Why Should Someone be Banned?

 

You are right.  I do not believe that most Christians posting on the Religion Forum use pseudonyms because they are are ashamed.   And, I do not believe this applies just to Christians.  I am sure that many folks use a pseudonym because it allows them to be more bold in speaking their mind.  And, I am sure there are numerous other reasons folks use a pseudonym.  Many professional writers even do this when they publish books of a different genre than folks are accustomed to seeing from them.

 

I guess what I was really trying to say is that I could not use a pseudonym because I would feel that I was acting as though I am ashamed of the Gospel.  So, if anyone took that as a personal affront -- I apologize.  I was only trying to explain to Chick and to Jennifer why I cannot use any name except my own personal name.

 

Quite honestly, I do hope that Dwight does get reinstated.  But, when he does (or when he comes back under a new pseudonym) -- I pray that he will not be so confrontational with those of us who cannot believe his Mormon teachings -- and for those of us who feel that we must refute those teachings.   We can do this and still be Friends.

 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

 

Bill

Quite honestly, I do hope that Dwight does get reinstated. But, when he does (or when he comes back under a new pseudonym) -- I pray that he will not be so confrontational with those of us who cannot believe his Mormon teachings -- and for those of us who feel that we must refute those teachings. We can do this and still be Friends.

 

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You are kidding aren't you? How do you post such nonsense when you know it was you and not him that was confrontational? You stayed on him all the time belittling his religion and you have the nerve to try and blame him? If you wanted him here you wouldn't have reported him. If you were trying to be his friend he'd never need an enemy.

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Hi Frog,

 

You have hit the nail on the head!  That is exactly what I am trying to do -- turn people OFF religions -- and get people turned ON to having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.   If I can do that for anyone -- I have been successful as an evangelist.

 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

 

Bill

People often use a pseudonym because it is a great idea for security reasons.  As some might have noticed, some people get really upset with things people post or might disagree, find out who they are and come to their homes.  Of course you also have the perverts and the nuts around the internet, so many sites don't allow real names at all.  It isn't a bad policy really, since I have known  some really bad things that happened when people use their real names.  

 

That is too bad anyone feels she or he "has" to refute someone else's beliefs.  It isn't as if anyone will convert or cast aside his or her religious beliefs because someone else quotes scripture or explains why the person is wrong.  Really, does anyone suddenly start believing in God or decide there is no God just because someone says it is so on a message board, or join Islam because someone quotes from the Qur'an a lot?

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About 6 months after I came on this forum, there was a member that was constantly PMing me, telling me what he was doing to himself while reading my post. He wanted to know where I lived so he could come visit. If I had used my real name as my ID, I would have been terrified. Of course, he was banned.

Before anyone jumps me for lying because I've said I only reported 2 people in my time here, he has been the only one I insisted be banned & I think he deserved it.

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Oh, Bill.  You are something else...lol.  Just to clarify what I said, the behaviors I mentioned in my post that you quoted from especially tend to turn people off to any kind of personal relationship with anyone who supposedly sends people out to behave in such ways.  

 

Let me put it this way to you.  If I had never heard of God and the first person I heard speak of him was you and I only knew of him from reading your posts here, I would never want to read a Bible or attend any church at all ever.  I would assume that God encourages his followers to behave in the ways I listed and not want anything to do with him or his followers, since I see behaviors here that I wouldn't allow in my home or want to be around in friends (friends respect each others' values and boundaries). So why in the universe would I want to base my entire life on a book and belief system that not only taught those behaviors but encouraged and rewarded them, surround myself with passive-aggressive people who basically would treat me like crap if I didn't fall in line with everything, and surrender my reasoning and fate to a God who wanted me to treat others with disrespect and scorn as I bullied them into Christianity?

 

If I wanted to show someone the way I believed was wonderful and the way to live, I would live it and share my beliefs with anyone who asked and indicated s/he wanted me to do that.  I wouldn't do everything I could to make them not only not want to go to my church, but not to ever set foot in one again.  Since I know people from many places who believe many things, I know that you and the ones you are proud of who I suppose do as you feel is right aren't representative of all Christians by any means, and I am glad.  

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Ewww, sorry that happened, semi!  That is just nasty and it happens more than people are often aware.  On another forum we have had people who were computer savvy show up and threaten a person who used a real name and her family, and an ex husband use posts another real-name user made (nothing graphic or really over any line) to take to court and win custody of their 2 children.  She still hasn't gotten them back after 2 years, and although she isn't perfect, he was abusive and controlling and totally harassed and intimidated her and the kids.  She thought he was totally gone from their lives, but one day she was served with papers and informed of a pile of posts that really showed nothing worth losing her kids over.  Add a judge who knew his family and how he was such a "good boy" and there went her kids.

 

It is really never a good idea to go by a real name anywhere online unless it is your business website and you have customers who need your name.  There are a lot of unstable people out there.

I've reported one person and i did it a lot of times and I would do it again if he came back. That person was Rramm/ buffalo/ okUok/ okOok/ Magpie. That person was clearly only here to start trouble and make unfounded accusations toward members here. He even started attacking me and calling me nasty names too after I started confronting him and his trolling nature. Everything that man posted here pretty much was lies. People like that have no place on a forum. I've dealt with them in the past on my own forums and sites and refuse to go through that again.

If this makes me a terrible person so be it but I do know others reported him as well. It has been so nice here without the constant attacks and harassment and lies.

       It is really never a good idea to go by a real name anywhere online unless it is your business website and you have customers who need your name.  There are a lot of unstable people out there.

I agree wholeheartedly. I'm often shocked at what people even put up on MySpace or Facebook. Such as phone numbers and real names and even when they are going to be out of town or on vacation. It's a stalkers paradise in many ways.Not to mention burglars and thieves. I've seen and heard of many situations where it came back to bite them in the ass too. It's never a good idea.

Hi Frog,

You write, "People often use a pseudonym because it is a great idea for security reasons.  As some might have noticed, some people get really upset with things people post or might disagree, find out who they are and come to their homes.  Of course you also have the perverts and the nuts around the internet, so many sites don't allow real names at all.  It isn't a bad policy really, since I have known some really bad things that happened when people use their real names."

As I told Firenze, I feel strongly about using my own name for sharing the Gospel -- and that is why I do it.  I am not knocking  anyone for using a pseudonym -- only saying why I do not.

Then, you write, "That is too bad anyone feels she or he 'has' to refute someone else's beliefs.  It isn't as if anyone will convert or cast aside his or her religious beliefs because someone else quotes scripture or explains why the person is wrong."

Why refute false and cult teachings?  For one thing, because all believers are told to do this in the Bible (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15, and many more).

In 2 Timothy 4:1-5 the apostle Paul admonishes all believers, "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.  But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do  the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."

So, yes, all believers are told my Jesus Christ to share His Gospel.  Sharing His Gospel, and the Word of God, means refuting any  and all teachings which do not agree with His Written Word, the Bible.

Then, you ask, "Really, does anyone suddenly start believing in God or decide there is no God just because someone says it is so on a message board, or join Islam because someone quotes from the Qur'an a lot?"

In Matthew 13:1-9 (also Mark 4:1-9 and Luke 8:4-8), we read the Parable of the Sower.  Here, Jesus Christ teaches of sowing seeds,  i.e., seeds of salvation.   And, in Matthew 13:18-23, He explains this parable.

Basically, He is telling us that we, all believers, need to be sowing seeds of salvation among the unbelieving world.  Some will fall on  good soil, a receptive heart, and will immediately begin to grow and bloom.  Others will fall on differing kinds of soil -- from rocky to  infertile soils.  However, the task, the Great Commission, He has given to all believers is that we continue to sow seeds and to help  nurture seeds sown by others -- and, in doing so, many will be brought to Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit.

Personally, Frog, I am one true example of a person who had the seeds sown many years ago -- but, I stifled their growth.  Until, when I was fifty years old -- a Godly man continued to nurture those seeds.   And, today, I thank God for him -- for, without his nurturing, I might not be a saved believer today.

Therefore, Frog, yes -- it is the duty, the Great Commission, of all believers that we should be sharing the Word of God -- and  refuting all false and cult teachings.   Why?  To prevent that one soul, that one person who might be led astray -- from being led away from eternal life in Christ.

Refuting false and cult teachings, and sharing the Word of God, on a Religion Forum where we constantly have non-believers casting stones at us -- is not a choice one would choose.  It is a command from our Commander-in-Chief that we be His witnesses in all the world.   Just as a soldier would not purposely choose to walk into harm's way in battle -- we Christian believers do not purposely choose to come here and be called all sorts of name.  Yet, because we love our Lord, and because we sincerely want to see as  many of the non-believers as possible -- saved; we will continue to be a presence here on the Religion Forum.

I did not come to the Religion Forum five years ago because I like writing on forums.  For years I have avoided forums.  I find most  forums typically always deteriorate into "spitting contests."  However, in 2007, while reading the TimesDaily online, I noticed a  discussion titled something like, "What Are Christians" -- and this got my attention.

When I opened that discussion, I found it dominated by Deep, Fish, and a handful of other non-believers.  I joined the TD Forums that day to refute their atheist teachings.  And, I have stayed, even with the many stones cast -- to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to refute false and cult teachings.    God willing, I will be here for many years doing the same.

Frog, thank you for giving me this opportunity to share this with our Forum Friends.  I pray that I have helped you better understand why I am on the Religion Forum -- and why I will be here until God removes me.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

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Bill, how many times do you want proof? You always say “show us” & when shown, you flee the topic. Us don't flee, but you do. I’ve shown you before how you have taken my words & twisted them into something completely different than what I said to start with. I’ve seen you do the same things to others here. You’ve used cartoons to make fun of people, just because we didn’t go along with your beliefs, or something you said.

 

I’m not talking about the Bible when I say you insist on being correct. I’m talking about the way you interpret the Bible. You are not the final authority on what someone believes the Bible to be saying. You could be wrong, you could be right, but you should never try to push the way you see it on someone else. But you do it all the time.

 

See, you’re twisting my words again with your “But, since you do not believe God nor His Bible”. I have NEVER said that I don’t believe God or the Bible. What I have said is that I have doubts. Doubts, Bill, is questioning something, searching!! I have said IF God exist, not that He doesn’t.  

 

I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Fireman post scripture. When he does post, it’s always backing what you say. Sort of your cheerleader.

 

So, you think anyone on this forum that uses a pseudonym is not a Christian & an insult to God? Anyone besides you, since you use your real name, that shares God’s word is not being up front & honest? Your judgment is up there in high form tonight, Bill.

 

Bill, I learned ago not to trust most Christians, especially those like you that preach judgment, Hell, & ****ation. The Bible doesn’t teach just the negative. It also teaches positive…..love, compassion, of which you know nothing about.

Bill, as long as you put yourself above others, judge harshly, no love/compassion in your soul, No, you & I will never be friends. You never know when someone on this forum may need a kind word, a pick-me-up. To hear someone say something positive. That, to a Christian, should be a very high priority. Not telling that person about the negative.......Hell & judgment.

 

 I don't see the whole point of feeling the need to defend reporting someone or the appropriateness of anyone accusing someone of lying about it.  Reporting someone is a private matter between a member and the admin/mod staff.  It is no one's business as far as I have seen on any other forums, and the whole discussion of who got reported, who got who banned, and so forth is why it is private.  If I believe a post is over a line and I report it I wouldn't be trying to get someone banned, but what the staff does about it is up to them.  I wouldn't do it unless I felt it was a serious issue, but it is frankly no one's business what we do privately in pms or comments to staff.  If it isn't private the person can get harassed (you know, called a liar and a big deal made of who said what?) or other similar problems can come up.  

 

As far as calling someone a liar about her reporting?  It isn't anyone's business anyway what was done, so how is calling someone about about it reasonable?  Reporting a post is simply that.  Often nothing is done anyway, and if it is it is usually because more than one person reported a post or several posts from the same person.  So why all the accusations and fuss about reporting?  It happens sometimes...not a biggie really unless there are hair-trigger mods which we obviously don't have here.

 

 

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I don't think that makes you a terrible person at all. In fact, I think you're terribly nice!

Frog, I enjoy reading your post & you are always right on!

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I somewhat agree but I think implying someone on this forum, not once but twice, is a Pedophile, is wrong.

Don't forget saying they don't want to "choose" to believe in a god because they want a "worldly aka sinful" life, or implying that they must be g a y to stand up for g a y s, or saying they never believed and only played at church.

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Bill, let me explain something to you.  If you answer something I say with a bunch of Bible verses and your explanation of them I am skipping them, so you are wasting your time.  I am talking to you, not a book that I already read more than once and can interpret for myself, thanks anyway.  As far as your name, I was speaking in general and not to you.  It is of course your choice to call yourself whatever you like.  I simply pointed out that bad things can come of using one's real name, but wasn't speaking to you directly.

 

I believe I can take a good guess why you are here, and you proved the point once again that I was making in my comments about the behaviors.  I get it.  You need to keep quoting and telling everyone what you feel the words mean, and you feel you need to make everyone feel how you do and see the light or they will be ****ed.  I get it and I realize no matter what anyone says on here that isn't going to change, just as your posting scripture and all your personal interpretation isn't going to convince anyone to follow you, most likely.  It's interesting to me also that you mentioned you hope Wooly is back but not so "confrontational", when I saw in that thread that he wasn't particularly confronting anyone that I saw any more than others do at times..maybe I missed something of course.

 

I am not going to have any contests of any kind with you and I wish you enjoyment with your recruitment methods and some peace as well.  I have no ignore option, but I can scroll really fast and am glad I just thought of that  (a chuckling smile at how slow I am at thinking of that sometimes...no hostility, just to be clear)

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If you feel something needs to be reported then you do.  It doesn't make you a terrible person at all! It doesn't matter if everyone agrees or not, either, really.

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Thanks.  Same to you

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Good point. I would like to know that too.