Posted on 03/03/2015 12:32:27 PM PST by 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 its 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 others 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. Its not just the religious forums, but theyre the worst. In the past the moderation was far more even-handed. Now its 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 Im 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; its 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.
Thank you.
Fourth Lateran Council (1215): "There is but one universal Church of the faithful, outside which no one at all is saved."
Pope Boniface VIII, Bull Unam sanctam (1302): "We are compelled in virtue of our faith to believe and maintain that there is only one holy Catholic Church, and that one is apostolic. This we firmly believe and profess without qualification. Outside this Church there is no salvation and no remission of sins, the Spouse in the Canticle proclaiming: 'One is my dove, my perfect one. One is she of her mother, the chosen of her that bore her' (Canticle of Canticles 6:8); which represents the one mystical body whose head is Christ, of Christ indeed, as God. And in this, 'one Lord, one faith, one baptism' (Ephesians 4:5). Certainly Noah had one ark at the time of the flood, prefiguring one Church which perfect to one cubit having one ruler and guide, namely Noah, outside of which we read all living things were destroyed We declare, say, define, and pronounce that it is absolutely necessary for the salvation of every human creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff."
Pope Eugene IV, Cantate Domino (1441): "The most Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes and preaches that none of those existing outside the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics, can have a share in life eternal; but that they will go into the "eternal fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41), unless before death they are joined with Her; and that so important is the unity of this ecclesiastical body that only those remaining within this unity can profit by the sacraments of the Church unto salvation, and they alone can receive an eternal recompense for their fasts, their almsgivings, their other works of Christian piety and the duties of a Christian soldier. No one, let his almsgiving be as great as it may, no one, even if he pour out his blood for the Name of Christ, can be saved, unless he remain within the bosom and the unity of the Catholic Church."
Pope Pelagius II (578-590): "Consider the fact that whoever has not been in the peace and unity of the Church cannot have the Lord Although given over to flames and fires, they burn, or, thrown to wild beasts, they lay down their lives, there will not be (for them) that crown of faith but the punishment of faithlessness Such a one can be slain, he cannot be crowned [If] slain outside the Church, he cannot attain the rewards of the Church" (Denzinger, 469).
And currently.
Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution Lumen gentium, 14: "They could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it, or to remain in it."
The Latin phrase extra Ecclesiam nulla salus means: "outside the Church there is no salvation".
I can see how those who can rent space in a strip mall, call it a church and begin to scam the faithful for their hard earned money can be easily confused, however your desperate attempt to smear the Lord’s first church falls flat. Even if your pathetic attempt can do no better than phrases taken out of context, dating back to the 4th century (that’s right, true faith dates back more than 2000 years), you might be interested to know that the word “catholic” means universal. Try re-reading your quotes in that light.
Jesus ate in the houses of publicans and sinners.
For all the disparaging of those who make the effort to reach out to people, it’s far more effective than an organization that says, if you don’t follow us, you’re going to hell.
Besides, how about some proof that the store front churches are scamming people? Like accounting records instead of just smears because they aren’t doing church like Catholics think it should be done?
I seem to have struck a nerve. That is all of the, “proof that the store front churches are scamming people”, that I need.
If "striking nerves" were sufficient to prove a case, imagine all of the things that my posts have proved.
As a Moderator, you're an authority. We have to abide by your decisions. I have no idea how many complaints are pinged to you each day, but isn't it your responsibility, having taken the position, to at least consider each one?
I've been in leadership positions, and learned that no request is too small to follow through. The problem may be bigger than what the person expresses it to be. I would rather a small problem be noted, and turn out to be minor, than a major problem overlooked.
IMHO, it was good to hear you say we're all Christians! Sadly, forum often denies this, and claims "yours is not my God; yours is not my Jesus." Thank you for acknowledging that.
I guess the joke is on me. I came here to learn about other people's beliefs. I've been asked why, especially when I say I'm not here to win converts. Instead, I discovered a hostility I didn't come across in my own life. People lived side-by-side, respected what the others believed, and didn't comment much: never religion or politics" was an old saying...
I have learned a lot! And although I may not always reply, I do read my pings. I even have my phone set to 9pm, to pray for our nation, our troops, our government, and our Christian bretheren in the Holy Land. And in my prayers each day, I remember ALL FReepers, including those with whom I disagree.
When I was in charge, it wasn't to keep myself happy; it was to make certain things ran smoothly, and that everyone under me was ok. If someone threw a monkey wrench in things, it was up to me and my team to straighten it out. Annoying? Sometimes. Stressful? Hey, life is stressful! More than once, I had to physically (as opposed to those in cyberspace, no offense intended) stop fights!
I guess I just took things too seriously here. I didn't realize that this was meant to be "entertaining" I really wanted to discuss and learn. Why? Because I'm scared stiff about the times, and believe that Christians need to find a common ground, because there may come a time in the not-too-distant future when we realize that we need each other. We can still have our differences, yet live side-by-side as brothers and support one another, instead of showing hate. That's why I wanted to know what my fellow Christians believe.
I've likened our forums at times to an episode of Jerry Springer. You know, he admitted that the production staff picks the people FOR their potential to fight?
I'd hate to think the same of us, here at FR. After this it's going to be difficult not to. The saddest part is that someone went away hurting.
I'm not planning to leave, unless you kick me out, so you needn't invoke Berke Breathed! : ) Just please understand: despite the "hard shell" ideal, in religion, you may be dealing with the only reason a person has in their heart for living. It's painful when that is derided, even hated; what may seem small in the light of your work volume, may be huge to the person on the other end of the server.
Thanks for your work: I had a sneaking suspicion you were a Moderator, given your 3 contributions about internet behaviour, with at least one directed specifically at Catholics; the way you post a comment early on, calling out the troops, then tend to refrain from too many further comments. : ) I guess it really is like TV: they depend on ratings; FR on donations.
One more lesson for me to learn here.
God bless you, and all our FReepers, other Moderators included.
Sadder but wiser,
Grateful
Which gossip-mongering moron ratted me out? I would imagine that you don't know the half of it.
Read the first line of your response... You gave yourself away! Or perhaps I'm the only one that didn't know. That's happened before. I still don't know what a ZOT is...
ZOT:
v. to strike or destroy, especially with lightning or other beam or jolt of energy; in slang usage on the Internet, to remove, censor, or ban material or participants.
See also: Behind the Scenes of a ZOT!
It's generally acknowledged that the name "zot" comes from Johnny Hart's comic strip "B.C.":
You can't hold a whole religion forum responsible for the behavior of a few, sick perverted individuals. For if you do, then shouldn't we blame the Free Republic site? And if the whole Free Republic site is guilty, then isn't this an indictment of our free speech in general? I put it to you, Brian: isn't this an indictment of our entire American society? Well, you can do what you you want to us, but we're not going to sit here and listen to you badmouth the United States of America!
I know somewhere on this site there's a glossary- guess I'll have to check it out again!
BWAHAHAHA!!!!
It isn’t numbers so your claim remains unsubstantiated.
Same here.
All we have to do is say that Mary was a sinner like the rest of us, or that she had other children, and Catholic Chernobyl happens.
Sounds like blackmail to me.
Play my way or I'll bankrupt you into conceding to my demands.
How mature.
Sounds like a taste of what we’d get under a Catholic monarchy.
So much for freedom of speech.
I'm sorry to be repetitious, but like I've already said, I go out of my way to avoid the RF because I see more nastiness and hatred expressed here, and allegedly all in the name of “debate”....”whose church/religion trumps the others, whose scripture is factual, whose religion is a cult, and who's going to Hell.”
It's really a shame that the RF can't be blocked from appearing on the latest comments page, because that way those of us who wish to avoid it would never have to see a comment that "baits." Easy peasy to ignore an article listed on the latest article's page.
As for “keeping your opinions to yourself if you're not willing to support Free Republic,” which boatbums posted, with which mlizzy and Brian Kopp DPM took issue for their valid reasons, I can only say that Free Republic is solely funded by our membership and if the day comes that we can no longer reach our monetary goals/needs, Jim will shut it down, so it's really up to all of us whether we want Free Republic or not.
My choice is easy. Like boatbums, I love FR, so I am a Monthly Donor. My only regret is that this RF has hardened my heart by changing my view of some people I previously thought I knew.
Peace be with you all.
Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, do not exist to protect our delicate ears from hearing things we do not like. They exist to protect the right of speech we might hate or find offensive...
There was a time when there was no "religious" forum" and people complained that they did not like the religious debate threads on the news feed..and so JR began the religious forum
No one forces anyone to read the titles or subject matter that is on the religious forum ...by simply limiting the forums one chooses to read they can stay out of the "cesspool ".
Having a vigorous debate or discussion on the Religion forum should strengthen ones faith ... if it does not, that is not the fault of the forum ...maybe one needs to look at what they believe
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.