Wow, the last few months (more specifically the last few weeks) have given me a renewed respect for the previous administrators. You have to be one tough chick to play moderator for this crowd. And it is NOT easy. Since there have been a few comments directed at me or the blog I wanted to address these issues and announce some of the changes that will be coming in the New Year.
- This blog HAS been a little neglected by me this month. On the 1st I sent my husband on his third deployment to Iraq (it was something entirely unplanned). I then had to move from where we were stationed in North Carolina to our home in Idaho. I have spent the last few weeks trying to unpack, prepare for Christmas and set up my life. (At some point in the next few days, I will actually introduce myself to you guys. But this is not the post for that.) I give you this information now because I have received some “nice” comments about how I haven’t taken care of the recent Mormon bashing that went on, when in fact I didn’t have access to the blog all day. Before I had even read the comments of the thread I was already labeled as being too sympathetic to Ask Anything Rule Breakers of the Anti-LDS persuasion. I ask AGAIN for some patience as I try to reassemble the pieces that are my life, fix the problems of Ask Anything and moderate the discussions. It’s a big job and I’m not sitting in an easy position at the moment. Give me a break, please.
- “What I'm sad about is that a blog run by an LDS person and advertised on LDS sites is actually turning people away from the church.”: Ugh, this has been an issue from the first time I linked this blog with those LDS sites. Since so many of us were LDS, LDS issues were being discussed and I AM LDS (which is the only requirement for this blog to be listed on LDS blog listing sites) I felt it was appropriate to link with them. And I still do since these are all still true statements. I don’t know if you have ever looked at the other LDS blogs listed on those sites, BUT they ALL receive their fair share of ANTI and Non-LDS attention. If Ask Anything is guilty of turning people away from the LDS church, all of the blogs listed on the LDS listing sites are guilty. This isn’t something that is unique to our blog and shouldn’t affect whether or not Ask Anything should be listed with those sites. What disappoints ME is that when LDS members are given the opportunity to share their beliefs and stand up for their side, they either;
Complain
Discuss ONLY how sad it is that this blog spreads discontent, half-truths and Anti sentiment about the LDS church.
Declare those of differing views mean, disrespectful or in violation of the rules (even when they are not) in an attempt to end the discussion.
What KILLS me about this is that YOU (LDS people) have the ability to show the other side of the equation. YOU have the ability to help others understand us better and give US a say and YOU miss it. There was a recent post ASKING for LDS members to give their beliefs/share their testimony of their religion and few took the opportunity to do it. But many took the opportunity to complain, label the blog/Admin anti-mormon/unfair, or declare everyone mean/disrespectful/in violation of the rules (when they aren’t) instead. As I’ve said before YOU commenters are really responsible for the tone of the blog. If you don’t like how it’s going, perhaps you should do something about it. Perhaps you should take the opportunities (as many others of different beliefs do) to share YOUR opinion and YOUR belief. The most powerful defense is to simply share your view point and leave others to do the same. That being said, I want to SINCERELY thank ALL of you who do take these opportunities and who do represent the beliefs that I share with you in an appropriate and respectful manner. You guys are seriously my heroes for rising above all the craziness and keeping your cool.
-“since we all know you are LDS but it seems a little unfair at the same time. It would be nice every once in a while to see you stand up for what you believe also”: I do stand up for what I believe in, but I can’t stand up and yell AS the administrator at those who express a different view JUST because it’s different from what I believe. If ANY ONE breaks a RULE, I step in. When a recent post turned into a bashing of/”saving” LDS people, I both deleted the comments from that side and created a new rule. But it’s not my responsibility to jump in EVERY time some one express a different view of the LDS religion. How fair would it be if every time someone expressed THEIR view that the LDS church isn’t true that I jumped in AS the admin and deleted their comment and jumped up and down mad because they believe something completely different than I do? It wouldn’t be fair. As long as people are being respectful and within the rules with their comments I can’t in good faith jump in. When a rule is broken I jump in and that’s my job. That is IT for my job as the Administrator or I end what this blog is. It doesn’t mean that I don’t jump in as an anonymous regular person and put up my side and defend the faith, the same way you all can. It’s just not my place to do it in an official capacity.
-I do ask that those who are Ex-LDS or of other faiths show LDS persons who choose to continue to be LDS respect. YOU may believe that the LDS church isn’t true. YOU may believe that you have found FACTS that prove the LDS church isn’t true. BUT that is all a part of YOUR opinion in relation to this blog. LDS people also believe that they have ALL the facts and that they have ALL the truth. Let’s just agree to disagree on this fact. If you want to share your OPINION, that’s fine. But please don’t treat LDS members with disrespect by calling them stupid/close minded because they choose to believe something different than you do. I can understand that you may be bitter or disgusted with the religion, but this blog isn’t the place for that. This blog is a place for respectful discussion, advice and friendship. EVERYONE (LDS, EX or otherwise) are required to share their beliefs with respect to others beliefs.
Oy, I’m tired and I’m sure that there are more issues that I wanted/should have dealt with but I’m out of time and energy for tonight. In conclusion to my thoughts, can’t we all just play nice? Can’t LDS people show others more respect and play more fair? Can’t Ex-LDS show respect to those who still are LDS? Can’t we all just get along?
As for the coming changes.....i suppose it will have to come in another post.
Thanks,
Admin
Mixes in a Jar Recipes
I am looking for some good receipes for Mixes in a Jar. Do you have any good cookie dough, pancake, bread, etc. mixes you can put in jars and gift out to friends and neighbors?
LDS Ask Anything Blog
Well, after all of the drama last night I have been doing a lot of thinking. I know that I have stood firm on keeping this blog open to every one. And I still feel that it is best to keep things open.
BUT I can see the side of those wanting a LDS blog. They want to have advice on LDS issues from LDS people. And that's ok. So what I am considering is making a section of this blog designed specifically for LDS Issues and Doctrine. It will have similar rules but there will probably be a lot of new ones as well. I am willing to do this and come up with some boundaries to keep things from being offensive to every one. But I want your feedback and what you think of having a LDS section specifically for LDS doctrine/issues. It won't be another blog, simply an extension of the existing blog.
I actually had already been pondering making some new extensions of this blog for other groups of people. Perhaps, creating some Ask Anything support groups and even a Ask Anything Workshop. Though I wasn't going to put any of this out there until January. So, I am open to creating other "sections" of ask anything for issues pertaining to groups who need support, advice, etc. about a certain issue. (like for women who's husbands have had affairs or for those with eating disorders) I also thought that creating a workshop where you could learn how to do things like make a pie, change a tire, make a quilt, etc. etc.
Any way, I was already thinking in that direction. But from all the drama recently I think it's a good time to get your opinions on these new changes.
Would you like to see sections of Ask Anything for support and advice pertaining to a specific problem/issue/religion?
Would you like to see workshops where you can learn/teach some new skills?
Any other suggestions?
BUT I can see the side of those wanting a LDS blog. They want to have advice on LDS issues from LDS people. And that's ok. So what I am considering is making a section of this blog designed specifically for LDS Issues and Doctrine. It will have similar rules but there will probably be a lot of new ones as well. I am willing to do this and come up with some boundaries to keep things from being offensive to every one. But I want your feedback and what you think of having a LDS section specifically for LDS doctrine/issues. It won't be another blog, simply an extension of the existing blog.
I actually had already been pondering making some new extensions of this blog for other groups of people. Perhaps, creating some Ask Anything support groups and even a Ask Anything Workshop. Though I wasn't going to put any of this out there until January. So, I am open to creating other "sections" of ask anything for issues pertaining to groups who need support, advice, etc. about a certain issue. (like for women who's husbands have had affairs or for those with eating disorders) I also thought that creating a workshop where you could learn how to do things like make a pie, change a tire, make a quilt, etc. etc.
Any way, I was already thinking in that direction. But from all the drama recently I think it's a good time to get your opinions on these new changes.
Would you like to see sections of Ask Anything for support and advice pertaining to a specific problem/issue/religion?
Would you like to see workshops where you can learn/teach some new skills?
Any other suggestions?
Blog Rules of Ask Anything
There are a lot of different people from every walk of life participating in some way on this blog. Since things can get passionate we ask that:
1. Posts and comments be written in a spirit of tolerance and respect for other participants.
2. No mudslinging or personal attacks toward posters, commenters and the administrator. "I disagree" is fine. "I think you are totally, 100% wrong" is okay. "I think you're a stupid idiot" is not. It is also unacceptable to attack another's strength in the faith of their choice or rightness of their political beliefs. If you're smart enough to blog, you can find a different way to make your point.
3. No Ads or Plugs in posts or comments EXCEPT those specified by the blog Administrator.
4. No libel, defamation or copyright violations.
5. Please do NOT "announce" you will no longer be reading or participating on this blog. Please just leave peacefully and allow others who enjoy it to continue to do so.
6. DO NOT DELETE POSTS OR COMMENTS.
As the Administrator, I reserve the right to delete posts or comments that do not abide by the rules.
1. Posts and comments be written in a spirit of tolerance and respect for other participants.
2. No mudslinging or personal attacks toward posters, commenters and the administrator. "I disagree" is fine. "I think you are totally, 100% wrong" is okay. "I think you're a stupid idiot" is not. It is also unacceptable to attack another's strength in the faith of their choice or rightness of their political beliefs. If you're smart enough to blog, you can find a different way to make your point.
3. No Ads or Plugs in posts or comments EXCEPT those specified by the blog Administrator.
4. No libel, defamation or copyright violations.
5. Please do NOT "announce" you will no longer be reading or participating on this blog. Please just leave peacefully and allow others who enjoy it to continue to do so.
6. DO NOT DELETE POSTS OR COMMENTS.
As the Administrator, I reserve the right to delete posts or comments that do not abide by the rules.
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