What should be the purpose of this group?

[xmas74]

This discussion thread is pinned.

What would you like to see from this group?
Should there be clear guidelines about what is and is not allowed?
What would each of you like to get from participating in this group?

The idea for this thread is from a comment that GreenPartyVoter left in another thread.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1222&pid=616
What she's requesting is something that needs to be discussed here, yet never has. What I'd like to see is a number of suggestions from the posters here, both regulars and lurkers, stating what they like, what they don't like, what can be changed, and what they want the future of this group to be. I will read each and every comment and, if we have enough discussion, will post all the suggestions in one place. If we have enough that agree with the suggestion we might be able to incorporate it into this group.

The only thing I've ever asked of this group is that all conversations remain civil, even if the parties involved obviously do not agree with the postings. I hope to keep that one rule in the future but I do believe that we need to have an open discussion on what is expected out of this group.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. I know for my own part I've found this a very comfortable place to hide from

the conservative evangelical line of thinking that made up a lot of my world. As a nominal progressive Christian (maybe closer to UU or agnostic at this point in my life) I've never felt I didn't fit in here, and I hope that anyone who has felt that way would let us know what caused their discomfort. I don't think anyone has ever set out to exclude anyone else here.

[xmas74]

2. I would hope that no one ever feels as though they do not belong here.

Everyone is invited, as long as they are civil. That's all I've ever asked.

I live in an rather conservative area. My church is more mainline, though some members are doing their best to turn it more conservative. (Do some research on the Confessing Movement-they're not only in the United Methodist but are trying to push their way into Lutheran and Presbyterian branches.) As of this time, my child is very involved in the church. If it wasn't for her I'd be much less involved.

This group offers a haven for the insanity I sometimes hear spoken around my community.

[Hometown Prophet]

3. Safe Place

I don't mind mixing it up occasionally, but it's also nice to have a relatively safe place to read/discuss with like-minded people. Everyone should be welcome, unless they're just abusive. I see it as being a place to hang out and support each other, as well as maybe discuss what being Christian/Person of Faith means in this day and age.

[northoftheborder]

4. I know that threads started in special interest groups are often then also posted in GD.

Who makes this decision? The administrators, or the leader of the group? The reason I ask, is that when special group threads go on GD, that is when things sometimes get off track with postings from those unsympathetic with all things religious, (if posted from this group) or have problems with certain viewpoints; then all hell breaks loose, with antagonistic and off topic rants. I would feel more comfortable posting in this group, especially, if most discussions included others in this group. Now I know that others can come into these threads, even if not in the group, but I feel that most hostile people are responding when the discussions go onto the General Discussion.

[xmas74]

5. I'm not here often anymore

but I still check in to be sure that there are no complaints. This groups is welcoming to all, including those with different viewpoints, as long as the discussion remains civil. Oftentimes the discussions in GD quickly derail.

[yankee dandee]

6. Liberal Christians

I live in Georgia, a state dominated by Christians....and I frequently call them "Christians".
I live in a very nice nearly all-white neighborhood, not because it's all-white which I never noticed when I moved here, but because I like the home.

On Sunday mornings (I get up early), only the same 5 cars drive out of the subdivision, I guess to church, out of around 700 houses.

What I have been trying to ascertain in the 10 years I have lived here is just who the "Christians" are.

They all seem to be Republicans. None of my neighbors are Democrats--in fact they loath Democrats passionately.

The local businesses, the local radio stations, the local newspapers with the possible exception of The Atlantic Journal Constitution are flaming right-wing radical evangelical "Christians" with a psychopathic hatred toward Obama.

Hobby Lobby here, as well as Chik-fil-A, are openly radical right-wing "Christians" and Republican.

The Republican politicians declare their "love of Jesus" before they start spewing hatred at gays, Obamacare, Obama himself, and the general populations of non-white citizens as being lazy and dependent on free handouts.

So, is it true that Republicans and Christianity is the same?

Are liberal Democrats of the same mind as the Republican Christians?...That Christianity should be the dominating political force here and throughout the South and all of America?

Maybe those of you who are progressive liberal Democrats can explain whether Christianity and politics are not the same here.

I see it this way: Conservatives see America as a Christian country and nothing wrong with total Christian domination.
Iran sees itself as Islamic country with nothing wrong with Muslim domination.

That looks the same thing to me.

Do Democrats see Christianity as their political party also?

[hrmjustin]

7. No I do not see Christianity as political.

Unfortunately the GOP have turned many people off to Christianity. I live in NYC and whilr the Churches hrre are sometimes politcally active they tend to lean to the Democrats.

Chistianity is a religion of treating others with dignity and respect but unfortunately Christians of all stripes forget that.

[Nitram]

8. O f course no single party can claim to be uniquely Christian

But Christianity has always been political. The Romans saw it that way when they crucified Jesus, and the history of the church has always been political.

[hrmjustin]

9. The church has been political for centuries.

[overleft]

12. We do in our house and we are very progressive with our political views.

I do not necessarily call the 'church attendees' in my area Christians. Where I live voted 83% for the former guy and is as brainwashed as any area anywhere. To my wife and myself, having faith in Jesus has nothing to do with visiting what we call 'right wing training centers'. At one time we were members of a local congregation but while we were sitting in the pews the inner alarm warnings of what was being preached and taught kept going off. I have as much faith in the teachings of Jesus, whom I consider sent from God to instruct us how to be, and read my bible daily. We are in the process of producing music and videos because we feel that it is our calling to give as good a representation of Jesus as we can. I also believe that all people have a right to their own beliefs. Jesus told the apostles to be ready with an answer if someone asked. I take that to mean that we should never force our own creeds upon others but if asked answer in kind.

[chassaborga]

10. purpose?

Straight forward answers to questions on the subject, without the mud pies.
Definitely guide lines is a MUST.
Enjoyment in communicating with others of different ideas or beliefs.
Thanks Charlie

[LW1977]

13. To escape from the atheist who want to convert me.

Getting old.

[Tbear]

14. Inclusive and Encouraging

That’s all for now.

[The Great Open Dance]

15. Conversation is healing

I think that progressive Christian conversation is inherently healing, so the more we can discuss, the more we can deconstruct. Then, perhaps some of us might want to reconstruction afterwards . . .

Best,

Jon Paul Sydnor