Look, I'm going to cut this right down to the chase. I know I'm still newer, and I know most of you guys hardly know me. But I've been watching, as admin and as member, and I do not like what I see.
I know we've always had a few non-Christian members on this board. I won't call out names, but I think we all know a few of these people. I'm so glad that The ToO has the chance to host so many diverse members in both home and beliefs. It's always been a never forgotten experience to meet and "talk" to others of different views, different faiths, and different cultures. Whether that's good or bad, depends on the person. But I think we'd all agree that it was an experience that we would never change, one way or the other.
However, there's a difference here. A difference between discussion, and down right bullying. That's a difference many of our members have forgotten, and I am sick of it.
Call me a religious quack, call me a know it all, call me an ignorant teenage brat. I've heard all these and more. Your words cannot hurt me, but did you ever stop to think that they might hurt someone else? Yes, that's right. People come in all shapes and sizes, religions and perspectives, strong points of stubbornness and weak points of sensitivity. Are these bad things? Of course not. They are what make us unique. They should be what build us up, not tear us down.
But, no. It's not that way around here. Especially as of late, because of one petty difference or another, we fight and bicker and argue and belittle each other. If our board mate isn't like us, I guess that gives us the perfect opportunity to call them names and belittle them for whatever difference they hold, right? Wrong.
I've seen several members as of late coming back from a long break, saying they had "dumped their old fashioned views and turned to a 'new life style'". Normally, at least in this case, being not turning from unbeliever to follower of Christ, but the exact opposite!
Now, do I have anything against those who have chosen to forget or to just not believe (Or generally not believe) in God and faith? Of course not. Do I feel sad that they would? Seeing as I'm an active, more conservative Christian, of course I do. As a Christian, it does do me pain to see someone walk away, or never walk to/in/back. But do I hold it against them, ridiculing every little belief they now hold, or treating them as if they are no longer an equal, living, breathing, human being? Definitely not! Out of the question, in fact!
But, the same would go if I were an Atheist or the like. Would I, or should I, mock and belittle just because someone decides to live their life serving someone who I can't see or hear, or touch or know? At least, from my view point. I may think they are slightly off their rocker, as many Atheists do to Christians, and vice versa. But I would not, nor should I, come right out and cop them out for whatever they may believe. Alike or unalike, it's wrong.
Thanks to our current ways, two members are either going to leave, or thinking about leaving. One shall remain anonymous, one shall be named. The one that shall be named is our member/mod, Woody or Shakespeare. He wrote me earlier saying,
Woody, being one of my best friends, caused me to really think about this. He's been a member for quite the time, as most of you are aware. And he's been in worse debates than this, I believe. But the difference is, before, it either fought out til someone won fairly, or just had to agree to disagree. It was never a total cop out for his religious views.Shakespeare wrote:I'm just not sure I want to be part of a community that criticizes people for quoting the bible, and encourages the people who put the mark of the beast in their signature. You know?
Yes, I know I'll get some backstab for that one. I don't care. Frankly, I don't understand how things such as disrespecting an admin, or calling people out for what they believe can be considered appropriate, or even wonderful. Disrespecting an admin, and disrespecting and belittling those who are more conservative and/or hold different beliefs than you. Where as quoting a verse from the Bible or holding views different than our own. I'm not just holding this against our non-religious members either. I know good and well that there are several Christians on here who do the very same thing to our non believers. We may not like what we see, but that does not give us, in any way, any rights to treat them so poorly.
The golden rule is Treat Others How We Would Want To Be Treated. That may be in the Bible, but it counts for everywhere. Especially online. It counts for Christians and non-Christians. Atheists, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians... Whatever the case may be. You wouldn't want to see your views being copped out by someone who believes differently than you do. You wouldn't want to be constantly belittled for your choice in clothing or your hairstyle or whether or not you have tattoos. So, why do it to someone else?
The other member, who will remain anonymous, had this to say:
That really hit me like a bucket of cold water. Seriously. Is this really what we have become? Do I just blame the no-longer-believer members? No. No I don't. But that has seriously been going on lately. She's right, honestly. We have tiptoed around our older members, Atheist or not. And I am well beyond sick of it. So, I'm here to put a stop to it.anonymous wrote:For awhile now, I have had concerns about the direction this board has been taking. Admittedly, the current situation with Iron and Light has precipitated this, but it is not the only or main reason for my concern. The ToO was started to be a message board centered around a Christian radio drama....but the board has become more and more dominated by users who take great pleasure and delight in ridiculing belief in God, Christianity, and heaping scorn on those who do. At one point, the only 2 active topics in Second Church (!) were atheists lengthily espousing why they had no use for the church.
They purposely return here to play their little game of being as shocking and profane as they can get away with, to try to push all the "kiddies" buttons.
Honestly, if a new member joined and started posting lots of things like:I think perhaps something would be said. But because they are people like Jelly, Kait, I&L, JJJJ, and others who are well known old timers, this has been tiptoed around. Through the years, there have been other users, such as Guess Who, who had anti-Christian opinions, but she mostly kept it to debates in CCDS. This trend of atheist-users-who-formerly-claimed-to-be-Christians is different in that they are posting on many different topics, mockingly scoffing at other members and their opinions and beliefs. In a place that should be about building others up, having fun with fellow Odyssey fans, and sharing your thoughts, it's been more like having to constantly encounter belittlement...or, you know, we could just not bother over-analyzing a piece of ancient text that was intended for a primitive tribe of legalistic Hebrews and isn't at all relevant to this conversation.
What has been VERY saddening to me the past couple of days, is that after I&L's many sarcastic posts and her saying that she has walked away from God and is proud of it, that there are so many members cheering her on, saying they "like the new her", how "witty" she is, etc.
Is that really what this board has become?
It's this thing called courtesy, people. That's right. C-O-U-R-T-E-S-Y. You respect yourself, others respect you, you need to show some respect to them. Even if they don't respect you, you need to show respect to them. Not everyone is a by the book Christian, not everyone is a do what you feel best Nonbeliever, I know that. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't be showing love and kindness throughout this board. Even if you don't believe it, or think it's right. You need to.
If you have something to say, do it in a thoughtful manner. Don't just snap at the slightest disagreement with all the hate you can muster, or belittlement or disregard you can possibly think of. If you have something to debate, please, that's what CCDS is for. Don't bring that kind of thing into the rest of the board. Don't try to push every limit or button ToO has set just for the fun of it. Because, believe it or not, we do have young kids on this board. This board was originally a Christian based, Christian started board for lovers of Adventures in Odyssey. Does that mean I want everyone who doesn't believe the same way I do to get out of here? Of course not. In fact, I've recently made friends with one of our boards atheists. I don't want anyone leaving. However, I do want people to start treating each other with respect.
We have rules, guys. Real rules, with real limits, that if you push or break them, there will be real consequences. And I'm not afraid to hand them out, either. There is a limit that people can get to, and it was broken a long time ago. No more. I mean it. No more. Respect, courtesy, love. Whether you're a Christian or not, this is still a board full of living, breathing, people who have feelings and beliefs just like we all do, and shall be treated accordingly.
Think before you post, guys. Think before you post.
That's all I have left to say right now. Go ahead and chew me out if you desire, or take no heed to my words. But I hope that at least something I've said will manage to change things at least a little. I'm sorry if I stepped on any toes. I didn't mean to, but sometimes you have to to get an important point across. I love you guys. I love ToO. We're like an insane family, and I don't want to change that. We may not always agree, but that doesn't change the facts. And as a family, we need to start treating each other like it. You can't pick your family, but you can love them just the way they are. Okay?
well said sam 
Heh heh. 
I'm pretty sure we all know what your intention was with making this thread... it just may have been delivered in the wrong way. 
You have every right to express your feelings about a situation... and even to threaten punishment if the coarse actions don't stop. I think where you may have mis-stepped and had your point construed is where you starting getting very specific with examples and called people out by name. Regardless, I think the essence of your post is still important, "everyone be respectful and civil to each other" is the main takeaway from this thread. You did fine, Samantha. 
APOLOGIZE TO EK. NOW.
