My New Forum - God Chat
 

Hello All,
I got permission from RGCraig to post this.

Bro Rutledge and myself opened a new forum: God Chat (http://www.godchatcafe.com) and here is the suprising thing -- it is unmoderated and basically has two rules:

1. Don't threaten to kill anyone.
2. Don't cuss.

The point isn't to create a cage match or online slug fest, but rather to create a completely open forum where all viewpoints are welcome and debate is encouraged.

It is primarily Apostolic, but everyone is welcome, be they Mormon, Mohammedan, Wiccan or downright atheist.

When I say unmoderated I mean self moderated, I suppose if someone is a real jerk that enough people will ignore list him to make him irrelevant. However, the "report post" feature will be largely ignored, unless of course someone is threatening to kill someone or cussing.

Why did you do this? one might ask?

To turn the GNC into a place geared towards praise, worship and edification, where even the newest new convert can feel warm and fuzzy.....in one word BORING to most online extroverts.

So, give us a visit!
http://www.godchatcafe.net

My handle there is Pat Riot.

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

I'll check it out. Thanks.

I'll make sure to bring my helmet and body armor! :O)

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

Looks good ... just registered. Y'all need a general discussion area.

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

I'll make one today. Any and all suggestions welcome!

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

What is weird is, everyone is being nice to each other. It seems that what I attempted and failed at with rules and blunt rebukes I accomplished by saying anything goes. I don't get it.


But...the forum is young!

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

And DanA isnt there yet! LOL well he is but give him time... LOL

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

Been there, checked it out, got the impression y'all were intentionally trying to start arguments, didn't register.

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

Wrong impression, but that is fine. We knew from the inception of it that it would not be for everyone.

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

Well, Daniel Alicea just joined, so look out!! :blah :boxing :winkgrin:toofunny

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

good for you Rico.
Stick to your principles.
No need to add even more occassions where you find a compellling need to wag your head in disgust.

Be content on whatever board you find yourself.

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

Exactly. I get my fill of head wagging right here at AFF. :D

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

My visit was not too long after the site was opened. I read a few of the threads Renegade started, realized he already knew the answers to the questions he was asking, figured he was trying to attract some controversial posters to get the ball rolling, and decided I get all the arguing I want here at AFF. A man can only take so much arguing (even me :D).

I am however, interested in seeing how things go with the revamped GNC. I think it's a good idea to have a safe place for new converts to go and post. At first, however, I thought you guys were going to end up signing GNC's death warrant with the changes you had in mind. I hope things go well for you there. :)

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

I feel a preach comin on, and I ain't no preacha! :happydance

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

I registered because of a post by Brother Flemming. Look at the Pastors thread. :toofunny:toofunny

Rico,
I didn't get that impression. What I thought was that the precedent was set for open debate. The starter threads were good for that. I think it's going to be an excellent forum once it gets more coverage. :thumbsup

I hope it stays intelligent and doesn't get nasty. It will be awesome if it doesn't.

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

I could have some fun on that thread, but I promised myself I'd stop listening to that devil on my shoulder and start listening to the angel on the other shoulder. :D

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

Right! I'm trying to listen to the angel on my shoulder. He wants me to quit posting today!!!

:toofunny:toofunny

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

yeah, I am generally pretty much a "glass half full" kinda guy, but I am not sure the 'newbie-safe zone' is able to generate enough general content to keep a visitor engaged long enough, and deep enough, with an online community. Attention spans are short in general, but when dealing with electronic-discussion....the attention span drops to just plain 'silly-short'.

The Godchat room gives another management option for 'Rens-raiders' to use in their approach with the larger GNC community.

The balance is tricky and challenging.

I applaud their efforts and am confident it will serve to supply another empirical data point for those of us who have a well-developed love/hate relationship with the online dynamic among apostolic-leaning brethren (and MOW).

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

Perhaps " A Discussion On Religious Issues " would be a better name for this new forum. With all these topics i've seen listed, I can't believe it will actually be a discussion concerning God, but what everyone believes to be true.
Just a thought from someone who doesn't know very much. :blah

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

The part I don't understand is exactly how they plan on helping new converts without allowing them to be exposed to controversial doctrines. We can't even agree on when a person is saved, let alone the deeper issues pertaining to Christianity.

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

Like all things we will see. The revamped GNC will be simply for an audience that doesn't want fuss, there is more to the changes than I have listed. But it is going to cost a few dollars that I don't have just now and time that is a bit stretched thin. I wanted all the chages to be in place for June 1, but June 15 might be more realistic as I am going to TN between now and then.

Renegade was just opening discussion to get things moving along. I am sure it will be arguments there, and they will be allowed. God Chat, believe it or not is kinda inspired in part by the original FCF. Jim Yohe envisioned an open place with the thought that if you adebate about something enough then the truth will pop out.

I wish I had had the insight to open God Chat 5 years ago. Jim tried to get me to open something like it but I was too stupid (or stubborn) to listen to him telling me that it really is a good idea.

Only we are going a step further. There aren't any moderators at all. Nor will there be. And instead of it being an Apostolics only forum it is open to everyone.

Bro R and I are Admins just for the running of it and making sure no-one threatens to kill anyone or cusses.

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

Good suggestion....it is a work in progress.

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

Actually it is more of a protecting them from controversial issues, when they get stable we will just send them here. :happydance

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

Why thank ya. Part of the plan is to use God Chat as a place to send people who would normally get banned on the GNC.

We like giving options.....

The balance...eh, I really can juggle.....

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

I see what you are saying, but how are you planning on handling it when someone from a one step church comes on talking about how they just got saved, etc. etc., and then someone from a three step church comes on and attempts to correct that person? Right there you are going to have a conflict in doctrines that could cause issues. This is just one example.

What about when a new convert comes on and says God delivered him from jewelry and those who don't believe wearing jewelry is wrong make their feelings known?

The list could go on and on. I am not criticizing y'all for what you are trying to accomplish. I just don't see how you are going to be able to shiled newbies to the faith from controversy and the divided state we apostolics find ourselves in.

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

I used new converts as an example as part of it and giving a safe zone. We will deal with each case individually. There will still be leeway for discussion and one steppers aren't dismissed. I know there are a lot of combinations of stuff. But with the GNC, what we are trying to do has more aspects than what I can explain here. GNC an Apostolic.Net are integrating, that is also part of it.

I wish I had a week off of the day job to bring all the pieces together over there.

The *main* thing we want to protect newbies from is some ogre jumping on them right after they say "Hi" and cramming what end0time belief they MUST accept, what clothing standard they MUST accept and etc etc.

This all dawned on me one night when one of OUR newbies was having trouble getting on the GNC and I had to tell her that she should stay away from there.....

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

BTW Rico, it is nice conversing with you again....!

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

Yes, it is. :) Maybe I will reregister and give y'all some help with the ogre jumping! :D

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

Ya know, I am about half tempted to go over there and give this guy who called MF a dummy a piece of my mind. There's a lot I could say about him, but calling him a dummy isn't on the list! PO, see what ya done got started now? :boxing:thwak:smack:drawguns:club

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

Go and get 'em :boxing

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

It was how Flemming handled it that was a riot. I didn't even pay attention to the guy calling him a dummy. MF pops in and says, "You called." I burst out laughing!

:toofunny:toofunny

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

Can I tell folks they're spineless cowards? Can I tell them they fell of the STUPID tree and hit every branch on the way down?

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

I can't Bro. I can be pretty mean about stuff when I get started, even knowing that there are rules to follow and moderators watching what I say. Going into an environment where I would only have to worry about cussing and threatening to kill someone would only open the door for me take things right to that line. I don't wanna go there 'cause I don't like the way I look when I get ugly.

You can, however, let Brother Flemming know I didn't appreciate someone calling him a dummy. He knows how I can get when something sets me off, so he'll understand why I've decided not to go over there and rip into this fella.

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

Long as you don't cuss, threaten to kill someone, and can deal with what you see when you are finished, have at it. Lemme know how it goes. ;)

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

Can I threaten to beat them up but not kill them?:toofunny

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

There are only two rules there:

No cussin

Don't threaten to kill someone.



Seriously. Those are the rules.

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

As long as you don't plan on beating them to death I guess....:happydance

A little slapping around is good for people. Adjusts attitudes better than a pipe wrench, unless the pipe wrench is being used as the attitude adjustment tool....

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

just make sure you dance as well as you fiddle.

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

Congrats on the new site Bro. Atkinson and Bro. Rutledge! :wave

Hope things work out well for you there! :thumbsup

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

I like it, I do I really do!!!

I really think I am well on my way to be the first poster to hit 10,000 posts!

Only 9,996 more to go!:bliss

Re: My New Forum - God Chat
 

Easy goal...