www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall 2 questions - Forum and name

Sisters and brothers in Christ,

1. Why a forum exists? What is the meaning, the deep reason of a forum?

2. Why not all the people use their baptismal names in a forum? I mean the publicly displayed name.

Thank you for your answers.

In Christ, Marian +

Dear, in Christ, Marian,

It is a forum, I suppose, in the sense of the meeting place in the middle of the town, city, community. A place to meet and talk, like in the old forums throughout the empire. This place is like that 'meeting place', I think.

Many of us do use our Christian names, (or monastic names). Some prefer to be anonymous, unknown. It is the choice of the individual, I think.

the unworthy,

Elias

1. The town hall in real live towns, sidewalks, and city squares have almost all been eliminated. This is the best substitute we have been able to come up with. Kind of sad. Before the car urbanization meant civilization. Now we do this, sort of, electronically. Not a good substitute but about all we have.

2. I hurriedly signed on and then discovered I couldn't change it once I entered it. I will sign off using my patron saints name and the sign off line I would use if I could. I understand that John is soon to get a new platform for this forum and then perhaps we can use our patron's name and have a signature line.

Athanasios

Listen to "Light of the East" 820, 930 a.m. in Chicago area and nationwide on Relevant Radio and Ave Maria radio. Or go to www.byzantinecatholic.com [byzantinecatholic.com] and click on "Radio". Father is also on at 7:00 a.m. CST

Dear Marian,

To be perfectly serious, this is called a "forum" after the old Roman forums where gladiators fought to the death so as to entertain many people . . .

Perhaps it is because some of our discussions here resemble gladiatorial combat - and the Administrator fulfills the role of Caesar in deciding who really wins . . .

And people don't always use their real names just like gladiators sometimes put on masks . . .

Or else they don't have as nice names as you and I!

Alex

Alex:

There you go again!

The FORUM in ancient Rome was a public square or marketplace where open shouting matches were held. When the spectators disagree, or dislike the contenders, they throw rotten eggs or tomatoes at them and, often, among each other!

Whereas, it was at the COLOSSEUM (Coliseum) where the ancient Romans entertained themselves with circuses, gladiators' fight-to-the-death, and other spectator-friendly sports like feeding live Christians to the lions! :p

Amado

Now Alex. I've had much rougher encounters on my front porch than I've ever had here. But then I grew up in a rough neighborhood.

Dan L

I think civilation may not need a Colosseum, but we sure need FORA. That's why I don't see the anti-protests against the nude protesters to be any big deal. Just so they don't shoot guns or throw knives.

Dan L

Dear Amado,

Well, I've heard the interior of the coliseum referred to as a "forum" as a space where tense conflict, of an intellectual OR physical nature goes on.

That's also how my wrestling coach in high school used the term.

You are free to disagree with him.

I, for one, wouldn't want to . . .

Alex the Roman

Bless me Father Elias,

I like how you said: 'meeting place'.

Father, could the Kingdom of God be considered a forum? A place in which all the souls meet face to face, praising the Most Holy Trinity?

Thank you, friends, for your answers. I do believe that a forum or agora is something really serious.
Beyond the meaning of the original sense. A deeper meaning.

I will add later some thoughts, so I will try. Now I strive to express them into the English language.

Unworthy, Marian +

Oops, I forgot to comment on Marian's 2nd question.

It is MY personal experience that Internet discourse becomes more pleasant and charitable where you are corresponding with a LIVE and REAL person, or, at least, some indication that that "other" is a rational being.

I feel more comfortable with Alex because everybody knows that he is, in real life, Alex, aka Alexander Roman, Ph.D. or with (Carson) Dan Lauffer, because he really is. It is hard to relate to a "thingie" like "InternetJunkie123." If not, signing one's post with a nickname or first name comes a long way.

Have you noticed that all the clergy who participate here use their real names? (I hope!)

So, thanks Marian (who is, I think, really Marian* and that he is male and not female!) for your questions.

Amado Guerrero

*Recalling Marian Cardinal Jaworski of the Latin Catholics in Ukraine and a friend whose compound first name is "Jose Maria."

Brother Dan Lauffer or Athanasios,

I went to that site and listened a little to Father Loya. Well, but it sounds so American!!! But I understood, Father Thomas has a special gift, he talks so clearly. Thank you for showing this address.

Peace,

Marian

Dear Brother Amado, in our Risen Lord,

You think right, my baptismal name is Marian, and in Romania it is a common masculine name. And not only in this country.

Thank you for your answers.

May God bless you all. Here it has begun a new liturgical day, the Friday. You know the significance of this day.

Unworthy, Marian +

Dear Amado,

"It is more pleasant corresponding with a REAL person."

Thank you for the compliment, Big Guy!

I think you're REAL too!

Does the U.S. have a long weekend this weekend coming up?

Our government is calling the first Monday of August the "Ontario Day" holiday . . .

Alex

The more things change...

AnonymousNetUser88

Marian the first question is answered well.

The second is that of security. People are often afraid. It is pretty common on the internet that people use other than their real names in post places because they are afraid of being harrassed or followed by someone, i.e. stalkers, etc. Also, by not giving a true name or location there is no accountability. They come and say what they want, as we have seen happen here recently, trying to create drama. Thanks be to God for our wonderful administrators here, this forum is a place of shelter, solace in a / to a hurting world. But you know what, we may not be able to hold them accoutable - but God sure does.

I know personally I take the Admin for granted all to often, but they keep this place running pretty free of pain and suffering and allow us to be us. That is a pretty awesome job when one has folks gathering from all over the world and we learn to know and love each other by typing over a phone line. I guess it is kind of like Scripture says about every race and nation as in Rev. 5:9

9And they sang a new song:
"You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Here we are! We are a people who have all been purchased by his blood and we sing a new song...the song of life in Christ in every tongue from so many nations .
GLORY TO GOD!

Pani Rose