Posted by Randy Watters [2bithonky] on November 29, 1999 at 15:13:17 {DGglKT6Uj23tOw5Cy.7EQNyTO0grzY}:
In Reply to: FREE MINDS ANYONE ? posted by Ed on November 28, 1999 at 08:07:21:
Ed,
Freedom is always a relative word in society. It allows for people to come together for a common purpose and to be free from harassment, one of the main reasons this country (US) was founded. Freedom is never absolute in society. It is especially true in a private forum, even more so than on this site (H2O). A private forum like mine is designed for certain types of individuals (ex-JWs and others interested in the Watchtower issues). Off-topic discussions are often limited or not allowed at all, as on H2O, though it is a public forum and less of a "community" of people, since many on H2O clearly do not like each other AT ALL, let alone want to be in a "room" together with each other. When I was a pastor, and even as a Witness bookstudy conductor in a private home, harassment in a small group was an important issue. Unlike H2O, the purpose of my private board is for emotional healing and making friends, meaning that harassment is not allowed. My invitation page is printed below, and surely you must have read it as you quote from it.
Clearly you did not see your posts as harassment, any more than some of the Christians who post on the JW boards like Witnesses.net acting as if they were Witnesses, yet the Witnesses obviously think of them as harassing them. It is their prerogative to keep people out who have a history of harassment. Out of respect for them, I do not try to "get in" and disturb them in their little community. I am no fan of the Catholic Church, any more than most ex-Witnesses. In many ways the Church is more bloodguilty than the Watchtower. Yet in spite of my not going to any church and not being involved in another religion since 1991 (former Foursquare), it is not my business if others want to get involved in Catholicism. Back a few weeks ago I was harassing Greg Stafford on H2O and a moderator (Rick) asked me to show a little more respect for his "identity," and I apologized and promised I would not harass him again.
You, on the other hand, were tolerated all through the time you continually attacked the doctrine of the Trinity, as I was simply not interested in taking your bait. It should have been obvious to you from that alone that I tolerate freedom of speech.
In the meantime, several members of the board were identified as Catholics, even though they were not saying much about it until you brought up the history of the Catholic Church. Though this was clearly off-topic, I allowed it as I am loath to censor anyone until most of the members, including the non-Catholic ones, were extremely irritated at you for harassing the Catholics. I warned you, and you did not stop, insisting on your "freedom" at the expense of everyone's else's peace of mind, a very selfish act in my opinion. So I withdrew your membership from the private forum.
The next day I had never before received such insults, even from the Witnesses, as you sent me in your three emails. Not content with calling me all manner of curse words, you THREATENED me as well, all in the name of your "freedom." Let others come and join our discussion board, and I will send them an invitation, and they can read all the posts and your email as well, since nothing has been deleted or edited. The reader can decide for himself. If you apologize to me and cease the off-topic harassment, you can rejoin.
Here is my opening message which has been there since the beginning:
"To join this private discussion forum, email Randy with your name and email address. You will receive an invitation by email with instructions. Email addresses and other information are kept confidential. Randy Watters is the only one with administrator access. The posts will not be moderated, but troublemakers will be warned or removed and blocked from further access. Please do not use this forum to preach to others. We respect the right to be Christian, Catholic, pagan, gay, Jehovah's Witness, atheist or whatever. Please practice toleration of other's state of mind and place in society.
"Jehovah's Witnesses are welcome here and at our main website. Having been a Witness for eight years, six of those spent at Bethel, I have many friends still in the organization, and I will not tolerate animosity towards those who for whatever reason are still involved in this religion. The leadership may be corrupt and the organization deceptive, but many individuals are not aware of these things, and that is what we are here for after all. We will do our best to make you feel at home."
You forced my hand to live up to this promise, and all you show is self-righteous anger. I only lose, not only in having you as a friend and faithful customer, but in your usually intelligent comments as well. The others on the board I don't even personally know, but they deserve a little breathing space and respect.
sincerely,
Randy Watters