Should this forum be closed down?

[Grasshopper]

I think the forum has pros and cons, but the pros outweight the cons, I personally have learned a lot about the faith here, and have probably purchased a few dozen books specifically because they were mentioned or recommended here -- and I don't regret any of those purchases. The mean people and the nutters might turn a few people off, but those people exist in the real world, too. I think the forum is a decent representation of real-world traditional Catholicism, for better or worse. For my own selfish purposes, I would like to see the forum keep going. However, Vox's mental health and the cause of traditional Catholicism supercede my purposes, and I will be OK with whatever is decided.

The main site, on the other hand, is all pros and no cons. Please keep that going, even if the forum doesn't survive.

[StrictCatholicGirl]

It should definitely stay. It's the one forum I've been active in. I have learned so much here. The "meanness" that can hurt the cause is seen on other forums too. I think everybody knows that anonymity on the Internet is a BIG FACTOR. I recall an Eastern Orthodox forum that was shut down due to "lack of charity." But there was so much internal fighting, it has to be the forum owner's judgment.

Here at FE, the "forum rules" and the header before entering the discussion forum - http://www.fisheaters.com/abouttheforum.html make people understand that not all opinions, attitudes, and means of expressions are that of the owner's. When people break the rules they get banned. Vox is doing the best she can.

However I do vote to get rid of the fish count. I think it incites meanness. LOL And perhaps make the more controversial subforums "read only" or non-existent.. They seem to attract trouble.

[Gorgondie]

whats going on hope fisheaters isnt leaving

[drummerboy]

If the FE forum shuts down, then CAF forums will be the biggest forums around   Who will spread the truth of Catholicism?  CAF ain't going to, they have a  modernist agenda to push (of course on CAF its always those damn trads who do the agenda pushing )

[JayneK]

However I do vote to get rid of the fish count. I think it incites meanness.

I've noticed this too.

[drummerboy]

However I do vote to get rid of the fish count. I think it incites meanness.

I've noticed this too.

But how can everyone express their hatred of you than Jayne?

Just kidding.  I don't see much point to the fishies either, and I actually have a good ratio.

[JayneK]

However I do vote to get rid of the fish count. I think it incites meanness.

I've noticed this too.

But how can everyone express their hatred of you than Jayne?

Just kidding.  I don't see much point to the fishies either, and I actually have a good ratio.

My number of fishies is not a problem in itself.  In a recent thread some people started taunting me about it.  Some people will use any weapon in an argument and fishies just give them one more.

[SaraLucille]

If you need to shut down the forum, ok, but I beg you keep the site up.

I'd be sad to see the forum go, but I don't really know of any other site like FE. It helps me and others so much.

[Mithrandylan]

I think it should stay, but I also think that additional moderators should be appointed to get rid of Nazi sympathizers, racists, and others who make trads look bad.

This, but besides that, it's that unnecessary talk (whether or not it's racism or nazi sympathizing, it's imprudent and unnecessary) that would be a legitimate reason to shut the site down.  If people don't want anything to do with FE, have it be because they do not want to love God.  Have it be because they want a hardened heart.  DON'T have it be because someone got all excited to check out traditionalism and then logged onto a site where topics include that kind of nonesense and leave- because it's not part of the faith, and the fact is it doesn't even matter who is right- maybe at the final judgement God will say "And all those black people?  I made 'em for the white people.  They're trash, with no potential for anything"  but the fact is, for all intents and purposes that kind of talk turns people away!  I don't think the apostles treated those who they were evangelizing that way- with no concern at all for how they might re-act, and with no consideration for how someone might (although wrongly) not take the faith seriously because of it's practitioners.

That is, of course, fallacious- leaving a group because of how it's members behave.  But it is not an excuse or a defense.  We should make concessions within the bounds of the faith for people who have an interest in it, and do everything possible short of compromising it in order to make people desire it.  Do we want to save souls or haze somebody into an exclusive club membership?

FE needs to stay up, but I think a stronger moderating presence is very necessary in order to enforce some of those rules.  After the moderation of the forum died down, people got used to the rules being broken so now when a couple people are banned for doing it there's a big outcry when if we remember back, teh reasons given for them being banned have always, as long as the boards been moderated, been enforced.

[Tim]

I voted, I care, but wouldn't blame you if it goes down.  This has evolved, and to me it's getting better. Where once it was populated by twenty something boys who thought they lived in the time of Henry V but with Gandalfo, it's becoming mature. Many of these "knights" had "internet muscles" which are a lot like "beer muscles" . On the internet anonymity forces a persona which is imbued with any kind of virtues or qualities the poster can dream. They compare to "beer muscles" in they are liberating and when all inhibition is thrown off a fight begins. Where they differ is it isn't a bar where some old guy that has actually killed people can reach over and knock your ass out with a beer bottle.

Charity lke a small sapling here is growing. Frankly I attribute it to the aging of FE, and what appears to be more middle agers, and seniors here. Folks like Lisa, Jovann,and Jonicatholic, and more bring WISDOM not knowledge, though they are extremely knowledgeable.

I came here because I stumbled on Vox' arguments over Fr. Gruner while googling. I then found the forum, and  I also found Fr. Gruner. I wouldn't die if this goes away, but frankly it is the one place I go to communicate with you all.

tim