Banned from RaptureReady...

[sparklecat]

Well, I was just banned. In the midst of a thread where I was answering questions honestly and told a moderator that she insulted me by claiming I was never a Christian. Apparently they've decided that I was posting there for attention... but here's what she (Becky) said:

"Sparklecat, it is obvious to many that you are using Apologetics for your own personal soapbox.

When someone is Saved by the Grace of God, it is not an experiment, something you can try and just walk away from if it doesn't suit you [in reference to what I gave as my thoughts at my conversion, but not my attitude as a Christian]. That makes a mockery of what Jesus did on the cross for all of us.

Paul (the mod, not the apostle) brought to my attention Mark 4. The parable of the sower. Jesus goes through the different reactions to those who hear the gospel. One of the reactions is that they accept the word at first, but when testing come they quickly leave the faith because they have no root (Jesus, obviously, is the root). We are sure you truly believed something, but we have to wonder what. Did you accept the true gospel that says you are a sinner
and Jesus is a Savior, or did you accept the social gospel that says that you can be one of the gang?

And Hebrews 4, once you have heard the Gospel and rejected it, your heart is hardened.

Justine, you have had people spend literally hours witnessing to you only to have you use them or ignore
them. This board is not to be used to mock God.

And that is a bannable offense."

Obviously, I am now unable to answer her accusations.

For the record, I received one warning a few months back, supposedly for mocking God. They have never very clearly defined what that does or does not entail- however I see no way that any of my recent comments could be taken that way. I also posted a thread requesting that I be allowed back into my account for a set amount of time to retrieve my PMs, as well as to say that I would not be coming back because I had no desire to, and mentioning that I had only received one warning. That thread was deleted with no response.

I'm not really all that angry- more disappointed. This was a very irrational and unfair decision, but at this point, protesting it is rather useless... they're not going to take what I say into consideration. But I've long since used up all the hurt I might feel at these types of actions.

I'm posting this for three reasons- to vent a little, so that there is an accurate record of what happened (as my thread was deleted and I cannot respond to the accusations), and for those from RR who I know come here... that they may see my response and so this may serve as a bit of closure, if you will, to the years I was a member of that board. I gained many great friends that I will remain in touch with if they so desire, and any RR member who wishes to do so may email me at retjus@bethel.edu. So endeth that fundamentalist Christian chapter of my life

Justine

 

[El Greco]

I'm not really all that angry- more disappointed. This was a very irrational and unfair decision

If you are talking with irrational and unfair people and then get dissapointed because they act irrationally and unfairly, then guess whose fault is this ? Rrrrright, yours!

You just have to read a couple of threads to sense the paranoia... I mean, many of them are paranoid even by Christian standards... what made you think that you could infuse any logic into them ?

 

[sparklecat]

Re: Re: Banned from RaptureReady...

If you are talking with irrational and unfair people and then get dissapointed because they act irrationally and unfairly, then guess whose fault is this ? Rrrrright, yours!

You just have to read a couple of threads to sense the paranoia... I mean, many of them are paranoid even by Christian standards... what made you think that you could infuse any logic into them ?

I expected better of them I suppose. I hold out that hope that humanity is fundamentally concerned with being just. *grins*

Silly, I know, but if nothing else, this is a learning experience.

Ah, well, I can get my dose of irrationality from my creationist anthropology professor still at least.

 

[Yahweh]

Well, personally I could not imagine what "mocking God" might be in the eyes the Rapture Folk. I would think "mocking God" would involve some amount of expressed intentional mallice, I would doubt a failure to accept nutty Biblical Literalism can hardly amount for mocking God.

Who are they to tell you that you expressed intent to mock God (I'm sure you know your intentions better than they do), who are they to tell you that you are a bad person for having an inability to rationally reconcile insane apocalyptic prophecies about a vengeful savior who's coming back and is nonetheless very pissed, who are they to judge you for growing intellectually if it so happens to result rethinking of the Christian Faith.

From my exposure to ChristianForums.com, few of the biblical folk have critically thought through their beliefs beyond the basis of "I can just feel it in my heart". For you basing your beliefs on being true to yourself and becoming a more intellectual "you", our oh-so-lovable sparklecat has certainly gained my highest respect and the respect of the JREF folks here.

So a person's heart is hardened by rejecting the gospel? That is only temporary, people dont like the idea of having so thoroughly fooled themselves. Sparklecat, you might just be the nicest sweetest gal who ever had their heart hardened that I ever did know. The same goes for Ruby and Roadtoad as well

Being banned from RaptureReady, its really just a kick in ego for the most part.

There, there, sparklecat

 

[Johnny Pneumatic]

I'd like to post over there; but I'd be banned fast.

 

[WinAce]

I especially like the subsequent rationalizations. Apparently "numerous complaints from other posters" is a "rule violation." (No, not making that up--that's exactly what the admin wrote)

 

[Riddick]

well, that's too bad.

but hey, we can still see her at christianforums, i think they're a little more open minded.

at least there's someone over there with your name and avatar.

 

[Some Friggin Guy]

Well, Sparklecat, I hope I can speak for everyone when I say that you're always welcome here among the heathens.

 

[Zep]

They seem to think that circling the wagons and facing INWARDS is the safest solution.

 

[c4ts]

At least they told you why you were banned.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I must be going blind (or does god harden eyes too?) because I can't find the thread. Will someone post the link?


hmm...maybe it's the merlot speaking?

 

[sparklecat]

Well, personally I could not imagine what "mocking God" might be in the eyes the Rapture Folk. I would think "mocking God" would involve some amount of expressed intentional mallice, I would doubt a failure to accept nutty Biblical Literalism can hardly amount for mocking God.

Who are they to tell you that you expressed intent to mock God (I'm sure you know your intentions better than they do), who are they to tell you that you are a bad person for having an inability to rationally reconcile insane apocalyptic prophecies about a vengeful savior who's coming back and is nonetheless very pissed, who are they to judge you for growing intellectually if it so happens to result rethinking of the Christian Faith.

From my exposure to ChristianForums.com, few of the biblical folk have critically thought through their beliefs beyond the basis of "I can just feel it in my heart". For you basing your beliefs on being true to yourself and becoming a more intellectual "you", our oh-so-lovable sparklecat has certainly gained my highest respect and the respect of the JREF folks here.

So a person's heart is hardened by rejecting the gospel? That is only temporary, people dont like the idea of having so thoroughly fooled themselves. Sparklecat, you might just be the nicest sweetest gal who ever had their heart hardened that I ever did know. The same goes for Ruby and Roadtoad as well

Being banned from RaptureReady, its really just a kick in ego for the most part.

There, there, sparklecat

Thank you, Yahweh

From what I can gather, apparently my deconversion counts as mocking God... who knew?

My ego is fine... I've half been expecting this, actually. The timing did rather surprise me, since I haven't done anything objectionable recently by any stretch

One of the odder things is that posts of mine once used to support by being a Christian are now taken as evidence that I never was. It's really quite insulting, as was her message. Forget all that only God knows a person's heart... apparently board moderators do as well.

 

[sparklecat]

well, that's too bad.

but hey, we can still see her at christianforums, i think they're a little more open minded.

at least there's someone over there with your name and avatar.

That's me, yes.

Also as a bit of shameless advertising, WinAce now has a board on his site where you can find me as well... and, of course, I'm here on JREF.

Who knows, maybe someday I'll get the opportunity to debate old RR opponents where there's less moderation

 

[sparklecat]

Well, Sparklecat, I hope I can speak for everyone when I say that you're always welcome here among the heathens.

Thank you : I certainly do feel more welcome and accepted.

They seem to think that circling the wagons and facing INWARDS is the safest solution.

Aye, and I'm just about inclined to say leave them to it. They want to be distanced from the world so badly, let them be.

At least they told you why you were banned.

Heh... actually, no, I needed other people to do so for me. I couldn't get in to read the message, and can't answer the accusations leveled against me.


The most ridiculous part... I know they're going to now assume that I'm milking this for attention as well. They claim that I'm an attention whore, and spend a ridiculous amount of time accusing me and such... it's rather idiotic if they wanted me to stop having all eyes on me... I'm not going to just ignore personal attacks, and just last night I was asking people to take their personal attacks against me to apologetics so I could answer them there as I had been requested to... which the site administrator thanked me for doing. And now somehow that's a bannable offense?

 

[Lord Emsworth]

So endeth that fundamentalist Christian chapter of my life

But Sparklecat, you never were a Christian. It's impossible, you see. Otherwise the OSAS doctrine wouldn't hold. And that can't be, can it?

And all that apologeti...err defending the faith that you did was only ..., was only ...., was only a clever plot by satan. Ha!

 

[sparklecat]

They seem to be saying both that I've rejected God and cannot return and that I never was saved... doublethink at its finest.

Really, I do need to compile a list of things I said as a fundamentalist... it's sad, but shows quite clearly how much I was a part of it all.


"The Bible says the only way a person can be saved is through Jesus- the OT saints didn't know of Him and His sacrifice, but had faith in God and looked forward to Him, and were saved... In the same way, I believe those who have not heard of Jesus can be saved... faith in God, perhaps even with the Holy Spirit in them, they just don't know it as such... For those who have heard, however, there is no excuse...

Thing is, even if I'm completely wrong, God is still a just and merciful God- He could randomly pick people to forgive, and still be equally just. We all deserve to be punished for our sins, our rebellion against God, and our pride, and being a holy and just God, He has to do so. It is by His love and mercy that we are saved and forgiven. We do nothing to deserve it, and cannot earn it in any way.

And why exactly are you trying to gain converts to atheism or disprove our faith? I mean, whats the point? I did the same as an atheist and never have figured out how I justified it to myself... but I don't believe it was wholly my own actions either, so..."


I love saved threads :

 

[BroodingSkill]

Sparkle cat, echoing what was said before, at least you can hang your hat here. This place is pretty nice.

 

[the_ignored]

Here's some of the stuff Sparklecat was talking about...

Really, I do need to compile a list of things I said as a fundamentalist... it's sad, but shows quite clearly how much I was a part of it all.

Some of them would agree...

<~~from Sojourner...
http://www.rr-bb.com/showthread.php?postid=1368153#post1368153

Kerri, I am so glad that you took the time to look up the posts that you did. How encouraging to see that Sparklecat does show great spiritual insight and confirmation that she indeed is saved.

I would like to share a few thoughts of mine ... definitely opinion only on my part (before anyone jumps on me and accuses me of knowing the mind of God).

Sparklecat, I believe that you are truly saved, and even though you may say you are no longer a Christian or that you have stepped away from Christianity, you are still sealed by the Holy Spirit. When you accepted Christ you were essentially bought by His blood. You are His possession now. You no longer belong to yourself.

Yak, yak, yak for a bit, he does.

I wonder what he'd say now...

 

[Quinn]

Sparklecat, I haven't followed your threads on RR, but knowing what I do about you and about them, my only surprise is that they let you hang around this long. Don't let it get to you. Honestly, we heretics are a lot more fun.

All right everyone, RR banning party for sparklecat! I've got the keg, who's bringing chips?

 

[plindboe]

Hi sparkle,

if you want a good substitute for RR I recommend the boards at christianity.com. Many people there are as irrational and paranoid as the RR crowd, but at least they accept other people's points of view, even from people who are openly atheists. Give it a try.

http://forums.christianity.com/