Conservatives Disenfranchised?

[GreenMunchkin]

Exceptional post. Nice to see you green

*glomps Angel*

Are you back, too? For good, please?

 

[Johnnz]

I'm sometimes bemused about the negative comments about the Forum. I recognise that some Christians want to live all but totally immersed within a Christian environment of like minded people. The trouble with that view is that Jesus himself would be deemed far too 'worldly' for this site, with all that partying, eating, the company he kept, even allowing disreputable women to touch him affectionately.

We are in the market place - tares amongst wheat, so closely associated you cannot pull up one without the other coming up as well. Our lives are to testify to Jesus, wherever we are - In Paul's day slaves were to rejoice when badly treated, as they had few options for avoiding a beating for whatever reason their master chose. We are salt, which must mix and mingle to have any affect. Salt does not work at all well kept in a salt shaker, where it becomes lumpy and useless.

We are to give reasons for our faith. Thus I welcome opportunity I would never have otherwise to share what I know of God with any who read my posts. That contact is not limited by geography providing wonderful new opportunities. I have been contacted by some who have had their thinking redirected from something I wrote here. Bless God.

To those who want the forum to be a nice, tastefully decorated nursery for baby Christians I suggest you don't leave. Just follow the biblical process of growing up in Christ into a genuine maturity, not a Peter Pan type longing for perpetual childhood.

John
NZ

 

[desmalia]

I'm sometimes bemused about the negative comments about the Forum. I recognise that some Christians want to live all but totally immersed within a Christian environment of like minded people. The trouble with that view is that Jesus himself would be deemed far too 'worldly' for this site, with all that partying, eating, the company he kept, even allowing disreputable women to touch him affectionately.

We are in the market place - tares amongst wheat, so closely associated you cannot pull up one without the other coming up as well. Our lives are to testify to Jesus, wherever we are - In Paul's day slaves were to rejoice when badly treated, as they had few options for avoiding a beating for whatever reason their master chose. We are salt, which must mix and mingle to have any affect. Salt does not work at all well kept in a salt shaker, where it becomes lumpy and useless.

We are to give reasons for our faith. Thus I welcome opportunity I would never have otherwise to share what I know of God with any who read my posts. That contact is not limited by geography providing wonderful new opportunities. I have been contacted by some who have had their thinking redirected from something I wrote here. Bless God.

To those who want the forum to be a nice, tastefully decorated nursery for baby Christians I suggest you don't leave. Just follow the biblical process of growing up in Christ into a genuine maturity, not a Peter Pan type longing for perpetual childhood.

John
NZ

Friend, I encourage you to actually read the posts that have been made here. Your comments about tares and wheat are quite right, but they do not apply in the least bit to this conversation. No one is talking about "forcing the tares out". Quite simply, if this forum is going to call itself Christian, it should have a direction and guidelines that are in line with that, don't you think? Currently, it does not. And Christians have left in droves over the past year, in large part because of that hypocrisy. A number of us have pointed out endlessly that if this is to be a community for all beliefs without any emphasis on Christ, that's the prerogative of the owners and staff. But then don't be silly enough to call it Christian, right?

I would also like to point out that this place is not anyone's "whole world" or even the real world. We all live lives apart from this place. So please don't assume that any of us live in a totally "Christian community". I certainly don't. In fact I'm in contact with FAR more unbelievers than believers. So, when I come to a place specifically to talk with Christians, it would be nice if I could actually do that without unbelievers, etc. popping in to ridicule or attack on a whim. You're right, it's not my "right" to have such a place. But it is something that I would like. And ya know what? The staff ASKED for our opinion in this thread. So that is what they're getting. I'm sorry if you don't like it.

 

[Johnnz]

The forum can be a 'Christians only' thing. That's fine if that what it's leadership wants it to be. But if it is a forum sponsored by Christians who want to be there in the 'market place' that's their choice. People can chose what type of forum suits them.

I am here because I love the interaction, the challenge of differences, the opportunity to interact with a larger community than is available locally. I see lots of great Christian input, genuine questions and debate from non Christians many why are facing issues that led them to participate.

Why are differences so difficult? There is a great variety of belief amongst committed Christians on many issues. Just limiting content to 'Christian only' will still result in variety and debate. And doesn't non Christian debate sharpen our skills in communicating Christ to such people? That has pushed me into study, research, analysis and expansion of both my own faith and my ability to present it more effectively.

John
NZ

 

[Nadiine]

The forum can be a 'Christians only' thing. That's fine if that what it's leadership wants it to be. But if it is a forum sponsored by Christians who want to be there in the 'market place' that's their choice. People can chose what type of forum suits them.

I am here because I love the interaction, the challenge of differences, the opportunity to interact with a larger community than is available locally. I see lots of great Christian input, genuine questions and debate from non Christians many why are facing issues that led them to participate.

Why are differences so difficult? There is a great variety of belief amongst committed Christians on many issues. Just limiting content to 'Christian only' will still result in variety and debate. And doesn't non Christian debate sharpen our skills in communicating Christ to such people? That has pushed me into study, research, analysis and expansion of both my own faith and my ability to present it more effectively.

John
NZ

Becuz they aren't mere "differences", they're agendas that continue attacking Christians and Christians having little recourse as to stopping it but to run to their little safe havens. (even then it doesn't stop, they follow in these areas too).

You may enjoy people bashing Christians, Christianity and God - many of us do not, esp. after a few years of it. I enjoy differences & dialogue with SINCERE people, not people hostile to God who's hobby is ripping everyone's beliefs to shreds.

And while we're on that, let's try to remember the new Christians who come here who actually need protection.

We shouldn't all have to come here and endure that on our so called home turf. For alot of people this is a place to hang out & enjoy, and that ruins alot of people's time and turns to frustration and exhasperation.

By the looks of the numbers, it would seem the majority did get tired of things for whatever reasons.

 

[Johnnz]

I'm glad that Jesus hung out with His message, even though stoutly opposed by those around him.

John
NZ

 

[desmalia]

The forum can be a 'Christians only' thing. That's fine if that what it's leadership wants it to be. But if it is a forum sponsored by Christians who want to be there in the 'market place' that's their choice. People can chose what type of forum suits them.

I am here because I love the interaction, the challenge of differences, the opportunity to interact with a larger community than is available locally. I see lots of great Christian input, genuine questions and debate from non Christians many why are facing issues that led them to participate.

Why are differences so difficult? There is a great variety of belief amongst committed Christians on many issues. Just limiting content to 'Christian only' will still result in variety and debate. And doesn't non Christian debate sharpen our skills in communicating Christ to such people? That has pushed me into study, research, analysis and expansion of both my own faith and my ability to present it more effectively.

John
NZ

What kind of differences are you referring to? Like whether women can be pastors? Or whether Jesus is really is God? Those are not exactly the same kind of "differences" are they?

And I don't think anyone is suggesting a good healthy debate is a bad thing. Lots even come here for exactly that. We won't agree on everything in this life, and that's OK. But when you've got a site that protects the promotion of things like universalism or wicca as "Christian", there is a problem.

 

[Johnnz]

What kind of differences are you referring to? Like whether women can be pastors? Or whether Jesus is really is God? Those are not exactly the same kind of "differences" are they?

And I don't think anyone is suggesting a good healthy debate is a bad thing. Lots even come here for exactly that. We won't agree on everything in this life, and that's OK. But when you've got a site that protects the promotion of things like universalism or wicca as "Christian", there is a problem.

Differences nevertheless. And although they are 'family' differences, there can be quite a lot of hostility expressed here from those differing from someone else over a doctrine.

Does the site 'protect' such people, or provide a place where Christians can share and debate with such people if they chose?

My basic point is if you want just 'in house' company, go where you get that. If you can accept a site that reflects what is out there in society and where Christians can present their views then here is a great place to do just that. But there is no need for negative (even hostile) comments from those who prefer the first option. This is not an 'in house' site. That's one reason why I enjoy it so much.

John
NZ

 

[A New Dawn]

My basic point is if you want just 'in house' company, go where you get that. If you can accept a site that reflects what is out there in society and where Christians can present their views then here is a great place to do just that. But there is no need for negative (even hostile) comments from those who prefer the first option. This is not an 'in house' site. That's one reason why I enjoy it so much.

John
NZ

Excuse me, but this is the site where we can go to get that. That is the whole purpose of this Conservative Christian forum, a place where we can go to be with those who believe similarly to us, so that we don't have to constantly defend our beliefs. There are other forums where we can go to discuss things between ourselves and those who hold different beliefs.

 

[Angel4Truth]

What she said ^

:waves: to Green and Dawn and everyone else here ... as far as being back - I came back because I was hopeful since someone was asking this question even though I am still a little skeptical because those of not of the forum keep adding their 2 cents without being conservatives and acting as if we have no opinion even though its being asked for. They keep being allowed to do so it seems in many threads on this issue even to the point of flaming us. I am willing though to see what happens because I dearly care about it here.

That issue ^ would be a good place to start Letalis. Before fixing everything try enforcing whats already in place. I would also like to add that *some* conservatives feel strange that certain staffers keep looking at our profiles every couple of days when their name falls off- they pop up again. I noticed one on particular who keeps visiting mine even though its well know the person has issues with me because of my stance on the occult. Also we arent friends. She even did so when I was away for the last couple months taking a break so what she needs to see is beyond me. Seems like she just wants me to keep seeing her name there.


Would that make someone feel disenfranchised? Certainly especially when the person(s) adding to it are staff members.

 

[Nadiine]

What she said ^

:waves: to Green and Dawn and everyone else here ... as far as being back - I came back because I was hopeful since someone was asking this question even though I am still a little skeptical because those of not of the forum keep adding their 2 cents without being conservatives and acting as if we have no opinion even though its being asked for. They keep being allowed to do so it seems in many threads on this issue even to the point of flaming us. I am willing though to see what happens because I dearly care about it here.

That issue ^ would be a good place to start Letalis. Before fixing everything try enforcing whats already in place. I would also like to add that *some* conservatives feel strange that certain staffers keep looking at our profiles every couple of days when their name falls off- they pop up again. I noticed one on particular who keeps visiting mine even though its well know the person has issues with me because of my stance on the occult. Also we arent friends. She even did so when I was away for the last couple months taking a break so what she needs to see is beyond me. Seems like she just wants me to keep seeing her name there.


Would that make someone feel disenfranchised? Certainly especially when the person(s) adding to it are staff members.

I had my stuff all reset on my control panel recently - panels I had closed & shut off were opened up (things I hadn't read in weeks)... That was really wierd, my pm thing was opened even tho I hadn't read any pm's that morning.
Just unusual.

You know, last year when all the poop hit the fan, alot of our posts read something along the lines of "I feel like a fish being watched in a fishbowl", people have interest in conservatives & fundies like no other group of people I've ever seen, when most of us honestly don't care about what others are doing around here.

That tells me something tho and I say, PRAISE GOD.

 

[Nadiine]

Differences nevertheless. And although they are 'family' differences, there can be quite a lot of hostility expressed here from those differing from someone else over a doctrine.

Does the site 'protect' such people, or provide a place where Christians can share and debate with such people if they chose?

My basic point is if you want just 'in house' company, go where you get that. If you can accept a site that reflects what is out there in society and where Christians can present their views then here is a great place to do just that. But there is no need for negative (even hostile) comments from those who prefer the first option. This is not an 'in house' site. That's one reason why I enjoy it so much.

John
NZ

Are you a conservative John?

Technically this site should somehow try to protect all people to some degree - which is why there are flame rules & others.

This site offers safe havens (thank God) - and they should be kept as such.
You have to remember that the reasons you are here and the things you prefer to do here, may not be why others come to CF or what others prefer here.
The site shouldn't necessarily revolve around your personal preferences as to what you like at CF.
This thread is staff asking for general input from all conservatives, and we're replying. It would seem as tho the majority of us are in full agreement of what the problems are and I don't believe it's too much to ask given that the site claims to be "Christian".

As such, it should properly define and cater to Christians, not those hostile to Christianity.

 

[Johnnz]

I would subscribe to the Nicene Creed, so that would make me a conservative.

I have a passion to

a) rightly understand scripture. Thus I may challenge a conservative if I consider they have misunderstood any scripture. Honest consideration of any scripture to attempt the most accurate understanding ranks pretty high in my values.

b) See practical biblical principles (not merely religious formulas) applied in relevant ways to the complexities of life that we face in the 21st century.

c) To be able to present a reasonable account of my faith and its implications to anyone who wants to discuss this with me. I don't want to shut down or turn off honest questions with inadequate, insensitive replies.

a-c all interact in my thinking and study of the scriptures.

John
NZ

 

[sealacamp]

||" That tells me something tho and I say, PRAISE GOD."||

I agree! Praise God!

Nothing happens by chance God has a design and a plan for everything, including this place and all the people here. If He can use me to help, shine a light, or in any way lead others to Christ or let His truth shine in this dark world then I accept that what ever it may be.

Yes you are very right Praise the Lord!

Sealacamp

 

[Nadiine]

I would subscribe to the Nicene Creed, so that would make me a conservative.

I actually disagree with that, since we have alot of liberals with Christian icons who subscribe to agreeing with the same creed??

I certainly don't think that if they claim to agree w/ the creed that they would label themselves conservative. (I'll let someone else sift all that out)

c) To be able to present a reasonable account of my faith and its implications to anyone who wants to discuss this with me. I don't want to shut down or turn off honest questions with inadequate, insensitive replies.

What I bolded in your statement is alot of the problem at CF - alot who hang out here regularly are showing agendas of attacking Chrisitianity & Christians and are not asking "honest questions" but openly working against the faith.

Alot more could be said, but I'll leave it at that. How they stop that, I don't know (or if they will stop it or have intention of stopping it) -
We'll wait & see what happens.

 

[Angel4Truth]

Are you still reading this Letalis?

 

[Letalis]

Are you still reading this Letalis?

Hi Angel,

Yep, I am. But things are pretty hectic IRL for me. I am moving. I have been keeping an eye on all the Conservative threads I started since their inception.

 

[Angel4Truth]

Hi Letalis , thanks for responding. Are there any plans in the works to adress any of the issues raised in this thread and others?

Unfortunately it seems the wide majority of conservatives have left so there arent many left to hear from at this point. Most expressed their concerns over the last 2 years and then have left CF behind when they werent taken seriously or they were hounded and stalked to death by some of the people who are now in power here.

 

[Angel4Truth]

8 days later ... anyone?

 

[Nadiine]

8 days later ... anyone?

I think this has actually been one of the complaints/problems.

No communication unless people push and complain to hear something.
This has been the hallmark of the new ownership - I didn't care much for Erwin after his vision fiasco, but he did at least communicate more and thru staff.
Pretty soon, no one will be here to complain to hear anything..... another of my friends left yesterday - she said that now they don't care if nontrinitarians (esp. newer members) are posting in Christian areas.

I have a feeling that's becuz the numbers are so low & the members are newer, compromise sets in. What do you do when you want to keep your members? Offend the veteran (who was once on staff) or the newbie.
So the veteran leaves.