Should this forum stay or go?

[ArchAngel]

You're right in your prediction, but it has nothing to do with being safe: Neither. It's about being a better person.
I value curiosity, reason, and critical thinking. You don't have to agree with me or be part of my club.

[brandon1984]

Spiritual matters should stay but should be moderated so that those who actually have an vested interest in such things can post without fear of being attacked (or debated to death) for their beliefs.

This is a good idea. Move all subjects that become debates into the "debates" subforum. This will require acumen on the part of the mods and admins, but I think it's a good idea.

So, based on these statements I want to ask: Would you say that your goal in debating is to build a better atheist (i.e. encourage doubt and disbelief in other people) or build a better Christian? That is, original intention irregardless of the actual outcome.

I know a safe answer would be neither or both and just to say "debating is to seek truth", but that might be too subjective.

I've known ArchAngel for a long time and I don't think anything he's posted has the intention of converting others or massaging his own intellectual position. He's no troll or propagandist, he's not ulteriorly trying to make CCGR into ACGR. We should be thankful that he loves Christians and wants to stick around with us because we're his friend despite any belief each other holds.

[ArchAngel]

Dude, I love you, too.

I'm not being facetious, that was pretty touching.

[LAVA89]

We should be thankful that he loves Christians and wants to stick around with us because we're his friend despite any belief each other holds.

Did I imply that I was unthankful for his company? It was a question. Aren't asking questions better than blindly assuming?

[ArchAngel]

Lava, I don't think your inference was quite Brandon's implication.

[LAVA89]

Lava, I don't think your inference was quite Brandon's implication.

I'm unsure of what you mean. Could you please be more specific?

[blacksinow]

I think that if you intend to take the spiritual matters forum down, you should change the name of the board. If we can't discuss Christianity, then we aren't Christians. Congradulations admins, you've become like every other forum out there! We need to grow to learn, and trust me when I tell you that the discussion of spirituality is a constant and a must for Christians. Otherwise, we start believing that nonsense that Santa Clause is all that matters in Christmas, and Easter (Resurection) Sunday was created to celebrate a rabbit who lays painted eggs and hides them. When I had heard about this forum, I thought "Oh cool, a forum for real Christian Gamers! I can finally talk about Christ around people who won't proverbially sigh at me!"

Oh and by the way, people are going to not believe, it happens. There are stragglers, but it is up to Christians to guide them. The problem isn't the debate, it is two factors... people who aren't ready to listen and being too aggressive.

[ArchAngel]

I'll let brandon explain himself, since I can make mistake since own inferences, but it he's not one to make underhanded comments and certainly not personal attacks.

I say those things above because you are starting to sound a bit defensive. So let's take a step back and a play by play.
You ask me if my goal in debating was to build a better atheist, specifically to encourage doubt and disbelief, and he responded saying that, no, Arch is not a troll or a propagandist, that he's not one simply trying to mess with other's beliefs or push his own agenda of belief. I don't see him trying to blindly assume or put words in your mouth.
That sounded like, to me, a pretty straight forward response. Why not help us by filling out what you think he was saying.

[platopaulson]

In whom, Cheryl? Please be specific.

[ccgr]

I'm not intending to take anything down, I'm just gauging the people's interest here. I get mixed messages about people being annoyed or uncomfortable with it while others enjoy it. I just wanted to see where people stand on it. I personally don't mind as long as people are civil and respectful to each others beliefs. There's a lot we can learn from each other if given the chance to do so.

[ccgr]

In whom, Cheryl? Please be specific.

Christ

[LAVA89]

Why not help us by filling out what you think he was saying.

Well he said that we should be thankful for your company in response to my question, which was not even an issue anywhere in my post.

That made me think that he was assuming that I thought ill will of you by my question, since your overall presence \ company on the forum was not related at all to what I asked. My question was only specifically related to how \ why you debated.

[AnointedSword]

People that are heated over these types of discussions have the wrong mindset. All debate and discussions of spiritual matters should be seen as a way to follow Christ, not win arguments. There is one mind we should have and one head of the church. God shared with me something I will share here because I believe it is on topic. He said to me, "there are too many minds in the body!" Yup, once again He is correct...we should have the mind of Christ.

Another side of the coin is that if the topic is not a serious doctrinal issue, we really should not be wasting too much time on the matter.

Lastly, we must always be aware of the listeners and our audience.

I voted to keep the forums, but I believe we all must check and make sure we are not just trying to be right. For Christ sake, I personally would rather be wrong then not follow Christ or teach someone else the wrong way.

[Nate DaZombie]

I see no reason why it should be removed, but perhaps hiding it might be a good idea. Invite members that seem interested in this type of thing and leave everyone else out of it.

[brandon1984]

Did I imply that I was unthankful for his company? It was a question. Aren't asking questions better than blindly assuming?

Some questions are designed to be more than questions. This is how rhetoricians maintain plausible deniability. And, since I knew the answer to the question, I answered it to it's fullest implication.