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.

[WVKayaker]

I’m just here for the cereal boxes.

Here's another one...

[WVKayaker]

I’m just here for the cereal boxes.

Or maybe this one...

[Lonely Bull]

It needs to be something we should all consider before we post anything on the RF. WE are what will make or break Free Republic and it is the best Conservative/Pro-Life/Pro-God/Pro-America site out there.

What I'm about to say is already implicit in what you wrote: I'd say the same about posting in any of the other forums as well. Of course, given its history, I easily see why the Religion Forum may deserve special attention.

Your second sentence quoted here contains my big reason for not wanting to close the Religion Forum or regretting that it was ever started:

I see politics and religion as intertwined, and in fact I see my politics as a result of my faith, not the other way around. I can imagine a policy that banned all primarily "religious" threads that had no obvious relation to news or politics, but that distinction would be artificial, even unnatural.

And then I would imagine enough religious discussion that it would be most suited to having its own forum instead of being all in something like Chat. (Being on its own forum would also work to the liking of those who don't want to see religious talk, since then filtering would be easier.)

[caww]

...."If the hallmark of Christian discussion really were tossing attacks, accusations,..."

I guess you might consider defining what you consider Christian discussion when opposing false teachings and teachers.....Jesus had a few words that didn't sit well with the false teachers either.

[CynicalBear]

>>It doesn't look like very many FRoman Catholics really DO believe in freedom of speech at all on this site.<<

Oh they do but only when it suits them.

[Lonely Bull]

I guess you might consider defining what you consider Christian discussion when opposing false teachings and teachers.....Jesus had a few words that didn't sit well with the false teachers either.

But what happens afterwards on the Religion Forum, when Matthew 23 seems to assume the importance that John 3:16 might elsewhere? Of making many threads there is no end, and I wonder what changes for the better after all of it.

[Not gonna take it anymore]

http://forums.catholic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=14

[goodwithagun]

Watching your mental gymnastics of trying to accuse me of things has been quite entertaining, but after a night’s rest I can’t help but feel so sorry for you. The hate and anger in the tone of your posts is frightening. I don’t have time to be bothered with you anymore. This is not a discussion. Peace be with you.

[Resettozero]

Watching your mental gymnastics of trying to accuse me of things has been quite entertaining, but after a night’s rest I can’t help but feel so sorry for you. The hate and anger in the tone of your posts is frightening. I don’t have time to be bothered with you anymore. This is not a discussion.

Or you could just admit honestly that he proved you wrong, mostly by your own words.

[Elsie]

I'm also a convert to the Roman Catholic Church.

Kinda like my story; but I was converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Without the smells and bells.

[Elsie]

...was baptized into my beloved Church.

O...
K...

[Elsie]

In fact, during the lengthy time that the Post Vatican II Latin Mass was badly translated by the ICEL, I would often murmur the Latin version rather than the faulty English one.

No WONDER so many Catholics end up being poorly catechized!

[Elsie]

I was just memorizing “words” from age 8-10, and then I better understood when I took first year Latin in the 9th grade!

I take it that it was MUCH better translated into English then?

[Elsie]

And I have not seen a Catholic condemn the Catholic Church for the obvious lack of understanding that the Muslim god is not the God of scripture.

OF COURSE not!

Look at the troubles started 500+ years ago when a...

...but I repeat myself.

[Elsie]

Before anyone uses a similar form of address, those of us who believe that the Bible is inspired would do well to ask ourselves if the same Spirit that inspired Paul inspires us.

Like what he wrote a little later in Galatians 5:12?

[Elsie]

At the same time, it's interesting to see this thread going to such a source.

We get stuff from EVERY where!

https://www.google.com/search?q=spanish+inquisition+torture&rls=com.microsoft:en-US:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7ADRA_enUS475&gws_rd=ssl

[Elsie]

(I'm speaking secondarily about conduct elsewhere as well: if someone thinks that "you fool" is a helpful form of address, someone should expect interesting responses.)

Likewise...

... if someone thinks that "_______________" is a helpful form of address, someone should expect interesting responses.

And we have SURELY gotten PLENTY of responses to the BLANK when filled in!

[Elsie]

("Our hearts are restless, Lord, until they rest in Thee." - St. Augustine)

Well...

...some of them do.

 

 

 

Bernadine: …all gifts, all virtues, and all graces are dispensed by the hands of Mary to whomsoever, when, and as she pleases. O Lady, since thou art the dispenser of all graces, and since the grace of salvation can ONLY come through thy hands, OUR SALVATION DEPENDS ON THEE.

Bonaventure: …the gates of heaven will open to all who confide in the protection of Mary. Blessed are they who know thee, O Mother of God, for the knowledge of THEE is the high road to everlasting life, and the publication of thy virtues is the way of ETERNAL SALVATION . Give ear, O ye nations; and all you who desire heaven , serve, honor Mary, and certainly you will find ETERNAL LIFE.

Ephem: …devotion to the divine Mother…is the unlocking of the heavenly Jerusalem.

Blosius: To the, O Lady, are committed the KEYS and the treasures of the kingdom of Heaven.

Ambrose: …constantly pray ‘Open to us, O Mary, the gates of paradise, since thou hast its KEYS.

Fulgetius: …by Mary God descended from Heaven into the world, that by HER man might ascend from earth to Heaven.

Athanasius: …And, thou, O Lady, wast filled with grace, that thou mightiest be the way of our SALVATION and the means of ascent to the heavenly Kingdom.

Richard of Laurence: Mary, in fine, is the mistress of heaven; for there she commands as she wills, and ADMITS whom she wills.

Guerric: …he who serves Mary and for whom she intercedes, is as CERTAIN of heaven as if he were already there…and those who DO NOT serve Mary will NOT BE SAVED.

Anselm: It suffices, O Lady, that thou willest it, and our SALVATION is certain.

Antoninus: …souls protected by Mary, and on which she casts her eyes, are NECESSARILY JUSTIFIED AND SAVED.

[Elsie]

I would suppose that addressing others as "you fool" would be even worse than a simple accusatory (even inflammatory) use of "you."

lonely bull; you might want to make a statement here...

[Lonely Bull]

Very surprised at the number of posts so I went back to read what the hubbub was about and, of course, the bickering was there. Just read a thread today that contained another really good verse...
2 Timothy 2:14

14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.

I noticed the same verse while going over 2 Timothy. Of course, I wouldn't try to apply this counsel to forbid discussions about and disagreements over doctrine for the sake of a false version of unity, peace, or love.

At the same time, I have difficulty finding the love in certain styles of discussion. Maybe I'm a blind sinner who has difficulty discerning the genuine Christian love in them; if this is so, then I request that the masters of love make it easier for me to see.

If we spent more time praising God and expounding on His works in our lives I am sure He would multiply our wealth of His glories just as He multiplies our tythes.

Now that is a work we could all enjoy and prove that He is indeed in our hearts and in our lives instead of arguing over what we think He says plus show the pagans that we do indeed love our brothers and sisters in Christ and bring them into our loving churches.

It's interesting to consider how we choose to spend our lives, including the parts of our lives posting on forums such as these. I do not exclude discussions and even debates over "what he think He says" from what appears to be the ideal Christian life, but there is more to life than those.

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

I do not expect that (or request that) the contents of one's private life of joy, prayer, and thanksgiving will be spilled all over the forums. I'd just hope that we can discuss matters of faith as people who sound as if we rejoice, pray, and give thanks more than we sometimes seem to do.