Banned members (old)

[Ashley]

It's inevitable that these messages will arise occasionally. You who have been with us long know that Gypsy, myself and Shatterheart are not unfamiliar with banning members. Today marks another day we were called into action for that purpose.

ChristianOtaku was banned because of his rude behavior, arrogant and overly critical attitude, and his outright posting to atrocious links that were not in the least appropriate. His general fractious nature didn't help either. We spoke to him privately about this matter, but he refused to listen. Thus, the result.

On to the more complicated member banning: kyubi-no-youko. She wasn't very well known around here, but she posted in the "gay churches?" thread and declared herself openly gay. As this clearly conflicts with our views on the matter, she was asked to leave. For her part, she was very hostile towards me in her reply:

This whole religion thing is a joke. You've shown me that....Did you ever think you were doing more harm than good?...I'd like to thank you very much for showing me that Christianity isn't the right path.

I take this moment to make something very, very clear: we have zero tolerance for things like nudity, profanity, and homosexuality. Things like rudeness and arrogance, we tolerate to a point. But we will only go so far. We have a strict expectation for how things run on these boards because it's something each of the mods and admins hold dear. We will not back down and we will not let trash fill our boards, no matter what the world may think of us. "Narrowminded", "arrogant"; whatever they want to call us, so be it.... I know in my heart this was the right thing to do, and I'll answer to God alone for it.

My dear community, let this be a lesson. May you see how much the leadership truly cares about this place, and our expectations for it. Now let us move on and grow ever stronger.

--Ashley

[Stephen]

If every forum online had a leader like Ashley I think they would all be better off...she cares more about this site then most will ever know. Good Job Ashley.

[inkhana]

[LorentzForce]

meh

[Rashiir]

I hate it when this happens. But I understand it had to be done. But, um, I never remembered kyubi-no-youko posting in the Gay Churches thread, and I went back and looked at it and I still couldn't find anything... Was it deleted, or am I taking crazy pills?

[Ashley]

To St. Peter:

I didn't know of this hostility. Perhaps I may go into this mode of self-blame, saying "Maybe we were a bad witness" but of course, rules are rules and the 1st Amendment only ensures protection from government infringement on one's speech. When it's a private matter like this forum, the leader has the right to enforce his/her own rules. I don't know why I'm getting legal all of a sudden.

Biblically, homosexuals are mentioned as sinners. They chose not to repent of their sin, and if we had let her stay, the forums could have slipped into accepting this sin for something less than it is. She was not struggling against it as a Christian trying to leave her old ways; she clung to it and used things like science and genetics as a crutch. My opinion is that she thrived off the negative attention she got and loved to stir up trouble...it seemed that way in her pm to me. And as to the 1st admendment...on these boards I answer to God and God alone, not a man's government. I will enforce and set up rules as I see God leading me to, with secondary at best consideration to how they might come off. The truth is I can't please everyone, so I will please the One that matters the most. I'm sure Paul was told he offended people too..

To Saint Peter again:

Hey, I know CO may have gotten on people's nerves somewhat, but this is no time to act silly!

May I ask who you were referring to? I gave a clear explanation as to why he was banned, and annoyance was not listed.

To Rashiir:
No, it was deleted. Trust me, when the admins act, we do it thoroughly and completely. By the time we post an announcement, we're through cleaning up. These announcements are so you guys, my precious community, are up to date with what the leadership is doing.

[LorentzForce]

but didn't God said you love your neighbours, even if they are sinful and hates you?

her being sinned is not her fault, but she has to solve it herself. if she was to go to hell for it, then it would be between God and her. there's nothing we really can do.

sure, she DID use science and other reasonings to cover up her sin, which isn't right at all, but really, there is no cure for being a homosexual. yet.

anyway, if she was being agressive about it, then good on you Ashley for banning her. if she acted in some considerable manner, then there should have been some thought into this problem.

[Stephen]

"sure, she DID use science and other reasonings to cover up her sin, which isn't right at all, but really, there is no cure for being a homosexual. yet."

I disagree...finding Jesus Christ would cure that well. ;P

[Ashley]

anyway, if she was being agressive about it, then good on you Ashley for banning her. if she acted in some considerable manner, then there should have been some thought into this problem.

There is plenty of thought and prayer that goes into any action around here, even the tiniest. I could sit and count how long my admins and I prayed over this, but I see no point. We made our decision, and I will stand by it, no matter what anyone thinks. It was my place to decide whether she was reasonable or not, and banning is not something I throw around lightly or relish doing. Just rest assured knowing there's a lot of behind the curtains action that most people never even realize goes on around here.

To St. Peter:
Oh, okay...just making sure.

One last thought guys...this is not another "is homosexuality a choice" thread, nor is the decision up for debate. But I have always believed in keeping the general forum abreast with what's happening admin wise.

[LorentzForce]

to Shatterheart: yes, Jesus will cure it well and truely. not enough faith for her to be cured yet it seems.

to St Peter: gommen i'll never be able to take anything serious...

to Ashely: i never said i disagree with banning her. you do know that, right?

[Rashiir]

I agree. There is nothing that the Lord cannot cure. However, I have learned that homosexuals are almost always victims of some sort of sexual trauma, usually rape at a young age, which perverts their sexuality. We must remember that they are victims as much as sinners. Mostly for future reference, though, as I do feel that this was handled in the best possible way. However, I did send her an email, reminding her that we still love her. Please pray for both of them.

[MillyFan]

I do want to add something else. Let's say that someday, scientists found a genetic condition or a brain chemistry problem that made certain people more aggressive, more angry, and more prone to see person-on-person violence as the solution to all of their interpersonal problems.

Would that mean assault and murder are OK? Of course not. However, it would also mean that it is scientifically proven that some people are more prone to a certain sin than others are, that the flaw in their nature leads them in this direction rather than to somewhat more acceptable behaviors.

I just want to request that only open promotion of the sin she was practicing itself leads to a ban, and this ban should apply equally to any other sin.

Simple discussion of the theories of WHY a sin is committed, as long as it is clearly stated that it is sin (no matter what sin or in what context) should not lead to bans.

Let's say I start a thread on why people tell lies. Stating that people tell lies because their parents told lies, or conversely, stating that people lie because lying is a part of human nature should not cause me to fear being banned.

For the record, I totally agree with both bans. For the record, I do not believe that anyone did anything unfair or wrong. I only want to prevent innocent users in the future from being banned. And finally for the record, I'm not committing the sin she was committing and find it abhorrent and disgusting.

[inkhana]

I was referring to Inkhana's and LorentzForce's posts, which I regarded as rather flippant concerning the serious atmosphere of this thread.

If you had any idea how long I spent with the admins praying on this one, you wouldn't have said that. I was simply supporting Ashley's decision.

[Mithrandir]

>If you had any idea how long I spent...

Probably, but it's not obvious from the material at the original poster's disposal. Consider it part of the communication gap that happens when faces are static (and smiling felines). That's probably the biggest issue facing virtual interaction developers. There are thousands of subtelties that cannot be conveyed through text alone, and thus emoticons were born. They also are simply static poses with only minimal expressions of emotion - and should be used in very specific contexts if you do not wish to have your meaning misconstrued.

Anyway, my $0.02.

BTW: Thank you to the moderators for their upfrontness with board members. Even if we (not implying that I do) do not agree with decisions, we cannot say anything about the decision process. The rules are posted, and failure to abide by them results in the pre-determined mannor. Biases have no place in the process. Kudos.

[inkhana]

Probably, but it's not obvious from the material at the original poster's disposal.

This is true. OK, thanks for clarifying that.

[uc pseudonym]

Man, these issues just inflate, don't they? At least everyone here is being nice about it. I'd say I support the admin, but they don't need my support in any way, shape or form. Oh, and thanks for Ashley for giving that one message from kyubi-no-youko to you personally. In context of that, the banning makes perfect sense. But without it, I would have been concerned as to why she was banned.

You admin people are open about things. That's pretty cool.

[Gypsy]

(laughs) Why thank you. We try.
Seriously, thanks to all the other members that are being supportive about such things, either on here or through the encouraging PMs that we get. We really do put much thought, discussion, and prayer into these kinds of matters. You may not agree with everything we do, but the fact that you respect what we're trying to do goes a long, long way.

[EireWolf]

[quote="Shatterheart"]I disagree...finding Jesus Christ would cure that well. ]

I don't think it quite works that way... It isn't as though Jesus completely takes away our capacity to sin and cures us of every disease or disorder immediately upon our acceptance of Him. What Jesus gives us is the ability to reject sin. This won't necessarily mean that as soon as someone accepts Christ, s/he will never sin again. We all know that too well, don't we? When a guy accepts Christ, for example, he doesn't usually stop being attracted to pretty girls... but he does have the ability to curb any lustful thoughts. As far as I can tell, it's the same with homosexuals who accept Christ. The attractions don't just suddenly go away. That's why there are organizations like Exodus International. http://www.exodusinternational.org/

Anyway... I do support the moderators' choices in these matters. I can see that a lot of thought and prayer went into it.

[Stephen]

No, I agree with what your saying...I was not saying that finding Jesus would fix them 100% in a second...however the only cure for a homosexual is finding Jesus...without Jesus there is no desire to change...see what I am saying? Like any lifestyle sin...it takes a while to turn from it...which I understand...a druggy wont suddenly not have cravings when he turns to the Lord...in all cases....(there have been cases where people turn 180 in a second) Anyway I am digressing....just figured I would explain what I said...thanks though for your support...it does help things around here...

[shooraijin]

Please, let's not turn this into a rehash of the gay churches thread.

I applaud Ashley, djnoz, Gypsy, inkhana, Shatterheart, and everyone else in the administration for not only trying to think (and pray) these issues through, but being confident in their decision enough to be open about it. Too many other administrations are dreadfully underhanded.

[MillyFan]

Please, let's not turn this into a rehash of the gay churches thread.

I applaud Ashley, djnoz, Gypsy, inkhana, Shatterheart, and everyone else in the administration for not only trying to think (and pray) these issues through, but being confident in their decision enough to be open about it. Too many other administrations are dreadfully underhanded.

Amen.

[Retten]

in reply to your first post Ashley i think what you did was the right thing to do and i am with you the whole way good job

[blueraven]

Yup, just as WhiteBlaze said before, I think you did the right thing and I'm with you 100%

[Jimmothy]

Did Christianotaku get unbanned or something? cause he was posting stuff today.

[LorentzForce]

and i wonder why...

[Ashley]

I'm sorry fellas, I thought I posted this...yes, ChristianOtaku is back. His ban was temporary, given the offense (semi-rude behavior and one offensive link). We usually follow the 3 strike system, unless you do something really nasty to automatically ban yourself forever.

[Rashiir]

When I saw his post I did a double-take...I was like, wait a second!!!

[Christianotaku]

-_- Not that I havent seen othere people act rude here.....I WONT NAME ANYBODY...But I think it was that link which really made them ban me

[uc pseudonym]

I WONT NAME ANYBODY

That's a good thing. Welcome back.

[Gypsy]

But I think it was that link which really made them ban me

Yes, it was the link, and I'm sorry if the reason for banning never seemed perfectly clear. However, it's taken care of, in the past, and should be treated as so.

So, welcome back to the boards.