Considering Leaving RF

[metis]

As much as I've enjoyed being here at RF, there's a couple of trends that I'm simply not willing to endure much longer, plus I have seen it destroy two other religious websites for much the same reason.

One is those who just simply are so very hostile and/or so nit-picky that it seems RF has become a "battlefield", and I'm sure this is keeping some people from posting here. Yes, we all "lose it" at times, including yours truly, and I've had to issue a fair number of apologies over the years myself.

Second problem is religious bigotry, and even though I'm not tied to any religion, the number of anti-Catholic threads here is very disturbing to me. It's one thing to disagree with Catholic concepts, but it's another when I see constant bashing of the entire church that goes on and on and...

These two problems dismay me to the point whereas tomorrow I'll be looking for a different religious website. Seriously, I don't want to leave here because there are some people that I deeply admire and I enjoy their posts, but it seems that the number of them is getting fewer and fewer versus those with axes to grind while using a pit-bull approach.

I'm just one person here, and I know I'm expendable, but I really hope that some people here decide to "cool it" and not be so aggressive. I don't want to leave, but I'm not going to stay if I feel as uncomfortable as I do now.

shalom

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I hope you don't leave. You're one of my favorite posters and give me hope on here. But your wellbeing comes first, of course. The anti-Catholicism hurts me at times, too, even though I've done it in the past, too.

 

[savagewind]

As much as I've enjoyed being here at RF, there's a couple of trends that I'm simply not willing to endure much longer, plus I have seen it destroy two other religious websites for much the same reason.

One is those who just simply are so very hostile and/or so nit-picky that it seems RF has become a "battlefield", and I'm sure this is keeping some people from posting here. Yes, we all "lose it" at times, including yours truly, and I've had to issue a fair number of apologies over the years myself.

Second problem is religious bigotry, and even though I'm not tied to any religion, the number of anti-Catholic threads here is very disturbing to me. It's one thing to disagree with Catholic concepts, but it's another when I see constant bashing of the entire church that goes on and on and...

These two problems dismay me to the point whereas tomorrow I'll be looking for a different religious website. Seriously, I don't want to leave here because there are some people that I deeply admire and I enjoy their posts, but it seems that the number of them is getting fewer and fewer versus those with axes to grind while using a pit-bull approach.

I'm just one person here, and I know I'm expendable, but I really hope that some people here decide to "cool it" and not be so aggressive. I don't want to leave, but I'm not going to stay if I feel as uncomfortable as I do now.

shalom

If you leave, I am sure you will be missed. I think you are one of the few real people here.

 

[YmirGF]

As much as I've enjoyed being here at RF, there's a couple of trends that I'm simply not willing to endure much longer, plus I have seen it destroy two other religious websites for much the same reason.

One is those who just simply are so very hostile and/or so nit-picky that it seems RF has become a "battlefield", and I'm sure this is keeping some people from posting here. Yes, we all "lose it" at times, including yours truly, and I've had to issue a fair number of apologies over the years myself.

Second problem is religious bigotry, and even though I'm not tied to any religion, the number of anti-Catholic threads here is very disturbing to me. It's one thing to disagree with Catholic concepts, but it's another when I see constant bashing of the entire church that goes on and on and...

These two problems dismay me to the point whereas tomorrow I'll be looking for a different religious website. Seriously, I don't want to leave here because there are some people that I deeply admire and I enjoy their posts, but it seems that the number of them is getting fewer and fewer versus those with axes to grind while using a pit-bull approach.

I'm just one person here, and I know I'm expendable, but I really hope that some people here decide to "cool it" and not be so aggressive. I don't want to leave, but I'm not going to stay if I feel as uncomfortable as I do now.

shalom

I hope you don't leave. What you are describing is a fairly large part of the reason why my posts have cut back over the last few weeks. It's just not worth the trouble. Personally, I think it's just an aspect of the political toxicity that has morphed over the last 2 years. For example, I look at the threads and just think, "Really?"

For the record, I think you are one of the most pleasant and thoughtful posters on RF.

As a tease I am forming (in my empty head) a multi-pronged discussion on GroupThink as I wade through the steaming piles of information about intersectionality, modern feminism, privilege, oppression, gender fluidity, equity et al. It's a huge, huge, can of worms.

 

[sun rise]

I don't participate in all threads because I don't have time and because some are toxic. That toxicity is everywhere and I avoid it (unless I slip sometimes).

I hope you stick around in spite of it all.

 

[RabbiO]

1) [E]ven though I'm not tied to any religion......

2) I'll be looking for a different religious website. Seriously, I don't want to leave here because there are some people that I deeply admire and I enjoy their posts.......... I'm just one person here, and I know I'm expendable, but I really hope that some people here decide to "cool it" and not be so aggressive. I don't want to leave..............

1) Typical old person. You didn't read the contract. As your unofficial rabbi it is my responsibility - no, make that my sacred duty - to tell you we're as much stuck with you as you are with us.
2) You can't leave me here by myself. I'll be Costello without Abbott, Jerry without Dean, Hardy without Laurel, Fred without Ginger, Roy without Dale,
Bugs without Elmer..... Need I continue?

 

[George-ananda]

It is hard to imagine a website open to the whole world that discusses religion, politics and social issues without erupting into something less than pretty. People are emotional beings.

I wonder if there can be a site with a quick 'ban' policy of posters that cross the line of civility? At some point though it might have zero members; nothing ugly but nothing discussed.

@metis I think the key is one's ability to emotionally shut off immature posters. If not, internet discussions are probably more grief than gain.

 

[Kangaroo Feathers]

As much as I've enjoyed being here at RF, there's a couple of trends that I'm simply not willing to endure much longer, plus I have seen it destroy two other religious websites for much the same reason.

One is those who just simply are so very hostile and/or so nit-picky that it seems RF has become a "battlefield", and I'm sure this is keeping some people from posting here. Yes, we all "lose it" at times, including yours truly, and I've had to issue a fair number of apologies over the years myself.

Second problem is religious bigotry, and even though I'm not tied to any religion, the number of anti-Catholic threads here is very disturbing to me. It's one thing to disagree with Catholic concepts, but it's another when I see constant bashing of the entire church that goes on and on and...

These two problems dismay me to the point whereas tomorrow I'll be looking for a different religious website. Seriously, I don't want to leave here because there are some people that I deeply admire and I enjoy their posts, but it seems that the number of them is getting fewer and fewer versus those with axes to grind while using a pit-bull approach.

I'm just one person here, and I know I'm expendable, but I really hope that some people here decide to "cool it" and not be so aggressive. I don't want to leave, but I'm not going to stay if I feel as uncomfortable as I do now.

shalom

I hope you stay. Maybe we need some more "safe" forums?

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

I'd hope that you don't leave, at least if you do, that you consider returning now and again.

 

[Kenny]

You would be missed!!

 

[YmirGF]

I hope you stay. Maybe we need some more "safe" forums?

We already do in the DIRs wherein only respectful comments can be made and questions asked if not of the given faith.
The problem is that wandering trolls are starting unpleasant threads critical of the Catholic church in the open forums where one can get away with saying a lot more against a given religion. As Muslims will likely concur, Catholics are hardly alone in this department. Or Mormons... JW's etc...

 

[Twilight Hue]

As much as I've enjoyed being here at RF, there's a couple of trends that I'm simply not willing to endure much longer, plus I have seen it destroy two other religious websites for much the same reason.

One is those who just simply are so very hostile and/or so nit-picky that it seems RF has become a "battlefield", and I'm sure this is keeping some people from posting here. Yes, we all "lose it" at times, including yours truly, and I've had to issue a fair number of apologies over the years myself.

Second problem is religious bigotry, and even though I'm not tied to any religion, the number of anti-Catholic threads here is very disturbing to me. It's one thing to disagree with Catholic concepts, but it's another when I see constant bashing of the entire church that goes on and on and...

These two problems dismay me to the point whereas tomorrow I'll be looking for a different religious website. Seriously, I don't want to leave here because there are some people that I deeply admire and I enjoy their posts, but it seems that the number of them is getting fewer and fewer versus those with axes to grind while using a pit-bull approach.

I'm just one person here, and I know I'm expendable, but I really hope that some people here decide to "cool it" and not be so aggressive. I don't want to leave, but I'm not going to stay if I feel as uncomfortable as I do now.

shalom

Sorry to hear. It's just forum burnout I think.

Debates as you know can get testy, but with other forums like dirs and discussions I'm sure the choice for more tempered exchanges are available.

Either way, best wishes and looking forward to the input you make here if and when you decide to do so.

At any rate, take very good care of yourself. :0)

 

[Vouthon]

@metis I know exactly where you are coming from, indeed I have thought the same way on many an occasion.

I'm passively inured to anti-Catholic bigotry these days (which goes beyond conventional disagreement with doctrinal beliefs and criticism); not just on here but in general on the internet. It barely even registers with me any longer, like water off a duck's back really. I just try to be civil with such individuals even if they bait or get nasty. Hopefully I succeed in doing so, if not...well, I'm only human.

If you think its time to toss in the towel, then, that's it I guess. You'd be a mighty loss to the forum, and I'd miss your posts immensely, not least for their generosity of spirit and good old common-sense wisdom. If we continue to lose upstanding contributors like yourself from here, then I have no doubt this place will go to the sewer and the proverbial gutter, under the influence of the unsavoury types you refer to in the OP.

I hope you stay and fight the good fight, so to speak. But if not, I'd like to let you know that its been good to converse with you online. Godspeed.

 

[Rational Agnostic]

As much as I've enjoyed being here at RF, there's a couple of trends that I'm simply not willing to endure much longer, plus I have seen it destroy two other religious websites for much the same reason.

One is those who just simply are so very hostile and/or so nit-picky that it seems RF has become a "battlefield", and I'm sure this is keeping some people from posting here. Yes, we all "lose it" at times, including yours truly, and I've had to issue a fair number of apologies over the years myself.

Second problem is religious bigotry, and even though I'm not tied to any religion, the number of anti-Catholic threads here is very disturbing to me. It's one thing to disagree with Catholic concepts, but it's another when I see constant bashing of the entire church that goes on and on and...

These two problems dismay me to the point whereas tomorrow I'll be looking for a different religious website. Seriously, I don't want to leave here because there are some people that I deeply admire and I enjoy their posts, but it seems that the number of them is getting fewer and fewer versus those with axes to grind while using a pit-bull approach.

I'm just one person here, and I know I'm expendable, but I really hope that some people here decide to "cool it" and not be so aggressive. I don't want to leave, but I'm not going to stay if I feel as uncomfortable as I do now.

shalom

No reason to delete your account. Just post less often if you're tired of it and come here when you're bored like I do.

 

[England my lionheart]

Hey I hope you don't go, have a rethink and just cherry pick where you post, your a great asset to the forums so please reconsider.

 

[Deeje]

Wow @metis....was it something I said....?

I know we lock horns on occasion, but I would miss you all the same.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

As much as I've enjoyed being here at RF, there's a couple of trends that I'm simply not willing to endure much longer, plus I have seen it destroy two other religious websites for much the same reason.

One is those who just simply are so very hostile and/or so nit-picky that it seems RF has become a "battlefield", and I'm sure this is keeping some people from posting here. Yes, we all "lose it" at times, including yours truly, and I've had to issue a fair number of apologies over the years myself.

Second problem is religious bigotry, and even though I'm not tied to any religion, the number of anti-Catholic threads here is very disturbing to me. It's one thing to disagree with Catholic concepts, but it's another when I see constant bashing of the entire church that goes on and on and...

These two problems dismay me to the point whereas tomorrow I'll be looking for a different religious website. Seriously, I don't want to leave here because there are some people that I deeply admire and I enjoy their posts, but it seems that the number of them is getting fewer and fewer versus those with axes to grind while using a pit-bull approach.

I'm just one person here, and I know I'm expendable, but I really hope that some people here decide to "cool it" and not be so aggressive. I don't want to leave, but I'm not going to stay if I feel as uncomfortable as I do now.

shalom

Whilst leaving might mean there is less unhelpful baiting and argumentation in your life, it would mean less considered discourse in ours.

So in the interests of the forum, I've handcuffed you to @Debater Slayer.

 

[David1967]

As much as I've enjoyed being here at RF, there's a couple of trends that I'm simply not willing to endure much longer, plus I have seen it destroy two other religious websites for much the same reason.

One is those who just simply are so very hostile and/or so nit-picky that it seems RF has become a "battlefield", and I'm sure this is keeping some people from posting here. Yes, we all "lose it" at times, including yours truly, and I've had to issue a fair number of apologies over the years myself.

Second problem is religious bigotry, and even though I'm not tied to any religion, the number of anti-Catholic threads here is very disturbing to me. It's one thing to disagree with Catholic concepts, but it's another when I see constant bashing of the entire church that goes on and on and...

These two problems dismay me to the point whereas tomorrow I'll be looking for a different religious website. Seriously, I don't want to leave here because there are some people that I deeply admire and I enjoy their posts, but it seems that the number of them is getting fewer and fewer versus those with axes to grind while using a pit-bull approach.

I'm just one person here, and I know I'm expendable, but I really hope that some people here decide to "cool it" and not be so aggressive. I don't want to leave, but I'm not going to stay if I feel as uncomfortable as I do now.

shalom

I know what you mean regarding certain hostilities and such, but I for one hope you decide to stay. I have enjoyed interacting with you and reading your points of view. You are a much needed and valuable part of this forum.

 

[Revoltingest]

We already do in the DIRs wherein only respectful comments can be made and questions asked if not of the given faith.
The problem is that wandering trolls are starting unpleasant threads critical of the Catholic church in the open forums where one can get away with saying a lot more against a given religion. As Muslims will likely concur, Catholics are hardly alone in this department. Or Mormons... JW's etc...

Aye, everyone gets attacked. Different groups, religions, philosophies are natural
enemies, like Catholics & Scots...& Marxists & Scots....& Republicans & Scots...
....& Canuckistanians & Scots...& bears & Scots....& Scots & other Scots!
Here's the trick....decide that people will have their opinions, & that one
needn't take opposition personally.
And if someone attacks, one can deliberately choose how to feel & respond....
- Dismiss the troll as troubled.
- Ignore the slight as insignificant.
- Have a fun flame (preferably mild one within the rules) war.
- Respond civilly & rationally as though there were no insult.
- Let criticism roll off one's back.
- Do something I haven't thought of.
It also helps a great deal if one resists urges to troll others.
I know, I know....easier said than done, but every instance of success helps.

 

[Dawnofhope]

As much as I've enjoyed being here at RF, there's a couple of trends that I'm simply not willing to endure much longer, plus I have seen it destroy two other religious websites for much the same reason.

One is those who just simply are so very hostile and/or so nit-picky that it seems RF has become a "battlefield", and I'm sure this is keeping some people from posting here. Yes, we all "lose it" at times, including yours truly, and I've had to issue a fair number of apologies over the years myself.

Second problem is religious bigotry, and even though I'm not tied to any religion, the number of anti-Catholic threads here is very disturbing to me. It's one thing to disagree with Catholic concepts, but it's another when I see constant bashing of the entire church that goes on and on and...

These two problems dismay me to the point whereas tomorrow I'll be looking for a different religious website. Seriously, I don't want to leave here because there are some people that I deeply admire and I enjoy their posts, but it seems that the number of them is getting fewer and fewer versus those with axes to grind while using a pit-bull approach.

I'm just one person here, and I know I'm expendable, but I really hope that some people here decide to "cool it" and not be so aggressive. I don't want to leave, but I'm not going to stay if I feel as uncomfortable as I do now.

shalom

I hope you stick around. I enjoy your posts and find you a moderating influence.

There is certainly plenty of negative comment on RF, for sure.

I like the Catholics btw.