Stopping by

[Blubayou]

I think they miss the newness and excitement of FCF. That cannot be gotten back. I was not an active poster then, just a lurker. I also think that many of the posters miss the active discussion of current events, doctrines, and standards. JY had a real talent for stirring things up without alienating folks. He was able to jolt discussion by his papers and writings. Then others would bounce off of them with their own opinions and ideas. I found many of the discussions based on substance then not emotion. This is just my opinion.

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Blubayou

I think they miss the newness and excitement of FCF. That cannot be gotten back. I was not an active poster then, just a lurker. I also think that many of the posters miss the active discussion of current events, doctrines, and standards. JY had a real talent for stirring things up without alienating folks. He was able to jolt discussion by his papers and writings. Then others would bounce off of them with their own opinions and ideas. I found many of the discussions based on substance then not emotion. This is just my opinion.

I think you hit on a key there......substance not emotion!!!!

However, there was emotion at times there too!

[The Mrs]

Originally Posted by Brett Prince

Um....

We had tons of cons there, tons of moderates, and tons of "less than moderates" who kept the place hopping on every thread with GREAT debate!

We had really lively, fresh debates centering around scripture. We had fluff threads, too, but they were just a nice change of pace.

Yet, when rough times came, people that would seemingly scream out there differences on doctrine and standards would all bind together and pray for God's healing and blessing.

Wow! Great memories!

How true! GREAT memories!

As to your bolded statement above: That is soooo true...I think many great friendships were forged from some of the greatest diversities.

And I think you hit on something else too...FRESH debates....

For many of us, it's all old. We are done. We are established in our beliefs and are all through debating.

But for others, it's all new to them.

It's the older generation complaining about the new.

Maybe we should set up two separate forums....Newbies and Geriatrics.

[HeavenlyOne]

Originally Posted by The Mrs

I miss them too...but actually, I was wondering what it was that you missed about FCF.

Everybody keeps pointing back to that, and yearning for yesteryear, I guess I was just wondering exactly what it was that is being missed.

I wish others would express their thoughts on that as well...

I was there just after Jim reopened after losing everything from a crash. He died just 5 months later.

It would be interesting to know what might have transpired had he not died. He allowed all opinions but attitudes weren't allowed. He banned people (lib and con alike) and wasn't taken to task over it either. That's just the way it was.

He had a knack for getting good conversation going and making one think. But he had firm beliefs and stuck to them. His moderator team was comprised on moderates but they had to believe Acts 2:38 completely.

I miss those days.

I miss those days too.

[COOPER]

waz up BP?

[Kae]

There was also the website that had fresh articles every month. I loved to go there on the first of the month and read the articles, when that was gone I started spending more time in the forum. Those articles were also debated in the forum. JY had vision and focus for the forum. Others have tried to run with it, but just don't seem to have what he had for it. Aff has carved out it's own niche. It was created out of necessity and not to carry on someone else's vision. No since in crying for what was it won't come back, go forward and make what is new great.

This what I have observed since my coming here.
There's quite a few posters that are so quick to jump on another poster.
And I'm not talking about a poster that is rude first!
There's way to much fight in some.
Having a debate is one thing...being rude is another.

[Jehoram]

Brett, did you aleady give up the license you just received last fall?

[Pressing-On]

Hey, BRETT!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by The Mrs

I miss them too...but actually, I was wondering what it was that you missed about FCF.

Everybody keeps pointing back to that, and yearning for yesteryear, I guess I was just wondering exactly what it was that is being missed.

I wish others would express their thoughts on that as well...

Originally Posted by Brett Prince

Um....

We had tons of cons there, tons of moderates, and tons of "less than moderates" who kept the place hopping on every thread with GREAT debate!

We had really lively, fresh debates centering around scripture. We had fluff threads, too, but they were just a nice change of pace.

Yet, when rough times came, people that would seemingly scream out there differences on doctrine and standards would all bind together and pray for God's healing and blessing.

Wow! Great memories!

Originally Posted by rgcraig

I think you hit on a key there......substance not emotion!!!!

However, there was emotion at times there too!

Let's look at the timeline, or something similiar.

1. FCF - it was a place of many people with many different backgrounds, ideologies, etc. It was also a place of substance and emotion as well (as stated above). The bashing WAS NOT tolerated as is on AFF (or at least not as much). Many members who have traversed the various forums since FCF are but not limited too, CC1, Carp, nytxn1971, Pianoman, Bro. Groce, Bro. Epley, WWOD, Foreverblessed, Ferd, rgcraig, Prax, etc. etc.

2. The Island - can anyone remember this place between FCF and nFCF? The island as it was called, was a place that was fun, there was speculation about the future of FCF (and I think it did come back but very shortly)....

3. nFCF - Tried to mimick FCF but as we all saw what happened in the end, it was FAR from FCF.

4. AFF - A place where "friends can meet" as long as you agreed with them on their particular stances, if not then, BAM, you were bashed or you were accused of bashing. Very temperamental from a lurkers stand point.

5. GNC - let's not forget about the GNC and how Bro. Adkinson ALWAYS left a door open for everyone on any of the above forums to temporarily reside when the changes were taking place.

I remember heated and debated discussions on FCF between WWOD and Tribs, which were absolutely hilarious at times. I remember the health issues of our friend the Webmaster. I remember ________ you fill in the blank for those who were there.

So, IMHO, it boils down to the fact that once FCF died, many tried to recreate it with the various forums. That may not have been the idea of why some of the forums started but ended up with many recalling the FCF days.

Now since the recent turn of events with the various changes from other forums, the change in ownership/admin staff, etc. Maybe AFF can try to come up with it's own unique personality.

Just some thoughts and observations from a looooooong time lurker.

God Bless.