RE: do arfs belong in scale forum?
If you don't accept ARF's, then scale modelling will become a dwindling activity. There won't be enough competitors to support scale events- it is a fact that the number of people building is decreasing and the number of ARFs are increasing. I think that is one of the reasons that Scalemasters created a clas to allow arfs to compete.
Secondly, some of the ARFs are getting very impressive (hanger 9, RC Guys, Tams, etc). Having said that, it is unlikely that a decently built scratch build would be threatened competively if they were competing in the same class.
There are more aspects to scale modeling than the construction phase. It is an excellent opportunity to pass on these skills such as gathering documentation, detailing, and flying manouvers in a realistic manner to the newcomers who- like as not- are going to be bringing ARFs.