Forum is Ex-Pentecostal??

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by CC1

FCF, NFCF and AFF had acheived a rare and treasured dynamic where persons from every spectrum of Pentecost (except Branhamites!) could come and respectfully cross swords.

Of course at times lines were crossed. We all have been quilty of that (well all but probably Scott Hutchison. He apologizes for killing flies). However we always stepped back from the abyss, took a deep breath, and resumed respectful dialogue.

The very nature of conservative old time Oneness Pentecostalism does not lend itself to much introspection and certainy not public debate of it's doctrines, traditions, issues ,etc.

Many of what liberals and some moderates consider traditions are dearly held "biblical views" to conservatives. To have those views trashed, ridiculed, made fun of, and disrespeccted post after post, day after day had a debilitating effect.

AFF became a place where conservatives no longer felt respected, welcome, and on an even playing field. In short order most of them, the preachers anyway, took their marbles and started playing in their own field. I don't really blame them as much as I wanted them to stay.

Thankfully over time some never left and some are venturing back. I hope we don't make the same mistake again.

I believe in strong discussion and have crossed swords with every con and ultra con that ever posted on AFF but I have tried to do it in a way that a bond of resepct and friendship can be developed despite our differences. I don' always succeed but I try.

CC1 I have argued and debated every subject and issue present in Pentecost on these forums. The tone for season from some were so out of bounds that I felt I was at an anti-Pentecostal site so I came less and less. I think overall it has improved. I personally enjoyed the chemistry of FCF boy the sparks would fly. It had such a wide spectrum of posters it was fun. I really do not thinkit has ever been recaptured but it may have been because it was so new to many of us.