www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Byzantine evangelization? Don't make me laugh

Dear Anastasios,

You'd make a great priest (Orthodox or whatever, your choice!).

Alex

Thanks Alex!

Just as a point of clarification -

While I did not address Daniel's play on Angela's name, I did think that it crossed a line, especially since her comments were more substantive than just just mere name calling. I deliberately chose to ignore it, though, because I agreed with his overall premise, as I mentioned in my previous posting.

And, IMHO, there is absolutely no excuse for referring to a guest as a "troll".

If we can only be as civil as the orange demonstrators in Kiev . . . I mean "Kyiv" . . .


But I'm surprised the Administrator or the Moderator of this thread (does Fr. Deacon John Montalvo have responsibility for it? This sounds like his usual slower response . . . ) haven't declared Angela a "no attack poster."

Gosh, but it's getting hot in this shawl . . . I guess it's O.K. if you're freezing in the streets of Kyiv . . .

Alex

Alex dear ,

They are not cold in the streets of Kyiv tonight - they are keeping warm at the biggest street party that Kyiv has ever seen [ or heard

Oh and before any one says - it's the Vodka - I'm told that alcohol has been banned during the demos

Anhelyna

I must be prepared to eat some crow here...

A gracious poster clarified the meaning of "troll" for me in a private message. Here I thought it meant flesh-eating bottom dwelling monster, but instead it turns out that it's more of a reference to fishing to get people to their website! My apologies!!!

As Job said, I place my hand over my mouth (or keyboard, as the case may be!!!)

Gordo, who is trolling for his self-respect

Gordo,

Trolls are strange beasts - either in fairytales or on the Internet.

Do not feel bad about it.

We just seem to have had a run of folk who have sort of got beneath the skin recently - and I think some of us are now very very wary.

Anhelyna

Gordo,

Actually, the definition you were given is certainly the historical internet one, related to those who popped into a chat room or forum - and as skills became more sophisticated, used bots to do so - seeking to lure folks to their site. However, its more common usage these days is that which you described as your understanding - anyone, not a regular at a site, who passes through for the sole purpose of annoying or disrupting. So, it's not surprising that you concluded what you did.

Churchwork was clearly of the classic definition - a fisher. You can be forgiven for not knowing that usage, as I have to admit surprise that they'd be many around who recollected it.

Many years,

Neil, who can confidently assert that your age in internet years is showing if the classic definition of a troll is what comes first to your mind

I apologize to Angela for the sarcastic remark; I was a bit startled by her rejection of the guy, as in my experience she has always been kind. And being relatively new to the internet I didn't know the internet definition of "troll"; I thought it meant the kind of critter who lives under bridges and eats travelers. I am thinking of changing my screen name to "Our Lady's smart aleck of sarcasm".
That said, I stand by my criticisms; he was a young zealot, and should have been treated with more respect. When those who criticized him expressed no interest in Nee, who is so important to Troy's thought, I think it betrayed an uncharitable dismissal of our guest.
I know there have been a lot of contentious characters drifting through, but every visitor is worthy of our welcome until they betray trust. We ought not assume the worst of a newcomer. I grant that Troy seemed prideful, but as I former zealot, I can assure you that time has a way of knocking that out of you...your insults will only confirm his attitude.
-Daniel

So, dear Neil, am I to infer that you think me an ancient fogey since I can recall the original derivation of the term?

-- Penthaetria, whose joints tell her its going to be cold tonight

I accept your apology Daniel - I don't often react quite like that - but you see I do have an extremely bad habit - I have a look at profiles and home pages .

Troy's really worried me - and still does for that matter.

have you looked at
https://www.byzcath.org/bboard/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=002906;p=3.

This is what concerned me . I really did look reasonably closely at his Site . I cannot see much desire to talk to people .

I don't really enjoy being told
Such things are foretold in the Scriptures, and when Christ returns, though you may be saved, He will destroy your organization. Praise the Lord!

Troy needs our prayers - I hope he will accept them in the spirit in which we offer them - one of love and charity, but I'm afraid ... very afraid

Anhelyna

Quote: "After several days of hostility to him, one of the posters asked "Who is this Nee fellow, anyway?"
____________________________

Iconophile:

With all due respect, I'm the poster who asked the question about Nee. Having never heard of the gentleman, I thought it was an appropriate question. And if you look at the remarks surrounding it, I asked, at the risk of seeming to be way behind the learning curve, with no disrespect intended.

My own statment: "At the risk of looking like a dunce--why not, it fits--who is this Nee person?"

Sorry that I poked a little fun at myself in, perhaps, a lame attempt to lighten up this dialogue.

As for a couple days of treating this gentleman with disrespect, I came on this thread and merely joined the dialogue with what I thought was a standard explanation of what I understand the common position of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches to be.

Perhaps I could have stated things in a less direct way, but I thought a short, succinct reply was simply an addition to the dialogue. However, I interpreted the poster's tone to be arrogant, condescending, and combative by his choice of words and approach. Word choice and syntax add levels of meaning to the deep structure of the grammar that betray more than the surface meaning. And it seems to me that one cannot enter the realm of Christian theology, practice, exegesis without being keenly aware of this.

So, if I have offended, please accept this as an apology. I had never been to another board to experience this gentleman, but I have read many of the same or similar tracts and treatises by others in the same vein outside the internet. It has been, unfortunately, my experience that those who write and speak in this manner are not interested in dialogue and they are not interested in the underlying assumption that dialogue has a place in Christian life or experience. But I remain open to meet the first.

In Christ,

BOB

Why the Three Billy Goats Gruff is one of my favorite stories from childhood. And yes, that troll did live under a bridge. I must be ancient, too. Oh well, as I have always said, age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill.

But Daniel, was Troy really a sincere seeker?? Look at the thread. He refers to the old chestnut of the "whore of Babylon" as referring to the Roman Church. He shows a proficiency at providing links to evangelical tracts. He does not appear to really "seek" dialogue in charity. I agree with you that we should not be so quick to dismiss but we also can see that some who come among us on the board ARE what are known as "trolls" and from i have read of Troy's posts. it pretty much describes his approach unfortunately.
As regards Anhelyna. She is one of the most loving and tolerant of the posters on this board. I wish that more of us including myself could be as charitable and forbearing and show such evidence of not taking oneself so seriously. Maybe even her forbearance with "Troy" was tested??

I don't think Troy wanted to dialogue with us. I didn't reply to him, but just read what others were saying. It seemed to me that he wanted to show us the error of our ways, and the correctness of his. Fundamentally - no pun intended - the essence of Protestantism is personal experience. No church fathers, no apostolic succession, no teachings consistent from the 1st century to the present, no church with divinely instituted teaching authority, just "I think, I believe, I feel," etc. It's all about me and what I feel. It seems to me that the Holy Spirit gets blamed for a great deal that is little more than personal opinion. This is the basis of Protestantism, read the Bible and make your own rules. You know, priesthood of believers? You all can argue/debate with Troy if you like, and I wish you well. Now where is that angel? He promised me some sacred underwear and some golden tablets.