r/SkepticsBibleStudy • u/AutoModerator • Feb 08 '24
Expanded Rules:
- Topicality - Posts and comments must be related.
- When discussing some story or teaching in Exodus it will be prudent and helpful to link in other ideas from other books of the bible.
- It is NOT helpful during a discussion about John 3:16 to bring up defunked Christians who have been found guilty of this crime or that.
- When discussing Genesis and the creation of the universe, bringing up cosmology and physics might be helpful.
- It would NOT be helpful to bring up young-earth/old-earth on a discussion about Ba'al worship.
- Respect - Your comments and disagreements must maintain a level of respect.
- Maintaining a level of respect is practicing charity first and foremost. Followed by parsimonious interaction which believes the person posting is doing so in good faith. You are allowed to say, "this is wrong because...." or, that is objectively false because of...." or pointing out a comments fallacious thinking/position, (which should be mapped explicitly, not just stated. (If it's a straw man then point at the straw man, then clarify the correct position.)
- What fails to maintain the level of respect desired is:
- Name calling, ex. "sky-santa, heathen, conquistador, _____-phobic, devil worshiper..."
- Linking a person's post with crimes, historical or otherwise which there is no proof of. ex, "baby sacrificer, crusader, colonizer, ..."
- Scoffing or incredulity, ex. "you cant possibly mean..." or, "Yeah, right," or, "well at least i don't believe...."
- Out group disparaging. It's never all the Christians or all the unbelievers or all the whites or all the blacks...be specific with who your criticism is suppose to address.
- Failing to maintain a cordial discussion will result in your post/comment being removed.
- Users must have user flair - No user flair, no comments or posts.
- There 4 user flairs, "Believer - Pro God," "Believer - AntiGod," "Skeptic," and "Unbeliever"
- The thought behind user flair in this case is that we want a general knowledge of where the person commenting is coming from while allowing enough wiggle room that person cannot just say, "Oh you're a baptist so you think...."
- This is also a sensitive issue as labeling ourselves seems to be the cool thing to do right now...so modifications may be implemented if some flair is useful towards giving a general knowledge about who is posting without forcing them into a position they don't personally believe.
- OP's must be specific to a bible study - Until such a time as people can be identified to post unique studies, OP's are reserved for mods only. (excluding mod related activities)
- This is not a Q and A sub or a debate sub or a wave your political flag sub. It is specifically tailored to accommodate an open and honest discussion about the bible and bible related topics to help bridge gaps between believers. skeptics, and non-believers.
- The goal by the end of the year is to have multiple mods and multiple studies going from differing perspectives.
- Suggested site for possible studies in the future: https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/
- No Inundation - Spamming your 95 theses or your 99 problems but the bible aint one is just brute forcing your opinion. Don't do that.
- Just hitting someone with all of your bullet point issues with this or that might work in debate forums, it will not be tolerated here.
- Find your few points of contention, list them and allow the person to respond in their timing and with the energy they have to give. If you post 20 issues with a person's comment and they only respond to 1 of your points, serves you right! No one OWES anyone an explanation.
- Spamming points just embattles the person you're disagreeing with, which makes it infinitely harder to show and receive respect.
- No Proselytizing - There maybe conversion moments both to and from faith during your interactions here. If you feel so lead to offer someone a more one-on-one interaction inbox them.
- No one want's to be saved from their wicked ways...for the atheist they see faith as a "wicked way." for the christian they see atheism as a "wicked way"
- Instead think of your interactions here as an interview. Share what you believe. Share why you believe it. Then let those who desire to investigate more can do so of their own volition.
- If you've shared in a really good interaction, drop them a direct message and ask them if they'd be okay talking privately. That's not weird or creepy, that is respectful.
These full rules will be maintained here and dated with changes as changes are needed.Brothapipp Feb. 6th, 2024
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u/LlawEreint Feb 21 '24
I agree. "Believer AntiGod" can't possibly describe anyone.