Hello everyone. While I am not technically new to the forum, it has been in the neighborhood of five years or so (I think) since the last time I posted on here (and I was only infrequently active for several years before that), so I figured a re-introduction was in order. Many of you have known me for awhile (probably since '08 or so; I don't actually recall when I first started into this forum "thing") particularly starting out on one forum (which is still active, although I haven't been active there in at least as long), then migrating to another forum for a time (which I believe is no longer in existence), before finally transitioning here. This is still the same username I've always used (although I've debated about changing it), so if you recognize it, then I am still me, and if you don't, I would either tell you hello as someone I don't know, or that I don't blame you for forgetting me after I neglected this place for five years. I am a high school science teacher in the United States and have just finished my sixth year teaching, which was certainly an interesting one the last few months. I have also been an adjunct chemistry professor at a local college the past couple years and am going to begin coursework to earn my master's degree in chemistry this summer (at a different college). I am still a United Methodist and I continue to believe there is not a disconnect between the Bible and science. I am still single and have no children, although I do have a cat who is a beloved member of my household. I've been thinking a fair amount about some controversial/contested issues in relation to Christianity recently, especially in relation to homosexuality. I just finished falling down a rabbit hole of reading online about that, and then polygamy, women in ministry, and violence in the Old Testament. After not being sure how I felt about the way some of the authors I was reading approached their messages, I decided to check back in with a place with many individuals whose opinions I respect. I am doing this not necessarily because these are topics I intend to bring up here (I have no plans to start other threads at the moment, but we'll see where things go), but just because I wanted to touch base with these people that this reading made me think about. I would like to say I'll remain active, but I make no promises. My infrequent posting in the past and then this extended hiatus have shown that life tends to get in the way and this ends up falling by the wayside, but we'll see what happens. Out of curiosity, did any kind of forum meet-up ever occur? You don't have to share details about anything to protect privacy, I'm just curious if anything occurred. I recall there being discussion about maybe trying to have one and it's something I've thought about from time to time when I've thought about this forum (and I have thought about this forum and its occupants in the past several years, even if I never set aside the time to actually pop back in). I don't recall whether the discussions were explicitly on the forum, or via email. I also know it was being discussed a couple years out from when it might occur, but I don't recall for sure even when this discussion was taking place.
GitRDunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn! Hey, Bro! Good to "see" you. Always welcome, of course! No, no "forum meet up", although a few folks have been able to arrange to run into one another from time to time. A big part of the plan was Ma V (Virginia) and Tom, and both passed away a couple of years ago. We few, the proud, the humble, the remaining, are ever your obd't servants, and at your service...
Wow, there's a name I haven't heard in a while. Welcome back to the Krazy Korner! I had hoped a big meetup would occur, even if I wasn't able to make it due to geographical restrictions. Sadly it never did. I was saddened to realise I'd never get to meet Virginia this side of glory. I nearly got to meet Tom but things fell through and now that will have to wait until glory as well If you're serious about discussing issues I'm usually up for considering issues, however controversial. It makes a nice change seeing things actually discussed. I'm sure you know this already but it seems one of the most basic rules of social media is that no topics are open for discussion - the purpose is primarily virtue signalling.
Welcome back! Another one who really hoped could have made a meetup happen. As it is, we moved even further away from everyone, settling in a small town in northern BC for the last 5 years now.
I have gotten to meet some of the people here. Several of them came over to my town and we had lunch. (One lives in the area and the others were visiting in the area at the time.) And I went up and stayed with Parson for about a week.
For what it's worth, feel free to go for it if you ever get the itch I too have an interest in violent polygamous homosexual women in ministry, I mean...
@ Athanasius 1. Because I can. 2. Because you need it. 3. Because, as I've been told, "OrangeManBad." [OompahLoompahs, Untie!] 4. Because I am moving from one house to another today, and someone should share my joy.... I, too, want to hear about these violent polygamous homosexual women in ministry... I can think of a couple I've met that I wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley...
Hey there GitRDunn. It's been a long time indeed. I've also been a stranger for quite some time. Been a lot of changes in the last 2-1/2 to 3 years. Including losing my job of 12 years. (Family business), then having a Stroke the day before Thanksgiving in 2018. But other than that, it's been awesome.