Don't Ask....Don't Tell. Good Policy?

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Sorry, I guess I assumed you knew being a lurker before posting. He was a scam artist that posed as a highly educated minister of the gospel. He feigned a serious illness etc. and was soon thereafter busted on criminal charges.

Say! You might just be him! He is likely due out on parole.

He also starred in "The Man from Uncle".

[Azzan]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Sorry, I guess I assumed you knew being a lurker before posting and all.

I came and went.

He was a scam artist that posed as a highly educated minister of the gospel. He feigned a serious illness etc. and was soon thereafter busted on criminal charges. I for one was totally snookered.

Say! You might just be him!

I just might be!


He is likely due out on parole.

Azzan

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Sorry, I guess I assumed you knew being a lurker before posting and all. He was a scam artist that posed as a highly educated minister of the gospel. He feigned a serious illness etc. and was soon thereafter busted on criminal charges. I for one was totally snookered.

Say! You might just be him! He is likely due out on parole.

I kinda liked Dr. Vaughn.
I didn't agree with some of the stuff he posted about Branhamism.

Just today I had lunch with someone before we made a trip over to a hospital in Northern Kentucky to pray for someone in the Psyche Ward there. The person I had lunch with had a book with him about William Branham and wanted to ask me something about it. It was volume 5 of a 6 volume series on William Branham. He had read the first 4 volumes and is currently reading volume 5 and was really impressed with the man. I told him I believed William Branham was a genuine prophet of God and was genuinely gifted of God but had some strange beliefs that I couldn't agree with.

[Azzan]

Originally Posted by Sam

...
Just today I had lunch with someone before we made a trip over to a hospital in Northern Kentucky to pray for someone in the Psyche Ward there.
...

Psych ward. Ugh. Brings back some really bad memories of being locked up in them.

Hey Sam, since this thread is seriously derailed for the moment, I have a question for you. You mention visiting someone in the ward. I am going to assume that perhaps you have done this more than once in your ministry (I realize that visiting a psych ward and ministering in one does not make you an expert by any means). Just curious if you think people end up there more often because of imbalances in their brain chemistry and/or emotional distress or because of spirits and demonic posession?

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Sarcasm, of course, but, not what I said. Just that it's healthy to be suspicious in on-line relationship and interactions period.

Whether someone is asking for money, sex, time or is otherwise seeking to "effect" your thinking or theology it is good to keep things in perspective. What one reads here should never be placed on equal value with parents, elders or spiritual mentors you know and love.

Motive and intent are easily disguised from behind a keyboard. It has happened more than once, right here on AFF.

Another piece of useful advice! Looking back, I now realize how my theology has completely changed since I started posting on AFF. You know how easily swayed I am and how difficult of a time I have going against the grain. I'm like Reuben...unstable as water.

For the record, I don't believe you're a chimney sweep, have ever been on TV, were once a muslim....no wait, Amish (I get the two confused)...or have a wife who once sang in a bar.

I'm waiting until I have proof!!!!!

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Sorry, I guess I assumed you knew being a lurker before posting and all. He was a scam artist that posed as a highly educated minister of the gospel. He feigned a serious illness etc. and was soon thereafter busted on criminal charges. I for one was totally snookered.

Yeah, but did he ever give his word?

I've never heard about this.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by notofworks

Yeah, but did he ever give his word?

I've never heard about this.

A lot of people had a *sixth sense* about Dr. Vaughn and suspected him of being a charlatan from the beginning, however most tried to give him a shot. It just illustrated the perception of some when he turned out to be exactly what was suspected.

I agree that we should be careful about making judgments about people, however I think you routinely underestimate the ability of some long-time members here to uncover the truth, layer by layer. It's fascinating, actually, to sit back and watch it happen without interfering. Jumping in to save the day isn't always the best ploy.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

A lot of people had a *sixth sense* about Dr. Vaughn and suspected him of being a charlatan from the beginning, however most tried to give him a shot. It just illustrated the perception of some when he turned out to be exactly what was suspected.

I agree that we should be careful about making judgments about people, however I think you routinely underestimate the ability of some long-time members here to uncover the truth, layer by layer. It's fascinating, actually, to sit back and watch it happen without interfering. Jumping in to save the day isn't always the best ploy.

No, not really. Even though I post a lot, mostly because I type too quickly for my own good, I'm not going to do Hardy Boys investigations to uncover every little thing that may or may not be authentic. Now, if things get serious, I'll start digging. Otherwise, if I'm fooled by someone already posting, it's really no skin off my nose.

But like I said....if someone PM's me and needs money, makes unusual requests, etc., then I might start asking a few questions. Otherwise, I take people for who they say they are. "Love believes all things" and I'll believe it until I have a reason not to.

I don't have the luxury to see IP addresses, and even then, those can be faked. Still, it's exhausting sometimes to see a boogyman behind every corner.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by notofworks

No, not really. Even though I post a lot, mostly because I type too quickly for my own good, I'm not going to do Hardy Boys investigations to uncover every little thing that may or may not be authentic. Now, if things get serious, I'll start digging. Otherwise, if I'm fooled by someone already posting, it's really no skin off my nose.

But like I said....if someone PM's me and needs money, makes unusual requests, etc., then I might start asking a few questions. Otherwise, I take people for who they say they are. "Love believes all things" and I'll believe it until I have a reason not to.

I don't have the luxury to see IP addresses, and even then, those can be faked. Still, it's exhausting sometimes to see a boogyman behind every corner.

That's true, and I don't live like that either. However, you know as well as I do that some people just don't ring true, even through emotionless, faceless typewritten communication. It's okay to pick up on that and try to make sure the person is being authentic.

It's also short sighted to think that these online communications don't actually create relationships. There was a man on the Good News Cafe once who faked his death as a prank. Unfortunately, he didn't count on the outpouring of sympathy and real, heartfelt grief from his fellow posters. He actually hurt many of them with his deceit. It would be the same here - if we thought something bad had happened to Renda, for instance, I would personally be heartbroken, even though I've never met Renda in "real life."

It's good to remember that there are real people behind every screen name. Sometimes there are good people, sometimes bad, and sometimes there are raving lunatics.

[Azzan]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

That's true, and I don't live like that either. However, you know as well as I do that some people just don't ring true, even through emotionless, faceless typewritten communication. It's okay to pick up on that and try to make sure the person is being authentic.

It's also short sighted to think that these online communications don't actually create relationships. There was a man on the Good News Cafe once who faked his death as a prank. Unfortunately, he didn't count on the outpouring of sympathy and real, heartfelt grief from his fellow posters. He actually hurt many of them with his deceit. It would be the same here - if we thought something bad had happened to Renda, for instance, I would personally be heartbroken, even though I've never met Renda in "real life."

It's good to remember that there are real people behind every screen name. Sometimes there are good people, sometimes bad, and sometimes there are raving lunatics.

Well said!