Hi everyone, I'm Cognac's friend!

by Hypnotic 178 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Gopher

  Kensei,

  I see where you're coming from. This place really should be a welcoming place, and it mostly is.

  You joined the board after Trevorgate which happened in mid-2007. A lot of folks got emotionally invested in a complete hoax, which ended up in a false death (of a non-existent wife of a certain trollish poster) and sympathy cards and even gifts being sent across the Atlantic to that troll. It was sad and really shook up the board.

  After that, the people on the board became very / overly sensitive / suspicious of newcomers who came with unusual stories. It was a very human reaction.

  Lesson learned? We only see what people choose to present here, and sometimes it's not very pretty. But still --- for the most part, people who join on and tell their stories are being truthful and are coming here for support. So what was said earlier in this thread "innocent until proven guilty" is the general rule of this board, and most people do go by that.
• 

  ohiocowboy

  Wow. I feel really bad for Cognac and her friend.

  To those that made an issue, accused them, and questioned their motives, I would love to know which University you studied Psychology at, and evidently graduated with top honors. Being able to totally figure someone out after just a few posts, should put you in the same caliber as Freud himself! It also seems to me that just a couple of months ago, one of the accusers herself was worried that people thought she was a fake.

  I remember when it used to be a lot more fun here, and when people felt really comfortable being here...
• 

  zanex

  ...lol..reading through this thread and many others in which people cry "troll!" it just makes me glad that that there is life outside of these Forum walls...but for my part...WELCOME...there are worse places one could have stumbled on...

  -Z-
• 

  cognizant dissident

  First of all, Welcome Hypnotic and Cognac!

  I find this thread both funny, disturbing and very sad in some way.

  It is true there have been some hoaxters in the past post here and some have been fooled. Some saw the humor even in that and some were outraged!

  That being said, for those who are suspicious of all new ones, based upon past events that have nothing to do with the new ones, when you meet new people at work or in public or at the mall or whatever, do you ask them for their ID and to prove to you who they really are, because you have been fooled in the past by someone else lying to you? I think NOT!

  Then why do so here? This is a public discussion board and anyone can post here. They don't need group permission or verification! Hall monitors and witch hunters indeed! Troll! Troll! Witch! Witch! What is the difference. It is ridiculous! If you want to demand someone's id and proof before you let them into your own home that is one thing. This forum does not belong to those who got here first, yet some insist on behaving as if it does. Shouldn't new people have just as much right to demand verification from everyone here of who they really are? No? Why not? Half the people here are posting with anonymous avatars because they don't want everyone to know who they are! Think it through, people, please!

  Cognac. Please DO NOT verify who you really are! Why should you? If someone doesn't think you or your friend or your story is legit, that is their problem, they can ignore you and go bugger off to another thread and post there!

  Cog

  ps: By the way, I distinctly remember Cognac saying her friend was coming over tonight to talk to her. Gee, what a simple explanation for posting with the same IP address! Sheesh!
• 

  cognac

  Thanks guys for going to bat for me... I really appreciate it.

  Cog ~ I see what your saying about not trying to prove myself, however, since I can, I would rather do it. Partly for me... In the back of my mind, its hard for me to be open when I feel people think I'm a troll. I'm doing it also so that I feel comfortable.
• 

  magoo

  ......it's all that good smoke......creating paranoia......

  magoo

  
• 

  freetosee

  Hi Cognac,

  I am happy you haven't given up on us! Thanks!

  I think it will soon all streighten out!

  fts
• 

  cognizant dissident

  Well, if you want to then, go ahead. My point was just that you don't HAVE to.

  I for one don't even care if you are a troll! I like trolls. They are fun. They provide the comic relief for this forum. When I see people gang up on the new ones, then I usually really hope they are trolls, because if they are not, and are just hurting people needing support, well, that is where the "sad" part comes in.

  Cog
• 

  Odrade

  nevermind. trying to be funny. see what I get. Grrr...
• 

  nameless_one

  If I may, a perspective from a lurker...
  
  I am not a JW, never have been and never will be. But someone very close to me is. I have spent YEARS working to help this person find the light and escape the lie. It is delicate and slow and terrifying. For a long time I have dreamed of the day when I could safely direct my loved one here, to be welcomed and supported by others who understand in a way that I cannot. This incident is the last in a string of similar incidents that has convinced me Hell No on that idea.
  
  I don't care if Cognac and Hypnotic are for real. I've had some doubts of my own too. But can't people "investigate" and "pursue" their suspicions behind the scenes, at least early on when facts are scarce? Sure, sometimes people who yell TROLL! FAKE! LIAR! right out of the gates are correct. But sometimes they're wrong. What's the cost/benefit analysis on that one?
  
  I'm not sure all the "regulars" here really see the kind of impact this can have on people who are just watching silently, building up the courage to post, or God forbid land here in a state of crisis and confusion and dire straits. Only to be met with pages of suspicion and accusation.
  
  I read this board every day. I have been doing so for years. I have a very keen and personal interest in learning as much as I can about the best way to cushion the fallout of a shattered belief system when the day comes for my loved one. I would no longer feel comfortable or safe directing my JW to this board any time soon.
  
  Sorry if this sounds angry. Welcome to the new ones, whatever your stories or histories might be.