Am I being asked to leave?

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by Brad Murphy

I'm not so sure that the liberals feel welcome either... as soon as I start feeling comfortable posting, we get posts like this and we keep hearing how off-balance the forum is with too many liberals so when I DO post, I now keep it reigned in for the most part. I believe that part of the problem is ultra-cons just aren't used to being questioned or disrespected in any way (especially prior to the advent of internet discussion forums). They are used to everything they say being taken as gospel, so this (a level playing field) is new to them.

Brad, most of the few conservatives that post here have been on forums for years now. It ain't new to them.

[StMark]

Originally Posted by Brad Murphy

I'm not so sure that the liberals feel welcome either... as soon as I start feeling comfortable posting, we get posts like this and we keep hearing how off-balance the forum is with too many liberals so when I DO post, I now keep it reigned in for the most part. I believe that part of the problem is ultra-cons just aren't used to being questioned or disrespected in any way (especially prior to the advent of internet discussion forums). They are used to everything they say being taken as gospel, so this (a level playing field) is new to them.

Brad, you go way back too. Back on FCF you posted fearless
as a liberal yet we didn't hear talk of of this at all.

Newman and others were debating against standards yet
we didn't hear of all this talk of libs and cons going their own
way

what do you think the difference is now ??

[Coffee99]

Rev. Epley,

I often lurk but rarely post anymore. Your question forced me to log in and post!
So very often, I disagree with things you say or the manner in which you state them. However, I have admired you from the beginning because it comes across that you really do believe what you say and try to be consistent. I admire someone who lives by the courage of their convictions. Mother Alvelear (sp) is the same way. She is just much gentler about conveying those convictions. But, the two of you share a sense of burden it seems for those of us who are liberal and it genuine. I always read her posts. I always read your posts and appreciate them. Even those with which I disagree.

It would be a loss if you were no longer here. Please stay and continue to post.

[Baron1710]

What a boring place AFF would be if everyone agreed with me. The posters would always be right but it would be boring. I could be like Paul and run through my list of reasons I am as Pentecostal as anyone but I will pass on that.

I have a brother (the son of my parents not someone in the church) that I disagree with on a regular basis, there have been times over the years that we have came to the point of wanting to slap the snot out of each other (though I would always win because I am bigger than him) but in the end we are brothers. Eventually we get over it and by dinner time we are best friends again. At some point we will all be sitting down to dinner together, so maybe we could refrain from bashing each others heads in until you all realize I am right.

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by StMark

I have NEVER seen you back down and admit ANYTHING
even when cornered with the evidence. instead you just
hurl the same ole accusations.

Whether I'm saying it's true or not, I KNOW that many Cons
have left becase of 3 reasons not saying I agree with it but
sorry it's the facts:
1.
They no longer feel wanted on AFF because it's overwhelming
Liberal/Charismatic
2.Outside pressures not to publically associate with such people
that mock Pentecostals
3. They feel that there many here are out to destroy the church

1. I think it's been expressed many times that the conservative voice is WANTED here on AFF.

2. I can see this as being truth.

3. I don't know of ANY regular poster who is out to destroy the church! I guess because someone disagrees with you on certain areas, they are out to destroy you!

It comes to this: Outside pressures not to publicly associate with people that (supposedly) mock ultra-conservative Pentecostals.

[Brad Murphy]

Originally Posted by StMark

Brad, you go way back too. Back on FCF you posted fearless
as a liberal yet we didn't hear talk of of this at all.

Newman and others were debating against standards yet
we didn't hear of all this talk of libs and cons going their own
way

what do you think the difference is now ??

That is a good point. I think everyone is becoming convinced that neither side is going to change the other side's mind. We started thinking that "once they just see our point, they will realize that we are right"... but it never happened. At least I was naive enough to think that it would happen someday. lol.

For the record, I don't go all the way back to USENET or IRC in religious discussions... I had actually looked for some Pentecostals to "confront" several years before I found FCF but could not find them (didn't think to look on USENET or IRC... I was quite surprised when I discovered that there were Pentecostals that were that tech savvy). Most Pentecostals that I knew grewing up were more blue-collar types (not that there is anything wrong with that... and I do not mean that in a derogatory manner.) In fact, I was the only "Pentecostal" person that I knew that knew ANYTHING about computers for years... If these forums have shown me anything, it is that there are some ultra-cons with lots of secular education and skills, and that is something I would never have expected prior to coming to FCF, NFCF, AFF, etc.)

[TCSQ]

Brother Epley,

You may want to consider this in your decision of wether to stay or go.

Do you feel that you have anything of value to offer here that God can use to help some one or even instill or encourage in them the ability to see or walk in some of the truths that you hold dear to your heart?

And then Is there anything that some of the "Liberal" BRETHREN on this group may have to add to YOUR experience with God or understanding of him and his church that being in the rarified atmosphere of conservatives who all pretty much dot every I and cross every T the same way you may not come across?

I will tell you this, Some of the scornful attitude in which some very precious truths are dismissed or marginalized by some is very hard to take. However if you remove your voice from the equation you completely abdicate the ability and perhaps responsibility to refute or define some of those truths to others less experienced than yourself.

I THINK (Words of wisdon here) that you sound like I feel so many times, tired, beat down, a million and one problems and the little things that USUALLY just roll right off of me like water off the back of a duck just seems to emotionally overwhelm me.

A doctor would say...Take two aspirin and call me in the morning" *I* say, think about how amazing it is when so many people who tell you they disagree WITH you also say "PLEASE DON'T LEAVE, WE LIKE YOU AND WANT YOU TO STAY."

Chill out Bro, you are evidently a very popular guy around here, and it would be a mistake to let whatever vibe you picked up on change your impact on this group.

P.S. what did you think about that "I baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son and Sheeka Boom BAM!" ? I am STILL cracking up over THAT!

[Sam]

Originally Posted by StMark

The reason why Bro Epley posted that is because he and other
Conservatives do not feel welcome on AFF and feel out of place.
many remarks over time have made him and others feel that way.

Conservatives have made plenty of remarks also, putting down liberals, even questioning their salvation. That door has swung both ways on the forum.

[Brad Murphy]

Originally Posted by TCSQ

P.S. what did you think about that "I baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son and Sheeka Boom BAM!" ? I am STILL cracking up over THAT!

I still wonder if I lived in the past as one of my ancestors, and I spoke only Gaelic, would it be okay for me to get baptized in the name of Iosa? Or would I have to learn Greek or English and then get baptized in the name of Jesus...

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Baron1710

Just thought I would let you hear your own counsel, when someone else asked a similiar question.

Lawyer!