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After all the fiasco with Truth, and then Lake Abyss, you'd think I would stay away entirely from Christian sims. I couldn't do it completely. From time to time I visited Truth in another av, but found it unchanged. I also kept an eye open for individuals or churches that would be worth visiting. Uncomplicated, without all the gossip, drama, back-biting and infighting. What was a hoping for? A miracle?
White Horse Inn
I travelled SL, and found an Anglican Cathedral, a dozen chapels, a few organisations and entertainment centres...but nothing that really held my attention. Then I chanced upon the "White Horse Inn" on Reformation island. Calvinist, but that didn't matter to me as long as they were prepared to take me as I was. I'm not Calvinist, but I do hold to biblical truth, and a lot of the standards I met with on Reformation were the same as my own - the opposition to biblical heresy, and a dislike of the "lovey-dovey" watered-down gospel we found on Truth. Indeed, most of the people on Reformation had been banned from Truth, like me, so that was a relief.
However, various old names cropped up in that place, and I did wonder just how far California's griefing accusations had travelled. Would these people also reject me? For a time, all was well, and I was establishing a friendly banter and fellowship there. The sim was beautifully landscaped, with lawns, trees and an Olde Worlde Inn. It was peaceful both physically and spiritually. (By contrast, every time I made the mistake of visiting Truth, I felt spiritually uncomfortable and ill at ease.)
Another One Bites The Dust
Sadly, after a very short time enjoying the company of like-minded Christians, once again it came to an end. I still don't know why or how. One day I turned up to find the whole island barren and deserted, not a sign of the lovely landscaping and the Inn. I spoke to Gretchen Janick who owned the island, and she said she'd sold it. I know she had been "griefed" a few times. I know she was upset about gossip, opposition from other Christians, and California Condor's conduct. But I know no details.
A little while later, I came online to find I'd been ejected both from the White Horse Inn group, and Gretchen's friend list. So - nothing changes! (I wasn't even surprised to find that, as I stood there talking to Gretchen about the demise of White Horse Inn, who should pop up in an IM to Gretchen but Calliope Simon. She has vowed to remove every Christian sim from Second Life, and she's well on the way to that aim I suppose. I do not know what involvement (if any) she had in this particular event, however.
What does the future hold?
My participation in SL Christianity is now nil. I came there hoping for and expecting fellowship, warmth and a like-mnded attitude. I found some of that, but in the main I found the opposite. I have been reviled, rejected and lied about - by Christians. I have been set up, knocked down and stamped on - by Christians. I have been made to cry, as well as laugh at the idiocy of it all.
I have met
brainless knee-jerkers who condemn everything outside their limited scope,
gullible idiots who follow anybody or anything,
poseurs who wants to make themselves seem more intelligent and holier than thou,
weak immature individuals who need to grow up and stop playing games,
mature individuals who need to back off and stop judging everyone else by their own flawed standards,
wishy-washy limp-wristed Christians who love everything and everybody at the expense of truth,
domineering Christians who come to SL hoping for the audience and following they would never have in real life.
I have also met the Christians with a double-standard who look down their noses at a risque joke or a bad word, but are found in a BDSM dungeon or a sex sim if they think nobody is watching.
I have also met fine, loving, caring Christians, but they are sadly in the minority, and they seem to be pushed down and scared away from Secondlife almost as soon as they join. What a shame. If the in-fighting, back-biting, lying, intrigue, rivalry and attacks were to cease, we might have a chance of getting along together at last - but I know that will never happen.
John and I making a new home by the sea, wearing the clothes we had (foolishly) bought for what turned out to be a GOR community
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