Saturday, March 03, 2007

So I've Been Thinking...

There are a good number of us on the ex-CoC board who have become Catholic. Sometimes, we even tend to eclipse other groups on the board because we are pretty numerous and pretty vocal. I know, and understand, that this can sometimes be annoying for the non-Catholics on the board. And yet, I love being able to talk with all my CoC-Catholic converts who GET IT, who know what I'm talking about.

So, what would y'all think if I started our very own CoC-Catholic convert forum? Thoughts? Ideas? Opinions? I'm thinking this would let us get all our Catholic talk out without annoying the other exers. It would be an area free from anti-Catholicism where we can relax and not feel like we're on the defense all the time. I think we could also welcome our Orthodox friends, if they so desired to join us. And I wouldn't even mind people of other faiths interacting with us, as long as they understand that anti-Catholic remarks will not be tolerated.

So, what do y'all think? Let me know!

15 comments:

Cheryl said...

I think you should. :)

Sarah said...

About halfway through reading this post I thought, "Would it be open to non-Catholics, especially if they are interested in Catholicism?" But then you answered that question. I would definitely be interested in your forum.

Stephanie said...

I almost sent you a PM, prairie, but then I figured you'd see it anyway since I know you stop by ;-) Yes it would certainly be welcome to anyone, especially those who are questioning and just searching!

Anonymous said...

I would be excited to be part of a Catholic & "Church of Christ" forum that would give me a place to share my Catholic reversion experience and my interests in Eastern Orthodox/Catholic culture with people that care about it.

Sara said...

Definitely!

Anonymous said...

I think it would be fine. Perhaps we could ply the deeper mysteries of God, the Church, and theology.

I would caution against one thing: we must not be so sensitive or, rather, quick to discern supposed anti-Catholic sentiment from other posters. I sometimes make smart-aleck remarks that are meant to be humorous and non-offensive, but that have been interpretted by some to indicate animosity toward the Roman Church. For instance, if I say, "Does the Pope wear a funny hat?", I don't intend an affront to Catholicism, but only attempt to make a humorous observation.

Do you think we could keep our hackles down?

--Bill Carson

Stephanie said...

While I can't speak for other people, surely you know I don't jump to making the worst assumptions about people's intentions? I will laugh with the rest of them at an attempt to be humorous about many things Catholic. It is only when I see consistent anti-Catholicism from an individual that I, personally, start to get defensive (and I think for good reason at that point.) So certainly I agree, there's no need to jump to the worst possible conclusions about people right off the bat. I see no harm, though, in recognizing a bias in individuals who have consistently shown that they are biased.

Sara said...

I agree Stephanie. Although those same individuals will deny they're biased.

Apparently I am now as bad as a racist for suggesting that some people tone down their comments outside the skeptic's forum.

kate said...

It would absolutely rock!

Adam says we can then invite the Pfers to come debate with us there. :)

Stephanie said...

Hahah!! Let's see how they do out of their own element, eh? We might have to have a special folder just for debate type stuff, so that people who don't want to have anything to do with it can keep far, far away. :-D

Sara said...

Kate--tell Adam he may be some sort of masochist, but the rest of us aren't! :D

Cheryl said...

"We might have to have a special folder just for debate type stuff, so that people who don't want to have anything to do with it can keep far, far away."

Likely a very good idea, though you know how that goes - you tell yourself you should stay away, but the siren song of a particular thread title beckons...(hee!)

:D

Stephanie said...

Lol, I know! Once I get the board up (it's turning out to be pretty complicated, mostly because I'm picky and want it to be pretty, lol!) I'll probably ask for everyone's opinion on that kind of thing, so that we can try to come to some sort of consensus.

Don't I Know You? said...

i'm not an ex-coc convert to catholicism; in fact, was raised catholic and was appalled by coc (and, i have come to discover) others' attitudes towards catholicscm--er, however you spell that word.

recognizing that i have no place in the proposed board, may i offer a caution that the board does not become another 'us vs them' board?

i only say that because it seems to be such a natural human tendancy.

NOT that i see that tendancy in you, Mmlleveur.

wishing you peace and faith throughout the Lenten season.

Stephanie said...

Thanks for your comments, Wilsford, I very much agree that we need to be cautious not to make an "us vs them" mindset. Your comment prompted my most recent post to clarify!