Confession Time: What are you like outside of your cyberspace personae

[Woody]

I have a feeling that we might be surprised what people are like outside of cyberspace. Are you as outspoken when you are in public? Are you shy in the real world but more bold here? Do you contribute as much in Sabbath School lesson discussions as you contribute here? Does your confidence here extend to the real world? Are you happy here and sad there ... or just the opposite? I am running out of questions. But I hope you know what I am getting at.

So .... can we have some confessions? Let us know who you REALLY are.

[Woody]

Thanks for getting the ball started dgrimm. I guess I should add some confessions.

I used to speak a lot in SS lesson study. We had small groups and it was great. But now ... I hardly ever say a word. Why? I have a 50-75% hearing loss. It makes knowing what is being talked about and contributed VERY difficult. Here online ... I have no difficulty hearing. Well that may be wrong. Sometimes my interpretation of what is said may be off.

But this forum allows me to do what I am unable to do in real life. I am not usually able to attend church and when I do ... I can't hear much unless Blanche is speaking. I can hear a good bit of her particular tone. She is so used to yelling at me that she can tell it like it is at church. Actually ... she is not the hell and primstone type.

I suspect that most of you would find me to be the more quiet type now. But I can get excited when the 49ers score a touchdown.

[phkrause]

Well Redwood, if you noticed in the beginning when I first joined CA I did very little posting but as time went on I've gotten more used to people so I have posted more. If I had posted more right away I'd probably have twice the posts I have now. I'm very shy in public, it takes me awhile to get used to people. So I'm pretty much the same. Can't say that about myself as a teenager or young adult, even though I was shy, you didn't want to get me upset. My patience was very bad and I could easily go off on people, especially those that take advantage of those that can't protect themselves from bully's. When much younger I was picked on alot, and was always taught not to strike back. Well as I grew older that changed. If not for God I'm pretty sure I'd have been in Jail by now and maybe for life. Even here I get irratated by some because I know for a fact that they would never say what they say to the other person face to face.

[Woody]

Thanks for that pk. Most interesting. How is your patience here and now ... in cyberspace and in the real world? You do seem rather mellow with the wildness that can go on here. You seem to keep a level head.

I guess we all have our issues that cause us to fly off the handle. But I haven't noticed any with you. Let us know ... so we can tempt you HA HA HA

[phkrause]

Its pretty good Redwood. With the Lords help its been corraled. There are days that I really get upset but all in all the Lord has help me alot. I all so know that changing my diet helps very much. Like I mentioned before sometimes I read I few posts from some and I want to drive right over to there house and ask them to say that right there face to face. haha But of course I would never do that now, a few years ago I'm not sure that even the Lord could have stop me. haha Usually now I just don't respond to that thread for awhile because I'll probably say something I'd probably regret and Stan would be sending me a little message saying "son take a break". haha

pk

[Woody]

I hope you aren't too forward with your comments. Blanche has had some interpret no ... I mean interrupt ... the sermon and disagree with her. But I think they did some wrong intepreting also.

[LynnDel]

Interpret is one thing, interrupt is another...

I believe I'm pretty much the same person, though I am more articulate online that in real life, because I can go back and edit what I write over and over until it actually looks like a real sentence.

LD

[GreatLakesGramma]

I'm quiet everywhere. Not shy, just quiet. But if someone gets going on a subject I'm really interested in, I can talk up a storm too.

[Bravus]

I've had people who have met me online first and then face-to-face tell me that I do come across differently, though I do try to be authentic everywhere. They said I actually look younger in real life than I 'read', for one thing! (These people hadn't seen any photos or video of me, where some of you have.)

Face to face I tend to be quieter, and be spending more time listening, and trying to elicit ideas from the other person and have them speak. I guess I try to do that online too, but when interested I write longer blocks of words than I'd ever speak (except when preaching or teaching, but even then I tend to try to draw others in and get them talking).

Oh yeah, and in real life I have an Australian accent, where I suspect when you read me you probably hear me sounding more like you!

[Bravus]

PS Great thread idea, Woodie!

[Haldog]

LOL, nice topic.

Unlike here, where I usually bite my tongue, I contribute frequently at SS. People seem to be more receptive to the truth in person than in e-life. Now if the preacher would just let me back in I would be all set.... ;-)

[Gerr]

Like Bravus, I try to be as authentic as I can be. We'll see whether your impressions of me in cyberspace matches what you see when we meet. As you can see, I don't hide behind a made up name. That's really my name. And my profile is not left blank either.

[SivartM]

I am very shy in real life. I find it hard to hold eye contact with anyone, and talk to anyone who is not immediate family (I'm shy around even my extended family, grandparents, etc.) or friends. Around friends and immediate family, I tend to be very talkative, but most of the time I'm just quiet. I don't talk in Sabbath School unless it's my turn to read a verse, but I don't join in the discussions or anything. It's very hard for me to be comfortable around people, especially ones I don't know very well.

Ironically, I'm more comfortable on stage in front of a crowd than with just a few people. I've noticed that on Pathfinder Sabbath (when all of us give mini-sermons), I'm usually one of the least anxious Pathfinders when it comes to getting on stage. I also act in plays and skits with relative comfort. But I'm terrible when it comes to interpersonal communication.

[Woody]

Like Bravus, I try to be as authentic as I can be. We'll see whether your impressions of me in cyberspace matches what you see when we meet. As you can see, I don't hide behind a made up name. That's really my name. And my profile is not left blank either.

Well Gerry. I do look forward to meeting you. It will happen soon. But as far as not being able to post a picture and fill out a profile completely ... unfortunately that is the price some of us have to pay for being connected to the church in one form or another. On another forum ... a pastor was attacked by another member. This member called up the senior district pastor with quotes (out of context of course) and complained. They don't even live in the same country. But this caused much trouble so the pastor is no longer on this particular forum and neither are any of his posts. It makes one angry. But that is what this world is like. So some of us just have to hide behind an avatar.

Btw ... there are a number of regulars here who know me and are friends on Facebook. But, unfortuneately one has to protect his identity in the SDA world. There's a battle out there between conservatives and liberals and you don't want to stir up a coanservative. Blanche and I have suffered much physical and verbal assaults from them. So we are more cautious now. Some of them would do anything to stop a woman _ _ _ _ _ _

[Woody]

I am very shy in real life. I find it hard to hold eye contact with anyone, and talk to anyone who is not immediate family (I'm shy around even my extended family, grandparents, etc.) or friends. Around friends and immediate family, I tend to be very talkative, but most of the time I'm just quiet. I don't talk in Sabbath School unless it's my turn to read a verse, but I don't join in the discussions or anything. It's very hard for me to be comfortable around people, especially ones I don't know very well.

Ironically, I'm more comfortable on stage in front of a crowd than with just a few people. I've noticed that on Pathfinder Sabbath (when all of us give mini-sermons), I'm usually one of the least anxious Pathfinders when it comes to getting on stage. I also act in plays and skits with relative comfort. But I'm terrible when it comes to interpersonal communication.

This is interesting and surprising. SivartM. You are so bright and articulate. I had you pegged for class president and social leader. But, I do appreciate you sharing this with us. We are all made differently with different thought concerns and desires. I just pray that this forum can support and fill the needs of many. It is hard to remember this when heated discussions are going on. But we do want I am sure to love and care for each other. And at times that HAS been evident.

[Woody]

You ALL are a Good bunch of people.Each and Every one of you. And I care for each one of you. Just wanted you all to know that. Guess I don't say it enough. Suppose this is an early Thanksgiving confession.

[Outta Here]

Pretty much the same person online as in "real life". Most people don't understand my point of view and when I do speak (beit online or in "real life") I am rarely "heard". Lately, I don't bother to speak much here, there, or any where.

[Woody]

How about a blog that you could give us access to where you could explain your point of view without critical input from those of us here? But, we could go and learn?

[GreatLakesGramma]

As you can see, I don't hide behind a made up name. That's really my name. And my profile is not left blank either.

Some of us prefer not to give our true identity for safety or privacy reasons. It's very easy for someone to find out exactly where you live if they know your real name and general location. With all the unknown persons constantly visiting this forum, all it would take is one crazy taking exception to something you said, to turn your life into a nightmare, and possibly even endanger your entire family.

I have had reason in the past to be thankful that I wasn't using my real name online.

[Aliensanctuary]

I gave up on Sabbath School years ago. It was always the same, year after year after year...I tend to be on the quiet side, much more bookish than talkish. There were always plenty of talkers in SS, so I found it difficult to get my sometimes non-mainstream thoughts across. I found a home, here, and like nearly everyone, even the hostile ones. They probably just have some unmet needs or a horrible home life.

The Aliensanctuary persona is just a part of my personality. It's the person I want to be 100% of the time, and will be, someday, minus the negativity I tend to have towards religious institutions.

I used to have a Facebook account, but I de-activated it over security concerns. Hackers are breaking into Facebook accounts and stealing personal information. I'll never be rich, but it would sure hurt having someone steal my identity because I trusted people too much.

I've also made a few unflattering comments here about certain members of a certain religion whose goal is to murder as many unsuspecting people as possible, including women and children who were just shopping for groceries or pets. I'm sure they would delight in killing all of us posting here, if they only had the chance. Someday, Babylon will rule the entire world. That's when heads will start to roll. We'll be safe enough if we trust in the LORD, even if we die because we refuse to compromise.

[Woody]

Ha-ha, In church we listen to sermon, any questions come after the sermon!

(most sermons put me to sleep)

YOu need to come and listen to my pastor then. You will for certain ... NOT Sleep.

[Woody]

You are right, I have never heard a women pastor that would put you to sleep...we need many more of them!!!!!!

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

The only woman pastor I've heard is Hyveth Williams....she was very good..

[Liz]

I think I am the same person in real life as here. I tend to be shyer in real life. If I am comfortable with the people in SS then I will comment more.

[lazarus]

Not exactly sure how I come across here but I think I'm essentially the same person. I'm usually respectful and gentle but have to bite my tongue sometimes because calling someone a dufus in church or online is not usually kindly received.