Tyranny of the fragile?

[priceless rogue]

Greetings. Clearly I'm new to this forum, so I have been checking out the lie of the land, so to speak? There seems to be a bit of a furore over someone attempting to engage in open dialogue in relation to the Bible, Jesus and their understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. I don't think this breaks the rules; it's not debating predestination, for e.g. or attacking the person.

Since then, it has been somewhat of an ugly scene of accusation, subtlely threatening language and rallying support for a particular point of view, one that by all accounts (and admission) is not a particularly biblical.

I suppose I'm wondering, before I really get started in this "recovery forum", whether or not this is the type of forum in which people can engage in open, meaningful, constructive dialogue without people taking offense at every turn. Surely people can hold different (even opposing) points of view and still engage in robust conversation, without risking being accused of being spiritually abusive. Do I run the risk of being accused of such, if I disagree with someone else's viewpoint?

It appears to me that there is an unhealthy and unhelpful culture operating in this forum. Would anyone like to clarify?
PR

[Jo Jo]

Welcome priceless rogue.

I have been here for a while... I think since July. I have found it to be a pretty open place where people can exchange open points of view. Even I, though, have had my occasion 'fit' over, in my opinion, tyrants, trying to get away with inexcusable behavior... but that is another story. Recently, I was surprised at exactly at what you put as:

an ugly scene of accusation, subtlety threatening language and rallying support for a particular point of view, one that by all accounts (and admission) is not a particularly biblical

I don't know what to tell you... To me, it seemed amazingly familiar. My father was an angry raging man who controlled behavior and thoughts through explosive rants... my ex-cult pastor, was a quiet man, who then controlled the same way through explosive raging rants. Your post has seemed to give my voice back to me at least to express this. I, too, will have to wait and see what becomes of things here.

Thank you for your post.

[Willow]

Originally Posted by priceless rogue

I suppose I'm wondering, before I really get started in this "recovery forum", whether or not this is the type of forum in which people can engage in open, meaningful, constructive dialogue without people taking offense at every turn. Surely people can hold different (even opposing) points of view and still engage in robust conversation, without risking being accused of being spiritually abusive. Do I run the risk of being accused of such, if I disagree with someone else's viewpoint?

This is absolutely a place where people can engage in open meaningful and constructive dialogue. Problems ensue when language takes on a superior tone... or a corrective tone. This is when the fur raises on the back of my neck anyway... I think it's the same for others. There is a way to disagree that is agreeable. It's an art to be able to find it. That takes practice. One of my favorite quotes is from Roy Rogers.

"Good judgement comes from experience and a lot of that comes from bad judgement."

Working through conflicts... talking through what rubbed us the wrong way... it's all helpful in some insane way. At least it has been for me.

[Voyager]

This forum is not here for debating religious views or trying to prove who is right or wrong from a religious perspective. This forum exists to help people find support and recovery from spiritual abuse. It doesn't matter if your beliefs are Biblical or non-Biblical. Everyone here is valued the same regardless of their religious affiliation or lack thereof. If you're a Jehovah Witness, a Muslim, a Buddhist, or a Christian, we accept you regardless of what your beliefs are. If you've been spiritually abused and need help, you've come to the right place.

If someone here is trying to impose a particular religious point of view or doctrinal belief system on the forum members, that is clearly not the purpose of this forum. If you see this happening, feel free to send a private message to the Forum Administrator and I'm sure he will deal with it as he sees fit.

Welcome aboard! Here's a word of wisdom: Take what you need, and leave the rest. (This is the opposite motto of spiritual abusers, which is usually: Take what I tell you to take, and stay away from everything else.)

[priceless rogue]

Yep, just as I thought. This isn't a safe place at all, not when you have people who have been here for so long (i.e. 8 years) that they think they own the place, and swagger around in the abusive, manipulative, angry and "bigoted" way of which they are so quick to accuse other people. It is no different from any other careless, free-for-all chat room in cyber space. God have mercy. I'm gone! Adios

[Voyager]

Originally Posted by priceless rogue

Yep, just as I thought. This isn't a safe place at all, not when you have people who have been here for so long (i.e. 8 years) that they think they own the place, and swagger around in the abusive, manipulative, angry and "bigoted" way of which they are so quick to accuse other people. It is no different from any other careless, free-for-all chat room in cyber space. God have mercy. I'm gone! Adios

Here we go again. Someone posts under a different screen name to vent their anger because they were not able to impose their beliefs on others.

I can give you a long list of forums that have free-for-all religious debates where shaming, maligning, and bigotry is allowed. Send me a PM and I'll give them to you.

No one owns this place but the Admin. If you have a beef with the way this forum is ran, please send him a PM.