Moe:  If I may interject at this point - 

Moe responded to the question:
> >>     Why is Preterism banned?
>  >
> > Because of a lack of maturity that was demonstrated by many of those
>  > who were engaged in the discussion.

John-Thomas asked:
> Why were these offenders not reprimanded individually or even booted
> from the list rather than banning an entire topic?  That seems to be an
> odd way to handle a disappointing situation.  I think discussing
> Preterism would be valuable to sharpening my understanding of the
> Scriptures.

My response to John-Thomas:

They were.  And some were.  

What was "odd" is that this is in fact the only issue, to my knowledge (Moe,
help me out here!) that has been placed "off limits" on this list.  This may
in fact say more about the issue itself, and the extremists drawn to it (No
offense intended to the orthodox out there!).  I doubt you would feel as you
do about that discussions' value in sharpening your understanding of
Scripture if you were to digest all of what the list was exposed to during
that "plague."  That step was not taken rashly, lightly, or without a lot of
patience being extended.  And, when this step was taken it was not done
unilaterally, but unanimously by all of the list moderators, and after much
consultation.

Be that as it may, the discussion continues off list with varying degrees of
profit.  There are other alternatives and venues out there without burying
SOG folks' inboxes with stuff that many did not find profitable at all.  At
all!  My take on it is that I would almost (and, I emphasize "almost")
rather discuss textual transmission with a "King-James-Onlyite" than discuss
eschatology/prophetic fulfillment with some of the more extreme adherents to
the "P-word" we were facing.  

John-Thomas, don't you know of any other forums for this discussion that you
expect to find profitable?

John T. "Jack" Jeffery
Co-Moderator