Just saying goodbye and sharing a story...

[Seagoon]

Dear AHers,

I recently posted a pastoral letter I had written in the hopes that it would be a comfort those who were heartbroken after the Newtown shooting and was subsequently suspended by Skuzzy for 7 days because it was religious. I'm an evangelical pastor in a military town, my worldview and every moment of my life is religious, religion isn't something I can put on and take off like a suit. So it finally brought home to me the fact that I'm not going to be able to post here. That's a shame, I'd like to be able to keep in touch with some of the old hands here, and also be available to answer requests for prayer or spiritual help. In fact I just noticed there was a prayer request posted today, and I wish I could read and respond to it, but my response would inevitably be religious and I don't want that thread to get shut down as well.

Anyway, on to the story... I wanted to say thank you again for a great blessing the AH community showed me several years ago. At one point when I was still flying frequently, and before the posting rules changed, my family was going through some very hard times financially and I made the announcement that I was going to have to quit AH because of it. Many of the pilots here responded by "buying" me a month of flying time. I believe the response was so overwhelming I ended up with over a year of flying time "in the bank." The gesture was more than simply a financial help, it was a touching and encouraging act that I will always be grateful for. It was because of that, that when I stopped flying on a regular basis, I didn't cancel my Aces High account (much to my wife's chagrin). I believe in Ace High, I think its a wonderful game, and I'm grateful to the member community and the developers who keep it going and regularly improve it, and that includes Skuzzy.  

Even though I can't post here anymore, I will try to fly every now and then - feel free to contact me via a PM if you ever see me online.

Your Friend,

Seagoon
aka Pastor Andy Webb
Fayetteville, NC

[RedBull1]

That's a shame, sorry you got suspended, but I still thank you for that thread, and although I'm not sure if I've met you in game I'd love to fly with ya sometime 

 

[DEECONX]

Your right. Christianity (or whatever you believe in) can't just be taken on and off whenever you feel like it or whenever it comes in "violation" of something. Even more so when it's your day in day out job! I'm sorry to see you leave again. Keep up the good work brother.   

[Shifty]

Merry Christmas Andy.

 

[Widewing]

Andy, you can respond to prayer requests via PM... You can still be a positive force by doing that and not violate the public forum rules.

[ink]

I am no pastor but I tattooed GODS name on my face and left hand.....I very much believe and many times I wish I could speak more.......my life has been changed because of my belief....I use my life to show the Truth of God......saying that, I know this is HTC's house I respect him I try to follow his rules......if you need to speak to someone about God PM them...simple as that really......

in no way does that say you believe less or love him(used figuratively) less...just means you respect HTC

no need to "Stop Posting"

[Shuffler]

Andy you are a positive influence on the folks here despite anyone's concern for hurting a non-believer's feelings.

The board needs more level headed folks.... not less.


God Bless you and yours!

[mechanic]

There are lots of parts to me that I dn't display on internet fprums for one reason or another, doesn't mean I can't take part. I realise that you feel wounded for the recent suspension and that wound is a major part in your descision to not post here anymore. Perhaps when the fresh wound heals you may reconsider the severity of the situation and stick around.

S!

[Seagoon]

Hi all, thanks for the thoughtful replies. I really appreciate them. I did though want to make it clear that I'm not leaving because of the suspension. Obviously with over 2000 posts at one point I posted quite a bit on the boards and in particular the O' Club. Although I'd never been suspended, I stopped posting because of the rule change and the recent event simply made it clear that I couldn't come back.

Also, Christianity isn't a part of my life, it is my life. Imagine if you will a rule was posted that stated, "because many people find your wife and family offensive, you may not mention them online, for the purposes of this board you must effectively deny your association with them." How many of you would say, "okey doke" to that rule, and how would your family feel about it if they found out you'd agreed to abide by it? It's a matter of conscience.

In any event, I can't stop talking about Christ, that was one of the reasons I left the business world and became a pastor. So telling me to stop, is going to work about as well as did when they told the Apostles or Polycarp or John Bunyan to do the same thing. And as has been said, this isn't my house, and if someone can't abide by the rules of the house owner they must leave. Hey, that's an old American tradition after all. That was an essential part of the founding of this country.

[Hajo]

It's a sign of todays politcally correct world unfortunately.  It is assumed what you write or say will anger someone.  I respect all religions.
When anyone would post something on their beliefs it would not bother me in the least.  I guess we've lost the capability to accept ideas
that are foreign to us.  To me it is a learning experience.  Being ignorant and insulting about beliefs is not being respectful.  I assume there
are fewer people at this point in time that are respectful of things of that nature.  A pity.....usually with age society as a whole gains wisdom.  
I guess that is not true in all areas of todays society.

[Skuzzy]

It has nothing to do with being political correct.  It has everything to do with topics that this community cannot discuss with any level of respect to anyone else in the discussion.

Most, if not all, of the forum posting rules were created around that.

I agree it is a shame these topics have to be blocked from the board.