Recovery from the occult forum - an explanation

Why did some of the Pastoral Team know nothing about this?
Who is credentialed to deal with these issues?
Does this not open liability similar to practicing medicine and law here as amateurs?

Have you read Moriah's blog?

The occult on this forum is growing Erwin.

I know it's early for a mod post but given the past few hours I would like to make a very strong suggestion to please keep all discussion on topic and civil. Thanks!

Honestly I don't know why I care except that I am a pastor.

Even the name you chose you have been hoodwinked on.

Here if you can find a Bible in the rubble look at where this comes from:

Jdg 1:27 Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.

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The destruction of the people of G-d came because they permitted the Caaninites to dwell in a city which should have been destroyed.

Look with your eyes - see what is planned.


Mercy on the souls who are tormented
Mercy on the souls of those who give refuge to the enemy

PG

drstevej said:

Why did some of the Pastoral Team know nothing about this?
Who is credentialed to deal with these issues?
Does this not open liability similar to practicing medicine and law here as amateurs?

Have you read Moriah's blog?

The occult on this forum is growing Erwin.

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Personally I think given how and why this was done this is very relevant

Erwin, there was much confusion in the other thread, and my attempt to make some calm comments and suggestions may have gotten lost in the mix. I'll post my previous comments below, and I hope you have time to read them. Thanks!

Erwin said:

I created this new private Recovery forum based on this PM I received yesterday:




It's a private subforum for Recovery - they already have another Private forum - they require private forums as their work is sensitive and mostly confidential.

The name is Hebrew for City of Refuge.

It's NOT a satanic exclusive private forum.

It is for CHRISTIANS who are recovering from a past of occultism.

It is only accessible by members of the Recovery Staff Team, and the Pastoral Team.

Only members of the Recovery Staff Team and the Pastoral Team can grant access to members. No one else can give this access except them.

Once access is given, a "refuge" icon shows up in the member's post but only staff can see this.

I apologise for the lack of explanation given to members or staff, this was only done 10 hours ago just before I went to bed.

I repeat, this is a private RECOVERY forum for CHRISTIAN members recovering from a past of the occult. Recovery already has a private forum, this is a subforum.

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Wow.

Wow.

Uh, ok, I'm going to try to put together a few thoughts. Please pardon me if they are disjointed.

~ I don't know about any languages used in occult traditions, but I do know that the name in Hebrew does not refer to the enemy. "House of Refuge" is a valid translation.

~ Setting aside (for the moment) the question of whether or not the forum should exist, it seems like there was a significant problem with staff communication on this issue. If indeed the people to be given oversight of this new forum were not notified of it during the formation process, I would like to suggest that was a definite error in judgment.

~ Regarding privacy, I understand and respect the need for privacy to discuss intimate, troubling, shameful, etc. topics. I also think this is a legitimate concern for other Recovery subjects, and consideration should be given to equalizing the status and privileges of all these groups.

~ Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't see the folder appearing anywhere, so it seems this is a completely invisible forum, yes? If this is indeed the case, then I suggest it be coded similar to the Site Supporter area, so that it could be seen to exist, but no posts or members would be visible to anyone not granted privileges. This would serve two purposes: One, to eliminate the "secret" appearance of it all to people who feel like this has been formed in a sneaky or underhanded manner; Two, to allow for more people to know of its existence and apply for membership so they may receive help.

~ About moderation, oversight, etc -- This would need exceptionally close moderation, as it is a volatile subject and the Christian hospitality of this site could easily be abused. However, this does not mean that it shouldn't exist -- just that parameters should be in place whereby unqualified people are not giving advice or attempting to perform exorcisms, and trusted Christian staff members should be present to discern any abuse of the forum (ie, anyone who goes against the recovery intent and promotes the occult, etc.).

~ Having a Recovery from Cults section has been proposed (for those who don't like the word "recovery," perhaps "exodus" or some other word could be substituted). I think this is a good idea -- again, with strong parameters in place to guard against abuse of the privilege.

I am assuming that based on the intent stated in that PM that the forum will only be for those who are RECOVERING members of occult practices, not those currently involved in them, no matter their icon?

Also, why is it OK for younger members to be able to read up on sexual practices among married couples but not those struggling to overcome occult practices? Don't you think that seeing the dtruggle would serve as a deterrant to become involved in these things in the first place.

WHy was the Pastoral Team NOT consulted on this? That is amazing. This is the team you picked to oversee the spiritual and pastoral issues?

Why were they not even considered?

Do you think they support this? If so, you better ask them.

Steve

For those who want to know about the name, read this:
http://www.ourfatherlutheran.net/biblehomelands/galilee/betshean/betshtxt.htm
This source is a Lutheran church.

The forum is for christians who have been on an occult path

It does not now nor will it ever admit non christians...

nm

Tagging

E-beth said:

I am assuming that based on the intent stated in that PM that the forum will only be for those who are RECOVERING members of occult practices, not those currently involved in them, no matter their icon?

Also, why is it OK for younger members to be able to read up on sexual practices among married couples but not those struggling to overcome occult practices? Don't you think that seeing the dtruggle would serve as a deterrant to become involved in these things in the first place.

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The very fact that a practicing Satanist was turned away by Moriah herself gives evidence that it truly is a recovery forum.

That fact alone swayed me to be more positive about the forum's existence.

Lisa

Maybe the Pastoral team needs to be given jurisdiction over the forum, in order to ensure it's purpose is being fulfilled.

Lisa0315 said:

The very fact that a practicing Satanist was turned away by Moriah herself gives evidence that it truly is a recovery forum.

That fact alone swayed me to be more positive about the forum's existence.

Lisa

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One good decision is not a guarantee that all is well. Bad logic, sister.

drstevej said:

Is someone who has romantic sex with Satan and demons a Christian?

This is a very pertinent question on a site that has a very loose definition of what a Christian is.
How do we know non-Christians are not posting there?

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Before you go off on the deep end, you do not have all of the facts. I wish that Moriah would publicly state the facts, but she does not have any desire to, or doesn't have the capacity to do so at this time. Please, please trust me on this.

The whole POINT of the Staff Discussion on this a few weeks ago was to determine whether to ban Moriah or see if there was a way to help her while protecting the members. This is the solution. It may not be perfect, and the way it happened was not great, but the intentions were good.

Lisa

I have other things to worry about than this forum...I hope that it serves its purpose. If it does not then it should be shuttered.

I agree that the Pastoral team should be given oversight.

Other than that I really don't care.

Good grief, give this a chance.

Lisa0315 said:

Before you go off on the deep end, you do not have all of the facts. I wish that Moriah would publicly state the facts, but she does not have any desire to, or doesn't have the capacity to do so at this time. Please, please trust me on this.

The whole POINT of the Staff Discussion on this a few weeks ago was to determine whether to ban Moriah or see if there was a way to help her while protecting the members. This is the solution. It may not be perfect, and the way it happened was not great, but the intentions were good.

Lisa

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Is this a forum for ONE person. If so, fine.

It sure seems like more folks than Moriah are to be involved, that is my concern.

Moriah does not need to share her story here. I do hope she gets help.