1st Church of the Bear (Religous topic)

[BASKETCASE]

Even on an "off topic" forum opportunity like Campfire, I rarely introduce religious topics into the discussion.

The article at the link is mostly a matter of local interest, but I ran up on it and thought it might be of wider interest.

http://www.cw.ua.edu/vnews/display.v.../3ebadce6c06e4

Rick (will it get past the forum censorship Nazis?) in AL

[kbasa]

Originally posted by RickM
Even on an "off topic" forum opportunity like Campfire, I rarely introduce religious topics into the discussion.

The article at the link is mostly a matter of local interest, but I ran up on it and thought it might be of wider interest.

http://www.cw.ua.edu/vnews/display.v.../3ebadce6c06e4

Rick (will it get past the forum censorship Nazis?) in AL

I'm not real pleased about being referred to as a censorship Nazi. I don't believe the other folks that volunteer their time to keep this forum operating are going to be too stoked either.

[Greg]

If I was a Mod I'd pull it for the Nazi comment before the religious content... and I wouldn't hesitate.

Greg

[BASKETCASE]

Geezum! I did not name anyone in my post, so I am curious as to why Kbasa has taken personal issue with this.

Since there seems to be a sense of the personal in the replies, I would also observe that if you are going to remain a moderator, you need a thicker skin, and a bit of tolerate humor. Trust me, if I have something "personal" to say, I will not hide behind innnuendo to say it.

The MOA online community has yet to develop an "identity." Why don't you let the post stand, think on it a bit, see if the body politic is offended, or sees the humor -- which was my intent from the opening word to the grinny little critter.

Next, if you all (MOA leadership, and the moderators together) want to see this board become a dismal failure, let the perception grow from our observing you that anyone who speaks out will quickly get their hand slapped. MOA members are usually an astute bunch. If we find this board to be the private mutual admiration society of a select few, instead of an open opportunity for the membership at large, what could become one of MOA's best member building assets will rapidly become a "dry hole." Put another way, we don't have to have this site to benefit from the Internet as pertains to our love of riding. But you have to have us to have a successful site. Just food for thought, you know? ...

Finally, from where I sit, I should hope that anyone who reads my post, and the satire at the U of A site, will be able to see the humor. FYI, I am a seminary trained theologian, and thought the student editor's article was an absolute scream. Please see my disclaimers for further thoughts on how individuals might be impacted.

Rick (gone to check his private messages and mediate on them) in AL

[iRene]

I wonder why this original post stoops to an OPENING SALVO aimed at the volunteers who moderate this forum, whose names ARE listed on the forum opening page?
Should one expect better from a "seminary trained theologian?" The link and site may have been satire, and very probably would have led to interesting reply posts.
But crack up front about Nazis was WAY OUT OF LINE.

[BASKETCASE]

Well, hi, IRene. I am pleased to make your (electronic) acquaintance.

Am I to understand from your post that theologians are not entitled to speak their opinion? Then let me throw the rest of it out there.

Summary of RickM:

Three time high school flunk out (I was the kid all the teachers loved, you know?)

Bailed out of high school and joined the Marines. Asked to be a door gunner in a helicopter, but ended up as a radio operator. (Just goes to show you that sometime idiots get lucky and don't get their way).

Got out, went to college (BS in Journalism) and became a school teacher. One year teaching and I decided, "these dang kids don't need a teacher -- they need the Marines!"

Went to seminary and got a degree in Old Testament. Later went back and worked on a counseling degree.

So there you have it all in a nutshell.

Which personality made the "Nazi" comment? The teacher personality would offer you an opportunity!

Choose from the responses below to indicate which answer you believe made the "Nazi" comment:
A. High school hoodlum
B. Marine grunt (electrified variety)
C. Journalist
D. Theologian
E. Counselor

If you choose correctly, I'll tell you. And to help you along, I'll go ahead and tell you, it was not "D." But "D" did see the outrageous humor in the college website article.

The original post, in it's entireity, was posted as humor. I disavow responsibility for the moderator's personal take on it, and I can't help it if you don't see it, either.

Rick (Nomex suit securely zipped) in AL

[Rob Nye]

Originally posted by RickM

Am I to understand from your post that theologians are not entitled to speak their opinion? Then let me throw the rest of it out there.

Greetings,

Just to ask for a little clarification is it your opinion that the volunteers who administer the forum are "Forum Censorship Nazis"?

The BMWMOA is a volunteer organization and I wonder why you would want to dump on people who freely give their time, engergy and skill to the organization.

One thing your 32 bux a year does not buy is the right to insult people on this forum regardless if they are volunteers who run the show or your fellow members.


Thank you.

[DesertRider]

A half-cent's worth: I don't know if there's a historical subtext behind this "debate," but in my ignorance from just reading the messages I can't help thinking of descriptives such as "tempest in a teapot" and "mountain from a molehill." As someone fairly new to this forum maybe I just don't have the history to know the reasons for the hair-trigger tone of the responses, but I found it downright startling. Yeah, with a magnifying glass I guess I can see where someone on one side or the other might take offense at one word or another, but egad, are those tiny edges of _potential_ jibe worth the repeated volleys?

My apologies for intruding -- I have no dog in this fight, and I'll have no further comment. But as one who just happened to peruse the board and come across this public debate I thought I'd pass along what it looks like to others (or at least me).

[BASKETCASE]

Good grief! I will write on the board three times:

The original post was posted in jest!
The original post was posted in jest!
The original post was posted in jest!

Rob, are you all so thin skinned? Hey, buddy. It's time for a reality check.

Here is the way I see it.

Dave jumped out there right off and chided me because he assumed I was taking a shot at the moderators. (I have corresponded with him about that, and suggest you and all the other moderators request a look at it.)

Meanwhile, it now seems that everyone is hell-bent on making it something other than what it was (rather than muster the humility to say, "we jumped the gun.")

So I want to ask, is this, "ET and Elloitt screeching in the cornfield" response what we (the rank and file) can expect as the norm from the moderators? If so, this will be a sad place.

Now, I have spent most of my adult life involved in some way with voluteeer organizations. I am well aware that those of you moderating are putting in personal time and energy with not much more than a "thank you" from the powers that be. I appreciate you. Your time and investment is of enormous benefit to all of us. I know that, and I suspect many others do, too.

Even so, "he who would be greatest among you must be the servant of all." I think it is accurate to say that while your labor of love is appreciated, it must nonetheless be exercised within a certain perspective. If you, the voluteers, continue and do your work with your feelings out on your sleeves like this, you are doomed to a lot of pouting. Because I don't see people as cantankerous and independent minded as typical beemer riders tippy toeing around you all for long.

The upshot is that it looks like everybody concerned needs a good, long ride, or a good stiff drink, or maybe both, quick. IMHO.

Just my $0.09 for now,
Rick in AL

[eljeffe]

This must be RickM's way of getting attention. It's obvious by the way he has posted his latest series of way-off-topic subjects (firing the Alabama coach, and now Bear Religion) and the stinky bait tactic of goading the forum moderators with a vile insult ("will it get past the forum censorship Nazis?"), his purpose is to the push the envelope and get reactions from the members and draw the moderators into a fight. You know, kind of like a 4 year-old having a "mommy, look at me" tantrum at the mall. And when called on the carpet over it, he'll feign some insencere "I was only kidding". Yeah, right!

The nice thing about vBulletin is the ignore feature. Click Here to Ignore RickM

[BASKETCASE]

Omigosh! ROFL!

Eljeffe, you are dead on! I love responses ... and you would have us believe that you do not? People who post on Internet bulletin boards routinely go back and read their own stuff; it's human nature. And you won't really ignor my posts -- your ego will demand you come back and see if you got a response. Give us a break...

This section of the forum is called "Campfire." If I read the guidelines correctly, Campfire is for off-topic, non-motorcycling discussions. Or, it might include motorcycle related discussions. Either way is fine by me, and the fact that you don't like the topic does not mean I am out of order.

Ride safe!

Rick (no, this is not the boisterous beemer culture I grew up in) turning in for the night!

[clinto]

Good God!

Why is everyone taking this so seriously? It's obvious he was joking. And the nazi reference, was just a figure of speech. Now just get over it. Why are german bike owners so sensitive over the N word?

[102624]

I have not been so amused at people getting in an uproar over so little in a long time. But I guess I just understand the CHurch of Bear, as before he went to the "Promised Land" in Alabama, he was the coach at my beloved Univ. of Ky. We have our own Church too, though Tubby is the current Arch-Bishop, and Pitino is the heretic-at-large. The Chapel is called Rupp Arena, Adolf was the One who started it all: Thus the Church of Adolf Rupp.

The Nazi reference is just plain funny, in more than one way.

BTW, if paper burns at 451F, at what temp does the internet burn?

[Win3855]

http://members.aol.com/intwg/trolls.htm This might help explain.

[fish]

Originally posted by eljeffe
The nice thing about vBulletin is the ignore feature. Click Here to Ignore RickM

Thanks eljeffe!