Curse

GraceAlone · Jun 16, 2005, 05:43 PM // 17:43

I just have a general question for the community and if this is the wrong forum I apologize and a mod can please move it

I have a guild that is for Christian and we use to share our faith in game (in an unintrusive way). But when posting to recruit in game or on other forums I have had nothing but slanderous, hateful, condemning, and all sorts of other very rude/degrading things said to me. I suppose my question/frustration is that the community (not GWG in general) is very hostile towards...people of faith lets say. Or is it just Christians?

Personally if there is a guild that wants to be Buddhist only, or muslim only, or old married men with 2 kids and a white dog only guilds, that's fine with me. I have no problem with that go right ahead, and if you are recruiting, more power to ya! I'll just turn off the local channel or move to another district if it is bothersome. I've only tried to recruit once so far and got the reactions mentioned above. I had one guy that even said he was going to report me to Anet...not sure on what grounds but...

Guess I just want to get other peoples opinions/thoughts/insights.

Thanks,
GraceAlone

Rasp · Jun 16, 2005, 05:46 PM // 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by GraceAlone

Personally if there is a guild that wants to be Buddhist only, or muslim only, or old married men with 2 kids and a white dog only guilds, that's fine with me. I have no problem with that go right ahead, and if you are recruiting, more power to ya!

Agreed.

Ignore the ignorant, do as you wish.

Dragonkin · Jun 16, 2005, 05:50 PM // 17:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by GraceAlone

the community (not GWG in general) is very hostile towards...people of faith lets say. Or is it just Christians?

I'm not sure about other places in the world, but in the UK Christians are the only relgious group that can be openly abused and messed about without any outcry at all, no-one dares tell muslims they can't have there holidays, but when we want a Happy Christmas sign up on our city hall we can't have it because it "may offend people of other religions".

It's a complete joke, just because christians aren't seen as a minority we get trampled on in the rush to be completely PC and not offend anyone.

Kuku Monk · Jun 16, 2005, 05:52 PM // 17:52

To be a Christian is to be persecuted.

Matthew 24:9
Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.

Dragonkin · Jun 16, 2005, 05:54 PM // 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuku Monk

To be a Christian is to be persecuted.

Matthew 24:9
Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.

Very true indeed.

Synthos · Jun 16, 2005, 05:56 PM // 17:56

You said that your group is unintrusive yet you say your trying to share your faith in the game. You really need to step away from your faith for a while to really see why people are annoyed with this, mabey watch some George Carlin for a while. I guess it just comes down to, people dont want you to share your faith with them just as much as you dont want to hear a White power activist clan, So please, take into consideration other people.

Cap'n Hoek · Jun 16, 2005, 05:56 PM // 17:56

Sounds like you've met with the bottom of the barrel in GW. There are plenty of people in game that don't know the first thing about tolerance, or kindness, or patience, etc. Good luck with your guild and don't let the immaturity of some bring you down.

GraceAlone · Jun 16, 2005, 05:57 PM // 17:57

Yep, I understand that we are persecuted and abused, but I have never in my life (and I want to be a pastor!) had some much hostility. Glad to get some "symathy" that's what I love about GWG!

Edit:
By saying we are non intrusive what I mean is this. I recruited saying in all chat this [b]exactly[/]

Quote:

Are you a Christian? Then consider Servants of the Son for your guild!

that's it! I wasn't standing on the corner trying to spam the living daylights out of the server, or jumping to a district every three seconds spamming the same message. And this was the first time that I had ever done it! We're not trying to force people to be Christians! But we are trying to meet other Christians and talk with people about the gospel. If someone that I grouped with told me to keep my religion to myself, then I would politely not engage such a person in a religious conversation.

Siren · Jun 16, 2005, 05:57 PM // 17:57

I think I actually saw some of your recruiting in Ascalon City a few days back. I thought nothing of it, as everyone should, because frankly, religious hatred is stupid. There are only two things I hate in this world:

People who are intolerant of other people's religions...

...and the Amish.

Kuku Monk · Jun 16, 2005, 05:58 PM // 17:58

It's cool that you got the gutts to make a stand of faith in an online game. Keep it up!

Synthos · Jun 16, 2005, 06:00 PM // 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by GraceAlone

Yep, I understand that we are persecuted and abused, but I have never in my life (and I want to be a pastor!) had some much hostility. Glad to get some "symathy" that's what I love about GWG!

Being insulted by a bunch of 13 year olds is hardly being persecuted and abused.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siren

I think I actually saw some of your recruiting in Ascalon City a few days back. I thought nothing of it, as everyone should, because frankly, religious hatred is stupid. There are only two things I hate in this world:

People who are intolerant of other people's religions...

...and the Amish.

I live in a town with the Amish, they are really nice people (North East, Ohio). Our wallmart is actually caterting to them.

Deathlord · Jun 16, 2005, 06:06 PM // 18:06

I don't see a reason why any religion would bash other's. NO religion that I know of (Cult's don't count) purposely tells the people to bash other god's or the people that worship them, insted, they'd rather you help them to see the light or watch them burn in hell if they don't (Couldn't resist). I see no problem with any guild based on any religion as long as they themselves arn't jackasses. There can be a group of Asians/muslims/mormons (I'm not sure if i spelled the 2 m'words right), if they're nice all around and good people then I wouldn't care. It's stupid to spend time bashing people verbally with digital text in a game.

Stev0 · Jun 16, 2005, 06:09 PM // 18:09

We used to play DnD with a GM who was a Presbyterian Minister. The only religion brought to the game was that all characters were Good. There were no 'Gods', only 'The One'. Anyone who gambled were told to 'deduct the amount of gold from your purses'.

I don't have a problem with a Guild that has a theme. As long as that theme is'nt forced on to the public at large.

Synthos · Jun 16, 2005, 06:15 PM // 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deathlord

I don't see a reason why any religion would bash other's. NO religion that I know of (Cult's don't count) purposely tells the people to bash other god's or the people that worship them, insted, they'd rather you help them to see the light or watch them burn in hell if they don't (Couldn't resist). I see no problem with any guild based on any religion as long as they themselves arn't jackasses. There can be a group of Asians/muslims/mormons (I'm not sure if i spelled the 2 m'words right), if they're nice all around and good people then I wouldn't care. It's stupid to spend time bashing people verbally with digital text in a game.

The terrorists that smashed into the world trade center killing thousands were following their religion, take a look at all the fighting in the middle east as well. Religion is the basis behind all wars, that and George Bush. How would you feel if someone was occupying your country and telling you that you shouldnt belive in Jesus, that your god was a fake and you should "see the light".

ManadartheHealer · Jun 16, 2005, 06:19 PM // 18:19

Personally, I don't care how guilds recruit, so long as it doesn't affect me.

Next time you try to recruit, try leaving religion out of it. If you still get flamed, then the people are simply morons with no life and nothing better to do.

While I myself do not care for religion, I do support any guild with common interests (and religion would happen to qualify as a common interest

)

Just don't start any wars

Gedscho · Jun 16, 2005, 06:21 PM // 18:21

my english isnt that good, and this requires complex words, so be patient with me.

as i, and i believe many other young people too, feel that a lot of bad things have been done in christianities, or even worse, gods name.
whereas it may be stupid turning your back to the church, because someone burned galileo a loooooong time ago, it is NOT stupid turning your back, when you realize it only a few years ago, THEY FINALLY APOLOGIZED.

you know, where i come from, christianity, or catholicism even more stands for hippocrism. i would never follow a group that preaches "love em all" but locks down their churches at night, so homeless cant sleep in there. but i guess i am talking crap, because the few places where homeless can stay are generally run by some christian organisation.
but that doesnt matter, because what i basically wanna say is:

the whole christian mythology is a two-thumbs-up but i guess the catholics and whatever all those subgroups are called have done a lot of things they rather should not have been even thinking about. ( i mean, hey, NOOOOOObody expects the spanish inquisition.

)
i do not understand, why someone must react as harsh as you have been experiencing, but i DO understand some.... fears.... people feel, when they hear about christianity.

ooh btw... could someone teach me about some bad things that have been done in buddhisms name, plz?

Than · Jun 16, 2005, 06:22 PM // 18:22

Quote:

The terrorists that smashed into the world trade center killing thousands were following their religion, take a look at all the fighting in the middle east as well. Religion is the basis behind all wars, that and George Bush. How would you feel if someone was occupying your country and telling you that you shouldnt belive in Jesus, that your god was a fake and you should "see the light".

1. You're an idiot.
2. Jesus Christ you're an idiot.
3. Relgion isn't the basis of all wars. Hasn't been the basis of most wars. Such gradios generalizations are moronic.
4. Guess which President brought the Civil War in the south of Sudan to a halt(for the time being). I'll give you a hint, it was a US president in the last 10 years and not Clinton.
5. Did I mention you're a freaking idiot?
6. Who exactly is occupying a country and telling them which way to practice? Other then China?
7. Sweet Mary mother of Christ you're stupid.

ManadartheHealer · Jun 16, 2005, 06:23 PM // 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gedscho

ooh btw... could someone teach me about some bad things that have been done in buddhisms name, plz?

Heh, to my knowledge, Buddhism hasn't done anything (caused wars, inquisition, etc.). I looked into Buddhism for a little while, and it seemed pretty nice

Corwin_Andros · Jun 16, 2005, 06:23 PM // 18:23

I'll say this up front.. I AM NOT A CHRISTIAN.. nor am I Muslim, Jewish, Buhdist or even Aethiest. I am a Pagan (you can even insert Witch if you so choose) .. not very devout mind you.. but Pagan none the less. I understand a bit about persecution.

I kinda feel for you getting abused. I'm a pretty tolerant person, but one thing that gets on my nerves faster than most is having someone of religion.. ANY religion... come preaching at me or spreading the word. Especially in a game.

I have about as much interest in sharing your religion in-game as you wuold likely feel about sharing mine.

My advise would be to limit advertising you are a christian guild to your recruiting drives and otherwise keep the sharing amongst your guildmates. Pretty much something to the effect of "Guild *****, a devout Christian guild, is recruiting.. blah blah blah.." and leave it at that.

Don't attempt to share your faith with other players in-game. As seriously as some people take their games, it is primarily a form of entertainment or escapism for most.. and definitely not the place for "sharing" religion. It irritates people when they feel like their fun is being intruded on.

As long as you follow these guidelines, you'd do well to try and ignore the asinine bunches that harrass you. If you aren't trying to "share" with others and are harrassed just because you are trying to form or recruit a Christians Only guild, you could actually report the harrassment to ANet and have a decent chance of having some action taken against the harrassers.

Try and have fun with the game.. and if you get the kind of people you are looking for to play with on a regular basis and can discuss the wonders of your faith while doing so.. more power to you.

dansamy · Jun 16, 2005, 06:25 PM // 18:25

Well, I ran into outright preaching in Ascalon (post-searing) the other day. I do not know if it was a member of your guild or not, but I was very upset over it. If I wish to hear preaching, I will go to church or turn the channel on my TV to the Christian station, which coincedentally had Carmen on the other night. I play my game as a fantasy escape from the real world. I do not wish to have your religion imposed on me while I'm visiting said fantasy-land.