BANNED !!

One example of this kind of favouritism can be read in the attachment, "Veruca Chat" dated 12th August 2007.

My Mouth Hung Open

July and August came and went, then September arrived. Amongst our other activities, my husband and I visited Truth and had friendly talks to anyone we found there.

One day I was feeling relaxed and chirpy. I joked around with various people on Truth, and they responded in kind. California Condor hung around, silently, watching us. Knowing he always muted me, I said

[9:40] YOU: I can say anything I like about Condor because he's got me muted.
[9:40] YOU: like...Condor has smelly feet
[9:40] Shybear Arkin: is that what the smell is?
[9:40] YOU: even his pet snake won't go near him...

Then other discussions both serious and fun continued until suddenly California Condor - who had in fact unmuted me - rounded on me, accused me of "being a griefer" and ejected and banned me permanently.

The brief conversation that led up to it was this:

[14:38] Me: you over there with the wing thing going on...
[14:38] Me: still got me muted?
[14:39] California Condor: we have had enough of your griefing from last time.
[14:39] Me: excuse me? griefing?????
[14:39] California Condor: You are here again under a courtesy only.
[14:39] Me: what????
[14:39] California Condor: But I see you still carry attitudes against us here and want to start up again.
[14:39] Me: well...
[14:39] Me: if that doesn't beat all.
[14:40] Me: you lying toad
[14:40] Me: what griefing have i ever done?
[14:40] Me: you liar.
[14:40] Me: this is just the same as last time - accusing me of griefing.
[14:40] California Condor ejected and banned you from this land.

I was so shocked that I did not know what to say. Indeed, I could say nothing in defense as California muted me and ejected me from all the Truth groups at the same time. I was left to fume and consider his bizarre accusation that I had supposedly been banned before for griefing and been allowed back under special circumstances -- all of which was news to ME!

IM to California ignored

After trying to reason against this unjust action (see attachment) I decided to write to the Pastors, Ben and Mariposa Psaltery, to complain that their staff were acting in an unacceptable way. I also asked that - since I was accused of being a griefer - that my accusers and their evidence should be brought openly to me, so that I could have a chance to defend myself. Knowing there WAS no evidence, I wanted California to be shown up to be a twisted liar and corrupter of the truth. I asked for a meeting - but there was no reply, except to say that "unity" amongst the staff was more important that this issue.

In other word, Ben and Mari were going to stand by California, no matter what - no matter if he was a liar, a deceiver, a spiteful loser who persecuted innocent people - still "unity" (or compromise) was more important to them than the truth!

2007-09-18 What Mariposa said to me

[9:35] Me: am I still believed to be a griefer? Is that what I'm being banned for? or what?
[9:36] Mariposa Psaltery: I am not banning you right now. I was just looking at your couch is all.
[9:37] Me: well, the ban lines here seem to suggest I have done something wrong, and it would be helpful to be told what that is.
[9:38] Mariposa Psaltery: I know some...giving names to a fellow Christian is not respectful. That is all I know.
[9:39] Me: giving names? can you explain? I'n not sure what you mean by that.
[9:40] Mariposa Psaltery: "blooming" (I think you then said something about California as a flying something or other or winged thing flying around. and you called him a bastard I believe.
[9:41] Me: no, Mari. I do not use that kind of language. My husband did swear at Cal when he accused me - his wife - of being a griefer, but he has repented and apologised for losing his temper. However I myself said nothing like that.
[9:41] Me: I joked that it was hard to talk with a "blooming great eagle" sitting there, meaning Cal, because he was wearing wings. I wasn't aware that was a banning offense on Truth.
[9:42] Me: in america, is "blooming" a swear word, because it isn't in the UK
[9:42] Me: have you not read the logs of the conversation? you should I think.
[9:43] Me: Cal said he was banning me for being a griefer, and said I'd been banned before for that, but that is not correct.

(then she just got up and left)

The Ban Remains

There was no vindication from the Truth staff, nor anybody else. I just had to accept that I was for ever labelled a "griefer" with no opportunity to clear my name, which was hard for me to swallow.

I shared my hurt with a friend "Eliju Mills" but she had an equally unproductive and bizarre conversation with California Condor - please read it in the attachments.

The ONLY evidence he had of me being a "griefer" was that I'd joked that he had smelly feet!!

My final Word on Truth: Truth or Lie?

As many of you will know by now, we were ejected from the entire Truth sim and groups for ever last night. My husband was ejected (as he accepts) for bad language, in response to what California Condor said to/about me his wife - but I was banned for nothing, except Condor's perception of something that he has in his mind, relating to me supposedly "being a griefer." This lie started spreading at the time of Carlton Homewood who delighted in bearing false witness against anyone who would not follow him like a pet dog. Others accepted his version of events and thus the rumour began and spread under its own momentum by I know not what. (Because I wasn't there, and didn't actually do anything.)

My treatment on Truth causes me to ask certain questions. Is this a sim for upholding truth, or for upholding the personal vanity of people looking for popularity and advancement? Is it a place for genuine christian caring and reaching out to the lost and hurting, or a place for dogma and uncaring legalistic attitudes, regardless of who is there?

The real truth - God's truth - takes many forms and does not always present itself as the nicey-nicey religious-speak that passes for Christianity today. Being able to spout scripture from a digital bible, or talk in christianese is no proof of a personal faith. Nor does it achieve anything in real Christian terms. The real seeds are sown, often, in private conversations that take a genuine interest in the needs, hopes and failings of those who visit Truth (whatever and whoever they may be, or however they present themselves.)

What is written in our hearts speaks louder than words. Even words may fail, be inadequate or be outwardly "offensive" if they are not immediately acceptable to the flesh - BUT - that does not mean they are of no effect in the spirit.

The religious and introverted person looks on the outward appearance, and condemns. God looks on the heart and reads the inward intention, even of an unbeliever, even of a pervert. God looks on the outwardly rebellious man or woman, who wears a demonic avatar and rages against the Church, and he sees a needy, lonely and weak person who is reacting against religious propaganda, and is actually seeking.

How is such a person treated on "Truth" (that name itself is a misnomer as far as a lot of people are concerned) - such a person is likely to be condemned before opening his or her mouth, told he's evil, and forced to listen to quote after quote (misapplied) that only reminds him more and more of the bigoted religious propagandists of his childhood. So, he came secretly wishing to prove himself wrong, and goes away with yet another confirmation of his own version of the truth - that Christians are unloving, judgemental, unsympathetic arrogant bigots who only enjoy eachother's company.

The Truth sim is open to all, and all may freely come, just as they are "whosoever will may come". IF they come simply to cause trouble, be blasphemous and disruptive on purpose, they should be banned. But that should be the ONLY reason for a ban - not to pursue a personal vendetta, or because one christian doesn't like another. Such a thing is condemned in scripture - we cannot be partisan. Myself, I have had to endure the more irritating Christians, the most abusive spirits, the most hurtful and vicious attitudes, yet without denying them the right to speak out. I don't have "ban-rights" but if I did, I would practise this epithet...

"I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".

It seems to me that the church members and supporters and many staff of ALM should be judged by their own standards. Would THEY come out of it squeaky clean? When a cross-dressing non-christian pervert and consistent troublemaker like Anya Heberle can ingratiate himself into church membership and be accepted by staff without a hint of a ban, how can it be that someone like myself and my husband who have genuinely reached out to the lost in love and faith and seen positive results (albeit as individuals and not ALM staff) have been banned? It's inconsistent. Anya was once (before his recent christian pretense) the worst greifer on Truth, always rude, perverted and malignant. Yet he's still here.

I am not trying to pick on individuals. That was just an EXAMPLE and personally I don't care - I just mute Anya so I don't get too upset by his lewd or offensive talk. I'm just trying to point out that appearances are deceptive.

About the subject of griefing. Let it be said that the defense of the Truth sim in times past has been left to regular visitors - my husband and I have been coming there for some years now - and whenever abusive people came to make trouble, there were no staff members there to deal with it. Nor were they interested in putting up defenses or helping us defend the sim. WE were the ones who had to defend ourselves and the innocent on that sim. It was not we but others who caused trouble - yet now it is ME and HIM who stand accused - what lunacy is this? Why would we at one time defend Truth and then attack it. There is no sense in it. It's absurd.

The real criminals go scot free and the defenders are pilloried, accused and hung without evidence? Is THIS the meaning and rationale behind Truth sim?

To return to my earlier argument, above, I say again that we and people in general are not to be judged by the eye and ear of man, but by God, who knows the heart. My husband comes across as hot tempered and uses the language that he was familiar with before he was saved, at a time of crisis (for which he repents, and is changing as God sanctifies him. We are ALL on a journey towards being Christlike) - BUT I want to say this in his defense.... his anger is NOT directed against the weak and innocent! He never, ever comes against those who cannot defend themselves, out of spite. When he rails against a person it is because they are hurting others, being ignorant, foolish, mean and offensive to everyone on the sim.

Unlike Abner, who has already hurt the feelings of many longterm Truth visitors, christians and non-christians alike, my husband does not come to judge, condemn and send to hell anybody who is not like unto himself! That is why he's so unacceptable. It's sad.

Unlike California Condor, he never attacks people out of personal animosity or because he can't take a joke. THAT is why God gave us both deep peace and a good night last night, in the comfort of the Holy Spirit and a clear conscience. Whatever his words, behind them is a heart that is soft towards the disadvantaged. Like Jesus, he cannot stand me or anybody else being accused unjustly and he is hot in their defense. I refuse to blame him for that, and I don't believe any right-thinking christian would either.

And the reason I myself am unacceptable is this: an evil rumour! Evil-speaking and false accusation has painted a lurid picture of just what and who I am supposed to be, and I am left completely unable to defend my name and reputation. I could just accept that, like my Lord, I WILL be hated and lied about, as He was... or I could seek the right as a christian to a defense, as the bible demands.

I have asked the Pastor, Benjamin Psaltery, to offer me an opportunity to meet my accusers face to face, and see (once and for all) what "evidence" they think they have that I am a griefer, or have attacked Truth sim, either as myself or (apparently) another avatar. In fact I have never come to Truth as anyone but myself. What you see is what you get. The person who is capable of sharing her faith with unbelievers, and being gentle and kind as well as outrageous when the occasion demands, is NOT a cover for some kind of demonic hacker who comes with bombs or weapons or whatever to attack a sim for no reason. Anybody who knows me knows how absurd that is. YET a group who have been sold this lie still choose to believe it, whatever the facts.

So far there is no response from Ben apart from a oneliner in IM to support California.

Should I not have anything to say in my own defense? Should I not be told, even, what is said about me in secret? California Condor last night told me "you have been ejected from Truth before, for griefing..." and I am here to tell you, hand on heart, I have NEVER been ejected, banned or anything else on Second Life, and I have been here since 2005. What therefore is he referring to? But he will not accept that he's wrong.

According to him, we were only allowed "back" on the sim under probation, being watched to see if we were going to "return to our former hateful attitudes" and start griefing again. DUH!!!! What is all THAT about?? I know nothing about it, it's a mystery to us. If YOU know, please drop us a line and explain it.

So, this note is to inform you, to update you, to tell you why we cannot say Hi to our friends anymore. If you want to know why we are unable to see you, you can ask the church staff. And if they tell YOU what I'm supposed to have done, would you please IM me back and inform ME, because I have no idea!!!

If I had the money to buy a sim, I would set it up as a place for genuine fun, friendship and fellowship that is really TRUTH, not a perversion of truth out of self-interest and personal popularity. But I don't have any donations, church funds, ways and means, supporters, followers or anything like that. So I will just leave and mark it down to experience.

Abner's Sad Story