CARM baord - question for those who read and post there

[Zerbie]

Something possessed me to go visit the CARM site again this evening.

Last time I scanned through the boards there I was able to read the posts. This time, I was not. Is it necessary to register there just to read stuff? I saw that Awe had started some threads recently and wanted to read them, but was sent to a login prompt.

After looking over their mission and rules, I definitely do NOT want to register over there.

Any way I can read the discussions without having to register?

[Liberal Crozier]

First of all, I applaud Emproph and Zerbie and all Soulforce faith community members who actually spend time on rightwing theocon websites in order to confront predictable catechetics to our most vulnerable brothers and sisters raised in theocon faith communities.

If they are allowed to post at all, they are often confronted by " webmaster pastors" who both reiterate the toxic theology and add an ad hominem of the most passive aggressive variety.

Later this morning, as I do every Monday morning, I awaken especially early and meditate and pray prior to my chemotherapy. I have recognised to appreciate the economy of labour and effort. An aspect of Christian apologetics is to accept the differences in theological perspectives within the traditional Christian churches. If you are a sacramental and liturgical Christian who does not accept "sola scriptura" or "fiduciary faith", you do so by honouring the Reformation and the true intent of the persons who spoke to the theocrats of their day.

These Dominionists have again redefined " christian apologetics " to define a belief that they alone possess absolute truth and that other theological perspectives that are gay-affirming are both sinful and more, the antithesis of Christianity as they legally and narrowly define it. They make the biblical Pharisees and Zealots appear indifferent by comparison.

The economy of labour and effort translates in speaking directly to our endangered youth and other conflicted Christian LGBT persons. I believe that the person who finds and googles CARM will also find SOULFORCE and speak directly to us, and not by indirect or reactive rhetoric.

Please also know that our side needs both $$$$$$ and prayer to fully realise the goals. We all have survival needs and disposable incomes are often today reduced - even to purchasing enough gasoline to go to work - that prayer seems to become the only contribution. Also, there is a tendency for oppressed individuals to feel a sense of institutional cynicism about any change in their quest for equality and justice by any and all means.

Our opponents - often Dominionist zealots led by one or two persons - lock-step in their message and as Emproph said, their well-designed thirty second spin cycles, - are well-disciplined troops financed by some of this hemisphere's most extreme right wing billionaires and multi-millionaires. Several decades ago, they began to successfully create " right wing think tanks" with young zealot PhD's and JD's. They infiltrated many mainline and fundamentalist Christian denominations in order to gain leadership and then purge dissident liberal voices from their community.

In order to make our case, we must admit and accept the fact that they have been inordinately successful. Our faith community has also been blessed - often by men and women whose "confessions" have the same spiritual impact for me as did the Christian witness of Saint Augustine of Hippo. These men and women once worked for the opposing forces and received the graces to stop and more, to correct the wrongs that they previously inflicted upon their own community.

Others - in both the religious and secular organisations in the USA - are self-loathing gays or lesbians who are either children and/or employees of the most virulent anti-gay forces known. Worse, you have right wing federal legislators who are closeted and are actively engaged in the destruction of their own community. It makes Quisling or Benedict Arnold appear as if they were patriots.

Finally, PRAY, PRAY AND PRAY and believe in the POWER OF PRAYER. Please pray that our brothers and sisters at risk will find SOULFORCE and more importantly and simultaneously, US. Please pray for our enemies, and pray especially that the Holy Spirit will enter and enlighten their souls. Who knows, they might be travelling a certain road, and fall from their "horse" blinded but then - given the insight to heal and to honour the truth of the loving message of Christ. Please pray for the least toxic repercussions of my treatment today.....not so much for me, but for my caregivers, and my spouse, and most especially, for my son who needs me so much.

[NathanATX]

Originally Posted by Liberal Crozier

First of all, I applaud Emproph and Zerbie and all Soulforce faith community members who actually spend time on rightwing theocon websites in order to confront predictable catechetics to our most vulnerable brothers and sisters raised in theocon faith communities.

If they are allowed to post at all, they are often confronted by " webmaster pastors" who both reiterate the toxic theology and add an ad hominem of the most passive aggressive variety.

Later this morning, as I do every Monday morning, I awaken especially early and meditate and pray prior to my chemotherapy. I have recognised to appreciate the economy of labour and effort. An aspect of Christian apologetics is to accept the differences in theological perspectives within the traditional Christian churches. If you are a sacramental and liturgical Christian who does not accept "sola scriptura" or "fiduciary faith", you do so by honouring the Reformation and the true intent of the persons who spoke to the theocrats of their day.

These Dominionists have again redefined " christian apologetics " to define a belief that they alone possess absolute truth and that other theological perspectives that are gay-affirming are both sinful and more, the antithesis of Christianity as they legally and narrowly define it. They make the biblical Pharisees and Zealots appear indifferent by comparison.

The economy of labour and effort translates in speaking directly to our endangered youth and other conflicted Christian LGBT persons. I believe that the person who finds and googles CARM will also find SOULFORCE and speak directly to us, and not by indirect or reactive rhetoric.

Please also know that our side needs both $$$$$$ and prayer to fully realise the goals. We all have survival needs and disposable incomes are often today reduced - even to purchasing enough gasoline to go to work - that prayer seems to become the only contribution. Also, there is a tendency for oppressed individuals to feel a sense of institutional cynicism about any change in their quest for equality and justice by any and all means.

Our opponents - often Dominionist zealots led by one or two persons - lock-step in their message and as Emproph said, their well-designed thirty second spin cycles, - are well-disciplined troops financed by some of this hemisphere's most extreme right wing billionaires and multi-millionaires. Several decades ago, they began to successfully create " right wing think tanks" with young zealot PhD's and JD's. They infiltrated many mainline and fundamentalist Christian denominations in order to gain leadership and then purge dissident liberal voices from their community.

In order to make our case, we must admit and accept the fact that they have been inordinately successful. Our faith community has also been blessed - often by men and women whose "confessions" have the same spiritual impact for me as did the Christian witness of Saint Augustine of Hippo. These men and women once worked for the opposing forces and received the graces to stop and more, to correct the wrongs that they previously inflicted upon their own community.

Others - in both the religious and secular organisations in the USA - are self-loathing gays or lesbians who are either children and/or employees of the most virulent anti-gay forces known. Worse, you have right wing federal legislators who are closeted and are actively engaged in the destruction of their own community. It makes Quisling or Benedict Arnold appear as if they were patriots.

Finally, PRAY, PRAY AND PRAY and believe in the POWER OF PRAYER. Please pray that our brothers and sisters at risk will find SOULFORCE and more importantly and simultaneously, US. Please pray for our enemies, and pray especially that the Holy Spirit will enter and enlighten their souls. Who knows, they might be travelling a certain road, and fall from their "horse" blinded but then - given the insight to heal and to honour the truth of the loving message of Christ. Please pray for the least toxic repercussions of my treatment today.....not so much for me, but for my caregivers, and my spouse, and most especially, for my son who needs me so much.

I post a lot on www.christianforums.com and it can be *very* toxic. What I've started doing is ignoring the fundamentalist wackos almost completely. Pretending their responses don't exist makes them even more histrionic... and I have to admit, that is a guilty pleasure.

My main purpose in sharing myself in "dark & dangerous places" is to simply be a light. I'm not there to persuade, convince or convert. I'm there to be an example. So when I start getting angry, I switch from "debate mode" to simple sharing.

LC & family, I'm praying for you guys today & this week.

Peace,
Nate

[keltic63]

Nathan, that sounds like a lot of fun. I'd try it if I could control my temper and not carry their toxicity around with me the rest of the day. Perhaps I'll try it and practice letting go of the poison.


LC, prayers are with you and your family. Peace to you.

[LGBT FLIGHT ATTENDANT]

International business first is usually an experience. Only paying customers - no upgrades or employees on vacation passes - and I start tonight.

One particular flight, I had the "pleasure" of having two passengers in that class of service who are known for their right wing views, especially of the "religious" variety.

This happened AFTER having had LC and family, and remembered that he mentioned that Christians are known by their behaviour and that you return evil with good. Pray for and love your enemies. Tough.

I suspected that he knew what my sexual orientation was, but every look was returned with effusive kindness.

But most of the time, I spend time with persons and reading material who and that help my journey through life.

[Zerbie]

Hafta say I love seeing where this thread has gone. Crozier is right that the right wing has been following a well-crafted plan for decades. It speaks to our own need for organization.

Even more importantly, the "theocons" (nicely put) and the big business far right have done their utmost to disenfranchise the rest of the community and deter them from voting. They WANT people to feel that their vote doesn't matter, so that the majority will stay at home on election day. Then the 30% of the US that adheres to "theocon" ideology goes and votes and wins the day. I'm sure the belief that it doesn't matter who gets elected and that "my vote won't count" is what's behind more people voting for American Idol than for US President.

Now - does anyone have an answer to my question? Do I HAVE to register at CARM to just read the threads? I didn't think so, because I was able to read every one I clicked on that last time I visited (that was through Emproph's link - does E have some magic computer power I don't know about?) .

Wanna see what they're saying on the 'SET' section.

Oh - Crozier, as to reading the opponent's websites, I find them to be the best sources of information, far better than most of "ours."

[LGBT FLIGHT ATTENDANT]

Zerbie,

First of all, got your request and sent an email. Cryptic, but hopefully clear.

Secondly, I believe that you learn much from the tactical websites of the major opponents of anything that supports our community.

Most of us have non-virtual lifetime experiences that help us understand what their words will often do. Sticks and stones do break bones, and names will always hurt me.

But I believe Crozier that prayer and an invitation to share with us at Soulforce is positive. And I agree with you that we are not an organized bunch of folks.....and that they always march in lockstep in both secular and religious fascist rhetoric and policies.

[Zerbie]

Howdy FA,

Yes, clear! Hoped I wasn't overstepping bounds making that comment.

Good point, words hurt. Words have a lot of power.

[NathanATX]

I registered on CARM and have already posted a bit in the SET forum.

[Zerbie]

So does this mean you HAVE TO register in order to read them?

Anyone??

I am not going to post, just read.

[NathanATX]

I had to register to read.

[Zerbie]

Oh okay then.

Tho for some odd reason I was able to read any thread I wanted a week or so ago when E first posted the link. Then I tried again today and, nope, didn't work. Go figger.

Now I gotta decide if it's worth registering so's ta read all that misery.

[Emproph]

Sorry Zerbie, I was going to respond yesterday but I was down for the count by the time I read this.

Originally Posted by Zerbie

Something possessed me to go visit the CARM site again this evening.

Yeah, it seems to have that effect. Oh well, now we know for sure. We’ll have to warn people it’s like crack, read one incendiary post and you’re addicted.

Originally Posted by Zerbie

Last time I scanned through the boards there I was able to read the posts. This time, I was not. Is it necessary to register there just to read stuff? I saw that Awe had started some threads recently and wanted to read them, but was sent to a login prompt.

Any way I can read the discussions without having to register?

That happened to me too (a few days ago) for the first time. Sometimes my computer empties my passwords and the last time I wasn’t automatically logged in I couldn’t see the boards, just a prompt to log in, I was surprised, so it must be new.

Originally Posted by Zerbie

Now I gotta decide if it's worth registering so's ta read all that misery.

Just a thought, I can understand and agree with your concern, but for me at least it's inspiring to see and read from those who are fighting the good fight (against dogma) within that context there.

Originally Posted by Liberal Crozier

Our opponents - often Dominionist zealots led by one or two persons - lock-step in their message and as Emproph said, their well-designed thirty second spin cycles

(where'd I say that?) That made me laugh, that's kind of clever.

Originally Posted by Liberal Crozier

Finally, PRAY, PRAY AND PRAY and believe in the POWER OF PRAYER.

I think we all wonder about the extent of the effectiveness of our prayers sometimes because their results are usually not fully tangible until answered. And when praying for others who are not in our lives, or especially when praying generally for the good of the whole/everyone/change etc., the perceived effect becomes even more ambiguous.

But after studying “A Course in Miracles,” I think I finally understand, at least that the principle involved in performing miracles is based on the same principle of prayer, concentrated focused desire for the highest good of all with the certain understanding that one’s request is being heard. At some point it becomes the understanding of direct communication, or the perception of communion with the Godhead, Love, Heaven, etc. At least to the extent we are able to perceive it.

I watched the movie on Mother Teresa recently. There were several one liner ‘keepers’ that I’d like to go back and write down for quotes.

Regarding the subject of prayer though, one of the women who had come to help her with her ministry/helping the poor was diagnosed with an illness and had to leave and go back home, she was heartbroken about it. Mother Teresa told her that she could help with one of the most important things, prayer. She said prayer is what keeps everything going.

This is something I wonder about on a regular basis. I’ve seen the power of prayer in my own life and I always wonder about the prayers of, for example, the buddhist monks who for all their spiritual enlightenment really don’t make much social change (at least not that we're aware of ), they just pray all the time. I wonder how many wars or even natural disasters that may have been averted, global social changes for the better etc., that have happened because of collective prayers like theirs, and ours for that matter.

Just a thought, I’ve been taking a renewed interest in the power of prayer of late and make it a point to consciously and willfully do so with certainty when I am so inspired. It’s empowering.

Originally Posted by Liberal Crozier

Please pray that our brothers and sisters at risk will find SOULFORCE and more importantly and simultaneously, US. Please pray for our enemies, and pray especially that the Holy Spirit will enter and enlighten their souls. Who knows, they might be travelling a certain road, and fall from their "horse" blinded but then - given the insight to heal and to honour the truth of the loving message of Christ.

I would just add that I like to envision near-death-experience atheist changing-type of ‘miracle’ () when I pray for them.

Originally Posted by Liberal Crozier

Please pray for the least toxic repercussions of my treatment today.....

As I was reading that the first time I was reading ahead in my mind, and since I was about to post something on CARM I thought aloud in my head, “Please pray for the least toxic repercussions of my treatment (of them)." -Just a meaningless coincidence...

Originally Posted by Liberal Crozier

Please pray for the least toxic repercussions of my treatment today.....not so much for me, but for my caregivers, and my spouse, and most especially, for my son who needs me so much.

I believe in the power of prayer, toxic avenger powers activate!

[Liberal Crozier]

Crozier and I have agreed that a day beyond his treatment, that he allow me to scribe his threads instead of getting up and trying to sit and compose anything.

I read him your posting, and he chuckled about your description. He says that he attributed the essence of the quote to you based on your succinct analysis of theocon tactics.

Crozier however, feels less nauseous this morning and thanks all Soulforce brothers and sisters who continually keep he and our family in your prayers.
We pray together every morning and evening as a family. " The family that prays together, stays together." However, Emproph:

He thanks you for activating the toxic avenger . He especially chuckled when he said that he would like you to patent the particular "switch" and then said...." You know, the words toxic theocon and switch should be uttered in the same breath.....in prayer that the Holy Spirit enlighten them about his ever-revealing truth. But in a more secular and provincial thought, said....." That's it, Emproph's prayer was about a switch....turning on the protocol to mitigate my nausea....he is in good with the Lord, and He just made it known to me.

[BruceChris]

Zerbie: Yes, I had about the same experience. I read their postings for a while, and then I was told by their website that I had to register. Hey, it's not like ya have to give yer real name or anything. You could be anything from MotherMadonna to CyberSlut, or almost.

I decided I wanted something laid back, like Sojourner, or Pilgrim. I finally settled on P'oe Boy, I'm not really sure why. I probably should have spelled it better. But I haven't posted anything yet.

Crozier: When I see you going back again and again for those chemo treatments, I must really admire your faith. I think I would have just given up. It must be awfully nice to have family for that.

I am getting the feeling that when a theocon "loves" you, that that is just about the ultimate in passive-agressive treatment.

Still, Peace and Love, Chris

[Jennifer5]

Yes Zerbie you have to register... mant others have been complaining about that.

Anyway what is their mission... rules? I never read them.... maybe I should've done that before signing up... oh well... I think soulforce is actually the only place I've read rules for boards..


(actually I told my teacher the last year that I don't think I ever did read their rule book, I just signed the paper that said I did... but things seem to still work out fine)