How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

everyone would post under their given name? It is easy for many of us to post things we woudn't have the audacity to post if people truly knew who we were.

I think it ironic that one of the rules for joining JP is that you post under your true given name but those same people post here under psuedo names to cause trouble, illicit offense, and to call out those who disagree with them.

I am not asking for a change of policy because there are some very good reasons for some to not disclose their identity...especially those who post against the staus quo of the organization they are associated with. But I ask that everyone who post to keep in mind, that while people don't know who you are...God does.

Think about:
* What is your purpose for remaining anonymous?
* Would you post what you are going to post if everyone knew who you were? If not maybe you shouldn't post it.
* What angers you the most about certain posters,i.e., their personality? Because they challenge your belief system? Because you have the same questions but were taught not to question?
* Can you love those who disagree with you?

Just something to think about...again.

Blessings, Rhonda R. Cyprus [Rhoni]

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

Perhaps they don't want random people calling their pastor?

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

I think I and my former Pastor have withstood the pressure. A secure Pastor wouldn't give place to such a frivilous phone call. But I agree that that is an issue.

Thank you for replying.
Blessings, Rhoni

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

Rhoni,

I do believe we answer to God for what we say--and write, whether it's under our real name or not. However, I do appreciate the anonymity that I have (although many people do know my real name anyway). My main reason for using a pseudonym was so I could post anything that comes to mind, even if it isn't entirely in line with what my pastor or local church believes. (Without embarrassing anyone or getting anyone into "trouble")

I have never felt bad toward anyone simply because they disagreed with me. Personalities come through, even though they're in print, and there can still be personality clashes on a board like this. Some folks just get on other folks' nerves, plain and simple.

As for whether I would post the same--I used my real name and picture on the GNC for a good while, and I don't think I posted any differently than I have here, although obviously the GNC is a different atmosphere and format.

I talk about things with my husband or my friends the same way I do here. I express many of the same opinions, but obviously depending on the audience, I may be more guarded around some people than others. The main point is, though, I have been careful on these forums to never say anything I wouldn't mind owning up to in real life, and I have no problem standing by any of my posts.

If I've written anything offensive, it's probably because I've already decided that I'm okay with taking the heat for it, would it ever come to that.

Anonymity should be protected. Personally, I think the JP rule about using real names is a silly one, and I know at least one person who has already been the brunt of heavy handed tactics because he used his real name and gave his enemies an advantage. Too bad that there are people like that online--but there are. So I choose to share my real identity cautiously and at my discretion. If someone wants to share their name, address, phone number and zip code, that's their business, but there's also nothing wrong with just posting your opinions and nothing else.

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

As the subject of Rhoni's ire today I must ask - just what is JP?
Who called who's pastor?
I'm relatively anonymous because I can be.
I post occasionally because I am like a moth drawn to the flame. I know it will end badly but ....
What irritates me the most (anger is too strong a word) about certain posters is the level of narcissism. Emotional exhibitionism is particularly grating.
Before I get pseudopsychoanalyzed by a few snippets on the internet as some kind of misanthropic woman hating power hungry authoritarian male without the qualifications to drive a garbage truck, let me bid you a wonderful day.
Sincerely not yours,
Bull J. Winkle

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

There is an element within Pentecostal/Apostolic circles that thrive on bullying tactics and intimidation. They are so accustomed to always getting their way that they don't even recognize their deceit for what it is. That whole Resolution #2 mess from 1992 is one example.

When would a Christian organization give in to such measures and open deceit? Two lies were openly told right from the platform to the assembled ministers and the ministers went along without even questioning until it was too late. It's embarassing for me to admit that I was ever part of an organization that lacked the courage to stand up to such tactics... calling their own brethren "vile filth..." and "excrement..." and then sitting around snickering at their own lewd jokes. I have been continually disappointed with many in the "JP" crowd that you refer to.

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

I am as aware of the words I use as a fairly anonymous individual as I would be were I using my actual name because I have one from whom I cannot hide my identity who knows my every post, word and thought. What he thinks about my thoughts, words and deeds drives every moment of my day.

I remain anonymous because, frankly, some people are just nuts and most of them hang around on the internet or on the back porch of their single wide drinking beer and sporting a sweet mullet. LOL

How many times have we all had our posts taken incorrectly and a big flaming post was then made against us. We then had to explain that this isn't what was meant and even then they didn't accept it.

Anonymity keeps the turmoil people can cause me to the realms of the internet.

But, I must say, that the damage people can do is a minimal thing... but a very real thing. I am mostly anonymous because this (Along with Browser8 on some other forums and a short stint as CanIGetBackWithYouOnThat) is my online moniker and I have grown used to it.

If I posted under my real name then for many on here those posts would then hide my identity of D4T from them and they would not even know it was me. Bruahahahahahahaha

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

I was involved in the initial "calling the pastor" skirmish thread, and, to be completely honest, I'm not sure that it ever even happened. "Berkeley" admitted to emailing Rhoni's pastor, but I've never known who, if anybody, called her pastor. Up to this point, it seems like an urban legend to me.

As for the rest of your post, you're on your own.

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

Nice rant! Not really on topic but nice rant anyway.
There's this nifty online therapist who may be able to help....

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

:blink

:toofunny

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

I post on JP, CAF and AFF. I am not anonymous. I can understand why some people are anonymous. I, personally can't live in that world of "pretend". I understand this world is a sick place, and predators, and people with bad motives really do exists. But God has not given me the spirit of fear.

AFF wouldn't exist if the same rules were applied to it as JP. IMO. People here tend to not want to have any accountabilty.. and that is what draws so many people out of lurking.. they don't have to answer to anyone for what they say and or type. People get really tough and brave on the keyboard.

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

I don't see how withholding my real name is living in a world of "pretend." :) I still have the same opinions--I just don't let people respond to them, except in the format of this forum. It keeps the conversation right here, unless I personally want it to go somewhere else.

I have no problem with accountability. There are people who know me (real life) who read my posts on a regular basis. My pastor knows I post here, and could read if he wanted to, although I doubt he does. It's just that I don't need to be accountable to the entire worldwide web--I'm accountable to God, my husband, and my leaders. I don't need to be accountable to every other pastor or minister or husband or woman who might dislike me and might NOT have my best interests at heart.

We don't have to be accountable to everyone. I'm accountable to the people I trust.

And, I pretty much speak my mind in person as well as online. Just PM "BHILL" and ask him about it. :D

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

Good thoughts..

And I "know" MB well enough to vouch for 2 things...

1. I do believe she still has the same opinions
2. I also know that if she HAS an opinion you can rest assured she is going to share it. LOL

Ain't that right sis... :)

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

Sis. MissB. If I was a women I'd post anonymously also. Maybe I used a poor choice of words. I enjoy and accept your input anyday. Your one of the most real, sincere and level headed people on this forum. And IMO. if someone gets crossed ways with you.. 99% of the time they would be the ones that are wrong.

r u gonna ride your bike w/ your daughter to the stables??

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

I believe AFF would last just fine - there are MANY of us that use our real names to post here.

Even though the banter from those that do not want to be known is apparent it's not all that is here.

Some of our best discussions are the threads where most of the posters are known.

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

Absolutely.

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

I can only guess that your re-rant was prompted by the fact that my post immediately followed your rather humorous one.

However, I did not see your post until after the page had refreshed and feel only a vague sense of goodwill toward what you had to say. That and a chuckle.

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

Pretty much, in a nutshell. :D I don't always play things to my advantage...LOL!!! Sometimes my opinions lead me around by my nose.

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

I am not afraid of anyone. There are people that post here that know me, but most of you don't. I am not giving out my address and phone number publicly. This subject just seems so juvenile to me. And the same people are pretty much always involved in it.

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

Dido witheverything noted above. However, most everyone already knows my "true identity" (name and likeness), if not, should I receive three PM's requesting my name, I'll post it here on this thread.

I am willing to take the heat that searching for truth will almost always generate (witness my few posts on this board). Even so, that willingness is based more on the fact I am in a better personal position to handle heat than most, and not because of some super special spiritual attribute.

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

Thanks for the reminder--I'll go answer that on the other thread! :)

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

I know Sister Cindy better than I used to...

And I hope one day that we will be able to have a good visit over a glass of iced tea. :)

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

IMO, the vast majority of discussion travels along one of two paths; subject-based or messenger-based.

I believe that spiritual edification will only be served by a subject-based conversation. The carnal mind is driven and focused on the base things; those things easily seen, a loud acknowledgment that man (the messenger) is the center of all things.

I am one who has purposed to be on the high end of the "anonymity continuum". I have maintained this approach because my principle motive for engaging a virtual, online discussion community does NOT involve human fellowship (I seek tangible humans for that:friend ). My motive in a virtual community is to gain access to supporting, opposing, and challenging perspectives held by those who profess having been born of God's spirit, having the wonderful counselor dwelling within them, leading them.

Man-clubs are everywhere; each having their own style, purpose, disclosure requirements and service to their members. Spiritual-mindedness will be a minority consideration in a club founded by men.

tbpew (this is not my real name)
house2house (also not my real name)

these are the only two active names I use
In my first online identity I was 'hsdad' but I thought it was far too revealing of personal attributes!:stop

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

Added note:

I agree with most everything posted above. While typing up my little response, a whole bunch of posts came in that I have NOT read, so I don't know if I can agree with "everything". But, most likely I can relate to what has been posted. lolol

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

Yep - told me you were a head strong dad! LOL!!!

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

Simply waving howdy to my friend tbpew...

Don't forget that tbpew is a derivative of TheBackPew. :)

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

I love iced tea. :)

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

Maybe by then my Camelia Senensis plants will be big enough and I can even bring my own home grown tea. :)

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

I guess some of you know my first name. (not that that is an issue)

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

Anyone that has ever PM'd and requested my name has recieved it.

I am not ashamed of or hiding from anything i have ever posted.

I do feel that I am many times to abrasive in my content, but that just came from years of hearing pentecostal preachers.

I'll try to be kinder from now on, espescially if you agree with me.

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

It's Brother, right?

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

Abrasive?:nah .................:nutso yeah!!!!!!!!!

And I would even tell you that in person!!!!!!!!!!!

:toofunny

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

:heeheehee

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

I enjoy posts better when I know who I am talking to but if someone chooses something else that is fine with me. Whatever....

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

It used to bother me a little that I didn't know people here by their real names. But I've become so accustomed to the names we all use now that I'm not even sure I'd like it if we all switched over to real names.

When TexasGranny changed to Cindy, it took me a while to make the adjustment in my mind. Same with LaVonne. And Jeannie will always be Jeannie in my mind, I guess. I'm having a real hard time thinking of her as Elizabeth.

I suppose it's all in what we get used to to start with.

One thing I really do like tho is when people use their first names. I don't need a last name. But I'd rather call someone George than to call them BugsEYe or something like that. You know what I mean?

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

Since I started out on NFCF I have used the same ID. However, anyone can find my personal info by either going to it here on AFF or clicking on the link in any of my posts. I don't need to hide who I am. I have nothing to hide. I have no organization to answer to or fear. I have fellow ministers to whom I am accountable. I am also accountable to the board of the church I pastor. They do not tell me what to preach or try to rule over me in any way whatsoever. We are a team and work well together. We are united and there are no politics in our midst.

I do my best to post in a way with everyone that I would not care who reads my posts. When posting or emailing with someone of the opposite sex, I always post asking myself, "What if my wife read this?" She can read any of my emails at any time if she cares to. I don't mind if someone is anonymous, but I choose not to be!

Not telling if I have any other "nicks" or not! :D

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

Good post...

I am that way with emails etc... nothing is hid from my wife and she knows that she has access to all of my emails, posts & PM's. She knows my passwords etc and most of them fill in automatically anyway.

It is important to me that my wife feel secure in her position as my one and only and I am more than happy to demonstrate that.

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

Same here.

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

I think AFF would be fine. I believe most of the posters here believe what they post...but are open to and accept discussion....and I enjoy that.

I have not been posting long....but I really don't care for the sites where you have to call everyone brother/pastor/apost./evan./proph./teacher/elder...just so they feel like you are giving them the honor they are due.

Re: How long would AFF survive if like JP...
 

"Emotional exhibitionism".
Quite a mouthful... but that's a good term. I'll keep that one in my memory bank. :)

I think it would exist, but it would probably be a kinder, gentler AFF. There would be a lot less bomb throwing, that's for sure.
I understand why some would prefer to be anonymous, and I have no problem with that per se.

But I do know that some of the the mud-throwers, who like to sling their mud under cover of anonymity, wouldn't post some of the stuff they've posted here if their real name were attached to each post.