By the way, someone privately mentioned that they admired that I was "strong". It can be strong to also walk away, and sometimes more meritorious. However, I knew I didn't mind if they mocked me. I think Vox may have been surprised that I did not defend the things that had been going on there. I probably should have addressed it first privately with her, but she was already aware of the issues with the moderators, and she was responsible of much of it. Vox, by the way, never kicked me out, and I am technically still on the site, but I don't have any desire to patronize the forums, and don't even see a need to be on the site at all, since I can just as easily get my news elsewhere. Also, it's more important that I spend that time in prayer, in examination of conscience, or even in just spiritual reading that I myself grow in holiness rather than dissipate so much time and energy checking out the latest news in the Church. As they say, St. Francis of Assisi did not set out to change the Church, but to reform himself. In the process, he influenced the Church and thereby the world. And he was a poor, and simple man. Even while he was well-regarded by many, he certainly had his viscious detractors... and here we are talking about a saint! lol! I wouldn't expect to have it any easier, especially in this age.
I've noticed that a lot of people were greatly affected by the thread. Some even used the word that they themselves were afraid to be "traumatized" by merely entering into the thread on my defense. Here is the thing that I don't understand: why there is a perception that their ranting has any power over Truth? If Christ is with us, who can be against us? Those that attacked me with words came at me with such ferocity, it was as if they sincerely believe that they had the upperhand not by their favor with Christ, but by their mere number and visciousness in which they would reply, and their clever ways of twisting words. It makes sense, though, that they would believe these tactics would be effective since it clearly reveals their own morality being led by human respect. Every tactic on the 'page' was attempted, but in the end, it was only a matter of human respect. The reality is that Truth operates independent of human respect. So, there was no reason to be so deeply concerned, although I appreciate the empathy; the worse that they could do is invoke the devil by their malice (if he wasn't already to blame for much of it), but to that I have recourse to the Blessed Mother and our Lord in his holy name: Jesus. They could have pulled my account, but they didn't. ***Surprisingly, since they pulled accounts for much less, such as speaking out against Freemasons, or in defense of abstaining from television.*** Perhaps they realized on some level that the war they waged wasn't on merely a members bold exhortation, but on the threat to their own damaged, worldly morality. Not deleting my account gave them an opportunity to attack this 'threat' (and attempt to defend their beloved culture), so I felt I owed it to their souls not to give in this time. Also, I hope it did some good for some of the people who read the threads and yet are afraid to speak out. See? I am still alive and without a scratch.
The new martyrdom of true Christians is of morality, rather than a threats on our lives. The new martyrdom is prolonged throughout each of our lives, and no less tempting (perhaps even more) than if the threats were on our lives. It's ok to avoid these types of discussions (like the thread on FE), but we must face the daily martyrdom against the war on the spirit of Christ living within us. :boxer: