I don't think GCN is necessarily ever going to be all things to all people - as this site probably won't.  So if it's not for you, there's nothing wrong with that.  And for some of us, it served a purpose for a time.  There will always be people that come and go - here and there.  I just don't think we have anything to gain by saying bad things about it.

Susan,

You are right on every point.  I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for GCN.  And as you know, GCN was a HUGE part of my life for a while (kind of like this site is now!)  For me, if I say anything negative about GCN, it comes from a very deep hurt that is still a little tender. 

While I don't want anyone to come here and name names and tell tales (I know - I've been guilty myself), I also want people to be free to express themselves, while still having respect for others.  Some of us had bad experiences at GCN and of course, that is going to flavor some of what we write.  But overall, I think GCN is a good place.

Thank you for reminding us about respect.

Lisa

I've made some fantastic friends through GCN and I've learned a lot there too.  And I'll always be thankful for that.  I'm still a part of GCN myself, but I admit, I spend most of it in the Fun and Games section now.  I also think that a lot of people were censored.  Even submitting a private prayer, some people were told, you can't submit that or you'll have to edit that.  I don't know about you, but when I pray to God or cry out to God, I'm honest in my prayers.  I don't sit down and write it out and edit it.  It's all coming from my heart, good and bad.  

I feel more at ease here.  I don't have fear of being banned or fear that my thread will be removed or be told don't say that, you can't say that, etc. 

Steve

A huge part of my reaction to GCN is caused by my "control issues."  :)  I don't like admitting that.

They were doing things that I was adamantly oppossed to and I got all worked up trying to impose myself on them.

It wasn't a very loving way to be.

I still have things I disagree with strongly... but I don't have the "upset" I had before.

My prayer is that God would work through them and use them to change the world... even if they do it differently than I would.

Beautifully put, Amy!  And no typos.

I guess I don't understand people's GCN troubles very well; I have never really had a problem. Lots of people have disagreed/argued with me from time to time, but I have never felt censored.

What sorts of things are "not allowed" on GCN that are allowed here? I'm still trying to get a feel for this site, so please don't be annoyed if I am totally ignorant.

Chris wrote:

---

I guess I don't understand people's GCN troubles very well; I have never really had a problem. Lots of people have disagreed/argued with me from time to time, but I have never felt censored.

What sorts of things are "not allowed" on GCN that are allowed here? I'm still trying to get a feel for this site, so please don't be annoyed if I am totally ignorant.

---

Amazingly enough, you never really see the "ugly" part of GCN unless you become emotionally and closely invested in GCN and the people at GCN. This is the reason I've backed away mostly. I'm not one to say anything bad about GCN, because I feel it's not good, it would just be a gossip "pity" session, nothing more.

GCN has its purpose, just as this place has it's purpose. I think it would be a grave mistake to have this place simply because some people have been ousted from GCN. I think the best success for this place, would not be to be on the shirt-tail of GCN, and catch the people that fall away, but to rise up on it's own two feet. Becoming a separate entity from GCN.

I think GCN falls short not because it's not doing good, but because Justin is the type of person who trys to be all things to all people. That's not possible, ever. I respect Justin, but he's put a lot on himself, and in the process hurt some people. I've told Justin, that he can't ever be all things to all people, and I think that's where GCN falls short. It's because in the persuit of being all things to all people, you hurt people more, because there are groups of people that feel neglected. I feel GCN should be what GCN is, and it should be clearly defined. Without that definition of what GCN is, you get confused people, and you get hurt people. Naturally people assume things, and when you assume, you know how the saying goes.

It'll be alright.

GCN already have become a such important part of my life. I post, read, and comment. I love encouraging others, and in return I get encouragements back. It's nice. I like people there. I think I just always look the good in everyone despite their imperfections. I just do.

I make several wonderful friends. I love gcn gatherings. And I love that I met a wonderful girl from GCN and now we're interacting often, and have been part of my life now. We talk every night. If it wasn't for GCN, I wouldn't meet this girl.

I never really had a problem with GCN myself, but I really get offended when people lack respect for my friends (Mama Lisa, Harold, Jeffery, and so go on)...Especially Harold. Harold is a great person with totally different beliefs. I respect him, but others hurted him. I didn't like that.

I'm happy that Mama Lisa made this website for other people who doesn't feel that they belong to GCN. I know some people left their place because they just don't feel that it's a place for them. I am glad that Mama Lisa can provide for others. I hope that website continue to be a great place for those people who wants to be part of this website.

I am trying to be part of this, but I love GCN. It's just hard to be active on both sites. But I am trying to do that more.

Love, Katie

-- Edited by sparkystar22 at 10:07, 2006-03-26

I’m one of those die in the wool GCN supporters. However, it’s very hard to empathize with problems others have been having with the site. When provoked, I’m a very in your face type of guy and don’t really care what other people thing about me. I don’t quit organizations that easily but that’s just me.

When people have a problem and confront me with it, I’ll listen but they better know what they’re talking about. If they don’t, I’ll call them on it!

Some of you may know I posted a lot on the controversies and political forum, that’s because it is an area of great interest for me. It also keeps me sharp and the forums help me get to the truth in a hurry. Problems occur when someone has a certain set of social/political believes and when confronted with contradictory truth, they can’t handle it.

Certain people I use to do battle with on GCN no longer post in those forums for reasons I could only suspect. The message boards exits to invoke discussion not preach to the choir or get total affirmation. Yes, people have gotten nasty and suspended from the message board.

At the end of the day, an individual must thoroughly think through and stand up for what they believe in. Then it must be articulated it clearly!

I’m able to do that very well on GCN in spite of the constraints.


BTW, those that don’t post on GCN any longer are from both sides of the social/political spectrum.


-- Edited by DB_Guy at 00:11, 2006-03-27

I don't think anyone that has had problems with GCN is talking about other members not liking what you post, or starting arguments, or anything like that.  Most of us have had problems "behind the scenes".  Just the other day, someone I know was asked by a moderator to change something she wrote.  She had only expressed what she felt!  She was PMed by a moderator, and told that what she had written had hurt the moderator's feelings.  Give me a break!  My friend was made to feel so bad that she went & edited her post.  There were no specifics, no bad words, not even ***s!  But she was made to feel that her feelings weren't valid!  That's the kind of problems some of us have had - not public blastings of our beliefs.

I don't want to discount those who have been frustrated or hurt with things that happen on GCN.  I also don't want to diminish those who haven't had any problem with GCN and find it a fulfilling, pleasant place.

There are so many wonderful people on GCN... even the ones we disagree with.  They are all beautiful, precious children of God.

I think we should bless GCN & it's leaders.  If you enjoy being a part of it, that is wonderful!

If, for any reason, it doesn't meet your needs, that's ok too.  That's why other places exist. 

We all have different personalities, backgrounds, ideas, beliefs, etc.  I think it's more important for us to co-exist in love & unity than it is for us to be the same.

If you have been hurt or frustrated by someone, forgive them and release them.  The bible says that love covers a multitude of sins.  Jesus said we are to forgive endlessly...  I am so grateful that my friends and family forgive me when I do & say things that are unkind & unloving.  Let's make a decision to walk in the grace & compassion of Christ.

That being said, with these relationships healed & forgiven, I believe there is definitely room for both of these websites and many more.

 

If you want to see why I left GCN, go see the "ORAL SEX" thread in the "controversial" forum.

What I wrote got me both positive and negative responses. I was told twice to change it. I did once, but it wasn't still "fitting" for a Christian website...

What I would like to know is...what is a thread about oral sex doing in a Christian website to begin with?!

And I was the only one that I know of that was told to edit my post...and there were other postings in that forum JUST AS BAD as mine. I didn't hear of any of them getting told to edit any of their's!

Okay, let's just all agree to love Jesus!  This world is certainly big enough for both GCN & TSA.  Not to mention lots of other sites.  I don't want anyone on GCN bad mouthing us, so let's not talk about them anymore either.  Agreed?  Is that too "moderatory" of me?  I made up a new word like Susan did!  That's supery!!

That's "suplacious" by me!