I know that many of us visit this site. The numbers indicate that. Why is there so little response to the forums?

-- Anonymous, December 16, 1998

Answers

I have often asked the same question. In listening to my brothers and sisters, we surely aren't lacking in opinions on today's issues. Perhaps if they are afraid to post their name. I would be willing to read anonymous postings, just to get some dialogue rolling. Al, Pastor John, what are your thoughts?

-- Anonymous, January 04, 1999

AME's are afraid to answer, because those who are in "The Know" have positions that are subject to be taken from them...so many have the slave/master persona, hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. However the Bible states Only the Truth will make you free...

I get so tired of hearing preachers, members, laymen, missionaries, delegates...talking about what needs to happen, yet in the conferences and meetings no one will stand for the rights of the church and her people..."If you are not for me, then you are against Me"...

-- Anonymous, May 11, 1999

Writing is not the most popular way of communicating for me. Does that apply to large number of black people? If this message was checked for missed spelled words as in other e-mail communication program, then I might express my opinion on other matters. No one like to be laughed or to be made fun of at the way they talk or write. That goes for all age groups. The more you write the better you will get at expressing your self. If you like what I have to say, I thank you. I considered my self a novice at communicating in writing and talking. May God smile on you.

-- Anonymous, September 05, 1999

Don't be afraid to respond. We won't edit; we just want to get your ideas.

-- Anonymous, December 31, 1999

I don't know if our people are afraid or if they are just selective about the venues they choose to communicate in. As you know most people are comfortable in an audience where they are less likely to be challenged or brought to task for their comments. However I think this website and discussion forum would be ideal for many people to express their ideas and thoughts concerning our zion.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2000

Too many are throwing bricks and hiding their hands. Will a real A.M.E. stand up!

-- Anonymous, February 15, 2000

If we, as A.M.E.s, did not disagree, I would begin looking for the battery case hidden in our backs, because we probably would have ceased to be human.

And when you invoke new technology, such as electronic bulletin boards it takes a while for people first to get used to how to use the medium and secondly, get past the weariness of how their public comment may affect them.

At Convo IV, there was a lot of disagreement on positions and intentions for church reform. But people spoke openly, freely and without fear of retribution. I would have to opine that the same can be done here.

As the gatekeeper for this site, I can say more and more people now are contributing to the discussions. I think we have caught up with the technology and the fear of electronic discussion is past.

Now that we climbed to that plateau, I think we have one more step to achieve and that is the same ease of disagreeing that was achieve at Convo IV. There, differing views were presented not with malice but with LOVE...Love for the A.M.E. Church and the hope that through such discussion and dissemination of ideas, the church as a whole would grow stronger.

This is just a small gather of people who are rallying under the banner of Richard Allen, a microcosm of the church as a whole, but for this discussion really to be fruitful, we first need to shed our inhibitions, speak from our hearts, but most importantly, flavor our words with Love rather than acrimony. And the Spirit that then will permeate these talks, will be the motivation for even more like- minded people to join in the talks.

Traffic has nearly doubled here in the past two weeks, through this increased interest I pray that the discussion will be even more fruitful.

Rev. John

-- Anonymous, February 15, 2000