Why leave the list because of a few?
Personally, this has been the most thought provoking question for me since I've been on the list. And to be honest, I'm not quite sure what the answer is. I could say that "a few rotten apples spoil the entire bushel ", but as you suggest, I ignore 99% of the negative threads. So while the negativity may play a part, I don't think that's the real reason.
I think the bigger reason is the feeling and the tone that I get from the list -- something that's there but hard to measure. Like the scripture in John 3:8 says, I can hear the wind and I can feel it, too, but I just can't see it -- something that's there but hard to put my finger on.
I've been on LDS lists before, and I've excused myself before. Perhaps it's the nature of discussion groups in general or my own set of personal inadequacies or likely a combination of both. For some reason, my expectation is to feel that I'm participating in a Family Home Evening, where the feelings are warm and affectionate. Instead, I generally come away with the same feeling that I get when I visit a different ward in the stake, like I'm simply a visitor and not really part of the group, the odd man out, the goofball over in the corner.
The Lord loves goofballs, so why can't we love each other a bit more? Because of fear, I suppose.
As I ponder my thoughts and feelings out loud here, I suppose what I'm looking for can't be found, at least not from within an internet discussion group. If I don't feel genuinely greeted or warmly welcomed by fellow church members in a different ward, how can I expect to get this feeling and interaction from letters and words on a computer screen?
I've enjoyed your comments, Steven, and your views are very similar to mine. I wish you and others here the best --
GBWYTWMA,
TJ
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(o o)
--ooO-(_)-Ooo--
Reduce or eliminate your need for glasses
NATURALLY.
http://www.geocities.com/simplyvision/
==========================================From: Steven Montgomery <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [ZION] Goodbye Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 08:56:57 -0600
At 08:00 AM 6/10/2003, you wrote:Goodbye, Gerald, and thank you for all your interesting posts.
I, too, will be signing off the list. No, don't shed a tear for me -- I'll be all right. I've enjoyed the list discussions but not as much as I thought I would. By the name of the list, I thought there would be a bit more camaraderie and a little less rivalry, but I think I was wrong. And please forgive me if I sound judgemental, because I'm not accusing anyone of anything. I certainly have no room to cast any stones -- I'm simply trying to make sense of my short experience here.
Anyhow, good luck to you all, and may your personal decisions bring you joy and peace --
Terrance Hammond
TJ
Most people in my experience on ZION and LDS-DOCTRINE *are* respectful and try to be friends with all. Many simply enjoy the discussions and lurk because they either don't have the time to actively participate or feel inadequate to do so. A few have strong opinions and feelings but we always have the option to simply ignore them. Why leave the list because of a few?
-- Steven Montgomery [EMAIL PROTECTED]
The overall performance of the college graduates in the Convention of 1787 speaks forcefully for the proposition that Latin, rhetoric, philosophy, and mathematics can be a healthy fare for political heroes.----Clinton Rossiter
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