RiseUp! discussion

Dear Group Members,

I have decided that being involved in this oxymoron of a group is not a good thing for me to be doing, and I have decided to leave it. Let me tell you why.

When I first joined this group, I joined it because I thought it would "rise me up". Instead, I have found that it has "put me down". No, the atheists and debates have not beaten me, but I realized that there are way better things to do than sit on my phone checking Goodreads every two seconds. There are better things to think about than how I should word my next comment. And there are better things to be filling my Christian mind with than atheist speeches.

As for the betterment of the group, I do think that the acceptance of atheists was a mistake. I know the mods meant only good to come of it, I know the mods meant to show atheists the gift of Jesus. But being born again is a team effort. We did our part for them, we told them the truth about God. And through this group, Christ has shown His light to them as well. But the nonbeliever also has a part to play. They must unwrap the gift, they must let in His light. Yes, God can turn anyone to Him, but He won't without the effort of the nonbeliever. And that is just not the easiest thing to do over the internet. It's too easy to type a sharp reply, too easy not to listen to a word we say. When the members have hate for God and hate for any religion, it is no longer a group of Christians or even turning someone to God. It is a group of battle and fighting.

There are other Christian groups out there. Shockingly, here are Christian groups that are for CHRISTIANS. Like my group, Rejoice In The Lord Always! Groups that discuss the greatness of The Lord our God in peace. It has calm nature, not the heated war that mixing Believers with atheists has created with this group.

I know you don't want anyone to feel left out. But I'm sure the atheists didn't join this group that they disagreed with thinking everyone would accept them. I'm not saying anything bad about atheists in general, just atheists that intentionally join a group that they hate merely to spark trouble. I think we all know by now that the atheists didn't come with "questions" about our "religion". Perhaps some did, but surely not all. And you know what? If they feel "left out", then they can go join an atheist group. Jesus didn't let an atheist be one of His twelve disciples, and He won't let nonbelievers into heaven either.

So I've decided to leave, because I joined a Christian group, not a fight-atheists group. I wish nothing but the best for you all.

Sincerely,
Sammi

Hey, you don't have to leave the group. Just don't post in the serious discussion threads. We have threads for music, movies, a chat thread where we talk about all kinds of stuff, game threads, etc. There are many places you can post without feeling like you're in a battle, and plenty of places where you could be built up rather than torn down.

No, who cares. Made things easier, her leaving. Now things can get back to normal. She can go enjoy her little peaceful groups since obviously we weren't GOOD enough for her!

Wow, that seems a little harsh Paige.

well I wasn't stupid enough to leave immediately. i stayed long enough to see what ya'll said. what is normal, Paige? letting atheists get away with dissing OUR Lord? if you want it to be that, then change the group name. don't try and convince others that it's "calm and fun" as the description says. funny how you will defend your enemies, but hate on me for defending my Savior. At least now I have another reason to leave the group......

and if you don't like my peaceful group, that only PRAISES the Prince of Peace, then why don't you leave it? Jesus didn't like fighting, He called Himself the Prince of Peace, so how could it be anything but GOOD to worship Him in a place of ONLY peace?

Saddleseat Sammi wrote: "Dear Group Members,

I have decided that being involved in this oxymoron of a group is not a good thing for me to be doing, and I have decided to leave it. Let me tell you why.

When I first joined..."

thank you Mojo, I would love to stay, but I'm clearly not welcome here. Even as a devoted Christian. I'm sorry.

"I'm not saying anything bad about atheists in general, just atheists that intentionally join a group that they hate merely to spark trouble."
I'd say that's saying something bad about atheists in general.
And thanks for saying I'm Paige's enemy. I'm her friend, no matter the difference in belief.
When I first came here, I asked permission. Mainly because what you said here would get shot down immediately by an atheist in person.
And Paige doesn't hate you for 'defending your Savior'. She's slightly annoyed because you're not exactly doing much yourself to keep the peace. Least of all this thread.

I don't see anything wrong with her clearly explaining her reasons for leaving.
Wow is this thread getting volatile quickly!

I am doing something to keep the peace. I'm leaving this group. And you yourself haven't done much to keep the peace, in fact you are the very source of it. I'm not mad at you solely, it's just that this group isn't my cup of tea. Don't be mad at me either. We disagree and we might always disagree. But don't attack my decision to leave, as Paige did. It is my decision.

Am I contributing to that? Please tell me if I am.
I'm rather blunt, so to speak.

Paigetwo *Caitlyn* wrote: "No, who cares. Made things easier, her leaving. Now things can get back to normal. She can go enjoy her little peaceful groups since obviously we weren't GOOD enough for her!"

Paige, remember what Jennifer said. That comment was completely uncalled for. We need to respect each other here. Not trying to be rude here, but: The Code of Conduct. Sammi, you need to show some respect to Paige too. She's trying. We're all trying on here and in life. Please treat others the way you want to be treated. Keep discussions civil.

Saddleseat Sammi wrote: "I am doing something to keep the peace. I'm leaving this group. And you yourself haven't done much to keep the peace, in fact you are the very source of it. I'm not mad at you solely, it's just tha..."

I'm not attacking your decision to leave. I'm attacking your condemnation of atheists as the source of all that is bad in this group. And I'm defending Paige, my friend.

The Phantom wrote: ""I'm not saying anything bad about atheists in general, just atheists that intentionally join a group that they hate merely to spark trouble."
I'd say that's saying something bad about atheists in ..."


Yea, that's what Im saying or have been trying to all this time. But my words are always twisted and I don't really care anymore. Im used to this already..

Isn't that in the rules, Paige? Just because you might not like me for leaving doesn't mean you need to tell me that. All the more reason TO leave.

I AM NOT CONDEMNING ATHEISTS!!!!!! Please, I just don't like to fight, but I WILL defend my God and myself. Don't be mad, I just want to serve God in PEACE!

Wow guys seriously I think all of you guys could stand to lay off a little. Agree to disagree and leave it at that cause this is going nowhere.

It's just a big misunderstanding, we take each other's words too personally. I wasn't mad at anyone when I posted that I was leaving. And here are a bunch of people mad at me.....when all I want is to worship Jesus in peace, not anger, not war.

Thank you Breanna!

I'm sorry it had to happen this way Sammi!

Breanna wrote: "Wow guys seriously I think all of you guys could stand to lay off a little. Agree to disagree and leave it at that cause this is going nowhere."

The voice of reason.

Look, Sammi clearly has some hurt feelings here. Jumping down her throat was not the classiest move. Sometimes, the less said, the soonest mended.

I get what you were trying to say, and I see the other people's point of view too. I think it's not a topic worth further discussion. This group is what it is, and as you said, there's other groups out there for you if you like. There's no point continuing the argument.

How about I just leave? Make everyone happy.

Amen, and goodbye.

I wasn't saying that to you Paige! We just posted at the same time! :)

Paigetwo *Caitlyn* wrote: "How about I just leave? Make everyone happy."

-_-

People leaving makes no one happy.

Yes i can see that.....lol ironic....Paige, it's not that this group wasn't good enough for me. It was great for a while, but now you always seem worn down and it's just not my cup of tea....as they say, I just wanted out. too much drama, and not just from you. It's nothing personal and i'm sorry if you thought that it was your fault. :)

I am sorry I did not see this yesterday.

I respect your decision, Sammi, but... I will say one thing:
What will you do when you join the working world? You will have to learn to tolerate the views of others and look past that at the person behind them. When the adultress was thrown at Jesus's feet, He didn't berate her for her sins, unlike the Pharisees. Instead, He said one sentence to the Pharisees, wrote in the sand, and when He got up, they'd walked away. Because of this, the woman saw the grace and mercy of God –– she deserved to die, according to the laws of that day. If we put all of our focus on what is "wrong" in someone's life (whether or not it actually is wrong), then we miss the treasure of a person that is standing in front of us and, essentially, condemn them.

Paigetwo *Caitlyn* wrote: "How about I just leave? Make everyone happy."
Erm... No. That would not make me happy.