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snakechic
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1# |
Rank:none
Score:0
Posts:3524
Registered:
11/02/2004
Time spent:
6158 hours
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RE:What this forum could be and what it is
(Date Posted:03/02/2008 15:58:29)
I don't think its exactly wise to put all 'your eggs in one basket' and rely on anything so unpredictable as an online chat room for any kind 'life crisis'.
The Internet is not set up to provide counselling, or reliable 'support' - friendship etc. People/posters/adults are required to be responsible for themselves and their own well being. (online & off)
Your community has 'real life' assistance for those who are contemplating taking their own lives or find themselves in trouble. Get in touch with your local GP, your local Mental Health Practitioner, even at last resort your local phone crisis telephone line.
'Walking Away' from your local church is not exactly an unique experience. Many, many people have done it throughout the history of christianity. I don't think its exactly such a 'desperate' situation for everyone who takes "time out" of their busy lives to get online.
(I'm not sure how long Aimoo will survive as a provider of a forum program)
Phew...thank goodness there are heaps and heaps of other forums on this kind of topic online ....
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In exchange for obedience, Christianity promises salvation in an afterlife; but in order to elicit obedience through this promise, Christianity must convince people that they need salvation, that there is something to be saved from. Christianity has nothing to offer a happy person living in a natural, intelligible universe. If Christianity is to gain a motivational foothold, it must declare war on earthly pleasure and happiness, and this, historically, has been its precise course of action. In the eyes of Christianity, woman(man) is sinful and helpless in the face of God, and is potential fuel for the flames of hell. Just as Christianity must destroy reason before it can introduce faith, so it must destroy happiness before it can introduce salvation.
-- George H Smith, Atheism: The Case Against God
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Chirpy
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2# |
Registered:
03/06/2003
Time spent:
0 hours
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RE:What this forum could be and what it is
(Date Posted:03/03/2008 03:39:40)
If you're lucky you can find a counsellor to give you enough sessions at a low fee or free of charge. The other difficulty is finding a counsellor who can attribute your negative feelings and stumbling blocks to a past religious involvement. Most are reluctant to do that either because they don't want to mess with somebody's faith, because it's not politically correct or because they have the mistaken idea that have a religous belief can only be a good thing whether they are christians or not. However there are some enlightened counsellors who will work within a client's faith or lack of one while recognising the dark side of christianity and explaining how to deal with it. Some will tell you that you don't have to be a mug or a pushover just because you're a christian rather then get you to give up your beliefs and if you already have done so they will recognise how much harm has been done by religion and how to recover from it.
Best read some good books on religious abuse and recovery from it. There is section of the forum dedicated to book recommendations.
(Message edited by Chirpy On 03/03/2008 03:42:23)
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phoenixgirl
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3# |
Rank:none
Score:0
Posts:638
Registered:
03/03/2002
Time spent:
0 hours
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RE:What this forum could be and what it is
(Date Posted:03/12/2008 21:15:45)
I got what you were saying. I used to come here a lot, but don't anymore. Mostly because my fundamentalist past is just that, but also because I think the tide shifted from positivity to negativity here at some point. It seems this place has become something of a ghost town. I'm thinking this through, so bear with me. . . . there have been a variety of personalities here, some crass, others needy. I've always tried to allow people their punching bag/venting space/place where synaptic connections go to die (considering that repression/self-censorship might have been part of their past), but you're right. If people said those things in front of me, I'd absent myself from as much future interaction with them as possible. So maybe subconsciously I decided it wasn't worth sifting through the drivel, if you will, to find the posts that interested me. So yay to you for saying what you said, at least. Because there was a time when this forum meant a lot to me, and now I visit maybe twice a year. I don't believe in censorship, nor do I believe in telling others they can't express themselves. But I also chased away many a troll here in the name of support. So I hope, in the end, that this can continue to be a place of solace to those who find themselves facing the lonely road away from their churches, families, and friends.
So how about you start your own forum? Aimoo is all wacky and it seems like this forum is stuck in 2001 and no longer moderated anyway. Start your own forum and call it A Fresh Start: A Place of Healing for Those Leaving Religious Extremism (or whatever). Make your own forum policies and moderate the hell out of it. I promise to visit regularly and be as helpful and encouraging as I can to those who come needing to know that they're not alone.
--Phoenixgirl
(Message edited by phoenixgirl On 03/12/2008 21:18:23)
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--Phoenixgirl
"I am influenced at the present time by far higher considerations and by a nobler idea of duty than I ever was when I held the Evangelical belief." George Eliot
"I have one great fear in my heart, that one day when they are turned to loving, they will find we are turned to hating." Alan Paton's Cry, the Beloved Country (I promise I read this before it was an Oprah book club book)
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snakechic
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4# |
Rank:none
Score:0
Posts:3524
Registered:
11/02/2004
Time spent:
6158 hours
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RE:What this forum could be and what it is
(Date Posted:03/13/2008 16:47:19)
Reply to phoenixgirl (03/02/2008 1:37 PM).
I think the tide shifted from positivity to negativity here at some point.
now I visit maybe twice a year. I don't believe in censorship, nor do I believe in telling others they can't express themselves. But I also chased away many a troll here in the name of support.
(Message edited by phoenixgirl on 03/12/2008 9:18 PM) |
What? Shift to Negativity? Since when? What do you mean? this forum has always has its problems with the newbie vs veteran thing - see this old thread. http://forum1.aimoo.com/walkaway/Walk-Away-Project-Forum/Judgement-Reorganization-and-F-1-933681.html not that I agree with your black and white estimation of it all. Its also historically had its fair share of 'flame wars' (see same thread) and disagreements and personality clashes... but if you only visit a couple of times a year you'd be forgiven for not reading too much and very few posts over the 7 or so years. Yep! You have been great at troll chasing. Pin an award on yourself sista! You are superior in that kind of 'support'. Yep...that is the best idea for anyone who is so inclined - is to start their own forum ..................& people have by the millions. Btw...stuck in 2001 - Yep I agree with that somewhat - the glory days huh? That's so fundy isn't it. Makes me laugh a bit.
(Message edited by snakechic On 03/13/2008 16:59:50)
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In exchange for obedience, Christianity promises salvation in an afterlife; but in order to elicit obedience through this promise, Christianity must convince people that they need salvation, that there is something to be saved from. Christianity has nothing to offer a happy person living in a natural, intelligible universe. If Christianity is to gain a motivational foothold, it must declare war on earthly pleasure and happiness, and this, historically, has been its precise course of action. In the eyes of Christianity, woman(man) is sinful and helpless in the face of God, and is potential fuel for the flames of hell. Just as Christianity must destroy reason before it can introduce faith, so it must destroy happiness before it can introduce salvation.
-- George H Smith, Atheism: The Case Against God
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phoenixgirl
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5# |
Rank:none
Score:0
Posts:638
Registered:
03/03/2002
Time spent:
0 hours
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RE:What this forum could be and what it is
(Date Posted:03/13/2008 20:18:45)
I can't believe how much of a ghost town this is. And how you can't even tell who writes a post.
Anyway, to the eloquent guest, I wanted to say that I really would enjoy a moderated (though not stifled) forum like this was in its hey-day. I created a new email just so you could get in touch if you do every come across or create such a place: phoenixgirl1212@yahoo.com Good night, and good luck. --Phoenixgirl
BTW, I know I should have double this many posts. I remember clearly St. Thomas bestowing upon me the order of the 666. Or was it all a dream? Perhaps . . .
(Message edited by phoenixgirl On 03/13/2008 20:20:49)
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--Phoenixgirl
"I am influenced at the present time by far higher considerations and by a nobler idea of duty than I ever was when I held the Evangelical belief." George Eliot
"I have one great fear in my heart, that one day when they are turned to loving, they will find we are turned to hating." Alan Paton's Cry, the Beloved Country (I promise I read this before it was an Oprah book club book)
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snakechic
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6# |
Rank:none
Score:0
Posts:3524
Registered:
11/02/2004
Time spent:
6158 hours
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RE:What this forum could be and what it is
(Date Posted:03/13/2008 20:46:54)
Ghost town? Yes that's right Aimoo programmers restructured their program and fucked things up for everyone. A lot of very successful forums such as the Mormons have shifted to new providers or closed down.
Understandable that most posters have given up on Aimoo or their old communities - depends on what you want in a forum? Heavily moderated certainly would appeal to the 'authoritarian' post fundamentalist but its not everyone's cup of tea.
That's why I liked Volts and Drums style of moderation.
THe owner 'Tom' has left the building.
You may want to get in touch with people at the Main Web page (webguy) and also Volts blog (although I think that's fallen though too)? I don't know. ?
I'm going to persever here for the time being because I like the people left here and its great to see a few old regs pop up now and again - I"m hoping things will change - if not, thats fine too.
I do however feel its best not to rely on the internet for 'help' in circumstances of life threatening proportions!
I wonder who 'the 'bully ' is and who is this long suffering anonmous lurker who has assured us that they will stopped lurking from now on ? Drama & mystery continues...lol
(Message edited by snakechic On 03/15/2008 19:33:50)
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In exchange for obedience, Christianity promises salvation in an afterlife; but in order to elicit obedience through this promise, Christianity must convince people that they need salvation, that there is something to be saved from. Christianity has nothing to offer a happy person living in a natural, intelligible universe. If Christianity is to gain a motivational foothold, it must declare war on earthly pleasure and happiness, and this, historically, has been its precise course of action. In the eyes of Christianity, woman(man) is sinful and helpless in the face of God, and is potential fuel for the flames of hell. Just as Christianity must destroy reason before it can introduce faith, so it must destroy happiness before it can introduce salvation.
-- George H Smith, Atheism: The Case Against God
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freebird75
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7# |
Rank:none
Score:0
Posts:93
Registered:
09/14/2002
Time spent:
115 hours
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RE:What this forum could be and what it is
(Date Posted:03/16/2008 19:00:43)
Reply to phoenixgirl (03/02/2008 1:37 PM).
I got what you were saying. I used to come here a lot, but don't anymore. Mostly because my fundamentalist past is just that, but also because I think the tide shifted from positivity to negativity here at some point. It seems this place has become something of a ghost town. |
Yeah I remember when this place was really active. I probably visited only a few times in the past couple of years. They have been very busy, lots of changes. One thing hasn't changed, though. I definitely haven't gone back to fundamentalism of any kind. So nice to see you phoenixgirl still here. I do remember the days when we chased trolls out. I hope this forum doesn't die completely. It definitely did help me when I was relatively new deconvertee (if that word exists at all). I would definitely love to offer any support and insight into the difficult process of walking away. It was easier for me though, as most of my immediate family and friends weren't fundamentalists. I can only imagine how it is for people where giving up on the faith means alienating from the family. I still don't have much love for any kind of christianity. It is a horrible view of the world. And very much removed from reality, whatever that may be anyway.
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"Uncertainty, in the presence of vivid hopes and fears, is painful, but must be endured if we wish to live without the support of comforting fairy tales." Bertrand Russel
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snakechic
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8# |
Rank:none
Score:0
Posts:3524
Registered:
11/02/2004
Time spent:
6158 hours
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RE:What this forum could be and what it is
(Date Posted:03/18/2008 14:08:14)
Reply to freebird75 (03/02/2008 1:37 PM).
I would definitely love to offer any support and insight into the difficult process of walking away.
. I still don't have much love for any kind of christianity.
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That's great! There's a Miss Unknown who posted a couple of really good post asking for 'assistance' - information about her current dilemma regarding the confusion she feels about the 'hell' doctrine only last week. You may have missed it? That's why I've posted a couple of 'hell' topics but I really don't have much need for it myself and its not something I'm terribly interested in. Perhaps you'd like to offer your support and insight to this common problem newbies face? That would be great...save me time hunting for stuff. As you can imagine its not something all that 'nice' to dwell on. Nope...me neither. Christianity sucks! Its difficult to take it seriously at times but never difficult to see what effects it can have on people. seeya
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In exchange for obedience, Christianity promises salvation in an afterlife; but in order to elicit obedience through this promise, Christianity must convince people that they need salvation, that there is something to be saved from. Christianity has nothing to offer a happy person living in a natural, intelligible universe. If Christianity is to gain a motivational foothold, it must declare war on earthly pleasure and happiness, and this, historically, has been its precise course of action. In the eyes of Christianity, woman(man) is sinful and helpless in the face of God, and is potential fuel for the flames of hell. Just as Christianity must destroy reason before it can introduce faith, so it must destroy happiness before it can introduce salvation.
-- George H Smith, Atheism: The Case Against God
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MothandRust
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9# |
From: Australia
Registered:
02/27/2004
Time spent:
0 hours
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Reply To Guest
(Date Posted:03/26/2008 08:10:30)
What this forum is: What they experience here is something different. They might be lucky enough to take their first tenuous steps into these blasphemous fields at a time when they can find someone posting here who is sensitive, understanding, empathetic, and willing to listen. But this is an ever decreasing rarity.
Holy bloody hell in a handbag... what a whiney bi-atch. Maybe you're looking for the 'gay' walk away from fundamentalism forum. Nothing against homosexuals... it's just a term we Australians use for unrealistically fake empathetic new age back patters. I love that this forum has some real personalities and you can say what you like, without worrying about offending the molly-coddled masses. Sheeeshh...
What people find here instead, is a vortex at the center of which is an addict and a passive-agressive bully who never really listens, but only lies coiled in waiting- | | |
