Over the past 11 years I’ve learned a lot about the faith. Granted, at times this place has likely hurt my faith. But on the whole, I think the positive column wins the day.
As has been said though, this hasn’t really been CAF for a long time now.
Perhaps the fact that you have memories from a ‘before’ time (I’ve only heard about this mythical before time, haha) is related to our columns totting up differently.
I appreciate the people here who have prayed for me, and I’ve asked some everyday questions (like for book recommendations or about parish experiences) that received helpful responses.
And at the same time, my experience of CAF has unfortunately been net negative. The sneering scorn of so many users (in multiple directions, and I often feel alone in the middle, fully aligned with no specific camp); the fact that some threads
never end, even after an indisputable Catholic dogma is quoted and explained in detail, and not only atheists but also self-identified Catholics will repetitively argue against the dogma (seemingly until the website literally closes down); the negative behaviours it provokes in me (addictively checking in and watching my time drift away; losing my temper arguing with a never-ending line of Internet strangers).
I was already withdrawing from CAF anyway (I only learned CAF was closing today because a friend messaged me on a different application and told me). With respect to the good people who’ve tried to do good things here, the bad weighed too heavily for me to think I’ll miss it.
But I will continue going to Catholic Answers for my theological questions. The primary teaching apostolate is great, regardless of whatever’s gone on with this sidebar discussion forum.
