Do Not Feed The Trolls! ~ DNFTT
This is very good advice given to me from a friend who has an avid use of the Internet in blogging and dealing with trolls. Don’t give a morsel or a bone! “Don’t feed the trolls!” Feeding is responding back to their craziness! DNFTT! They will only harass you more and use what ever you say against you, as they have no interest for mature or professional dialog, they’re bullies.
What is a troll? A troll is an internet bully(s) who insists on being a nuisance by attacking and writing distorted, untrue and hateful things about you in a newsgroup or on a blog – or somewhere on the Internet. They will usually contact you through emails, comments on a blog and will try to stir up controversy through blog postings. When individuals or groups continuing in this behavior it is called trolling. Unfortunately it can also develop into what is stalking.
There are groups of people who are watching ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ who are watching ex-gay leaders with stalker mentalities and even incitements to assassinate a person’s character. It can become difficult when a troll becomes a stalker, and legal action must be taken. I really appreciate godly lawyers who desire help people in ministry. There are good lawyers with the Alliance Defense Fund, Thomas More Law Center, and then there are local lawyers who have been very helpful to me and to First Stone Ministries. There are groups of liberal blog bullies and trolls who actually advocate for stalking or suggest ways to actually trouble Christian conservatives, ex-gay ministry leaders and their staffs.
Truly we are living in new days when those who screamed the loudest for tolerance are now become some of the most intolerant hateful people in our society. Some people are actually becoming violent in adolescent demands as has been reported in the news with the riots in California over Proposition 8 in this last election in November. Ironically these are people who actually cry out, “no to hate” and yet are very people who are demonstrated extremely hateful behavior, crying out for the burning down of churches and the killing of Christians, and then demand hate crimes legislation for preservation for themselves. This would be laughable if it were not so insanely dangerous. It seems that anarchy has begun in California with recent events in Oakland, CA, the city next door to San Francisco, and this of course where a Christian missionary was beaten with her own Bible and kicked repeatedly for merely singing worship songs on the streets with her group in the gay Montrose District of San Francisco.
I have encountered several mean-spirited gay activists and blog bullies in the past few years. However, 2008-2009 has given me some extra experience than in past years. Most of these new experience started after sharing my story in finding freedom from homosexuality and sharing my feelings about free speech at the Oklahoma State Capitol on April 2, 2008. I have also had more experiences after posting my personal beliefs here on my personal blog, and after writing articles about freedom from homosexuality. I am grieved, but not surprised at the level of hate that has been spewed out at me and First Stone Ministries, the staff, volunteers, even my wife and children from people who claim to be so tolerant. It is sad how other Christian and ex-gay leaders through the country are being treated. I could write for an hour telling the stories.
Bottom line, if you share something contrary or in opposition to the politically correct liberal leftist position about homosexuality, there is NO tolerance of your views. Freedom of speech for the Christian is coming to an end IF the liberal left have their way. It has become clear that tolerance is only for those who have the gay political point of view. Accept homosexuality as normal, or you are a bigot, and a hate monger. So ironically intolerance is coming from the groups of people who demanded tolerance. There is no room for tolerance for conservative Bible believing ministries like First Stone, Focus on the Family, Exodus International, and scores of many other Christian organizations with who are in opposition to politically gay-agenda-minded motivated groups. The Internet is full of personal blogs of gay men/woman and gay organizations who wish the demise of Christian organizations.
DFTT! – Don’t feed the trolls, and sound advice from my lawyers: document everything, keep everything, start filing police reports and get a team of lawyers.
Seven Things I Wished That Pro-Gay People Would Admit
1. I wish they would admit that many people are not happy with their homosexuality or lesbianism, and that this conflict is internal, based on legitimate, intelligent religious and moral convictions–not just the result of a so-called “homophobic” society which is forcing guilt upon people who don’t conform to a heterosexual ethic.
Stop throwing out the cheap, inaccurate labels like “internalized homophobia” to explain our motivations.
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2. I wish they would acknowledge that homosexuals and lesbians can experience significant change in their sexual feelings and desires, even though they may never be totally heterosexual in their sexual thoughts and feelings.
Be honest enough to admit that such change is significant and genuine, even if it isn’t complete.
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3. I wish they would acknowledge that many former homosexuals and lesbians have found a greater measure of peace and satisfaction after leaving a gay or lesbian lifestyle than they ever experienced while embracing homosexuality.
Not all “ex-gays” are miserable, plotting how to secretly fulfill their homosexual lusts without being caught.
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4. I wish they would acknowledge that many former homosexuals and lesbians have genuine joy in their marriages.
Most former gays and lesbians don’t get married in a futile attempt to “escape” homosexuality; they marry as a natural consequence of resolving that issue in their lives.
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5. I wish they would acknowledge that all people have as much right to pursue a heterosexual lifestyle as they do to pursue homosexuality.
Former homosexuals and lesbians should not be harassed and castigated by the gay community. But I have never heard any gay or lesbian leaders speak out against the violence (such as bomb threats and physical/verbal abuse) which some people perpetuate against Exodus ministries.
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6. I wish they would stop equating our decision to leave homosexuality with “hatred” and “bigotry” against gays and lesbians.
We don’t hate gays; we simply desire to live free of homosexuality. Don’t put nasty labels upon our motives. That’s being judgmental and unfair.
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7. I wish pro-gay religious leaders would admit that their endorsement and promotion of monogamous homosexual relationships is a facade.
Many–probably most–men and women involved in long-term partnerships are not sexually monogamous, but gay churches don’t discipline members for committing “adultery” outside their “gay marriage.” Neither do they discipline gays or lesbians who have sex before entering into a “holy union” with their partner.
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Bob Davies is the Director Emeritus with Exodus International, as Bob was the Executive Director with Exodus International from 1985 -2001. Alan Chambers is the current Executive Director of Exodus International.
Copyright 1997 ~ Used with permission from Bob Davies
‘Gay Marriage’ in The Heartland by Andy Comiskey
April 4, 2009
While we were sleeping, the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously overturned the state’s ban on ‘gay marriage’ on grounds that it was unconstitutional. Most believers I spoke with in and around Iowa knew little if anything about the Court’s deliberation. Those who did seemed sleepy in their response. And uncertain. Even getting information about the case was difficult and yielded little. To most, ‘gay marriage’ seemed outside the realm of possibility in Iowa.
Time to wake up. Marriage has now been redefined in the heartland: the ruling represents the mainstreaming of ‘gay marriage’ in the USA. As one activist put it: “If Iowa with its common sensibility can do this, why can’t we do this in other states in the country?”
Just as halting ‘gay marriage’ in CA inhibited such action elsewhere, Iowa’s brash judicial action will quicken the resolve of activists to overturn ‘gay marriage’ bans in other states.
How did a state in the heartland become only the third in the nation to redefine marriage for its citizens? And the first in the Midwest?
The answer lies in the power of gay legal activists who target states that look like good prospects. Like Iowa. In spite of its 10-year-old ‘gay marriage’ ban and ‘common sensibility,’ Iowa has a liberal political history, including gay adoption. Iowa also makes it hard for citizens to overturn any Supreme Court decision with a constitutional amendment. State lawmakers must approve any proposed amendment twice over a two-year period before it gets to voters. That means that the earliest Iowans can vote to overturn ‘gay marriage’ would be 2012!
Enter Lambda Legal, a New York-based gay rights organization. Vying for a date with the state Supreme Court, these activists in 2005 filed a lawsuit on behalf of six gay couples who could not marry in Iowa due to its ‘gay marriage’ ban.
A lower court heard the case in 2007 and ruled that the ban was unconstitutional due to the judge’s belief that ‘homosexuality is unchangeable’, that ‘gay parents will not impact the development of their kids’ and that ‘homosexuals are politically powerless.’ All false, especially the last point: gays in Iowa have Lambda Legal, the most powerful reps I know.
The lower court’s ruling was ’stayed’ then appealed to the Supreme Court, which heard the case last January. I could tell by the hearings that the Court was more inclined toward Lambda Legal than the traditional voice. On Friday, the Court announced that it had unanimously redefined marriage. One decision by one court and the most basic institution of the state changes for all of its citizens.
Lambda Legal is currently servicing other states in passing ‘gay marriage’ provisions. In the Midwest, Minnesota and Wisconsin would be the most vulnerable to ‘gay marriage’ due to its liberal political traditions. Like Iowa, their Courts are primed for the likes of strategic activists like Lambda Legal.
What can we do?
1. Wake up! ‘Gay Marriage’ bans can be overturned. We need to be aware of what is going on in our states and take measures to ward off the strategies of groups like Lambda Legal.
2. We need Constitutional Amendments that define marriage for good. We can pray and fight for Iowans over the long haul as they begin the long push toward overturning the Court’s decision with one such amendment. The majority of Iowans and the rest of the US public are still not in favor of ‘gay marriage.’
3. Make the truth known about why marriage matters. Our focus is not ‘anti-gay’; it is pro-marriage. Tell the truth about how marriage best represents to kids; they need man and woman together in order to grow into wholeness. And how God can restore homosexuals to wholeness. If we don’t tell the truth in love, false justice built on false presuppositions advances.
4. Pray. This is in truth a holy war, based on love and reverence for God’s design and the Designer Himself. In a month, Desert Stream will release ‘Honor Marriage for the Good of All’ , a prayer-guide for churches who want to pray wisely for marriage in our land, while seeking God’s heart and strategy for broken people who need healing.
5. Seek true justice and compassion: in this Holy Week, let us pray that we might be please Jesus in surrender to His purposes, including His heart for marriage. Join Desert Stream this week as we pray and fast that neither New England nor other targeted states in the Midwest will fall to ‘gay marriage.’ Also, that the CA Supreme Court will uphold Prop. 8. (Its decision is not yet known.)
“All that it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke
“Since we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men.” (2Cor. 5:11)
“And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber.” (Romans 13: 11)
USED WITH PERMISSION © 2009 DESERT STREAM MINISTRIES
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Who is Andy Comiskey?
This article is from Andy Comiskey’s blog.
Ex-Gays Afraid to Come Out for Fear of Persecution!
I personally don’t like describing myself as “ex-gay,” however; it communicates a quick sound bite of the reality and a direction of many. So while others might be disturbed by the term, “ex-gay” I feel it is a waste of time to wrangle over words that work in concisely communicating. Yes, folks I am “ex-gay” though I do not find my identity in being “ex-gay.” I am also very concerned that there are many great stories of “ex-gays” which are being browbeaten into silence.
I have been made aware of the growing hostility towards ex-gays in the past couple of years in the media, and recently on many blogs. Even the very popular Bill O’Reilly (here’s an article here where Bill wanted to sue an ex-gay minister) continues to communicate snide chuckles on his program at the idea of ex-gays. Fox News is somewhat fair and balanced to Judeo-Christian values, yet they do a better job with conservative political news. I like and watch Fox News, and even watch O’Reilly a lot, because most of the other cable news outlets are very hostile to the idea of Christian values, never-mind the idea of ex-gays. Our culture is completely buying into the hoax of being born gay and has accepted the idea of being gay as normality.
The hostility is really growing to the message of leaving homosexuality behind. It could actually become illegal in the near future to minister the gospel of Jesus Christ in helping people find freedom from of homosexuality. Even well-meaning Christians scoff at the idea, perhaps they should view the documentary: SPEECHLESS - SILENCING the CHRISTIANS. Perhaps we should remember our history of Nazi Germany. We should at least read the recent news from our Canadian neighbors to the north. In Canada it is illegal to speak out that homosexuality is sin. It is now legislatively considered hate speech and prosecutable; a topic worth Googling. Perhaps well-meaning, well-educated yet misinformed Christians wouldn’t scoff at this knowledge.
I came across this article yesterday “Ex-Gays Afraid to Come Out for Fear of Persecution” and thought this would be a good post in light of this discussion. Ex-gays are in fact, afraid to make themselves known. I have met with MANY people who are influential in my community and others who have church communities that would make it very difficult to talk about their recovery from homosexuality. Yet there is even a larger and growing threatening group of gay activists who are fueling the fire of fear and oppression in our culture. They wish to silence the freedom of choice when it comes to leaving homosexuality. The idea of leaving homosexuality is very threatening to their gay insecure existence and their political agendas. Wayne Besen, a self-proclaimed activist, is one of these very loud voices, he is cruel and mean-spirited. These groups are receiving too much attention, just like the school yard bully or another picture that comes to mind, it’s like the elementary kid throwing himself down on the floor throwing the hissy-fit. I know what I want to do to that kid, but Dr. Spock wouldn’t like it! Yet our culture is deceived by Darwinian-ism and humanistic beliefs. Our society is vacillating from being increasingly afraid of these bullies or being in love with them!
There are growing numbers of political gay groups that are very disturbing to me. They are actual GAY hate groups who wish to silence the voices of ex-gays. These groups are like the brazenly named “Ex-Gay Watch” and their club of bloggers who use hatefully sarcastic words in addressing ex-gays. There are even more radical groups that are extra hateful with their narcissistic sarcasms which reveal vicious vitriol fueled by people like Wayne Besen. I have had my own personal encounters with these groups. These people have actually posted ideas of how to stalk and harm ex-gay ministries and their leaders. They sarcastically mock and hope for the demise of any ex-gay ministry leader. They write books and plays applauding, scoffing and laughing at any relapse of any individual leaving homosexuality. If someone did this with other addicts like alcoholics or other human weaknesses the media would crucify them and then completely dismiss them as cruel hateful people, like Rev. Phelps and his gang; not so for gay activists.
A very successful attorney friend of mine recently told me he felt it was like 1933 in Nazi Germany for Christians and Exodus type ministries in the USA. He seriously joked with me and said, “Stephen it is like 1933 and your last name isn’t Black, but Bernstein. Your ministries will be on the front-line of the next demonic wave of an anti-Christ movement in history. It is coming.” WOW! It was a sobering moment.
One merely need to lightly read over blogs like the “Ex-GAY WATCH” and/or Wayne Besen’s blog and you will know we are living in very dark days. In the news just yesterday, at WorldNetDaily, Wayne Besen is revealed in an article that exposes his tactics and lies. The article by Bob Unruh describes Wayne Besen “as the Fred Phelps of the left.” Pretty scary!
It is sad how many people are afraid of gay activists, liberal gay blog bullies and the liberal gay anti-Christ media machine. They are silencing their great stories about overcoming homosexuality.
Yet in closing, we need to have hope, as Charles Dickens said, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” and so shall it be right before the great and terrible day of the Lord. He is coming and HE will set things STRAIGHT!
