Consolidated Stickies For the Apologetics Forum. READ THIS FIRST! - Page 2

**Eric Hilbert** · #16 Sep 11, '10, 11:40 am

Just a reminder:
If your purpose in posting on any forum is to proselytize, your account will be closed.

Consider this applied throughout CAF as we do not exist to provide a platform for non-Catholics to evangelize our members away from their Catholic faith.
Very sincerely,

**Michael Francis** · #17 Dec 28, '10, 4:31 pm

If a thread is too far out for you to handle, your best action is none at all.

Refusing to post on a thread is the surest way for it to be short lived, and it is probably the best way to send a charitable message to the OP.

However, the Catholic Answers Forums exists to provide a community for Catholics and non-Catholics of all levels of interest in and/or commitment to the Catholic Church to gather on the Internet for discussion in a safe and charitable environment. We do not require that members agree with the Catholic Church in order to participate; only that they remain charitable in their postings.

The members (Catholic or otherwise) are free to discuss issues of interest to them, even though some of those issues are not entirely in line with the Church's understanding of Catholicism.

We feel that by allowing discussion of issues of concern for Catholics and non-Catholics, we are not endorsing those issues that are contrary to Church teachings but allowing members to discuss those issues amongst themselves. Any member confused on a point of Church doctrine is welcome to submit a question to the Ask an Apologist forum or to contact Catholic Answers directly.

IF a thread violates any of the rules and guidelines found at this link then simply report it, (

) stating what rule it violates and we mods will happily deal with it.

**Michael Francis** · #18 Jun 26, '12, 12:34 pm

Catholic Answers Forums exist for Catholics to dialogue with one another and become more knowledgeable in their faith. The Apologetics forum exists to provide a community for Catholics and to help both Catholics and non-Catholics better appreciate the Church's teachings.

After much thought, the moderation and administrative staff have decided on an Apologetics forum policy not to allow discussions aimed at a particular individual who is considering leaving the Catholic Church because this is not an appropriate venue for resolving such problems. While well-intentioned, any advice could, potentially, be dangerous.

There is a clear-cut risk involved in accepting, relying, or acting on the expressed opinions of those who either lack relevant professional qualifications and credentials, or whose claims to such cannot be validated. Similarly, the experience or response of others in what appears to be a similar or identical set of circumstances is not an accurate measure of its applicability to someone else's situation.

People experiencing theological or spiritual problems that are affecting the well-being of their physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health should seek the counsel of their priests, confessors and/or spiritual directors who are known to them and have been entrusted with the care of their souls.

Also, CAF simply does not have sufficient moderation and administrative resources at this time to closely monitor all such threads. Catholic Answers does provide an avenue for pastoral support, Catholic answers to moral questions, and the prayers of our staff. We are open Monday thru Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time. The phone number is 619-387-7200.