Trolls and Banning

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lookwhatthelordhasdone

lookwhatthelordhasdone

Senior Member
#1
Oct 11, 2012
1,026
10
38
#1
Alright, so I'm sure this topic has been done to deathhhhhhh but I have a few thoughts.

I was reading some thread a troll had started and it was pretty clear right off the bat that he was being a troll. People still tried to help, but there was a debate regarding whether he was a troll or not, some saying 'Even if he is, we still need to help him.' while others said, 'I know he is so I'm just ignoring this all together. I'll pray for him.' However, in this rare circumstance, he actually admitted he was a troll, pretty much saying, 'lol ok u got me' and he was banned almost right after that.

I understand why we ban these people because they're taking away from the people who have genuine questions, who do walk with God and want to know his word more, or the people who don't know God but want to know him. However, I think some of these trolls are curious and do want help, they are just coming with a guard up, kind of reflecting the stereotypes they have learned about Christians over the years. I think there's a part of them deep down that wants to be proved wrong, that wants to experience what real Christians are like.

I know it may be rare, but I feel like banning these people right off the bat (like this guy who admitted he was a troll) without talking with him first or maybe giving them a warning of some kind before completely banning them may help some people who want to know more about God but don't come to us in the typical "Please help me I want everyone to be my friend and I want to know God more" kind of way. I mean, this may be the only time they interact directly with Christians. Why not just ask, “Okay I get you’re trolling, but we’re people too, just like you. Let’s get to know each other and have an actual conversation about this. I just want to make sure if you do have questions, just because you went on a trolololing train doesn’t mean you can’t get those questions answered.”

Maybe I’m seeing things through rose colored glasses; maybe it’s not worth that extra effort. Coming from someone who has lived the troll life pretty much since I discovered the internet, I think a lot can be learned from seeing it in a new perspective.
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#2
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#2
That's pretty much about what I said. (And I have PM'd him since then on another forum... no answer yet.)
 
lookwhatthelordhasdone

lookwhatthelordhasdone

Senior Member
#3
Oct 11, 2012
1,026
10
38
#3
Grr. I really do hate that. I wish we could have at least talked to him. It seemed like he had kind of let his guard down a bit, maybe he would have stuck around for a while, you know? I just think it's hard for people on here to realize that the newer generations coming up, like mine and younger, they're filled with trolls. It's just a thing now.
 
R

roaringkitten

Guest
#4
#4
lookwhatthelordhasdone said:
Alright, so I'm sure this topic has been done to deathhhhhhh but I have a few thoughts.

I was reading some thread a troll had started and it was pretty clear right off the bat that he was being a troll. People still tried to help, but there was a debate regarding whether he was a troll or not, some saying 'Even if he is, we still need to help him.' while others said, 'I know he is so I'm just ignoring this all together. I'll pray for him.' However, in this rare circumstance, he actually admitted he was a troll, pretty much saying, 'lol ok u got me' and he was banned almost right after that.

I understand why we ban these people because they're taking away from the people who have genuine questions, who do walk with God and want to know his word more, or the people who don't know God but want to know him. However, I think some of these trolls are curious and do want help, they are just coming with a guard up, kind of reflecting the stereotypes they have learned about Christians over the years. I think there's a part of them deep down that wants to be proved wrong, that wants to experience what real Christians are like.

I know it may be rare, but I feel like banning these people right off the bat (like this guy who admitted he was a troll) without talking with him first or maybe giving them a warning of some kind before completely banning them may help some people who want to know more about God but don't come to us in the typical "Please help me I want everyone to be my friend and I want to know God more" kind of way. I mean, this may be the only time they interact directly with Christians. Why not just ask, “Okay I get you’re trolling, but we’re people too, just like you. Let’s get to know each other and have an actual conversation about this. I just want to make sure if you do have questions, just because you went on a trolololing train doesn’t mean you can’t get those questions answered.”

Maybe I’m seeing things through rose colored glasses; maybe it’s not worth that extra effort. Coming from someone who has lived the troll life pretty much since I discovered the internet, I think a lot can be learned from seeing it in a new perspective.
Click to expand...

Another problem that arises from time to time is when a spammer comes on this site and posts 30 spam threads at once in the BDF, normally in the dead of night when the mods are probably sleeping. A way to combat this sort of thing is to limit the number of threads a new user can make over a certain period of time, to let's say as an example, 5 threads an hour. Anything to slow them down would be helpful IMO.
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#5
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#5
lookwhatthelordhasdone said:
Grr. I really do hate that. I wish we could have at least talked to him. It seemed like he had kind of let his guard down a bit, maybe he would have stuck around for a while, you know? I just think it's hard for people on here to realize that the newer generations coming up, like mine and younger, they're filled with trolls. It's just a thing now.
Click to expand...
I just checked. He is now banned there. Not because of his post there, but because their mod came here, and read our posts in that "Demon" thread. Our banning him prompted her to ban him there even though there wasn't really anything thing wrong with his post on their site.
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#6
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#6
lookwhatthelordhasdone said:
Grr. I really do hate that. I wish we could have at least talked to him. It seemed like he had kind of let his guard down a bit, maybe he would have stuck around for a while, you know? I just think it's hard for people on here to realize that the newer generations coming up, like mine and younger, they're filled with trolls. It's just a thing now.
Click to expand...
I, for one, would like to speak further with him. Maybe he will read this, and PM me under another name (since we always let people back in if they simply sign under a new name.)
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#7
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#7
roaringkitten said:

Another problem that arises from time to time is when a spammer comes on this site and posts 30 spam threads at once in the BDF, normally in the dead of night when the mods are probably sleeping. A way to combat this sort of thing is to limit the number of threads a new user can make over a certain period of time, to let's say as an example, 5 threads an hour. Anything to slow them down would be helpful IMO.
Click to expand...
Not a bad idea.
 
C

coby2

Guest
#8
#8
Maybe we can create a special cosy coffee corner for trolls, spammers, love scammers, 50 year old MrNiceGuys going after 20 year olds and Yet can preach there how they have to stay out of our dens and watch out for evil pastors like Willie.
I'm about to take a break here and go to the mental hospital to have a normal conversation with people.
 
Justcallmetinman

Justcallmetinman

Senior Member
#9
Apr 11, 2016
385
5
0
#9
Willie-T said:
Not a bad idea.
Click to expand...
I see the point but I think a few a day is ample. The boards are flooded with certain people who are habitual thread posters and are idle on this site all day.Its no different than going to a coffee shop and theres always one person who wont shut up talking:)
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#10
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#10
Justcallmetinman said:
I see the point but I think a few a day is ample. The boards are flooded with certain people who are habitual thread posters and are idle on this site all day.Its no different than going to a coffee shop and theres always one person who wont shut up talking:)
Click to expand...
Hey! Whatchu tryin' ta say, Willis?
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#11
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#11
coby2 said:
Maybe we can create a special cosy coffee corner for trolls, spammers, love scammers, 50 year old MrNiceGuys going after 20 year olds and Yet can preach there how they have to stay out of our dens and watch out for evil pastors like Willie.
I'm about to take a break here and go to the mental hospital to have a normal conversation with people.
Click to expand...
Gee, didn't think anyone noticed.
 
C

coby2

Guest
#12
#12
Willie-T said:
Gee, didn't think anyone noticed.
Click to expand...
Noticed what? That I am nuts? Then why didn't you say so? I'm not crazy. My boss had me tested. Just sick of the hate here which is supposed to be normal. No wonder trolls come all the time. This is just like cf. I found another small forum without trolls and people don't post much and they pray and post Bible devotions. Better for my overall well being.
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#13
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#13
coby2 said:
Noticed what? That I am nuts? Then why didn't you say so? I'm not crazy. My boss had me tested. Just sick of the hate here which is supposed to be normal. No wonder trolls come all the time. This is just like cf. I found another small forum without trolls and people don't post much and they pray and post Bible devotions. Better for my overall well being.
Click to expand...
Yes, this place is quite similar to CF. (the "CF.net"... NOT "CF.com") And I think that is good. I doubt you will be happy for long in your new forum if it is simply a place where everyone just smiles and says, "Praise the Lord" to each other.
 
C

coby2

Guest
#14
#14
Willie-T said:
Yes, this place is quite similar to CF. (the "CF.net"... NOT "CF.com") And I think that is good. I doubt you will be happy for long in your new forum if it is simply a place where everyone just smiles and says, "Praise the Lord" to each other.
Click to expand...
Oh well we do that in church too. I like it. It's what I was looking for actually.
 
lookwhatthelordhasdone

lookwhatthelordhasdone

Senior Member
#15
Oct 11, 2012
1,026
10
38
#15
coby2 said:
Noticed what? That I am nuts? Then why didn't you say so? I'm not crazy. My boss had me tested. Just sick of the hate here which is supposed to be normal. No wonder trolls come all the time. This is just like cf. I found another small forum without trolls and people don't post much and they pray and post Bible devotions. Better for my overall well being.
Click to expand...
I don't understand what your posts on this thread are about. From what I can see, no one is being mean to you or trying to sway you in any way. No matter where you go on the internet, there will be trolls. That is a fact. Being able to discern the curious ones from the deviant ones is what I'm trying to find a solution to.
 
W

wwjd_kilden

Guest
#16
#16
Well, the problem with allowing people who admit to trolling to stay is that other trolls will see it and say "ooo, look, we are allowed to hang out there!"

especially with so many nonsense threads about submarines, demons and whatnot
 
lookwhatthelordhasdone

lookwhatthelordhasdone

Senior Member
#18
Oct 11, 2012
1,026
10
38
#18
wwjd_kilden said:
Well, the problem with allowing people who admit to trolling to stay is that other trolls will see it and say "ooo, look, we are allowed to hang out there!"

especially with so many nonsense threads about submarines, demons and whatnot
Click to expand...
Yes, but if they admit to trolling and they have legitimate questions after the fact, I think they should be allowed to stay. Being on a Christian website when you're not Christian can be very intimidating. Some come humble, others come with a guard up. All I'm saying is allowing these people to stay if they want to know more, after initially breaking the ice, may not be a bad thing. Not all Christians are going to be super happy positive people, who post super happy positive things all the time. We're human.

Now obviously after giving them that chance after the initial trolling, I think there should be a period where they are on watch and if they do it again, they're out. But I think there needs to be a period of time in there where someone reaches out to them just to ask what their intentions are. Not on the forum, but in a PM or something. If it's apparent they're here just to run a muk, then ban them. But I think some need to adjust, just need a little extra effort to make them feel comfortable.

They may not be Christian and they're throwing torches first because they feel like they're going to be attacked once they reveal they're not Christian. Maybe if we let them know that even though they aren't Christian or have doubts, they can still join in on the forums and their opinion will be heard as long as its not for the simple guise of getting a reaction out of someone, maybe it could help them relax a little and they could stick around a little bit longer to ask more questions and see we're all not that bad.


Plus, if a troll admits to trolling and stays on the website to learn more and can't troll in that way anymore, then what's the point of other trolls joining if they can't troll after the first initial troll?

Ha ha. Woodchucks.
 
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A

AuntieAnt

Guest
#19
#19
The reality is, anyone who becomes a member of this site knows full well it’s Christian based and its purpose is fellowship and sharing about the Christian life. And anyone who joins knows there are rules to follow, just like any other forum on the internet.

Rule number 6 states that members shouldn’t question the administrator’s decision to ban someone. (Read rules here: http://christianchat.com/rules.php)

As members, rather than suggest the site admins modify the rules for people who want to disregard them, doesn’t it make more sense for each of us to be responsible members and obey the rules ourselves?

This site gives us options in dealing with those we suspect are here to disrupt or deceive:

  1. Reach out to them
  2. Put them on ignore
  3. Report them and let the mods decide

Christian Chat gives each one of us the freedom to make a call as to how we should deal with other members. So long as we aren’t breaking any rules, the personal choices we each make are ours to make freely.

There are some members here who are more concerned with legitimate folks coming here seeking the Lord and asking for spiritual guidance than they are for those members who take pleasure in being deceitful and causing disruption.

And there are some here who believe they should try to reach out to those who come here taking pleasure in being deceptive and causing disruption and try to get them to fellowship.

We shouldn't put a guilt trip on those who ignore the trolls or those who want to respond to them. Do what God directs you to do, which would include following the rules of this site. And of course, pray for them and trust the Lord for their lives.

Keep in mind: If Christian Chat was a literal community center building with a sign above the door that read “Live International Fellowship”, how would you treat those who came into the door with the intent to deceive, cause disruption or make a mockery of the place? I think Willie's idea was excellent, to pm the person and see if they are willing to come clean and be legit with the other members.
 
C

coby2

Guest
#20
#20
wwjd_kilden said:
Well, the problem with allowing people who admit to trolling to stay is that other trolls will see it and say "ooo, look, we are allowed to hang out there!"

especially with so many nonsense threads about submarines, demons and whatnot
Click to expand...
demon submarines hahahahahahaha
 
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