How Much is Too Much
 

There's been a LOT of bellyaching lately about how negative AFF has become. Many cons have left claiming that AFF has become a haven for angry, anti-UPC (and the like) people.

So how much is too much? What should be allowed and what should not be allowed? Should all negative opinions be censored? Should this become a good-ole-boys club that banishes the DA-types who aggressively point out the inefficiencies and supposed hypocrisies of UPC people and UPC types?

I believe it's possible, maybe even likely, that the "Cons" who've left, did so because they couldn't defend their position. However, they're gone and it's blamed on the naysayers. Those that remain are very unhappy and even several that are not at all "Cons" are getting antsy.

So two questions:

1) How much is too much?

2) Who, on the forum, would you like to see gone?

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

I didn't know that there were any cons left before you came?

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

Well, now you know.

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

You should do a poll. How many 3-steppers are left on the forum? PO and I are 2. Anymore?

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

Good idea. Should the poll be separate or could it be done here? It would also be interesting to see the percentage of people here who still uphold the UPC-type "Holiness" values.

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

start a new thread and include holiness standards, i'll do it

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

AFF's posting style presently is more antagonistic.

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

I think it's possible to disagree with someone, or some issue, and disagree with a good spirit. Too often we don't see that.

But, it's not just one side that does it. I wish we could have productive discourse without either side getting 'over-the-top' and insulting with their response. I think adults should be able to disagree with civility.

Having a discussion like that requires really listening to the other person, the other viewpoint, though. Really considering what they are saying. And that's where we seem to derail. Too many are set on their views, determined that everyone else is wrong, and so discussion is halted at the outset.

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

Without question, it's antagonistic. But when I first arrived, it was EXTREMELY antagonistic. DA wasn't even around when I arrived. Folks like TKBurk, EB, Epley, and the like were the very epitome of "Antagonistic". I think the difference is, it's the opposite side that has become antagonistic.

When I arrived on the scene, there was no one standing up to the above-folks mentioned. They bullied everyone.

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

I agree. I absolutely despised the way EB and Epley posted. I've never seen such disrespect in my life, not even in 7th grade when bullying was routine. BUT....I have to admit, I miss them. They create interest.

I split the scene because of behind-the-scenes dirtiness that was done to me, most likely, by an ultra-con who revealed my name to several people. THAT'S the stuff that goes beyond the line, in my opinion. But as much as I HATED the way Burk, Beningoofus, and Epley posted, they help business, in my opinion.

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

We all should have learned in elementary school to play well with others. However, human nature being what it is, when what we love is attacked we defend. Sometimes wisely, sometimes not. But the discord seems to have seasons. Very few are really rude, and over they top, but they stand out. And so that is what makes people upset. There are probably more than a few of us that read and don't respond, when things get ugly. But it does show our spirits, however we interact here. And let's face it, some people just like to argue.

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

Me, Me....over here...another 3 stepper...

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

Rom.1:16,17 "
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

I believe in Repentance, Baptism in Jesus Name (for the remission of sins) and the
Infilling of the Holy Ghost, (evidenced by speaking in tongues, AS THE SPIRIT GIVES
THE UTTERANCE!) I also believe the Spirit (Holy Ghost) will lead and guide us IF we
follow on to know the LORD! Could it be there are those who never went any further
than being born again. Could it be they died of spiritual MAL-nutrition! Did they desire
the sincere milk of the Word that they might have grown thereby. DId they pray and
eat the Word. If we ate the Word and drank of the Spirit as much as we consume
natural food, we would no doubt be seeing more LIVING EPISTLES, read and known of
all men. At least more LIVELY STONES!!

Falla39

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

Woooooooderful information, but how much is too much? This is becoming a HUGE issue on this forum and it is my opinion that AFF is headed for the scrap heap unless it is solved.

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

How long have you been on this forum! I have been here since it's beginning
in Feb. 2007, and also on the two forums preceding this one. Hasn't been
scraped yet!!! :thumbsup

Falla39

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

Incidentally, how we CRANKED it up enough yet! LOL!

Falla39

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

Not as long as you, but that means nothing. Longevity doesn't equivocate accuracy or knowledge. But...from the info I've heard, the same symptoms are present that preceded the old forums disappearing. For those that love this forum, I think we should be worried.

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

What symptoms?

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

I'm reading a LOT of the "Hard-liners", or "Traditionalists" complaining and disappearing. I don't see them here anymore. I don't see you posting much anymore. I don't see the stern Acts 2:38 people here much. Administrators don't post much and they're frustrated with the ____-raisers. I've seen frustration expressed openly, recently, about the direction of the forum. I think there's reason to be concerned.

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

Chicken Little seems to be at it. The forum won't be shutting down - it's hanging around for a long time.

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

I would call on the hard-liners, traditionalists, 3-steppers, ultra-cons, whatever the label is......to get back in the game. Why have you all run away with your tail between your legs? You don't like what DA says? Well, answer him!!!

To me, the ultra-cons sound exactly like Jack Nicholson when he said, "You can't handle the truth!!" Of course, you cons wouldn't know anything about Jack or his statement since it's a sin to watch it.

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

coadie running his cold dank fingers through Mr. Smith's hair.

(*shudder!*)

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

People take breaks from time to time. Some groups, like the UPC preacher cons, started their own closed forum. Then the UPC preacher moderates started their own closed forum. Now AFF is a more of a liberal (one-stepper) forum. I've been busy with a couple of classes this semester. I don't have as much time to get into a discussion. But if you go back a couple of years, you will see the same frustration you see now. I'm not too concerned.

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

I wish he'd answer me!!!

Or visa versa!

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

One very sure way of knowing you have gone "too far" is when Admin gives you the smackdown. :) :bliss

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

It's not the negative opinions of doctrines but the constant "in your face" confrontations. You can't tell a conservative to just "don't go to those threads" because the antagonists sees all threads as an opportunity to get in someone's face.

It's one thing to start a thread, but even that gets old when it's day after day it seems of new, negative threads

So I think for the most part it's the attitude that bothers people and the repetitiveness of the subject. The attitude of "outing" and attempting to "shame" other members of a forum where the name includes "friends"

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

This is probably one of the reasons they don't come here.

AFF was never intended on being the forum to fix the Ultra cons of their doctrine and doing it through belligerence and disrespect

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

Well, you asked the question, then gave the reason in the next paragraph.

I think those that believe like they do have a right to belive it, so it gets old for them to read the put down slurs like your last sentence.

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

Exactly.

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

I agree!

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

I don't believe an Admin "Smackdown" is the answer. Despite your "Smackdown" power, The Forum has been emptied of nearly all its hard-liners.

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

I don't like the "In-Your-Face" confrontations either. But it's been the norm here since I've been around.

But internet forums are prone to negativity, aren't they? And the repetition is repetitive for those who are new or don't post much, it would seem.

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

You're confusing the question. Your question is how much is too much - - his answer was correct. When Admin smacks you down, then it's too much.

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

Sorry, but I had to laugh at this! :ursofunny I don't think you meant that the way I read it!

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

I'll answer this. No one.

I'd like to see more respect for each other, lose some of the attitudes some have, more of the balanced/cons return and coadie to take a day off once in a while.

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

Who, in your opinion, is guilty of belligerence and disrespect from the more liberal side? I know those two things are mostly in the eye of the beholder, but to me, BY FAR, the belligerence and disrespect is of behemoth proportions on the "Con" side. When I first came on here, I was shocked.

I know DA is the favorite target of hard-liners, but he wasn't around when I first signed on. I mentioned several that shocked me...Burk, Benincasa, Epley, among others.

I'd be interested to know the Admin opinion of the belligerent and disrespectful "Lib" posters.

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

:lol Oops.

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

Lol - - - I don't think it would be wise to give the opinions of admins publically. We try to be fair and balanced.

Funny thing though, Epley didn't bother me at all and he would post bobbed haired women were going to hell.

Okay - - that's how he feels and you know it. Do I agree with it - nope, but I could talk until I'm blue in the face and he'll never change his mind. So, I respect him and he always showed me respect.

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

Dr Smith, here is what I can tell you...

New Admins have been added to weed out a certain seedy character that has been eating on many - both cons and libs. The cigars have been passed out and the smoke-filled back-room session is NOW in progress.

developing....

-Reporting live, via high speed connection - AFF covert operation "ROOT OUT" media implant THE HOOVMEISTER

Re: How Much is Too Much
 

Ok fine, so then this IS the question....because many would maintain that too much has been tolerated before any "Smackdown." So then, back to the original question...how much is too much? Are the current guidelines enough and if so, have they been implemented properly?