A couple of practical comments:
Faith is believing something is true, purely because someone you 'trust' tells you it is true.
If that person has first-hand knowledge of the thing he is describing, then accepting its veracity might be ok.
But when the person making the statement cannot possibly have any personal knowledge of the subject, then he could be making it up as he goes along.
It becomes incumbent upon you to be politely critical, and not to be led around by your nose.
In some cases, you might be curious enough to seek guidance from alternate sources.

Also, with respect, I remind you that expressing an opinion is not an invitation to a prolonged debate.
When contributors have access to many separately offered opinions, they are able to reach some form of mutual consensus.
They learn from each other.
But in any case, trading 'trash-talk' is not productive.
Even if it does allow a person to 'let off steam', and, just for a moment, give him a brief and erroneous feeling of being 'in control'.

"I remind you that expressing an opinion is not an invitation to a prolonged debate", says Ipso Fatso.

There is no debate here; but you cannot express an opinion and expect silence. Nor is there ever any "consensus" on OLO. The same few people have been banging on with the same opinions for years. It is a way for people with no power to have a say anonymously. Nobody changes his or her mind. There is no 'debate', just disagreement and criticism, sometimes nasty and arrogant; most of it pointless, unchanging.

We all have our reasons for being here, and lectures on what should be or not be, particularly from a Johnny Come Lately, are not appreciated.

Hi IF,

I've been part of this forum for decades. And people
still surprise me at times. What I like are the variety
of views expressed. What I don't like are the personal
attacks that often come through and don't achieve
anything productive. But that's to be expected on a
public forum such as this one. It's not true that people
don't change their minds at times. They have and do.
And whether we like to admit it - often opinions can make
you do more research and see things from a different
perspective.

Banjo Paterson, David F., and many others have that effect on me.

O Sung Wu, who's views are often different to mine is so
civil and decent - he's made me think many times. Even
shadowminister has surprised me as has mhaze - who often makes
me research further.

Paul makes me laugh out loud at times. And Armchair Critic's
research takes me into an entire different world.

One thing's for sure. It is never boring. Each and every
poster - has something to say - and each makes the forum an
interesting place in which to post. I can honestly say that I
do look forward to reading the posts - even though I will
yell at the computer screen at times (joke).

Of course Steele is in a class by himself. And Maverick is a
welcome addition. And so are you IF! Your light shines
brightly - as does that of Yuyutsu. And Is Mise - certainly keeps
us all on our toes. Indyvidual is a challenge and Josephus means
well. I'm sure that I've left many out - but everyone on this
forum has something to offer. That's why so many of us are
still here and we keep coming back.

There are clear cases where people have been persecuted for their beliefs. Folau for one, the Bishop in Tasmania, and now Thorburn even though he has done nothing wrong.

Foxy's answer is that because this level of persecution is much lower than the Christians in other areas that this makes it OK.

shadowminister,

Please don't put words into my mouth.

I think each case has to be looked at in its context.
And that goes for the actions of religious organizations
as well. As someone stated - One Size does not fit all.
And there are after all different circumstances involved
in each case.

Foxy,
Waiting for a response.