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.

[CynicalBear]

>>I pulled off the site for several months, and when I returned, I decided to pass on further donations and just not post any more threads to balance things out.<<

Have you been reading rules for radicals or something? Do you always attempt to control free speech with intimidation?

[mlizzy]

Have you been reading rules for radicals or something? Do you always attempt to control free speech with intimidation?

I think the site should be aware [and so evidently do others as they've said the same thing] that the intimidation [lack of Christian charity] on some of the religion forum threads causes people to no longer want to give (be charitable) toward the rest of the site.

[Cicero]

I’ll be sorry if you leave. Some of our best contributors have been driven out for similar reasons, and it’s a real shame.

[mlizzy]

I’ll be sorry if you leave. Some of our best contributors have been driven out for similar reasons, and it’s a real shame.

Thank you, Cicero. Sadly, there are only a "very" few people on Free Republic's open religion forums who wreck it for everyone else. But to quote the original poster of this thread:

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.

And to further quote "two134711":

I thank God for life and for the opportunity to begin things anew. I thank God for the blessings of family and love. I thank God for all the wonder and beauty in this conflicted world. Please remember Christ’s true love for all of us when you post and the Holy Wisdom we need to understand one another.

Peace.

[Very well said; I agree, and I thank God for you "two."]

[onyx]

Yes, I believe the Religion Moderator encourages battles as well, and it IS discouraging.

I think the comment onyx mentioned from CynicalBear, regarding more Catholics being in hell than Muslims, should be removed, just like I thought a photograph of a prominent Catholic, marked up to look like Satan, fell into that same category as well. Because it wasn't removed, I pulled off the site for several months, and when I returned, I decided to pass on further donations and just not post any more threads to balance things out.

I didn't realize so many others were similarly discouraged, and will back off again soon myself even though I do enjoy the commentary of most of the Catholics here, and a couple-few of the non-Catholics as well.

SWEETEST mlizzy,

Like I said in my original post to Cicero, I think our RM does a fantastic job. The battles only exist because some of us Catholics are baited into replying to the egregious "articles" posted by a certain few, many of which are dated as far back as 2010.

My advice is to let those people have their "articles" all to themselves. Jesus weeps. Lord have mercy.

Think about it, it's only a limited few, who spend hours a day here, expressing "their opinions." Ignore them and their threads.

God bless and keep you all.

[CynicalBear]

>>I think the site should be aware [and so evidently do others as they've said the same thing] that the intimidation [lack of Christian charity] on some of the religion forum threads causes people to no longer want to give (be charitable) toward the rest of the site.<<

What an interesting comment. Are you happy with everything pope Francis says and does and what every part of the Catholic Church does? If you don't have you stopped giving to them also or is this just some hyperbole to try to intimidate? Surely you would want to be consistent correct?

[Religion Moderator]

There are really only two options. Either we have forums or we have echo chambers.

Currently we have forums on 'open' RF threads and echo chambers on "caucus' threads. This is a compromise

Posters who cannot bear to have their deeply held religious beliefs deplored or ridiculed must IGNORE 'open' RF threads altogether otherwise they will be miserable and will make the debate miserable for everyone else.

If this is you, then leave the debate to the thick-skinned in your religious group and instead post to RF threads labeled caucus, ecumenical, prayer or devotional.

If you refuse to comply and instead disturb the debate with your personal offenses, then you are making the thread 'about' yourself which is also a form of "making it personal" - selfishly blocking others, even your own co-religiomists from declaring their own faith and their reason.

[onyx]

Thank you, dearest RM. Like I’ve said at least twice, “I think” you do a fantastic job. I can’t imagine a more thankless or more difficult position on the whole of our wonderful forum. The patience of Job comes to mind.

Personally, I see no useful purpose in the “so-called debate” that pits Christians against Christians, so like you advised, I rarely post on those threads.

I’m just very sorry and regretful that these “debates” are apparently harming FR and our fundraising, which likely works both ways. Pity that.

[Religion Moderator]

Thank you for your support.!

It truly goes both ways, some who want only echo chambers will not support forums at all and some who want only forums will not support echo chambers at all.

Hopefully the compromise will encourage both as much as is possible.

[onyx]

You’re most deservedly welcome, and

We so pray!

[CynicalBear]

>>There are really only two options. Either we have forums or we have echo chambers.<<

The number of posts in each makes it obvious which gets the most attention and active participation. I for one welcome the opportunity offered here to openly debate what scripture teaches. All in all I think the moderators do an excellent job and I commend them. Jesus Himself said there would be divisions.

Luke 12:51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

[CynicalBear]

>>I’m just very sorry and regretful that these “debates” are apparently harming FR and our fundraising<<

I often wonder if those who claim they stop contributing do the same with the Catholic Church when they disagree with pope Francis or other parts of the Catholic Church.

[mlizzy]

I’m just very sorry and regretful that these “debates” are apparently harming FR and our fundraising, which likely works both ways. Pity that.

In a roundabout way, we still do give to Free Republic, onyx, as we purchase little nine-hour votive candles (for all those whom I respond to on prayer threads), and these candles are placed before the Lord at adoration, and we pray a rosary for the suffering (or deceased) person as well. Until the hate for Catholicism is better monitored on Free Republic, we feel better giving in that direction, and I'm forever praying for this site (at adoration) as well.

Your posts, onyx, are ones I come back for (you are one of the kindest souls I've ever had the pleasure of not really knowing:)), and I keep hoping for some kind of change on this site, whereby we conservatives can fight the good fight without the divisive nature of a few people.

The whole “Religion Forum” idea was a bad idea from day one, but few were willing to speak up at the time.
Conservatism by its nature is Christian; banishing religious discussions to a religion forum ghetto
was always doomed to degenerate into what we see now. -Brian Kopp

[Brian Kopp DPM]

I’m just very sorry and regretful that these “debates” are apparently harming FR and our fundraising, which likely works both ways.

Many of the best FR posters are gone because of the vile stuff that's permitted to be posted here.

And you better believe the fundraising is down because of it. Who in their right mind is going to continue to contribute to a forum that permits this kind of nonsense?

[onyx]

Dearest mlizzy, your way too kind words have brought me to tears, but I thank you from my heart for them. I think the world of you and admire your faithfulness and aim to attain the same.

I had missed Brian Kopp DPM’s post, and thank you for its reposting. I’m so sorry that a limited few make it their daily practice to incite such hatred, and hatred is how “I” view it.

For the better part, I stick to reading Salvation’s threads and often NYer’s too.

I understand your roundabout way of giving and think it’s beautiful. We believe in the power of prayer. May God always bless and keep you.

[Brian Kopp DPM]

Such nonsense. No one is buying it. Shut down the cesspool instead of making excuses for it.

[mlizzy]

Thank you, onyx! ♥ Your prayers are being heard, I'm certain. Maybe we should start a "prayer thread" for the cause. :)

Jesus, be with you. Sweet Mary, hold your hand....

[boatbums]

No, it's NOT nonsense...it's COMMON sense!

There is a lot about Free Republic that can appeal to any Conservative. For those unable to continence criticism of their religion, avoiding the OPEN Religion Forum threads is an easy way to do so. Who has a gun pointing at their head forcing them to read them???

Anyone who regularly reads AND posts to threads here should be a donor...to not donate is freeloading, whether one likes certain threads or not. I don't usually read Catholic Caucus threads, but I still donate regardless. I dislike the religious wars and the insult-fest atmosphere certain posters turn them into, but I accept that this is part of what freedom of speech is all about and that I DO support. The only people "making excuses" are those who consistently fail to see the offense they - and the group they identify with - give while complaining about the perceived offenses of others.

As the RM so wisely said, if reading OPEN RF threads bother you, don't read them. How much simpler can it be?

[mlizzy]

As the RM so wisely said, if reading OPEN RF threads bother you, don't read them. How much simpler can it be?

The above has been stated on open religion forum threads on Free Republic so frequently to those who feel the threads [when disrespectful] are out of place on a "conservative" site, hateful toward Christ and His Mother, damaging to good Catholics and non-Catholics as well, and every time I read it, it reminds me so much of the following you see emblazoned on posters by many an embittered pro-abort with a chip on their shoulder the size of Nevada and a love in their heart that is not distinguishable, usually because they've had something to do with the ugly strike against life:

If you don't like abortion, don't have one!

"How much simpler can it be?"

[mlizzy]

I just finished browsing your posts from the last six months, and all that talk about furry animals and movies didn't change anyone's heart or soul. Besides being pro-life, what are your political views that you think make you a conservative?

Alex, the above is your reply to the original poster of this thread, who says "[your commentary and image regarding a "bitter opus" is] not going to change hearts and souls..." At this site both "furry animals" and "movies" have been mentioned as an aid to help (heal) one's heart and one's soul. That being said, what concerns me most about your commentary (at both links), is that it reveals condescension toward a woman, a lack of chivalry if you will.

It seems, in general on this site, it would help if the religion moderator responded more like a knight. For instance, recently on a thread, "goodwithagun" at #36 said she didn't want to answer to "daniel1212" but he still pesters her for several posts thereafter, until finally, a religion moderator steps in at #68 and then continues on to admonish goodwithagun at #69 as well.

It was a good thing GWAG wasn't hanging from a tower by her hair and on fire. I was always under the impression that chivalry and conservatism went hand-in-hand.

For a man to respect a woman completely, he must first love Our Lady, Christ's Mother. And that is why I believe the main religion moderator on this site is not a Roman Catholic, or at least not a happy devout one, which of course could lead to bias in his decisions, but somebody's got to do the job, I also understand this.

As far as yourself, I've seen several times you've encouraged debate from Catholics (by way of anti-Catholicism type commentary), and is that really a good thing to do on a conservative site where we are being called upon in serious fashion to try to save [as Christians] the liberal nation we are being forced to upright?