Just checked out Channelc.org, and it looks like it will close.
Posted by CCAdmin on Thu - Jul 21 - 6:40pm:
.
Dear All:
I've thought about this a lot today, while I was away at work. It conjures up a lot of memories.
I first got involved with exJWs when I met Ray and Cynthia Franz and some of their exJW friends who live around Atlanta, somewhere around 1989. During 1990 I helped work on formatting "In Search of Christian Freedom" for the press and spent three weeks with the Franzes as we finalized it for publishing in 1991. After that I joined BRCI and produced their newsletter for a while. In 1994 I was introduced at work to the Internet and e-mail. My first Internet surfing I plugged in the words "Watchtower" and "Jehovah's Witnesses". Wow! Sent my first e-mail to the admin of Watchtower Observer and what a surprise—got a reply back all the way from Norway a couple hours. This Internet thing was really something!
I discovered the e-mail list forum called "Jesus Witnesses". That was where all the exJWs hung out on the Internet at that time. Inside of three months I had my first webpage and domain, the Beacon site at xjw.com. I started an e-mail list, and later a couple more. Then came Rick's H2O—and there's never been another forum like it—before or since.
There's always been a problem with the forums though, that kind of spoiled it for the majority. Mainly it used to be never-been-JW enthusiasts who wanted to come on our forums and convert everyone to trinitarianism. Then there were the flame wars over free-speech and forum moderators and censorship—on every one of them. That was what caused the exodus from H2O over to JWD. Then there were the exoduses from JWD to other forums--same issues. Now the exJW forums are "as the sands of the sea" it seems.
I had two e-mail lists that succumbed to political discussion, particularly US politics. Most of the participants left. When I started Channel C, my objective was to create a forum that could stay focused on intellectual discussions about the Watchtower religion and progressive Bible study. I purposely bought a program that would require the administrator to register the participants. I had hoped that by putting political terms on the banned-word list, we could keep the disruptive politics out.
A couple times before I was at this crossroad. At that time the issue developed because some preaching types got by my screening and were dominating the board. The board all but died. But people didn't want to see the board go, even those who had not been posting to the topics, so I created a forum for the preachers. They participated for a while, and now it's practically inactive. (That one doesn't cost me anything and will self-terminate when there is no participation.)
Well, with the latest disruptions, I've decided the time has come. It's time for me to follow a number of others before me. I've decided to retire "Ros" from the Internet, and these forums, and move beyond exJWism with a very few exceptions. There is a new forum in development that you will hear about soon. It's founders hope it will be an active force against WT abuse, and though I will probably be pretty low-key, I will support their efforts. I will remain with BRCI because of my long-time good friends there. I will remain in active friendship with my good exJW friends in and around Atlanta. I've been thinking I would like to write a book--not about JWs, though there will probably be something about them in it.
I am proud of Channel C and the people who participate here. I think as a forum we did better than most. In saying farewell, I want to thank each and every one of you for your participation, your support, and your friendship. I've met many of you in person and have even travelled with some. I will miss you.
I'm going to leave Channel C up for 10 days so you can address any subjects you want to finish, exchange e-mails with those you may want to keep in contact with, and say your farewells. As for me, I think I'll go have a WildTurkey and reminisce. :-)
Christian love and blessings to you all,
Channel C Admin (aka "Ros")