Thanks for the memories, but it's time for Christians to unite not fight

self | 3/2/2015 | two134711

[two134711]

Thank you Free Republic for allowing me to post and vent on this site for over ten years. I am a young, married conservative woman who is trying to raise her daughter to be a fine, upstanding lady, an educated woman and a worthy wife to a decent man. Despite the stupidity of my generation (I am on the cusp of GenX and GenY) there is hope. Many young people are more prolife than ever. And at last, many others are beginning to open their eyes to the lies of socialism.

However recent events on this site like witnessing the discord between fellow believers of Christ and how the Religious moderators have given carte blanche to those who wish to spread hate is not something I want to be part of.

I received this message from the Religion Moderator regarding Key words received 03/02/2015 8:45:19 PM PST

“DO NOT use keywords to snipe at other posters or beliefs. RM”

I certainly did not post key words that sniped at anyone; they were terms such as "enough already,” “Christianity,” “unity” and "peace." Now, yes, the comments I made were invectives thrown at posters. I don't deny that; but they deserved every word directed at them and more. Outside of Caucus threads the religious forum is based on sniping at posters and insulting other's beliefs. Mostly it’s a few alleged “Evangelicals” damning those Papists, pedophiles, pagans, cracker-eaters, cannibals and Mary-worshipping heretics to Hell if they don't convert to the Western Branch of American Reform Presbylutheranism or the Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879. Then a very small contingent of Catholics tries to fight back.

These are the kind of comments are allowed on the religious forums without any moderation.

"I believe that Catholicism has caused more people to go to hell then [sic] Islam."
84 posted on 2/23/2015, 2:36:42 PM by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus)

AND

**Have you accepted the Catholic Church** "I have accepted Jesus. Not some abomination created by man."
98 posted on 2/23/2015, 2:46:17 PM by Gamecock (Joel Osteen is a minister of the Gospel like Captain Crunch is a Naval line officer.)

I have no skin in this game other than to realize that Christians (and Jews) are not each other’s enemies. There is a much more diabolical force in this world that should be fought. Anti-theists, Islamists, secular amoralists, etc., they're nothing. But, hey, keep going after Catholics and Mormons because they're the ones ruining the world today!

I said those words because it was the truth, (a truth that many others see but do not mention; they merely avoid the conflicts). If the anti-Catholic delusional bigots have a problem with the truth, then a pox on their houses.

I have posted on and off this site for over ten years. Every time I come back here I think to myself, “Wow, FR is one of the only sites telling it like it is when it comes to politics!” But then the OCD religious posters take control over and over again. It’s not just the religious forums, but they’re the worst. In the past the moderation was far more even-handed. Now it’s out of control. Please use more judiciousness in moderating them in the future.

You are losing members left and right and your fundraisers take months to complete. I am aware that the owner of this site, Mr. Robinson, is a Catholic, and I’m sure it breaks his heart to see such infighting amongst fellow Christians. I hope his health betters and that he can continue to fight the goof fight.

Nevertheless, FR's days as a premium conservative site are over. There a quite a few decent folks around here like Mrs. Don-0, xzins, Morgana, miss marmelstein, wardaddy, that fellow named something like yefrugeturbrumuy, and lots of others. There are many good folks with diverse opinions and no malice in their hearts.

But some others seem possessed by other-world forces. Mostly they're old people scared of death, wanting to make sure they get in with God before the end, desperate to hold on to every penny they've ever come across, willing to kvetch about the future and frequently mentioning how glad they'll be when they're dead and won't have to deal with this world, while their children and grandchildren will. Or worse, they actively wish for the world to end today or soon. Sorry, I'm young enough to have a smidgen of hope despite the moral disaster this world is in.

The Apple squabbles, the griping about TV and art, heck even the "my candidate is better than your candidate" bloodletting is nothing compared to the nutters that run rampant on the religion forum.

So Religious moderator, if you thought my key words were examples of “sniping,” then I suppose this post was outright bashing. Every time I come to this site I get angry. Anger opens up the heart to dark forces; it’s best not to be part of that.

Got to go. May peace come to this once wonderful site and make it a place of harmony for future posters.

[MamaB]

Best of luck. I fell several years ago in a motel bathroom. I hit my head on the countertop hard enough to knock me out but did not develop trouble until 2013. God bless. I am kinda worried this time since I will have muscles in both eyes operated on. Will I be able to see since my right eye was really swollen and bloodshot afterwards? My regular eye dr told me to wear a patch for the double vision. I told my grandson I would need a pirate’s hat to wear with it. : )

[onyx]

I know your history of very sad losses of family members. We have been FRiends a good long time. I hope you made Facebook contact with the Friend you wrote to me about. You will have my faithful prayers for a successful eye surgery on the 19th and I won’t forget, because I have 2 doctor’s appointments that day. Just check-ups, but they will be reminders!

Tweezers in the eye! Yikes. Not even twightlite sleep. You’re a hero! God bless and keep you.

[onyx]

We will have to disagree with regard to that post. It’s totally vile and I think it should have been deleted, but it gave me and others quite an insight into the mindset that poster.

[onyx]

BTW, I’ve had laser surgery in both eyes because of cataracts, and it turned our miraculously. I lost my nearsightedness, so I sometimes wear OTC reading glasses, but no longer need prescription glasses.

You will be fine. Our good Lord hears and answers our prayers, plus you have an excellent doctor and you’re the best patient!!

[Resettozero]

It’s totally vile and I think it should have been deleted,...

Yes, you have posted that thought previously on FR. Perhaps that particular poster mentioned is just one of a very few FReepers who have thought that thought. Perhaps not. Perhaps that FReeper was one of very few bold enough to nail it to the Religion Forum board.

Perhaps there's a lot happening on the RF that you have missed. Come visit often while the privilege remains.

[Mrs. Don-o]

I was posting here in, as I remember it, late 1997 on my husband's account, before I got my own. In the early days I invited friends to join. I thought it was so great!

But in the last few years I have never felt inclined to invite anyone to join -- certainly not my beloved Protestant family on my husband's side, certainly not anybody from my Catholic parish --- because I would be ashamed to expose them to the coarseness and aggression which are on constant display, especially on the Religion Forum.

If there were ever any innocent lurkers who would stroll into the RF to see what the nature of conservatives' Christian faith might be, they would be shocked and repelled forever. It is the perfect antiGospel, a stick in the eye.

I have friends here --- of all denominations --- to whom, perhaps, I owe my life, since when I was at death's door they generously prayed for me, and the Lord heard their prayer and spared me. So I stay. But I do not know whether my being here is my vocation or my vice.

I ask forgiveness for any way I have offended.

And thanks, Lonely Bull, for providing my new tagline.

[onyx]

You have ‘perhaps’ in your post so many times, if I didn’t know better, I would think you were speaking in tongues...LOL.

I have no idea what you meant when you posted, “Come visit often while the privilege remains.”

[fatima]

:)

[Resettozero]

I have no idea what you meant when you posted, “Come visit often while the privilege remains.”

It was an invitation to visit the FR Religion Forum more often to see what is really transpiring there, as opposed to inaccurate information you may have received.

[metmom]

There you go, metmom. Pinging your list.

Is there a law against it?

Are others likewise chastised when they do it?

The ping had nothing to do with the poster but the comment.

I do not recall anyone pushing denominationalism to get people to convert to their church. Except Catholics.

If you could point me to anyone else who demands that someone go to their church or go to hell, and that there is no salvation outside their own church, I would be interested in seeing that.

Or perhaps you could find a statement of faith that says somewhere in it *There is no salvation outside the _______ church.* as is found in the CCC.

[Gamecock]

They’ll come after certain FRoman Catholics first.

[metmom]

How is that any different than Catholics who say basically the same about Luther and the Protestant Reformation?

You are aware, aren’t you, that there are Catholics who think that Protestants are vandals and as such should be eradicated from the earth?

[Not gonna take it anymore]

“How is that any different than Catholics who say basically the same about Luther and the Protestant Reformation?

You are aware, aren’t you, that there are Catholics who think that Protestants are vandals and as such should be eradicated from the earth?”

I was a Protestant for most of my life and am the only Catholic in my family.

I certainly hold no animosity toward the Protestants I know and love. But, they aren’t spending their time denigrating the Catholic Church or my beliefs.

[Mark17]

It is also wise to avoid threads about the Civil War

Oh yes, I remember a few of those. The comments on the RF are tame compared to some of the ones I saw concerning the civil war, though I can not remember the last time I saw a civil war thread.

[metmom]

I expect people to disparage Christ and His word
and my faith in Him and trust in His word.

They disparaged Him to the point of crucifying Him.

He told us not to be surprised if the world hates us because it hated Him first.

[metmom]

Nice thoughts but they didn’t answer the questions.

Do you object to them or chastise the Catholic who posted them?

[Not gonna take it anymore]

Why would I chastise anyone? That’s not my place. You are going to face Christ at the final judgment. You are going to have to explain to Christ why you gave him up in the Eucharist and spoke against his church for the rest of your life. I’m not going to have to do that, you are.

[Resettozero]

I’m not going to have to do that, you are.

IF your religion is true and IF hers is not.

[Iscool]

I share many of the same sentiments that you've expressed. As a Gen X'er whose been lurking since the late 90's as a teenager and only a recent participant in the FR RF its obvious it's nothing but a haven for bitter, old, so-called Christians whose behavior is what they substitute for not having a church. Their own personal brand of "Christian fellowship."

Always remember that their brand of Christianity always begins with the negative proposition of being against Christ's Church, rather than being for Christ.

So in other words, you are a wanna be Catholic posting your own version of a Protestant attack thread...

Be forewarned, we are armed (with scripture) and dangerous...

[Lonely Bull]

Perhaps all should be caucus, and thus eliminating the arguments?

I've never been a fan of making too many threads caucus threads. Sometimes I've had something constructive to add to a thread in which I shouldn't have been posting according to the strict definition of a "caucus thread." Because of the label, I never posted what I would've posted otherwise.

Are you thinking of the "ecumenical" setting?

Ecumenical threads are closed to antagonism.

To antagonize is to incur or to provoke hostility in others.

Unlike the “caucus” threads, the article and reply posts of an “ecumenical” thread may discuss more than one belief, but antagonism is not tolerable.

--SNIP--

Contrasting of beliefs or even criticisms can be made without provoking hostilities.

[more follows]

I've favored making the default setting "ecumenical" and forcing "open" threads to be labeled as such. This way, the burden of a special effort lies on those who wish to make antagonistic threads. I'm not thinking of an onerous physical burden: adding "open thread" to the label should be easy enough for anyone who can already type a post. I'm thinking about the mental shift, however slight, that such a label just might produce.

The only problem that I'd have is practical: such a significant change in existing policy would require a bit of notification. I'd expect not a few people to forget about the new rule, and I'd even expect a few people to "forget" about the new rule intentionally. But maybe we've reached a point where such a proposal should be made more seriously. (I am not doing so right now, or else I'd be explicit about making the proposal.)