Alfred,
Welcome to the forum.
Proselytism, according to wiki (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proselytism):
"Proselytizing is the act of attempting to convert people to another opinion and, particularly, another religion. The word proselytize is derived ultimately from the Greek language prefix 'πρός' (toward) and the verb 'έρχομαι' (I come). Historically in the Koine Greek Septuagint and New Testament, the word proselyte denoted a gentile who was considering conversion to Judaism. Though the word proselytism originally referred to Early Christianity (and earlier Godfearers), it is also used to refer to other religions' attempts to convert people to their beliefs or even any attempt to convert people to another point of view, religious or not. Today, the connotations of proselytizing are often negative and the word is commonly used to describe attempts to force people to convert."
To that end, this Forum is a place for discussion of topics and ideas, debate and the like. If the debate acts as proselytism to someone who is considering True Christianity, which on this Forum means Holy Orthodoxy (EO, OO, Old Cal), then so be it. However, we have placed limits on this, to create a "safe" environment for those who are exploring Orthodoxy (and are, thus, in the middle of educating themselves about the faith) and those who wish to participate in Christian discussion without being proselytized.
To this end, the limits are generally understood as:
- No one may attempt to proselytize to a non-Orthodox (EO, OO, or Old Cal) faith or tradition, whether Christian, "Christian," or otherwise. Those of non-Orthodox faiths are free to participate in all discussions; when debate centers around their particular faith, they are free to clarify (and, to a certain extent, defend) their church's positions.
- Those who are Orthodox (EO, OO, or Old Cal) are not to engage in "jurisdiction-stealing."
These limits are generally applicable throughout the Public Fora, but are not used in the Private Fora, to allow for more frank & polemical discussion.
Make sense? So one is free to preach the Christian message here - as long as it is (a) Orthodox, or (b) clarifying your church's position in a debate.