catholic answers forum bars orthodox dicussion

[paradoxy]

*
Just followed up on your suggestion.

"Since I am Banned Please Show me as Banned"
forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?p=2998437#post2998437

I have a slava dinner to attend in a couple of hours!

Oh well, I guess we'll have to be late, as I'll have to see what happens now!

[orthodoxlurker]

Orthodoxlurker, I can't believe they did that! This sure goes from 'mental reservation' and merely implying untruth to outright lying.

Well, sis, "if the goat is lying, teh horn isnt lying", isn't it? (This one could become as famous as "don't mix grandmothers and frogs" in lieu of "don't mix apples and oranges", but I'll hardly become FM any time soon )  That's why I posted the snapshoot.

[paradoxy]

Well, sis, "if the goat is lying, teh horn isnt lying", isn't it? (This one could become as famous as "don't mix grandmothers and frogs" in lieu of "don't mix apples and oranges", but I'll hardly become FM any time soon )  That's why I posted the snapshoot.

ROTFL! 

[the slave]

I've seen it - and have screen shot too

[the slave]

here you are I hope

 




OK - someone tell  me how to do it please

[the slave]

I like your response

[ozgeorge]

MODERATION:
Guys,
Please read Fr. Chris' moderation earlier in this thread:

Source: Link Disabled

Will everyone please read this thread:

http://www.orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/index.php/topic,13455.0.html

Actions not tolerated on this site include:

3) Posting of links to any webfora. 

Fr. Chris' renowned Irish temper with Greek influences is beginnning to be awakened. It would be best for all involved to review the linked thread on this website.
.

This means that you cannot post links to other fora (correct plural of "forum"!).
There may be a way around this.
If you remove the "http://www." from the front of the address you are referring to, it disables the link. Those reading then have to copy and paste it into their browser address bar and add the "www." and/or "http://" at the beginning.
Could you please do so while I check with Fr. Chris if this is acceptable.
Thanks,

George

[Irish Hermit]

I like your response

*
I see the number of readers of the message has jumped up to 136.  At least people are learning the truth about the secret bannings.

[paradoxy]

*
I see the number of readers of the message has jumped up to 136.  At least people are learning the truth about the secret bannings.

Bless, Father!

I've just seen this, too! Just everyone note, if replying to this topic, that Crumpy changed the title - so re-type the original one, please.

[ozgeorge]

MODERATION:
Guys,
One more thing.
This thread is probably going to use a lot of images.
Try to avoid uploading the image by attaching it to your post, as this uses up our bandwidth. Instead, what you can do is upload your image to a free image hosting site like www.imageshack.us and then linking to your image by adding the direct link to the image in your post thus:
[img]http://www.imagehoster.com/myimage.jpg[/img]

George

[Irish Hermit]

Please read Fr. Chris' moderation earlier in this thread:

Apologies.  I saw a post which said something about allowing links in this particular thread and restoring ones that the Mod had deleted, or maybe it was only about discussing whether we could show links in this thread?

If you remove the "http://www." from the front of the address you are referring to, it disables the link. Those reading then have to copy and paste it into their browser address bar and add the "www." and/or "http://" at the beginning.
Could you please do so while I check with Fr. Chris if this is acceptable.

Just went to do so, but you beat me to it. Thanks.

[the slave]

Father , Bless

Your thread continues to grow

[paradoxy]

Father , Bless

Your thread continues to grow

...and now it's gone...

[Irish Hermit]

...and now it's gone...

*
Alas.

But now I can go to bed and you can go to the Slava.   

[Irish Hermit]

New thread started by Cascherman in Staff Chat

What is happening to our Orthodox Members?
forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?p=2998544#post2998544

[ozgeorge]

"But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him...."

[Heracleides]

I just checked CAF and see that I have a nice, clear, and concise Banned beneath my single post which hasn't vanished (yet).

I am now feeling very special. 

You others just didn't try hard enough. 

[JoeS]

New thread started by Cascherman in Staff Chat

What is happening to our Orthodox Members?
forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?p=2998544#post2998544

If Cascherman keeps insisting on knowing why we are not there, he may find himself on the outside looking in.

[the slave]

Update

For those who can get there - there is a new locked thread

for those that can't
<<I want to have a peaceful Thanksgiving with my family.

If you have questions or concerns about the changes in the Eastern Catholicism board, about the response to changes in the Eastern Catholicism board, about the posting privileges of people who were active on the Eastern Christianity board, or about any other moderator or administrator actions in any way related to the Eastern Christianity or Eastern Catholicism boards, then you may direct them to the moderators or administrators by phone, email, or PM.

Any member who publicly posts on the issue again will be banned.

I regret that this decision is necessary and I welcome personal messages with questions or concerns. This public barrage is in violation of several of our forum rules and is now done.>>

I make no comment

[wynd]

Not a big deal. Yet, for the sake of facts, I never requested my account to be suspended.

That's how ecumenical talks with some RC end.

So they "resigned" you on their own?

Side note: nice OS choice 

[stashko]

Happy Thanksgiving  to every body......Brother Stashko

[Papa Gregorio]

Just attempted to sign in as athair ambrois and this is what happened......

____________________________
Your account has been locked for the following reason:
No reason was specified.

This change will be lifted: Never
____________________________

I think the tactics they've adopted have been inspired by "the Godfather" - you all remember the part in the movie where Michael Corleone bumps off all his enemies in one fell swoop. I can just picture CAF staff and sympathisers gathering around Catherine Grant to kiss her hand in gratitude.

[Magicsilence]

I think the tactics they've adopted have been inspired by "the Godfather" - you all remember the part in the movie where Michael Corleone bumps off all his enemies in one fell swoop. I can just picture CAF staff and sympathisers gathering around Catherine Grant to kiss her hand in gratitude.

At first, I was inclined to sympathize with the Orthodox following the recent moves, but many posts, including this one, have caused me to have doubts about whether the moderators have acted unfairly.

If you can't realise that the moderators are, at the end of the day, only people, who are trying to grow closer to God and His Son, and can only mock them from a distance, it only confirms their actions against you.

In Jesus Christ,

[Irish Hermit]

At first, I was inclined to sympathize with the Orthodox following the recent moves, but many posts, including this one, have caused me to have doubts about whether the moderators have acted unfairly.

*
Hello Magic,

Eight of the roughly eleven secretly banned members want to have theit status shown correctly.  It is duplicitous of the CAF Admin to show us as active members when they have banned us.

I am lobbying them on CAF to "do the right thing" and show our status truthfully.

[Papa Gregorio]

At first, I was inclined to sympathize with the Orthodox following the recent moves, but many posts, including this one, have caused me to have doubts about whether the moderators have acted unfairly.

If you can't realise that the moderators are, at the end of the day, only people, who are trying to grow closer to God and His Son, and can only mock them from a distance, it only confirms their actions against you.

In Jesus Christ,

Oh come on brother, don't be so sensitive, it's just a little humour.  Are you touchy because England failed to qualify for Euro2008? 

[Irish Hermit]

I am lobbying them on CAF to "do the right thing" and show our status truthfully.

*
Dear Magic,

I just signed up to CAF and sent them another message asking for some honesty.  You probably did not see it since it was there for only about 20 minutes, but viewed by 35 people.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Wishing all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Catherine,

We who are secretly banned by the Admin ask that you do the honest thing and show us with a "Banned" tag. We think it is not at all honest that you show us as active members when we are not. And you are damaging our reputation.

Thank you.

Fr Ambrose
________________________________

[BigFatGreekDaddy]

*
Dear Magic,

I just signed up to CAF and sent them another message asking for some honesty.  You probably did not see it since it was there for only about 20 minutes, but viewed by 35 people.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Wishing all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Catherine,

We who are secretly banned by the Admin ask that you do the honest thing and show us with a "Banned" tag. We think it is not at all honest that you show us as active members when we are not. And you are damaging our reputation.

Thank you.

Fr Ambrose
________________________________

I do hope that I am included in th category of being listed as banned.
My offense was minimal, but more than what most people who are here did.

I at least questioned the morality issue of forcing Orthodox to not refer to themselves as catholics.
Not that this should have been a bannable offense, but whatever....

Please consider me on the long list of Orthodox martyred on the CAF 

icxc.nika

AKA bigfatgreekdaddy

[Marc1152]

*
Hello Magic,

Eight of the roughly eleven secretly banned members want to have theit status shown correctly.  It is duplicitous of the CAF Admin to show us as active members when they have banned us.

I am lobbying them on CAF to "do the right thing" and show our status truthfully.

Make that nine secretly banned member want the have their status shown correctly. Please add my name. I was there only a few months but I never got a single warning or explaination.   

[Irish Hermit]

At first, I was inclined to sympathize with the Orthodox following the recent moves, but many posts, including this one, have caused me to have doubts about whether the moderators have acted unfairly.

If you can't realise that the moderators are, at the end of the day, only people, who are trying to grow closer to God and His Son, and can only mock them from a distance, it only confirms their actions against you.

Magic,

I have to say that it is developing  more and more of a Gestapo-KGB atmosphere on CAF.

Have you seen the new requirement from the Mods that even private PMs must be reported to them if they break any Forum Rules, such as discussing Moderator decisions.   This is extending their moderatorial powers even into the realm of free speech between private individuals.  Can that be done legally in America? 

The Signature of Moderator Patrick Eastin.  If you cannot find a message from him, look at his Profile:

"Private Messages are posts too.
If you receive a PM that violates the Forum Rules or Banned Topics, please forward it to the forum Mod and it will be dealt with."

[Marc1152]

I think a statement from us should be written, perahaps in reply to the long statement they produced. They cant stop word of it being spread by PM's if the person doesnt care if he is banned afterwards. And I know they are reading this but it really matters not.

Btw, shame on you.

[Fr. George]

I don't think you have the protection of free speech in a private environment such as a privately owned forum.

[Irish Hermit]

I don't think you have the protection of free speech in a private environment such as a privately owned forum.

Must be an American thing?

Here, private environments (such as telephone communications operated by the privately owned organisations, etc.) are protected.

Basically you are saying that what CAF decribes to its members as "private messages" are not in fact private and the Admin have the right to ask members to report other members' private messages?   It smacks of the old Soviet Union and its system of spying and reporting on one another.

[Alexius]

Happy Thanksgiving  to every body......Brother Stashko

To you too...

[Alexius]

Update

For those who can get there - there is a new locked thread

for those that can't
<<I want to have a peaceful Thanksgiving with my family.

If you have questions or concerns about the changes in the Eastern Catholicism board, about the response to changes in the Eastern Catholicism board, about the posting privileges of people who were active on the Eastern Christianity board, or about any other moderator or administrator actions in any way related to the Eastern Christianity or Eastern Catholicism boards, then you may direct them to the moderators or administrators by phone, email, or PM.

Any member who publicly posts on the issue again will be banned.

I regret that this decision is necessary and I welcome personal messages with questions or concerns. This public barrage is in violation of several of our forum rules and is now done.>>

I make no comment

Yes, I saw this earlier today

[Specs]

Magic,

I have to say that it is developing  more and more of a Gestapo-KGB atmosphere on CAF.

Have you seen the new requirement from the Mods that even private PMs must be reported to them if they break any Forum Rules, such as discussing Moderator decisions.   This is extending their moderatorial powers even into the realm of free speech between private individuals.  Can that be done legally in America? 

I think this sig was actually in response to the spate of spam that hit them...some a bit pornographic in nature and the rest asking for help to transfer money, and so forth.

[Irish Melkite]

I think this sig was actually in response to the spate of spam that hit them...some a bit pornographic in nature and the rest asking for help to transfer money, and so forth.

In fairness to them, I'd agree with that assessment.

Many years,

Neil

[Irish Hermit]

I think this sig was actually in response to the spate of spam that hit them...some a bit pornographic in nature and the rest asking for help to transfer money, and so forth.

*
If that is so they should be specific about it.  As it stands they are asking members to report on other members' PMs for infractions of the "Rules or Banned Topics" and banned topics include discussions and criticisms of moderators and their activities and decisions.

[Irish Melkite]

ooooooh sneaky

Does anyone know if they are actually banning by IP or have managed to link folks alter egos ?

Most fora don't bother doing IP bans initially, except when it's a spammer, porn poster, etc - but will do so if they suspect a bannee is likely to try and circumvent a ban by re-registering or will do it once that happens. As to using proxiy servers, such as "hide-my-IP", the IP ranges for a lot of those are routinely banned because they've been encountered/identified previously.

The ability to link alter egos is dependent on a lot of things (the alter egos of long-time, heavy-duty posters like Father are almost certainly known, especially since he never made any effort to hide it) - the time someone is willing to devote, the tools used (e-mail matches, IP matches, profile clues, etc), the ability to match up stylisms, or - in the case of most of those banned in this case - the obvious topic. Truth be told, circumventors are generally seen as nusciances and chasing them down can become an end in itself. Keep in mind, though, that the nusciance factor lends itself to being manipulated by the powers-that-be, giving them something at which to point and say "see, they're disruptive, they have no respect, they think the rules don't apply to them - we told you he/she/they were bad people" 

Many years,

Neil

[Irish Hermit]

Dear Neil,

As a long time and experienced CAFite what is your opinion?

Will our lobbying to have our status shown accurately be effective or will the CAF staff continue (not to beat around the bush) to lie about our banned status and show us as active members?  In doing so they are deceiving their own members and the results are that the members form negative opinions about the bannees.

I have to say that my appreciation for Catholic adherence to truth has plummeted as a result of the CAF Admin's actions, and while I am well aware that they do not represent Catholics as a whole, this affair is leaving a nasty taste in my mouth.

[Irish Melkite]

Dear Neil,

As a long time and experienced CAFite what is your opinion?

Will our lobbying to have our status shown accurately be effective or will the CAF staff continue (not to beat around the bush) to lie about our banned status and show us as active members?  In doing so they are deceiving their own members and the results are that the members form negative opinions about the bannees.

I have to say that my appreciation for Catholic adherence to truth has plummeted as a result of the CAF Admin's actions, and while I am well aware that they do not represent Catholics as a whole, this affair is leaving a nasty taste in my mouth.

Bless Father,

They are unlikely to make any changes. Intransigence is rampant there.

You may recollect our early shared experience there, when we both took exception to Karl Keating's statement that the Holy Fire was the product of a Zippo lighter - a thread that fast disappeared when many took umbrage to his statement. As I recollect, no retraction, apology, etc was forthcoming; rather. the elder Irish-Serb-Russian-Kiwi hieromonk and the only slightly younger Irish-Melkite-Bostonian both got the boot for a period of about 30 days each for pursuing the issue - technically, I think, for "questionning moderator action on the open fora" 

Despite reasoned explanations as to why "Divine Liturgy" should be capitalized (as is "Mass") by CAF apologists in their responses to queries posted in the Ask An Apologist forum, the mind-boggling reply was some blither about the necessity to capitalize "Mass" - the liturgical celebration - to distinguish it from "mass", a distinction not required for the "divine liturgy", which only merited capitalization when referencing a particular Divine Liturgy, such as that of Saint John Chrysostom. (I do believe that I still have a 3 year old PM from Keating himself, acknowledging that as a poor decision - but a recent AAA post by Michelle Arnold still reflects a lack of capitalization).

And I believe that you and I previously discussed, in the open fora there, the erroneous statement on one of the site's library pages that the EP and the Pope concelebrated at St Peter's - an error that I (and I believe also you) called to their attention via PM, receiving assurance that it would be corrected. Last I looked, not long ago, the misinformation was still there - and it's been a long time (couple of years) since the exchange.

Not much changes there - there is a presumed level of infallibility associated with the place. We said it, so it must be right; if not, pretend.

Many years,

Neil

[Irish Hermit]

And I believe that you and I previously discussed, in the open fora there, the erroneous statement on one of the site's library pages that the EP and the Pope concelebrated at St Peter's - an error that I (and I believe also you) called to their attention via PM, receiving assurance that it would be corrected. Last I looked, not long ago, the misinformation was still there - and it's been a long time (couple of years) since the exchange.

Still there...

" ...and in 1995, Pope John Paul II and Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople concelebrated the Eucharist together."

Reference: Eastern Orthodoxy
catholic.com/library/eastern_orthodoxy.asp

One wonders at the level of knowledge of the authors of these articles.  Anybody with even a limited knowledge of the East would know that the sky would have fallen in if the Patriarch concelebrated the Eucharist with the Pope.  He would have been repudiated by 99% of the Orthodox world and the monks of Athos would have written 12 tomes anathematizing him.
PS to our Mod:  I still haven't grasped the rules about links.  On CAF it was always expected that we would back up a statement like the above with a relevant link.  Is that OK here?

[ozgeorge]

PS to our Mod:  I still haven't grasped the rules about links.  On CAF it was always expected that we would back up a statement like the above with a relevant link.  Is that OK here?

It's links to forums which are problematic. See http://www.orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/index.php/topic,13455.msg186146.html#msg186146 especially No.3.
Since the direct link you provided links to Catholic Answers which has a forum, it starts getting a bit "iffy", so I suggest you disable your link as I have described earlier. This is a temporary solution I've come up with, and I'm still discussing with Fr. Chris to determine whether this disabling of links is acceptable. As you can appreciate, our American friends are currently celebrating Thanksgiving, so I don't expect an answer soon!

But I have a more important question for you Fr. Ambrose:
Do you play chess?

[paradoxy]

At first, I was inclined to sympathize with the Orthodox following the recent moves, but many posts, including this one, have caused me to have doubts about whether the moderators have acted unfairly.

If you can't realise that the moderators are, at the end of the day, only people, who are trying to grow closer to God and His Son, and can only mock them from a distance, it only confirms their actions against you.

In Jesus Christ,

Dear Magicsilence, 

Thank you for the reminder. We shouldn't forget to pray for all involved and not take any of this personally, while speaking up against what we see as unjust, uncalled-for and... well... sneaky actions.

I wish we weren't gossiping from a distance. I wish we were given a chance to publicly, openly and honestly discuss this with CAF mods. But we are unable to.

And, FWIW, I can only see Papa Gregorio's post as innocently jocular.

God bless you!   

[prodromos]

Bless Father,

They are unlikely to make any changes. Intransigence is rampant there.

You may recollect our early shared experience there, when we both took exception to Karl Keating's statement that the Holy Fire was the product of a Zippo lighter - a thread that fast disappeared when many took umbrage to his statement. As I recollect, no retraction, apology, etc was forthcoming; rather. the elder Irish-Serb-Russian-Kiwi hieromonk and the only slightly younger Irish-Melkite-Bostonian both got the boot for a period of about 30 days each for pursuing the issue - technically, I think, for "questionning moderator action on the open fora" 

I remember responding to Mr Keating's post in a manner which would have allowed him to retract without losing face. Instead the thread disappeared, though he did off handedly admit to not being infallible before that happened in response to another Catholic poster's apparent belief in his inability to post anything incorrect. 

[Irish Hermit]

But I have a more important question for you Fr. Ambrose:
Do you play chess?

Forbidden, as a great wickedness, by canons of both the Greek and Russian Churches.

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