A plea

[mmonk]

It's starting to get spooky on this board. I mean is this a DU board or a Bob Jones University board? As someone raised Catholic, I have never hated a gay person (I'm heterosexual), never hated people of different religions, wasn't taught to hate anyone in CCD classes or by any priest nor by my Catholic parents growing up. I disagree with Church officials on birth control and I don't think abortion should be illegal. I, like every Catholic I personally know, so therefore I presume the number of Catholics like those I know is high, think the pope is the leader of the church, but nothing more and not someone we feel is right about everything and therefore we must agree with him. So that as my backdrop, can you make this board just a teeney bit less scarey or foreboding and turn to political things here in the U.S. a bit more that we need to pay attention to and fight for? Either that, or maybe I need to take a break from here, its just I'm so concerned about the nuclear option coming up and its ramifications, I can't help but check here so much.

[Spiffarino]

1. I think it's time some of us revisit those age-old Democratic principle

...of tolerance, understanding, and a welcoming heart.

We are the party of the big tent - when can we start acting like it?

[RevCheesehead]

2. When we can stop "hating."

There are plenty of people in this world who oppose me, or what I stand for, because of my gender, faith, and vocation. There are denominations and congregations that refer to "that evil woman preacher" who have condemned not only me, but my entire church to hell, simply because I answered God's call to serve as a pastor.

But it is not in my best interest to let THEM define who I am. I choose not to hate, because hate corrupts ME - even more than the object of my hatred.

I appreciate the call for tolerance and understanding, because those are not only progressive values, they are also Christian values.

[evlbstrd]

4. Thanks, Reverend. You said it better than I can.

I was raised as a liberal democrat Irish Catholic. And that's pretty much what I believe. I'll leave you to your religion if you'll leave me to mine. Whatever it may be at the time.
Short of animal or human sacrifice, of course.

[Az]

3. Group dynamics

Who is welcome and how they can interact with others in the big tent is part of the problem. On one side of the big tent you have gays wanting to marry other gays(some are even Catholics). You have people defending a woman's right to control her body(again many are Catholics).

On the other side of the tent you have a group who's spiritual leader just died and a new one was appointed. His rhetoric is strongly opposed to the inclusiveness of the big tent that many of us would like to see. Of course not everyone follows his teachings and many have to get to know him to decide for themself.

But to those who are not followers of that particular belief system it is threatening. Whether the person they are talking to is in lock step with the vatican or is on the edge of being excommunicated the label of Catholic is going to carry some weight with it. The positions of the Pope and the vatican are going to be tossed into the mix when evaluating the individual until they are fully known.

This is the mix in the big tent. Although it is mostly a happy and inclusive group there are those that see others as threats to their inclusion. There are two ways through this. Ok three ways but the third way is silence and festering. Not good options.

Option one. Purge. Decide which side you stand on and purge any that are not with you. Personally I find this the worst option. It is giving up.

Option two. Dialoge. Work it out. Get to know each other. sure there will be disagreements. Sometimes strong ones. But that is the nature of a big tent. They are large noisy affairs.

[RevCheesehead]

6. Maybe it's a question of division vs. diversity

Maybe I'm just an optimist, but I see diversity as a strength, not a weakness.

I agree wholeheartedly that dialogue is the key to understanding. The best way to achieve such success is to listen twice as much as you respond (that's why we have two ears and one mouth).

I think too many people simply post an "emotional dump," then leave it for other people to smell and clean up after. When you look closely at these "dumps," you actually can see a person in pain. My response is usually something like "please tell me why you are in pain, or what's going on?"

It's a lot like the kindergarten rule: hitting back doesn't solve anything. Play nice.

[ancient_nomad]

5. Agree

It seems we ignore many important issues like the Constitution
Restoration Act, the nuclear option, just to name a couple. I am
very concerned about the future of our country. Tried to alert
everyone to the CRA during the Pope frenzy to no avail. It amazes
me how many people respond to superfluous posts and ignore requests
to help eg: Sen.Kerry or Sen.Boxer in their efforts on our behalf.
It's like pulling teeth. Ouch! Seems like the MSM controls our board
at times.

I wish there was a way to get half the DU'ers to participate. If
just 33,000 of us would have responded to Sen.Kerry and Boxer's requests, think of the added influence our voices would carry. This is
what we need to do as a productive group they can rely on when they
request our help.

Anyone have any ideas how we could achieve such a goal?

[RevCheesehead]

7. The first thing that comes to mind is "Avoid the Flame-wars."

If something is offensive, hit the alert, than let it go (let the mods deal with it).

The "ignore" feature can be quite helpful, especially during these times. Also, the "ignore thread" is another gift.

Nominate good, thoughtful posts.

When you post a "call to action," give detail. Just because a topic is important to you, doesn't mean everyone knows about it. Give a brief synopsis of what you are asking everyone to do, and why it is important. (please don't cop-out with "google it yourself" - if you post it, you own it.)

Give positive feedback on posts that promote progressive causes.

Avoid posting inflammatory stuff like "I'm so pissed off..."

Be polite. You'd be surprised at how many people notice a polite response. There are nice ways of saying "I disagree, and here's why."

These are just a few ideas. :)

[ancient_nomad]

14. Appreciate your insight.....

Being a newbie can be frustrating at times,especially since
this is the first time I've ever participated in a forum.
I'll get the hang of it sooner or later.:-)

[theliberalavenger]

8. I don't understand - what posts don't you like?

Are you talking about the Catholic bashing?

If so, I agree.

[mmonk]

11. Earlier today

I logged in to check what was up and it seemed a bit much. I mean when Catholic/Nazi/pope etc. threads outnumber the political threads, it seemed a bit strange (especially with all the crap going on with Delay, nuclear option, political and economic policy right now).

[theliberalavenger]

16. You're right - we need to choose our battles...

...and getting worked up over what the Pope did or didn't do 60 years ago isn't the right choice. No matter what any of us do, holding our breath and jumping up and down, he's going to be the Pope. Complaining about him is a waste of time - just spinning of wheels.

[lonestarnot]

9. quit your whin'n and buck up there scaredy pants...no body is gona get ya

[mmonk]

13. Forgive my wimpyness

I saw all the crap earlier today and had flashbacks from the bigot (Bible) belt. At this point in my life, I'm not religious, but get apalled sometimes at the vitroil.

[lonestarnot]

17. Understandable...my vitrol included...best to just go with the flow and

occassionally interject positivism. LOL

[Cleita]

10. Just some persepective.

I was also raised to be a good citizen and loyal to my country, but not for this government of neo-fascist criminals. I also was raised a Catholic much as you were, but not for a Pope that demonizes a group of people publically and in a way that is not proper channels for his office.

[mmonk]

12. With you on that

[DanCa]

15. Break the bread

Hey Mmonk I want to appologize if any of my post got out of hand. I never meant to attack the player I just dont like the game that's being played. I too was raised catholic and am now in the Episcopal church it's just a touchy time right now. My family attends Catholic Mass regulary and I know that theyre are nice catholics. Father Mulkyhay from mash, Father Flannigan from Jamestown, Father Damien with the Lepers, mother terresa, and alot of other catholics are cool.

I have lurked on this board a long time and have come to realize that people are attacking positions and not people themselves. Thats the key to dealling with it. To quote Mother Terressa I dont fear god, just some of the people that fear him.
Me I try to love everyone regardless of party, orientation, faith, or background I am just tired of getting hammered and people saying that am not a "Christian" by the powers that be and just because I dont have a r checked next to my name when I vote and want/need stem cell research. Anyhow have a gentle evening and dont let it get you down. And remember when it does do what I do. 150 mg of zoloft do ya. Have a happy. Dan