User talk:Phatcat68/Archive Veledan

Sorry to hear...

Hello Phatcat68. I'm one of the people opposing you on that category talk, but I don't want to bring any of the arguments from that discussion here. The only bit I do want to mention, that wouldn't really be proper to the Talk page itself, is that I was sorry even before coming here and finding that you are considering leaving that the way the discussion worked out, several people, including me, were arguing a position against you that from our point of view was merely a technicality to be insisted upon, but which from your point of view was a topic that matters dearly and should have been given a fuller hearing. Irrespective of who's right, I realised how unbalanced it was and I came here to try to say don't be disheartened, and sorry for appearing to gang up. Best of luck whatever you decide. ~ Veledan | Talk | c. 16:12, 14 August 2005 (UTC)

I also would like to add that I respect the evident sincerity of your beliefs and your willingness to stand up for them. However, Wikipedia policy is pretty clear in such cases as Category:Born-again Christians—decision-making here is consensus-based, which means that if there is a discussion and you find yourself the only one defending a particular position, even if you are 100% right, the consensus opinion is the one that prevails. I would like to suggest a Request for Comment so that we can see if there are other folks out there who agree with you. A Request for Comment is not necessarily a judgment against you or anyone else involved—it's a way to get other voices involved.

I also believe that Wikipedia policy is pretty clear that names should be based on common usage in the English language. I wish you luck in your quest to alter the perception of the term "born-again Christian", but until you succeed, we are pretty much stuck with the perception that currently exists. My arguments are not based on disagreeing with your theology, but simply on the way Wikipedia works. I do know the feeling—you can't label Peter a "born-again Christian" for the same reason that I can't go around calling myself an "Evangelical Christian", even though I belong to the original "evangelical" church.

• Thanks for your kind reply on my talk page, Phatcat. Aranel, I have to say while I'm here I don't think an RfC is appropriate - enough comments have been made already, and Phatcat68 has already made it clear that he's aware that any sort of vote on this would go against him: that was one of the points at issue earlier. Sorry to butt in guys, I was just a bit dismayed to see the argument threatening to continue in what I'd meant to be a conciliatory section. Peace ~ Veledan | Talk | c. 23:47, 14 August 2005 (UTC)