Thanks for the memories, but it's time for Christians to unite not fight

self | 3/2/2015 | two134711

[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 it’s 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 other’s 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. It’s not just the religious forums, but they’re the worst. In the past the moderation was far more even-handed. Now it’s 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 I’m 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; it’s 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.

[mlizzy]

"Oh, we won't give in / we'll keep living in the past." -Jethro Tull

Funny, G2G, and what years are you talking about [in your previous post] that were so good with your mom and your dad, block parties, etc.? That was a touching post; and I hear ya! Are you close to where your folks are laid to rest? Can you visit them now?

[Grateful2God]

"WVKayaker's correcting you is not "Being judgmental” but rather he is performing an essential work of charity."

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit...

...Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

From the verse "Desiderata" © Max Ehrmann 1927

Good advice for all of us! God bless you!

[trisham]

God bless you, onyx. Same from me. You're a polite and edifying poster.

******************************

Thank you, Grateful2God. I do agree!

[Elsie]

Isn’t that, in our case anyway, turning the asylum over to the inmates?

 

 

              Do other Freepers annoy you? Tired of being badgered??

 

 

              Do other Freepers annoy you? Tired of being badgered??

 

[Resettozero]

The Desiderata is your idea of good advice?
Try this one regarding whether to flee or to stand and be faithful:

Psalm 11 NKJV

1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. In the Lord I put my trust; How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain”?

2 For look! The wicked bend their bow, They make ready their arrow on the string, That they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart.

3 If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?

4 The Lord is in His holy temple, The Lord’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.

5 The Lord tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.

6 Upon the wicked He will rain coals; Fire and brimstone and a burning wind Shall be the portion of their cup.

7 For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright.

[Elsie]

I think you've discovered our patron saint :)

[Grateful2God]

Thank you! And yes, there's a place for me next to them, someday when God finally calls me. (How long, oh Lord?) I can't wait to be with them again. I go to the cemetery- there are so many there now- 16 siblings on my Mom's side alone, although not all passed infancy... I was blessed to have them- couldn't have asked for better!

God bless you! 😊

[Elsie]

But, hey, keep going after Catholics and Mormons because they're the ones ruining the world today!

This was a great site, ten plus years ago. Hopefully it can be one again. Goodbye.

Strange linkage...

[Elsie]

... but one thing I will not do is condemn fellow Christians, whether they be Catholic, Presbyterians, Methodists, Mormons, and the rest of the lot.

Mormonism is not Christianity. FYI -->

Christian churches teach belief in God as an eternal, self-existent, immortal being, unfettered by corporeal limitations and unchanging in both character and nature. In recent years, several Christian denominations have made studies of Mormon teaching and come to the conclusion that there are irreconcilable differences between LDS doctrine and Christian beliefs based on the Bible.

• Statement of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod
• Statement of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
• Statement of the Roman Catholic Church
• Statement of the Southern Baptist Convention
• Statement of the United Methodist Church
• Statement of the Assemblies of God Church

Some Mormons undoubtedly become Christians, and evidently leave the Mormon sect they were members of behind.

(Thanks to delacort for compiling this list)

Mormonism is not Christianity. FYI -->

Christian churches teach belief in God as an eternal, self-existent, immortal being, unfettered by corporeal limitations and unchanging in both character and nature. In recent years, several Christian denominations have made studies of Mormon teaching and come to the conclusion that there are irreconcilable differences between LDS doctrine and Christian beliefs based on the Bible.

• Statement of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod
• Statement of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
• Statement of the Roman Catholic Church
• Statement of the Southern Baptist Convention
• Statement of the United Methodist Church
• Statement of the Assemblies of God Church

Some Mormons undoubtedly become Christians, and evidently leave the Mormon sect they were members of behind.

(Thanks to delacort for compiling this list)

[mlizzy]

"Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy." -From the verse "Desiderata" © Max Ehrmann 1927

"Baring Gould, composer of 'Onward Christian Soldiers!,' far from being a Catholic, is as bitter a hater of the Catholic Church as can be found amongst Anglicans......" so he fits right in with the open thread theme on this site. And "[d]espite a certain vagueness, 'Onward Christian Soldiers!' is probably Catholic materially." -America, June 17, 1911

So "whatever you conceive Him to be," Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJgt2ktRJME

[Grateful2God]

The Desiderata is one of my favorite poems. Good advice is found in it, as God gives His children gifts to move hearts.

Yes, I've read Scripture- you'd be surprised. I continue to do so. But I read other things as well. I had to read, "To Kill A Mockingbird" in high school; probably read it a dozen times since...

Another dear favorite: "Man's Search For Meaning" by Viktor Frankl, survivor of a Nazi concentration camp.

God gave us Scripture, but it's ok to read other things, too- a time to every purpose under heaven."
God bless you!

[Resettozero]

Are you admitting that, to you, the Holy Bible is just one of many books that have “good advice...found in it”?

How much more weight do you in truth give to the Word of God than say works of Harper Lee, Viktor Frankl, or other favorite authors?

I hear you saying that the Book of Psalms is just another book.

[Alex Murphy]

Yes, I've read Scripture- you'd be surprised. I continue to do so. But I read other things as well....Another dear favorite: "Man's Search For Meaning" by Viktor Frankl, survivor of a Nazi concentration camp.

How so? I had to read Frankl's book in high school. The more I meditated on it, the more I disagreed with Frankl on an objective level. I thought the reader (like Frankl) would have to be an functional atheist or agnostic to buy into the message.

[Grateful2God]

Prayers are wasted? No way. I’ll just keep on prayin’, thank you!

[Grateful2God]

Did you mean the part about his actual experience, or the logotherapy?

[PeteePie]

I agree with you but with all due respect, this is still the best conservative forum out there. It has a clean format that makes digesting large quantities of relevant news easy and interesting. I do miss some of the more prolific commentators that have left the site though.

[mlizzy]

The original poster of this thread left almost two months ago, so don’t feel she’s being rude if you do not receive a response from her. :)

[Alex Murphy]

Did you mean the part about his actual experience, or the logotherapy?

Moreso the latter. I found the whole "finding meaning and purpose for yourself" practice a subjective exercise in creating idols for oneself, since Frankl believed in no objective purpose that could offer hope to his readers.

[Resettozero]

Prayers are wasted? No way.

Depends. Are muslims' prayers effective in reaching God?

[Grateful2God]

**I hear you saying that the Book of Psalms is just another book.**

Better call "Miracle Ear", you're hearing wrong! 😀 The Bible is inspired, and in a class all by itself.

There are life lessons to be learned from those around us: parents, teachers, mentors, or just everyday people that God chooses to place on our lives. Some we meet; some we find in the printed word or other media.

Are you saying that you've not read anything but Scripture, or listened to anyone else's story, or taken instruction, other than Scripture, in your life? I doubt it very much...