Forum Replacement and Closure of GA

Angeldove97 · Oct 24, 2008

I'm very sorry to see many people go--- I'll be honest in that I never really went to that particular forum because of how much it scared me. Not the idea that my faith could easily be tested and that I would have to prove myself repeatedly without end about why I believed something, but because of the attacks I saw there. My point of view--- nobody has to tell me its wrong or right.

Perhaps this format will be simpler and easier to use for those who are looking to find the Truth in Christianity. I'm willing to give it a try--- maybe I'll actually feel welcome in this sort of a place.

While CF's ministry/purpose... whatever you'd like to call it... may change, I still believe and hold true that THIS PLACE SHOULD NOT DEFINE WHAT CHRISTIANITY IS OR IS NOT.... It should not force you to believe good or bad about Christians. It's an online site and can only go so far in serving God... just like each of us can only so far to fulfill His ministry. No one should come here, see the changes that are being made, and deem this site to be Christ-less. Each of us knows very well that Christians are still here and that often we pray that people who are non-believers at this site will know Christ one day as well.

I've seen too much good here--- in all of the forums (believe it or not)--- to deem this a bad place. Offensive at times, un-PC often, and confusing all of the time, but I still see the light of Christ here. Not in the forums, or threads, or posts--- but in the members that I've gotten a chance to know through the site. Believers and Non-Believers... both we can see Christ in.

If you're offended, you do have every right to leave--- now-a-days there have TONS of different types of forums and communities in which we can join. From the two Ladies I've seen already say they're leaving... that's a shame: Lisa made a very strong impact in OBOB and made me proud to call her a Sister... Raven has worked her butt off for this site--- which is an inspiration considering she doesn't even think of herself as a Christian and yet she's done more for this site than many Christian Staff (myself included).

I say we give it a try--- see how it goes--- I'm being optimistic when I'm honestly anything but optimistic in most things. Like always, we'll lose amazing members and we might even gain some amazing new members. God will bless this site or He will not use it to serve His purposes. I'm thankful though that He gives us many different opportunities to serve Him and fulfill His ministry---online ministry is just one way. :pray:

LittleLambofJesus · Oct 24, 2008

While CF's ministry/purpose... whatever you'd like to call it... may change, I still believe and hold true that THIS PLACE SHOULD NOT DEFINE WHAT CHRISTIANITY IS OR IS NOT....

Greetings. What defines what Christianity is or is not? :groupray:

Nilla · Oct 24, 2008

Angeldove -

Angeldove97 · Oct 24, 2008

LittleLambofJesus said:
Greetings. What defines what Christianity is or is not?

Blessings to you :wave:

This isn't the place to discuss that--- just making a point in general.

Bombila · Oct 24, 2008

Angeldove97 said:
Blessings to you This isn't the place to discuss that--- just making a point in general.

For some of us, CF no longer provides a place for that discussion.

Criada, thanks for that. It was frustrating me enormously, especially since there is almost no time left to communicate with people we've come to know and like.

Angeldove97 · Oct 24, 2008

Bombila said:
For some of us, CF no longer provides a place for that discussion.

If this is the case, then hopefully the Lord will be kind enough to bless a new place in your life that would provide these types of discussions to get the answers that you're seeking. :pray:

(Not saying it's right that you have to go else where, but perhaps this new type of forum can do some good.)

snoochface · Oct 24, 2008

Angeldove97 said:
THIS PLACE SHOULD NOT DEFINE WHAT CHRISTIANITY IS OR IS NOT.... It should not force you to believe good or bad about Christians. It's an online site and can only go so far in serving God... just like each of us can only so far to fulfill His ministry. No one should come here, see the changes that are being made, and deem this site to be Christ-less. Each of us knows very well that Christians are still here and that often we pray that people who are non-believers at this site will know Christ one day as well.

This misses the point. Each of US knows that Christians are still here and pray and blah blah blah? So what? It's not what US Christians know, it's how we represent Jesus, how we represent our faith to non-Christians that matters.

Non-Christians see what goes on here and they DO get a negative impression of Christianity. That means that they are that much harder to reach, either by US or by some other Christian in their life who tries to show them that Christians aren't all like US.

We're supposed to be an example of Christ. We're supposed to preach the gospel. We're supposed to ALWAYS be prepared with our good arguments for Christ. We are supposed to SUFFER for the gospel. My God, we can't even "suffer" enough to tolerate open discussion among non-Christians? We can't "suffer" some profits in this world in order for others to profit in the next?

What is happening here makes US poor examples of Christ in the eyes of non-Christians. We're hearing that loud and clear from the non-Christians, whether WE think we are shining examples or not. WE are doing damage. WE should be ashamed.

Tenebrae · Oct 24, 2008

Rep Daddy said:
Sounds like a good concept. It allows for dialogue for those interested in knowing more and shields it as a "deconversion" insurgents' playground.

Good balance.

RD

So we should just kick out those in the process of deconversion, ex christian.net is a nice healthy environment.

How long till we get the forcible icon removals?

Criada · Oct 24, 2008

Bombila said:
For some of us, CF no longer provides a place for that discussion.

Criada, thanks for that. It was frustrating me enormously, especially since there is almost no time left to communicate with people we've come to know and like.

That is sad, and I hope that there is somewhere here where we can continue that... I am trying to find a venue. I am sure there must be somewhere where people who are friends can meet and talk, at least.
Perhaps in the friendship court?

Tenebrae · Oct 24, 2008

The mission statement of this site is a joke beyond measure.

Mods are too busy censuring to notice those in the midst of a suicidal depression. I know of instances where people who had made a blatant threat of suicide, and it took about 3 weeks before it came to the mods attention.

Where two or three are gathered and the problematic younger brother or sister in the back room trying to take their own life, while the nice christians just keep singing kumbyya while they ignore the blood pouring out from under the door.

I would be less cynical and sarcastic if I could be assured this site could actually manage inreach. We have leadership placing stumbling blocks before christians struggling in areas like same sex attraction, and it seems its ok to allow adds for gay dating, as long as it keeps the bucks rolling in because thats more important than christian principles.

Sojourner1 · Oct 24, 2008

Non-Christians can still discuss Christianity with Christians in the new forum that has been created. Christians can still be an example of Christ in that forum and the rest of the forums that are open to all members.

Bombila · Oct 24, 2008

Sojourner1 said:
Non-Christians can still discuss Christianity with Christians in the new forum that has been created. Christians can still be an example of Christ in that forum and the rest of the forums that are open to all members.

No they can't. That is not a forum, it is a Q&A booth, or worse.

Sojourner1 · Oct 24, 2008

Tenebrae said:
So we should just kick out those in the process of deconversion, ex christian.net is a nice healthy environment.

How long till we get the forcible icon removals?

The problem with GA is that it had a record of more deconversions than conversions. Instead of reaching the lost for Christ the forum tended to shatter the faith of Christians who were not prepared to debate in that forum.

Tenebrae · Oct 24, 2008

Sojourner1 said:
The problem with GA is that it had a record of more deconversions than conversions. Instead of reaching the lost for Christ the forum tended to shatter the faith of Christians who were not prepared to debate in that forum.

I think you will find more deconversions happen due to the less than stirling examples of christians than because christians cant handle non christian debate.

Like I said, lets just kick out all struggling in their faith, who dont fit the mold of true christian. Exchristian would just push those struggling in faith more firmly away from christianity.

Sojourner1 · Oct 24, 2008

Bombila said:
No they can't. That is not a forum, it is a Q&A booth, or worse.

Why can't they discuss Christianity with Christians? I think there are Christians who will post in the forum who wouldn't have posted in GA. It will nice to be able to have a reasonable discussion which is focused on the questions that non-Christians have.

AV1611VET · Oct 24, 2008

Would any of you whiners like to take a tour with me through some of the posts in GA and see where Jesus is called anything BUT what He is? Or are you too busy here in this thread talking about how squeaky-clean GA has been over the past year, and "once in awhile you might see something somewhat offensive"? Believe me, the chaff has outgrown the wheat in GA, and I, for one applaud administration's decision to do what they're doing. I could go on and on and pout about how I, personally, have been called everything but what's in my profile, but I think you get the point of what I'm saying --- GA has been rendered a blasphemous joke of a place to post in. By way of just one mild example: the Bible is referred to as the Talking Donkey Book, and It's [human] authors are ignorant Bronze Age goat herders. Is this what you're defending?

snoochface · Oct 24, 2008

Sojourner1 said:
Non-Christians can still discuss Christianity with Christians in the new forum that has been created. Christians can still be an example of Christ in that forum and the rest of the forums that are open to all members.

It is beyond naive to think that someone who is not a Christian would engage in a discussion that is essentially in read-only format for anyone but Christians.

Would you walk into a room full of brain-surgeons at a brain-surgeon convention, where no one other than brain-surgeons were present, you were the only non-brain-surgeon in the room, and timidly raise your hand at the Q&A part of the agenda to ask if someone could please explain to you why it's at all important for anyone to know how the brain works?

It's intimidating, it's exclusionary, and it's highly unlikely that anyone will use the forum for this purpose.

Crazy Liz · Oct 24, 2008

Criada said:
That is sad, and I hope that there is somewhere here where we can continue that... I am trying to find a venue. I am sure there must be somewhere where people who are friends can meet and talk, at least.
Perhaps in the friendship court?

Ever try posting a serious topic in Friendship Court?

arborvita · Oct 24, 2008

This thread is rapidly brinking on the edge of being closed.

I would advise everyone to dial it back.

Forum Replacement and Closure of GA

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