Hmmm... "'Now Enters Farkel...' 'I get blamed for everything!'" Uhhh, not QUITE, Daddy-O...and peace to you my dear one! "NL2 was taken over by AGuest aka Shelby who wanted to speak messages of peace from God that no one wanted to hear..." And not quite to you, too, dear Amazing (and, of course, peace to you, too, my brother...). NL2 was set up by NewLight2 as an alternative place for ANYONE to speak "freely", when such speech was not permitted on H20. Although claiming to be a sight 'directed by Christ' (or something to that effect), H20 had a hard time with what the Spirit was saying to them; (those of Israel who visited that sight) and about the Society (who the H20 "leaders" now KNOW to be 'false', which was NOT the case initially). When AGuest aka Shelby... aka me... was "publicly reproved" by the H20 'leaders' and had my "privileges revoked"...for 30 days... for the second time... for speaking the truth (okay, not all accepted that, but it was the truth), I was invited to NL2 to continue speaking... to those who would hear... And there were some, many, in fact, who came there and we continued our interchange(s). As to the ultimate demise of H20, however, on several occasions during my time there, I cautioned H20 and its 'leaders' regarding their hypocrisy: they were chagrined because they couldn't speak openly and honestly within the Organization, but instead had to 'hide' and operate undercover, for fear of reprisal (many wouldn't reveal their true names for some time, as it is here)... Yet, on their forum, they were demanding the same thing from their members that ones say only what they approved of, and if not, such ones ran the risk of "private reproof"(a personal email from a moderator/administrator); "marking"(deletion of a thread and a post on the board stating, in code, why. Which, in effect, labeled such one as a troublemaker); "public reproof" (where the poster was prohibited from posting for a period of 30 days... or more); and ultimately, "disfellowshipping" (banning from the sight altogether). Although many could not SEE this (perhaps because although protesting they did not, they still had their WTBTS "blinders" on), the site had the same qualities as the Organization, "elders/moderators" who trusted in their OWN understanding as to what was right and/or true; yet, such ones while sitting "in judgment" were/are imperfect themselves. This led to bias, prejudice, and in some/many cases, contempt, if not outright hatred of some and what they were saying. Although what was said could not be disproved or discredited, many tried. Ultimately, before being 'disfellowshipped' myself, I was directed to issue a warning to the leaders of H20 that with the same judgment that THEY had judged... and the same condemnation... silence...which was done in opposition to the VERY thing that THEY desired (to be able to speak truth and in the WTBTS... and not be judged, condemned and killed/ostracized for doing so)... they would BE judged. Truly, although many will not confess remembering it this way (for to do so would be, what... RIGHT?! And we can't have THAT, can we?!)... what was spoken to them by means of holy spirit.....has come to pass. And now I see that the same argument that arises here on JW.com from time to time has resurfaced: should the site be moderated? Truly, it already has a moderator, it's designer, Simon, who is, in my humble opinion, a very level-headed person... (Problem is, though, Simon, when you start asking for... and taking... "donations". Because it is a very difficult thing to ask folks for money, and then censor them. Sooner or later, someone's going to be upset with that. It's what happens when people pay for something: they demand that certain rights come with their purchase.) Personally, I LOVE JW.com... and all of those here. First, for its/their tolerance of me and granting me freedom of speech. There is a certain amount of love in that, undeniably. Yes, it gets pretty 'colorful' from time to time, but that's the risk I run coming here... I know WHERE I am... in the 'world'. But I also know WHO I am... and so I don't have to be LIKE the 'world'... whether that 'world' consists of people who need to be vulgar or crass, or people who need to hateful... and/or hypocritical. I only return to 'rolling in the mire' when I do AS they DO. Otherwise, I do my 'thing', as my Lord has seen fit to direct me. Second, I love jw.com because of its diversity in topics. True, my topics tend to be along the same vein, but from time to time, I deviate. And I have met some GREAT people through this medium. So, I would just state to all... sit back and enjoy the ride. If it gets a bit too fast or bumpy for you, get off (or ask the 'operator' to let you off)... permanently... or until it calms down. Which it ALWAYS does. Or, alternatively, pick which subforum you would be better suited to visit. This one, though, "Friends" is about the fastest "ride" in Simon's "park", excluding a couple others. But your options are not limited, thanks to Simon. He had the insight to understand that we are all different, and, therefore, may need different... ummmm.... forums... wherein to express ourselves. I bid you all peace! YOUR servant and a slave of Christ, SJ
corrected formatting - simon
Edited by - Simon on 17 August 2002 19:4:48
