hotpink Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 Myself, and inordiate number of newer people on here have been accused of being trolls. So come punch the troll. Cause apparently that's all I'm good for on here, not, you know, giving ideas about how to minister to non-catholics when I am one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papist Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 Please tell me more about this how to minister to non-catholics. Please be gentle. I am not a non-catholic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgnatiusofLoyola Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 I'm sorry you're experiencing this hotpink. I will say that I have seen several "trolls" recently on Phatmass among new members, but all the trolls I saw said they were Catholic. However, that doesn't mean that you haven't had people call you a troll. It's not always easy to be a non-Catholic on Phatmass. And, unfortunately, we lost some of the wisest/most caring longtime members in the recent transition. Hang in there! But, I'd also say that if Phatmass isn't fun, or at least interesting, or it's giving you a bad image of Catholics (most Catholics are cool, and very good people, even if they don't always agree with you on every subject) then take a "sabbatical" from reading and posting--I've done it several times. I keep coming back, but that doesn't mean there aren't days when I wonder why I subject myself to the frustration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIKolbe Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 Myself, and inordiate number of newer people on here have been accused of being trolls. So come punch the troll. Cause apparently that's all I'm good for on here, not, you know, giving ideas about how to minister to non-catholics when I am one. someone needs a hug... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgnatiusofLoyola Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 Okay, hotpink, I just saw the thread that most likely inspired you to make your post. I don't think Phatmass has a vendetta against non-Catholics. That said, it IS a Catholic forum, and most people here are Catholics. The ideology of the Board is orthodox Catholicism that is obedient to the teachings of the Catholic Church. That's not a "hidden agenda" against non-Catholics--it's not hidden at all, and it applies to both non-Catholics and Catholics. I'm a member of secular boards as well as Phatmass, and I've found that every board I've been a member of has had a certain "ideology" and "ground rules" that members have to live with if they want to post. In your posts, you express strong opinions. Catholic or non-Catholic, when you express strong opinions, you are going to get strong responses. You've got a variety of options, here are three I can think of off the top of my head: --Continue to express strong opinions and learn to shrug it off when people react strongly and maybe even call you a troll. --You can express the same opinion, but phrase it less strongly, and show respect (assuming you feel respect) for other POV's. Usually this results in a less heated discussion, and you are less likely to be called a troll. This is what I try to do. It can be a lot of work, and I don't always succeed, but it gets easier over time. --Pick your battles and say nothing if a subject isn't one you care that much about or feel like debating. I do this a LOT. Most of the time, I'm here to listen, not to argue or debate--but that's just me, you may be different. Over time, I've learned a lot about the Catholic Church and I've met some great people. If a thread is heated or getting ugly, most of the time I avoid posting in it, and sometimes don't even bother to read it. There is no rule that everyone will find every thread interesting. And, people don't need my opinion on every thread. I often show my support simply by propping other people's posts. I hope this is at least a little helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIKolbe Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotpink Posted June 5, 2015 Author Share Posted June 5, 2015 Okay, hotpink, I just saw the thread that most likely inspired you to make your post. I don't think Phatmass has a vendetta against non-Catholics. That said, it IS a Catholic forum, and most people here are Catholics. The ideology of the Board is orthodox Catholicism that is obedient to the teachings of the Catholic Church. That's not a "hidden agenda" against non-Catholics--it's not hidden at all, and it applies to both non-Catholics and Catholics. I'm a member of secular boards as well as Phatmass, and I've found that every board I've been a member of has had a certain "ideology" and "ground rules" that members have to live with if they want to post. In your posts, you express strong opinions. Catholic or non-Catholic, when you express strong opinions, you are going to get strong responses. You've got a variety of options, here are three I can think of off the top of my head: --Continue to express strong opinions and learn to shrug it off when people react strongly and maybe even call you a troll. --You can express the same opinion, but phrase it less strongly, and show respect (assuming you feel respect) for other POV's. Usually this results in a less heated discussion, and you are less likely to be called a troll. This is what I try to do. It can be a lot of work, and I don't always succeed, but it gets easier over time. --Pick your battles and say nothing if a subject isn't one you care that much about or feel like debating. I do this a LOT. Most of the time, I'm here to listen, not to argue or debate--but that's just me, you may be different. Over time, I've learned a lot about the Catholic Church and I've met some great people. If a thread is heated or getting ugly, most of the time I avoid posting in it, and sometimes don't even bother to read it. There is no rule that everyone will find every thread interesting. And, people don't need my opinion on every thread. I often show my support simply by propping other people's posts. I hope this is at least a little helpful. I just think it's counter productive to call me a troll. It's like you don't want people to be catholic. Plus my names for videos were really funny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIKolbe Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 just don't underestimate my hugging abilities. srsly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgnatiusofLoyola Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 I just think it's counter productive to call me a troll. It's like you don't want people to be catholic. Plus my names for videos were really funny. Well, people are human--even Catholics. When making posts, it's as much HOW you express your opinions as it is the opinions themselves. As I said earlier, when you express strong opinions--especially if you use strongly negative words--people feel attacked and you will get strong negative reactions in return. It's the same thing as the way you felt attacked when you were accused of being a troll. The importance of carefully choosing the words you use to express your opinions doesn't apply only to Phatmass--it's true of every Internet Phorum to which I have ever belonged. As for folks on Phatmass not wanting you (and all the other non-Catholics) to become Catholic, you are SO wrong! If you express a genuine desire to learn about Catholicism, and that you are open to conversion, you will get a very positive response. Most members of Phatmass are not experienced at Evangelization, so they make mistakes. I think the question @Papist posed to you in his earlier post was an expression of genuine interest. When I've made positive posts in the past expressing what I need, I've gotten helpful and supportive responses from others. This has usually been more helpful for me than making strongly negative posts about the behavior of others--although I've done that, too, but have learned over time to "pick my battles." In my case, I've said openly that I don't see myself converting to Catholicism anytime soon (long story), but I also want God's will for me. So, I have said that if anyone wants to pray for my conversion, they are free to do so. The response I got was that people were praying for my conversion whether I asked for it or not. Fine with me. The Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman was an Anglican priest for 22 years before he converted. I've been a member of Phatmass for something over five years. I still have issues and obstacles, but ultimately, if God wants me to convert, He will help me overcome those obstacles. (Read the "About Me" section of my profile if you are interested in my spiritual leanings. In Newman's time I would have been called a Tractarian, or a supporter of the Oxford Movement. The modern day term is "Anglo-Catholic" but I think that term is confusing to many people, so I normally don't use it.) Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotpink Posted June 5, 2015 Author Share Posted June 5, 2015 Well, people are human--even Catholics. When making posts, it's as much HOW you express your opinions as it is the opinions themselves. As I said earlier, when you express strong opinions--especially if you use strongly negative words--people feel attacked and you will get strong negative reactions in return. It's the same thing as the way you felt attacked when you were accused of being a troll. The importance of carefully choosing the words you use to express your opinions doesn't apply only to Phatmass--it's true of every Internet Phorum to which I have ever belonged. As for folks on Phatmass not wanting you (and all the other non-Catholics) to become Catholic, you are SO wrong! If you express a genuine desire to learn about Catholicism, and that you are open to conversion, you will get a very positive response. Most members of Phatmass are not experienced at Evangelization, so they make mistakes. I think the question @Papist posed to you in his earlier post was an expression of genuine interest. When I've made positive posts in the past expressing what I need, I've gotten helpful and supportive responses from others. This has usually been more helpful for me than making strongly negative posts about the behavior of others--although I've done that, too, but have learned over time to "pick my battles." In my case, I've said openly that I don't see myself converting to Catholicism anytime soon (long story), but I also want God's will for me. So, I have said that if anyone wants to pray for my conversion, they are free to do so. The response I got was that people were praying for my conversion whether I asked for it or not. Fine with me. The Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman was an Anglican priest for 22 years before he converted. I've been a member of Phatmass for something over five years. I still have issues and obstacles, but ultimately, if God wants me to convert, He will help me overcome those obstacles. (Read the "About Me" section of my profile if you are interested in my spiritual leanings. In Newman's time I would have been called a Tractarian, or a supporter of the Oxford Movement. The modern day term is "Anglo-Catholic" but I think that term is confusing to many people, so I normally don't use it.) Good luck! When threads get testy, troll should be another word that people get in trouble for namecalling. But I think just blatently saying troll when I was trying to be helpful was not needed. I'm not saying call the video "Catholics eat babies on Zombie Jesus day" becuase I think that kinda stuff will mostly get people who aren't open minded or just need more fodder. There are people willing to become Catholic who have no religion. I didn't have any religion so I struggle to grasp just "joining up". I do go to Mass and whatnot and try to live as a Catholic but I'm still not comfortable with the whole huge Easter party thing so I won't do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dominicansoul Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vimZj8HW0Kg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Credo in Deum Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgnatiusofLoyola Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vimZj8HW0Kg C'mon DS, this isn't helpful. So much for the "New Evangelization"....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dominicansoul Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 you're not an LL Cool J fan??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vee Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 if people dont like the Catholic Church then dont join! Ya we smell of elderberries ya Im a horrible person boo frikken hoo!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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