4 more days and I think it is a good thing

[Donkey]

That has not been my experience.

I see you joined in 2019? I’ve been on CAF many, many more years. Certain things have necessarily changed recently. I completely understand why CAF is closing down soon but I wouldn’t say it is a good thing. The necessary closure reflects the times we live in. I really wish for continued live Catholic online connection. There are other places to turn to if you are looking for that. CAF is really one of kind though…a Rolls Royce Catholic Forum. We’ve been spoiled. I have always felt that the Church as a whole should have financially supported it.
Over the years, I was acutely aware of various censorship. It was great when a Mod came down on a bad post…wham. I think it was 3 strikes and you are out sort of thing. I forget now. I learned to toe the line…not liking jail time.
Phil3…we are free to do what is right. Really, the CAF Mods must have been really good people. That is what I discerned.

 

[phil3]

Phil3…we are free to do what is right. Really, the CAF Mods must have been really good people. That is what I discerned.

I will answer this on the 31st. Like I wrote, I think it is a good thing CAF is shutting down. It is no loss in the long run

 

[Lea101]

I don’t care for freedom of speech here. I’ve seen how other Catholic spaces ended up. I’ve seen how nasty people get when they’re allowed to post whatever they want.

This is a Catholic space, and it would defeat the purpose imo, if we leave up horrid posts. It’s not even possible too. If we don’t allow certain posts (e.g. Nonsensical, vulgar or explicit posts), we already don’t have the full freedom of speech. So it just seems like posters here want to redraw the rules to comfortably suit themselves. I’m definitely one of the snarkier people here, and I don’t have the problem of being banned. So it makes me wonder what exactly people are saying that got them booted off

 

[humilityseeker]

CA forums has become hateful,especially this past month when all were made aware of its demise.I’ve been observing for the past week and the nasty snarky comments by certain posters speaks volumes .That they choose to go out in such a way is very disappointing for sure.

It has been a hateful place driven by opinion differences for a very long time.
The snarkiness and nastiness is only trumped by the ‘thumbs down flagging cabals’

 

[Donkey]

I am aiming to be here…should be interesting but unfortunately it probably won’t be. The outcome on the 31st is predictable.
Experiences and observations that drove me here to begin with and what I have observed…stifle it.
Stifle this
But not that
The Church is quite divided.
The Church is still reckoning from the sex abuse scandal and conflict of interest among some homosexual clergy. All that dark cloud still hangs heavy. Soon, I hope and pray that will lift.
Rise above the angst to survive.

 

[phil3]

It is the double standard that has been an issue here at CAF.

For example, When Benedict was pope is was acceptable and accepted to say, as long as you have a clearly formed conscience your good. This tended to pop up around homosexual relations and remarriage without an annulment.

But with Frances you get the Francis has spoken and you better agree or you’re a poor catholic.

When it came to politics I have seen post that said things about Triump allowed and yet the same things said about Obama or Biden got your banned.

CAF is closing and I think it is a good thing, I think the company will come to regret their decision. But in the end capitalism wins out.

 

[Donkey]

I always felt that this forum served as an unintentional catalyst and source for guiding various agendas. I also always liked to believe that it wasn’t intentional….given the other parts of Catholic Answers. The sum of Catholic Answers is not only the forum. There are radio, video, magazine, books, etc. All that was true to the faith.

There were always too many tongue waggers that fed on each other, hence, I did not allow personal messages…not here to get to know anyone in a chummy one/one way. I tried that once or twice…not really satisfying or even comfortable feeling.

Cliques formed and often had shared pet peeves and everyone knew about it.
Out…if you hadn’t mastered grammar and punctuation to their liking.
Out…If you did not …whatever.
Out…if you did….whatever.
What I mean by ‘out’ is ostracized.

I stuck around all these years not in spite of or to spite but rather in recognition of this is how real parish life is magnified and made louder many, many times over. Catholic Answers Forum gave us a close examination of the various parts of the body, our thoughts, concerns, opinions, grievances, hangups, discrepancies, desires, etc.

Catholic Answers Forums gave parishioners in the pew a collective voice from varying places for the first time in history. This came at a time that clashed with what I feel is the largest deception and scandal in the Church….sex abuse of children (coverup) and widespread homosexual clergy revealed. There were other notable secular events such as Clinton/Lewinsky, 9/11, wars and talk of wars, terrorism, etc. All these gave common parishioners a turn on the soap box.

I sense that we are approaching a time when it IS probably best to shut the forum down. Maybe it will return someday with new guidelines…maybe not. God only knows.

 

[tomarin]

I wonder who will be the last to post, and what will they post?

 

[Donkey]

THAT tamarin is the paramount of ultimate fun here.
Who will be the last and what will they post?
My guess is that an official no-name moderator will have the last word.
He/she will say something like. “This forum is now closed.” Maybe they will impart a blessing.

 

[Crusader13]

I will miss the forums as well. I personally enjoyed CAF for the very reason that some users are glad that it’s closing.

The amount of disagreements on this site made for great discussion and debates. Sure there were the usual suspects who feigned offense to avoid any criticism of their point of view and of course those who would drop a sarcastic comment and then mute the thread.

But overall I enjoyed the debating with others who shared an opposing view. It opened me up to new arguments I had never heard and it strengthened my resolve to learn about the faith and defend it from errors.

At times the discussions could become unproductive and the attacks personal, but I’d rather the forum be filled with numerous users with varying opinions, even if they are wrong, instead of a clique of individuals telling each other what they want to hear.