Does America have FREEDOM?

[Zeena]

God has called me to bring the Body of Christ together within the gaming community I've been recruiting Christians in Guildwars for the past year, and in Lord of the Rings online this past week for Christian fellowship

As a Christian recruiter I often come against attacks made by the enemy in the form of persecution. Hate mongering, intolerance and persecution are rampant when we go into the world, as Christians, seeking the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

My MOST profane example would be by that by an American company by the name of Turbine Inc, who, whilst playing thier game and actively recruiting for Christian fellowship has said this -->

And I QUOTE;

Specifically, a Game Master determined that you were recruiting for a Christian only kinship, even
after being warned that it was a violation of the code of conduct, and you continued to talk in OOC
after you were warned to cease the discussion.

Source

Funny that other Kinships may recruit all they want, but because of the fact I am recruiting Christians [see the bolded text above] that I am in violation of thier 'Code of Conduct'

Does not the Law of the Land superceed any private entities rights to free speech and religion? Does not our Government [I know mine does, I'm Canadian-EH!] protect the rights of assembly under a Christian banner?

Amendment 1

[FONT=Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]FREEDOM OF RELIGION, SPEECH, AND THE PRESS; RIGHTS OF ASSEMBLY AND PETITION[/FONT]
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

 

[pete56]

Well I would say that if this company is operating out of Canada then you would be able to use that law, but I expect it is incorporated in some off shore enclave away from such troublesome internet restrictions.

You should persevere, and stand against discrimination!

 

[Zeena]

Well I would say that if this company is operating out of Canada then you would be able to use that law, but I expect it is incorporated in some off shore enclave away from such troublesome internet restrictions.

You should persevere, and stand against discrimination!

It's headquartered in MA, USA.. Would that make a difference?

 

[LovesTruth]

As much as I support the fight for Christian legal rights, I am afraid this is not illegal persecution UNLESS the user has a contract with the game company AND the contract allows coalition-forming and doesn't exclude religion as a basis for a coalition. Just because something is legal, that doesn't make it right. In fact this may or may not be legal persecution.

Canada has legalized anti-Christian persecution because it arrests and fines those who speak the Bible truth about homosexuality. In other country's they do the same for attempting to win people to Christ. If persecution is legal, it is still persecution.

 

[Zeena]

As much as I support the fight for Christian legal rights, I am afraid this is not illegal persecution UNLESS the user has a contract with the game company AND the contract allows coalition-forming and doesn't exclude religion as a basis for a coalition. Just because something is legal, that doesn't make it right. In fact this may or may not be legal persecution.

Canada has legalized anti-Christian persecution because it arrests and fines those who speak the Bible truth about homosexuality. In other country's they do the same for attempting to win people to Christ. If persecution is legal, it is still persecution.

There is an agreement in place, three in fact..

We have the Code of Conduct for in-game play
http://www.lotro.com/article/148 [half way down the page]

The Terms of Service
http://www.turbine.com/?page_id=81

And the End User Licence Agreement, often referred to as the EULA
[which pertains strictly to the actual software, and modifications and entitlement to such]

From what my unlearned eyes can tell, there is nothing in the preamble to determine the outcome of which I have endured, and to which many other like-minded Christians and various peoples of faiths may have to endure these coming days, months and perhaps years..

So far, from what I can tell, [links are provided above to the agreement in it's entirety] this would be the closest provision of the agreement which may have persuaded thier decision in my humble opinion, would be that of provision 3 of the Code of Conduct, to which Turbine Customer Service implied [impied, only becuase I can find no other relevant stipulation] as the reason for my removal in-game;

The Code of Conduct stipulates that you cannot participate in any in-game activity that looks to
segregrate players based on religion, among other factors. With that said, at such time that you
were specifically warned by a GM to cease this action, you continued to do so, resulting in the
temporary ban.

3. You may not use or distribute sexually explicit, harmful, threatening, abusive, defamatory, obscene, hateful, racially or ethnically offensive language (including, by way of example, but not limited to, ethnic slurs and religious epithets), content, character names, titles, descriptions, or in-game labels (including, by way of example, but not limited to, offensive or inappropriate guild names, pet names and inscriptions).

To which I expressly objected was not the case in my most recent ticket submission.

I don't look to segregate, I look to bring TOGETHER the Body of Christ, as WELL AS those who have like-minds..The Legion of Light is a Kinship set forth with RULES, such as no profanity, ect.. Stated on our forums here --> http://lol.phpbbnow.com/viewtopic.php?t=2

And our membership requirments are NOT only Christian, but anyone who is willing to adhere to these rules, which would most likely preclude Christians. The Legion of Light has had officers who are atheist as well as members of diversified backgrounds, but ALL who come, come for the safe envirionment it entails. The thread which proves we accept members of ALL faiths and backgrounds is here --> http://lol.phpbbnow.com/viewtopic.php?t=6

We've been an active guild on GuildWars for nearly two years, with little problems in the way of alienation of outsiders, but while recruiting in game for like-minded individuals to step forth I experienced a lot of hate-mongering and backlash from your community, as your server database/backup would only go to prove.. Was this backlash addressed at all, or was I the only one singled out?

I heard nothing of NOT being able to recruit in the /OOC chat.. Yet I was banned for doing so, seeking people of like-mindedness to enjoy this game

At this point, may I just say THANK YOU SO MUCH, even a shoulder to cry on is most welcome, as I've often cried over this, as God is my witness.

And thank you also for the interest you've shown in my plight, it is VERY much appreciated, thank you, and Praise God! :XD

I don't want [what I constude as] religious persecution to continue unabased, as I too care deeply for those who may be suffering a similar, if not more violent fate..

May God keep us all!

John 17:9
I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

Praise God He delievers! :XD

John 6:39
And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

 

[HannahBanana]

God has called me to bring the Body of Christ together within the gaming community I've been recruiting Christians in Guildwars for the past year, and in Lord of the Rings online this past week for Christian fellowship

As a Christian recruiter I often come against attacks made by the enemy in the form of persecution. Hate mongering, intolerance and persecution are rampant when we go into the world, as Christians, seeking the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

My MOST profane example would be by that by an American company by the name of Turbine Inc, who, whilst playing thier game and actively recruiting for Christian fellowship has said this -->

And I QUOTE;

Source

Funny that other Kinships may recruit all they want, but because of the fact I am recruiting Christians [see the bolded text above] that I am in violation of thier 'Code of Conduct'

Does not the Law of the Land superceed any private entities rights to free speech and religion? Does not our Government [I know mine does, I'm Canadian-EH!] protect the rights of assembly under a Christian banner?

That's not persecution, though I do agree that it is unfair. "Persecute" is defined by Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary as:

Main Entry: per·se·cute
Pronunciation: 'p&r-si-"kyüt
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -cut·ed; -cut·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French persecuter, back-formation from persecuteur persecutor, from Late Latin persecutor, from persequi to persecute, from Latin, to pursue, from per- through + sequi to follow -- more at [SIZE=-1]SUE[/SIZE]
1 : to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict; specifically : to cause to suffer because of belief

I hope you can understand now how that is not persecution, since I highly doubt you're truely suffering because of this. I will pray for you, though, and I hope that the people at Guildwars stop being so intolerant.

 

[Zeena]

That's not persecution, though I do agree that it is unfair. "Persecute" is defined by Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary as:
I hope you can understand now how that is not persecution, since I highly doubt you're truely suffering because of this. I will pray for you, though, and I hope that the people at Guildwars stop being so intolerant.

I can, thanks

And it's not the Providers of Guildwars who have been unfair, it's the providers of the Lord of the Rings Online-heh

I've been leading a Christian Alliance in guildwars for quite some time now, and have heard nothing of the sort..

Sure I get fanatics attempting to disuade me from my calling, and the enemy trying to crush me, but not a peep, as yet, from the developers there, Praise God! :XD

 

[Zeena]

It seems now as if they are acting immorally..

As in saying ther members on the forums are allowed to recruit Christian members, therby giving forum members the impression that it is an acceptable practice in-game, hence sinning against thier own body

Moreso,

Your account ban specifically refrences the actions to recruit in this fashion IN THE GAME. This is
not related to actions based on the forums, which have their own guidelines and Code of Conduct.

While thier forums do indeed give the impression one may indeed recruit for Christian fellowship in the form of a Kinshup within the game, it is, in fact, not allowed.

It is an enforced bannable offense.

How can they go ahead and give the impression that it's ok in thier forums, before somone actually purchases the game and gets online?!? Then the person finds out they are BANNED for what was TOLD THEM was an acceptable practice?!?!

And again, I quote -->

Apr 19 2007, 10:51 AM
Ramen

vbmenu_register("postmenu_480900", true);
The Lord of the Rings Online
Community Team
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 241


Re: Lions of Judah: Christian Kinship - Now RECRUITING! (Brandywine - All Ages)
Please stay on-topic. The topic of this thread is recruitment for a kinship that happens to have a religious theme. That is fine. However, we ask that you refrain from getting into religious discussion here.

If you are interested in joining this kinship, or simply wish to post your well-wishes, that's fine.

http://forums.lotro.com/showpost.php?p=480900&postcount=21

 

[pete56]

Sister,

While I do understand that you feel agrieved with your treatment at the hands of the webmasters of this on-line game, I agree with HippieforChrist that this is hardly persecution!

And in the light of the lack of response that your thread is receiving I wonder if it might not be beneficial to you to raise this issue in the RPG forums.

Just a thought.

If you would like, I can arrange for this thread to be moved.

Pete

 

[Zeena]

I have raised the issue in the RPG forums, thanks..

And while it may not be construde as 'persecution' per say [yes, I do emphatise with all the horrible acts of persecution going on worldwide], it is definately unfair, and immoral business practice to promise or imply to your clients that they may reiceve a certain service or level of customer satisfaction, and then, once they purchase the said product, to deny them of what you've promised becuase of thier beliefs.