Forums take on a life of their own and develop a distinct personality. It also metamorphs over time into something that hardly resembles the orignal assemblage of members. This can be, and is, both good and bad. It should not surprise anyone to see members come and go.
I do think that it should be noted that many folks, such as myself, enjoy Forum interraction and am open to trying to assimilate into the culture of a Forum. At the same time I have to realize that by assimilating into the Forum I also become part of the definition of the Forum. An overall persona is developed from the community of posters. As that dynamic changes we all have to make decisions as to whether we are content with the direction/persona or are uncomfortable with it.
Not that anyone will really care, but my biggest reasons for not posting on AFF with any regularity lately are:
1) Too many members that do not know how to deal with issues and make everything about a personality. (All Forums do this to some extent but this one seemed to embrace the personal insults and attacks.);
2) The broadening of membership to include folks far, far removed from what Apostolic means;
3) On overbearing sense of contention from some posters on a regular basis;
4) An inability to freely discuss differing views without polarization and ridicule;
5) The dominance of some Posters merely for the sake of being dominant;
6) The gossip threads.
Over the years that I have posted on Forums I have done my best to be tolerant, civil, and to deal with issues and not personalities. I took a step back here when I realized I was struggling to continue posting in that manner and felt it best to post elsewhere.
Personally, I would enjoy posting on AFF again. I do read occassionally and try to get a feel for whether there is a change in the dynamic back to the more balanced days of the Forum. Until I see that to a degree that will work for me, I will still read and throw in an occassional post or three.
Forums take on a life of their own and develop a distinct personality. It also metamorphs over time into something that hardly resembles the orignal assemblage of members. This can be, and is, both good and bad. It should not surprise anyone to see members come and go.
I do think that it should be noted that many folks, such as myself, enjoy Forum interraction and am open to trying to assimilate into the culture of a Forum. At the same time I have to realize that by assimilating into the Forum I also become part of the definition of the Forum. An overall persona is developed from the community of posters. As that dynamic changes we all have to make decisions as to whether we are content with the direction/persona or are uncomfortable with it.
Not that anyone will really care, but my biggest reasons for not posting on AFF with any regularity lately are:
1) Too many members that do not know how to deal with issues and make everything about a personality. (All Forums do this to some extent but this one seemed to embrace the personal insults and attacks.);
2) The broadening of membership to include folks far, far removed from what Apostolic means;
3) On overbearing sense of contention from some posters on a regular basis;
4) An inability to freely discuss differing views without polarization and ridicule;
5) The dominance of some Posters merely for the sake of being dominant;
6) The gossip threads.
Over the years that I have posted on Forums I have done my best to be tolerant, civil, and to deal with issues and not personalities. I took a step back here when I realized I was struggling to continue posting in that manner and felt it best to post elsewhere.
Personally, I would enjoy posting on AFF again. I do read occassionally and try to get a feel for whether there is a change in the dynamic back to the more balanced days of the Forum. Until I see that to a degree that will work for me, I will still read and throw in an occassional post or three.
Blessings!
Show of hands, how many found AFF through the so-called "Gossip Threads?"
No, no, no. For the umpteenth time, we don't need a name change. What we could use is a house cleaning... And lets start with all those who have suggested we need a name change.
We are, and shall forever be... (or until the name is changed)....
The Apostolic FRIENDS Forum
Just kidding. You can stay, but lets X the name change idea, 'kay?
__________________
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...." -Psa. 37:7
Waiting for the Lord is easy... Waiting patiently? Not so much.
No, no, no. For the umpteenth time, we don't need a name change. What we could use is a house cleaning... And lets start with all those who have suggested we need a name change.
We are, and shall forever be... (or until the name is changed)....
The Apostolic FRIENDS Forum
Just kidding. You can stay, but lets X the name change idea, 'kay?
No, we aren't adding "The" to the name.
__________________
Master of Science in Applied Disgruntled Religious Theorist Wrangling
PhD in Petulant Tantrum Quelling
Dean of the School of Hard Knocks
Linear Mode
