Wouldn't it be refreshing to see a forum that had but one rule - Every post must be the original thoughts of the poster, nothing more, nothing less. That would mean that no post could contain any quoted or paraphrased material from any source or other person, and one wouldn't be able to repeat even themselves.

(Stan, that would conserve bandwidth, in a major way.)

Sure would, 'cause few people would be able to post.

If one is to have an online conversation with more than one person, readers need to know to which comment you are responding. The easiest way is to quote a segment. Granted, quoting can be way overdone, especially by some who like to pick apart a paragraph, but in the long run it is useful and lessens the "What is he talking about?" puzzle.

Just MHO,

LynnDel

That means no quoting from the Bible or EGW either.

I predict such a forum would last...oh, perhaps five minutes...

aldona

HEY TOM WETMORE

WHAT is the old saying here "good in theory but hard to
put in practice"

dgrimm60

I dunno - I reckon it's worth a bash as a subforum here. I take your broader point, Tom, and I do think quoting - both of other posters and of external material including the Bible, EGW and various articles from magazines and such - has been abused to some extent.

I think if you're going to have forums with serious Bible study it's sometimes necessary to quote a verse or two that you're studying, but we can assume everyone here has a Bible (or access to Bible Gateway) and can look up texts it we just give the references.

The quotes I object to most is the use of quotations as a weapon...

But I dunno Stan - what say you to the idea of a new 'Original Thoughts' subforum?

It does sound like it would be worth a try - go for it. What would be the punishment if someone breaks the rule? And how picky would that rule be? Would we need a code of law that identifies what a quote is and isn't?

LynnDel

Didn't someone say?....There is nothing new under the sun.

That being the case...IMO, it would be nearly impossible to have an original thought.

It does provoke curious interest so perhaps Tom can give an illustration. Can you, Tom?

Proper reference to someone elses material is a natural form of sharing knowledge. No man is an island. Today's innovative gadget is a result of someone elses curiosity and research in the past.

DB

Can I quote you on this? OR is that against the rules?

I do understand your point. Sometimes I see such volumes of quotes. And often times they have nothing to do with the subject.