exploring the Bible" is for explorations about what the Bible actually teaches. It is, de facto, a Christian "safe space." Atheists and unbelievers are welcome to post, but your contribution should be limited to exploring what the Bible says and means, not why you think it's nonsense. Questions may be fair game, but in this forum, "because the Bible says xyz" is an acceptable answer. [Examples: 1. when I post about speaking in tongues, my believe that it's all fake is out of line in doctrinal. My belief that Biblical tongues is always a language, on the other hand, is perfectly fair game. 2. If the discussion is about tithing, it is out of line for me to say tithing is a way to milk $$ from the gullible. My belief that requiring a tithe under the New Testament cannot be supported Biblically is fair game]. When in doubt, make your point and start a new thread in...

"Atheism, non theism, skepticism: Questioning Faith" is for explorations of why some might or have decided or come to the realization that they no longer believe in God or Christianity. The fact that the Bible teaches something, anything, is proof of nothing in this forum except that the doctrine is Biblical. Christians are free to post in this forum. They are free to ask questions. They may not like the answers! 
Page 4 of the Deconversion thread contains a terrific example of an exchange between me and chockfull in which he expresses his Bible-based position, and I respond and it's cordial and everything's fine. 

The problems begin when the name calling starts. Gullible. Arrogant. Brainwashed. Fool. Pharisee. Depraved.

That has to stop.

Everyone is free to post in any thread. But please, be respectful. You wouldn't go to a church and spread your unbelief. Consider your conduct in doctrinal. And if you use the Bible to prove your point in Questioning Faith, you can expect the Bible's authority on the subject to be scrutinized.

The above [italicized portion] was added 11/26/2024. The original post is below:

The main GSC rules apply: NO POLITICS. Also, no namecalling, etc. You know the drill.

Subsections of this forum include (as of Aug. 2019) the old doctrinal section, which is now explicitly to explore what the BIBLE teaches, and "Atheism, nontheism, skepticism: Questioning Faith." This is a specific section where people are more free to explore issues that do not presuppose the existence of a God/god/gods.

Anyone, regardless of belief or unbelief, is free to post on any thread. We only ask that people recognize the presuppositions of each forum (for example, in the doctrinal section, whether or not you believe the Bible is true, it is expected that your posts will explore what the Bible actually teaches, regardless of whether you believe it. By the same token, "chapter and verse" is not adequate for evidence being sought in "questioning faith" unless the issue being explored is "what does the Bible say." What the Bible says is not a guarantee for truth in that subforum).

As always, the job of the moderators is to facilitate conversation. When in doubt, post in "Matters of Faith" and we will review it and place it where we believe it belongs. 

Best wishes, all.

The mods.

[modcat5]

The premise of the doctrinal section has been updated in light of recent questions and comments.