For about a decade, I have enjoyed posting here, organizing/attending local FReeps and rallies, and been a donor to FR. I wish I could say I was a more active FReeper over that last year but personal and work-related constraints have limited my time here (including not being able to update the FR Lexicon in 2010...sorry about that).
Unfortunately, a few years ago, when religious issues became a more common topic on FR, I was concerned that it would only lead to a distraction from common conservative principles we all espouse. Thus, I never participated on any of the religious threads. Worse, however, I was worried that it would lead to unnecessary infighting and attacks on very personal issues that would harm conservative efforts and undermine FR's membership. That seems to have happened.
As I've noted on some of the infamous "bug zapper" related threads, this is Jim's site to run as he wishes. You can either abide by the decisions made or simply leave the site. Unfortunately, I now find myself in the latter category. I believe this thread showed very poor handling (by Jim Robinson and moderators, among others) of a subject (personal religious beliefs) which I don't think really should ever have been delved into on FR.
I hope my decision to leave FR will not affect future cooperation on conservative issues (which we all agree on and is a common thread here), as I'm sure we will continue to cross paths at political events. Personally, I look forward to continuing to work with anyone who will further conservatism, especially FReepers and FReepettes!
Finally, for the past several years I've been the caretaker of the FreeRebublic Lexicon (after stumbling into the 'job'). It is available on my profile page at this time. Someone should take over updating it (which is overdue). I have a better formatted text/html copy of the lexicon (much easier to edit and update) but would have to email it to the volunteer.
If Jim and the moderators will allow it, I will check my FReepmail over the next few days and email the formatted lexicon file to anyone requesting a copy (please provide your email address in the message).
Goodbye and good luck,
Batter