Important first questions

[FreeBaptist]

I was referred to this forum by a fellow member of my local church, but she gave me a warning. She said this was a fundamentalist forum which was, in her opinion, too quick to banish people. So, my first question is this: What are the forum rules -- what can we talk about, and are there any doctrinal restrictions? I mean, may people from all across the theological/doctrinal spectrum post their views and opinions?

Also, does this Baptist forum affirm the historic Baptist principle of liberty of conscience, or soul liberty? If not, how can it be called Baptist? And if it does not, I probably won't be here long.

Lastly, this lady that referred me said that there were some people here who tried, again in her opinion, to "set others up" so as to get them banned. If true, that is not Christian behavior.

I just want to try and get the "ground rules" before I proceed further, to know what kind of forum this is and whether or not I want to participate. I have been searching for a truly Baptist forum with a truly Christlike character.

Blessings to my fellow Christians and Baptists here.

 

[Pastor_Bob]

Welcome to the Baptist Board.

Let me begin by saying that there are two sides to every story. Your friend's opinion that the forum admins are "too quick to banish people" is probably balanced with the opinion of others who feel like the forum is too lenient.

Also, you had to agree to the forum rules before becoming a member. Did you read them?

Soul liberty is a Baptist distinctive. Whether or not you will find disagreement here is determined on how you define and practice this doctrine.

I have been here for many years, I have never witnessed a member being "set up" in order to be banned. I have, however, seen members who were allowed enough rope to hang themselves.

The ground rules can be found in Galatians 5:22, 23. If you follow them, you'll have no trouble here.

 

[InTheLight]

I was referred to this forum by a fellow member of my local church, but she gave me a warning. She said this was a fundamentalist forum which was, in her opinion, too quick to banish people. So, my first question is this: What are the forum rules -- what can we talk about, and are there any doctrinal restrictions? I mean, may people from all across the theological/doctrinal spectrum post their views and opinions?

Rules can be found here:
Terms of Service and Rules | Baptist Christian Forums

I'm not a moderator but I've been here a while. Seen a lot that goes on here. Generally speaking, you will get banned if you deny the trinity, deny the incarnation. I think holding to millennial exclusion is a no-no. Explicit sexual topics are not allowed. Non-Baptists are restricted from posting in the Baptist forums. I don't know of any doctrinal restrictions as far as discussion goes.

Also, does this Baptist forum affirm the historic Baptist principle of liberty of conscience, or soul liberty? If not, how can it be called Baptist? And if it does not, I probably won't be here long.

I don't think there is an official stance on the subject, but I'm certain several moderators hold to it.

Lastly, this lady that referred me said that there were some people here who tried, again in her opinion, to "set others up" so as to get them banned. If true, that is not Christian behavior.

I can't say I've seen a concerted effort by individuals to entrap others to get banned and I've been here eight years. By chance was this woman banned?

I just want to try and get the "ground rules" before I proceed further, to know what kind of forum this is and whether or not I want to participate. I have been searching for a truly Baptist forum with a truly Christlike character.

Blessings to my fellow Christians and Baptists here.

This is a truly Baptist forum, but the term "Baptist" casts a wide net. You will find all sorts of beliefs here. The common denominator is salvation by faith and baptism by immersion for professing believers.

The biggest doctrinal divide is over Calvinism vs. Arminianism, or predestination vs. free will. Another point of contention is eschatology. Discussions of Bible translations generates a lot of posts. The political and news forums get a lot of posts.

This is a DEBATE forum, so emotions sometimes run hot. For the most part the moderators don't step in too often. The most jarring thing I saw when I first joined here was the way people held disdain for someone else's doctrinal stance. Unfortunately, it devolves into personal attacks at times. If it gets real bad or if the attacks persist the poster might get a week's vacation to cool off.

Anyway, dive in and see for yourself. Maybe check out some older posts on topics that interest you.

 

[FreeBaptist]

Welcome to the Baptist Board.

Let me begin by saying that there are two sides to every story. Your friend's opinion that the forum admins are "too quick to banish people" is probably balanced with the opinion of others who feel like the forum is too lenient.

Also, you had to agree to the forum rules before becoming a member. Did you read them?

Soul liberty is a Baptist distinctive. Whether or not you will find disagreement here is determined on how you define and practice this doctrine.

I have been here for many years, I have never witnessed a member being "set up" in order to be banned. I have, however, seen members who were allowed enough rope to hang themselves.

The ground rules can be found in Galatians 5:22, 23. If you follow them, you'll have no trouble here.

Pastor Bob, thanks for your response. I read the rules and agreed to them. Except for abortion and sexuality, I didn't see much specificity about doctrinal matters.

 

[FreeBaptist]

Rules can be found here:
Terms of Service and Rules | Baptist Christian Forums

I'm not a moderator but I've been here a while. Seen a lot that goes on here. Generally speaking, you will get banned if you deny the trinity, deny the incarnation. I think holding to millennial exclusion is a no-no. Explicit sexual topics are not allowed. Non-Baptists are restricted from posting in the Baptist forums. I don't know of any doctrinal restrictions as far as discussion goes.



I don't think there is an official stance on the subject, but I'm certain several moderators hold to it.



I can't say I've seen a concerted effort by individuals to entrap others to get banned and I've been here eight years. By chance was this woman banned?



This is a truly Baptist forum, but the term "Baptist" casts a wide net. You will find all sorts of beliefs here. The common denominator is salvation by faith and baptism by immersion for professing believers.

The biggest doctrinal divide is over Calvinism vs. Arminianism, or predestination vs. free will. Another point of contention is eschatology. Discussions of Bible translations generates a lot of posts. The political and news forums get a lot of posts.

This is a DEBATE forum, so emotions sometimes run hot. For the most part the moderators don't step in too often. The most jarring thing I saw when I first joined here was the way people held disdain for someone else's doctrinal stance. Unfortunately, it devolves into personal attacks at times. If it gets real bad or if the attacks persist the poster might get a week's vacation to cool off.

Anyway, dive in and see for yourself. Maybe check out some older posts on topics that interest you.

InTheLight, thanks for your thorough reply. The woman in question did not tell me if she was banned or not, just that she had stopped participating. I didn't press her on it.

 

[Reformed]

InTheLight, thanks for your thorough reply. The woman in question did not tell me if she was banned or not, just that she had stopped participating. I didn't press her on it.

Friend, if they have not banned me yet, you are probably on safe ground. LOL

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[FreeBaptist]

Friend, if they have not banned me yet, you are probably on safe ground. LOL

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Thanks for your reassurance. I'm afraid I'm not as trusting as I once was. For instance, a few years ago, I was banned from a forum (not Baptist) because sometime after I joined, they changed the rules that members had to agree with their specific doctrinal statement. Since it contained affirmation of infant baptism, I could not agree and was thus banned. So, I don't have a lot of faith in some people's integrity.

 

[rlvaughn]

Also, does this Baptist forum affirm the historic Baptist principle of liberty of conscience, or soul liberty? If not, how can it be called Baptist? And if it does not, I probably won't be here long...I just want to try and get the "ground rules" before I proceed further, to know what kind of forum this is and whether or not I want to participate. I have been searching for a truly Baptist forum with a truly Christlike character.

I suspect you'll find that the Board offers a pretty wide latitude, and with the exception of a few restrictions, people say pretty much what they want. As far as opinions about the Board and its moderation, I think Pastor Bob expresses it well. According to a person's proclivities, one may think the Board is too strict and too quick to "banish" offenders, while another will think they are too lenient and too slow to "banish" offenders.

Let me begin by saying that there are two sides to every story. Your friend's opinion that the forum admins are "too quick to banish people" is probably balanced with the opinion of others who feel like the forum is too lenient.

Just like in real life, you will find some Baptists here who are soft and cuddly, and some who are prickly and itchy. Most of us who have been here awhile figure out how to work with both "extremes" and I feel confident that you will as well. Best wishes.

 

[Revmitchell]

Im puzzled, this person referred you to this board but seemed to put it in a negative light. Now you are here in spite of that. Further, you have indicated a mistrust of board admins and other board members.

You air all this out up front not knowing anyone. Why are you here?

 

[HankD]

You shouldn't vocalize the thought that someone is not saved.

There are positive ways of wisdom to help someone (should God allow) to overcome that problem (like quoting scripture - but even there be careful).

 

[Squire Robertsson]

Probably to see if we are as bad as he was told. And he is finding out he was somewhat misinformed.

Im puzzled, this person referred you to this board but seemed to put it in a negative light. Now you are here in spite of that. Further, you have indicated a mistrust of board admins and other board members.

You air all this out up front not knowing anyone. Why are you here?

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

You shouldn't vocalize the thought that someone is not saved.

Actually, just questioning someone's salvation is grounds, is it not?

 

[HankD]

Actually, just questioning someone's salvation is grounds, is it not?

Yes I believe it is.

 

[FreeBaptist]

Im puzzled, this person referred you to this board but seemed to put it in a negative light. Now you are here in spite of that. Further, you have indicated a mistrust of board admins and other board members.

You air all this out up front not knowing anyone. Why are you here?

I'll requote myself: "I have been searching for a truly Baptist forum with a truly Christlike character."

 

[Revmitchell]

I'll requote myself: "I have been searching for a truly Baptist forum with a truly Christlike character."

If you are looking for a perfect board with perfect Christlike character this aint it. None of us have that and neither do you. If you are looking for a board that is a perfect Baptist forum this aint it. None of us are and neither are you. Now if you want to have discussions with other Baptists and do your level best to be those things you say you are expecting everyone else on this or any board to be then welcome. If you have an intolerant attitude of anyone you deem to be not "truly Christlike" or truly Baptist" then you are in for a short visit. We all fall short of those things from time to time.

 

[Deacon]

I was referred to this forum by a fellow member of my local church, but she gave me a warning. She said this was a fundamentalist forum...

Well, there is a special forum for fundamentalists here but this isn't a fundamentalist posting board or I would have been banned long ago.

Rob

 

[FreeBaptist]

If you are looking for a perfect board with perfect Christlike character this aint it. None of us have that and neither do you. If you are looking for a board that is a perfect Baptist forum this aint it. None of us are and neither are you. Now if you want to have discussions with other Baptists and do your level best to be those things you say you are expecting everyone else on this or any board to be then welcome. If you have an intolerant attitude of anyone you deem to be not "truly Christlike" or truly Baptist" then you are in for a short visit. We all fall short of those things from time to time.

I can almost guarantee that I am the least perfect on here.

 

[FreeBaptist]

Well, there is a special forum for fundamentalists here but this isn't a fundamentalist posting board or I would have been banned long ago.

Rob

Thanks, Rob. That's good to know. Some of my best friends are fundamentalists, and so are some of my "worst enemies".

 

[kyredneck]

If you are looking for a perfect board with perfect Christlike character this aint it. None of us have that and neither do you. If you are looking for a board that is a perfect Baptist forum this aint it. None of us are and neither are you. Now if you want to have discussions with other Baptists and do your level best to be those things you say you are expecting everyone else on this or any board to be then welcome. If you have an intolerant attitude of anyone you deem to be not "truly Christlike" or truly Baptist" then you are in for a short visit. We all fall short of those things from time to time.

Sheesh Mitch, good post, I almost NEVER agree with you.

 

[HankD]

I'll requote myself: "I have been searching for a truly Baptist forum with a truly Christlike character."

You best move along...