Here's my take:
Knight said:
Yet the truth divides!....So ChristianForums.com banned Christ.
Division is one problem the church has today. If people would unite on the more important things instead of bickering and dividing themselves over things that aren't essential I think the body of Christ would be much more powerful. They shoot themselves in the foot when they argue amongst themselves so much. Personally I tihnk they lose credibility in the non-Christian world. Christ did come to divide, but I don't think He meant it in the way you're using it. Christ didn't want to divide people that both have faith in Him. He came to divide people based on accepting him or rejecting him. Also in His time there would have been divisions in Israel because many did not accept him, there was division in Israel.
Next rule:
You may discuss another individual's beliefs or religious organization but you will not harass, insult, belittle, threaten, defame or flame the individual (member or non-member) as this is considered personal (ad hominem) attacks in posts, PMs and any other communication within the site.
Knight said:
Christ exclaimed...
Matthew 23:33 “Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?
So ChristianForums.com swiftly banned Christ.
It really bothers me when I see people use this verse to justify name calling and deriding people. I have no problem with that rule at all, but that isn't to say I think a forum must have it. Yes, Jesus used some strong words but I think you need to look at who Jesus was talking to, he was speaking against the hypocritical Pharisees. This "nicer than God" stuff can be taken too far.
Next rule:
You will not directly call another member or his or her religious organization a “cult”, “heretic”, “demonic” or “satanic” but you may discuss doctrines, teachings, practices or writings of other religious organizations as long as empirical evidence is provided..
Christ warned...
John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
And Christ turned to Peter and said...
“Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
So ChristianForums.com quickly banned Christ.
Now this is actually a rule that I disagree with, at least parts. I think we should be able to call something heresy if it is. I have less of a problem with "cult", "satanic", and "demonic" but I'm not sure I'd restrict it completely, but they should be used VERY sparingly. My guess is most of what people would call satanic or demonic on this site I wouldn't agree with. Christ turned to Peter and said that when Peter was speaking against Christ's crucificxion and said it should not happen.
Next rule:
You will not directly state or otherwise imply that another member is not a Christian if he or she falls under Rule 6.5 and 6.6 and he or she does not have a hidden faith icon without providing substantiation from scripture or doctrine or historic church writtings.
Knight said:
Christ made Himself clear...
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
I didn't quote that other passage because I have no idea how it applies to saying someone isn't a Christian.
As I said in the "Essentials" thread there are only a few things that I believe are necessary for someone to be a Christian. Unless someone was denying one of those things I would highly question someone's Christianity. It is our place to hold our brothers and sisters accountable, certainly, and even give some rebukes, but to call someone's actual faith into question is serious. Only God truly knows the heart and Christianity is essentially a heart issue.
