A good post

I essentially agree with most of it, although I may worry much more than you do about GC falling into a cultish frame-of-mind. I don't think we're beyond that particular risk. That doesn't mean I think we're there, regardless of how Diss and Hen-Wen want to paint me. I might've at one time, but I can see we're still a mostly diverse group with regards to everything but the pro-contact/anti-contact issue. But it does seem like the mentality is a lot narrower and less open to criticism than when I first arrived. Maybe that's partly due to the fact that I was on the opposing team, so to speak, when I came here.

It does seem like too many people here use excuses to vilify me that have nothing to do with my anti-contact views, and yet it's obvious that they will overlook the same or similar flaws in others who subscribe to their views. My circumstances are somewhat unique, I'll grant, given that I'm out, but it's obvious to me that the real heart of people's dislike or mistrust of me is because of my anti-contact views. Dissident admits it and is only putting voice to what others here feel but won't say. I recall once in chat someone threatened to out NFiH. As I recall I was the only person who alerted NF to this threat, and no one else seemed to give it much thought one way or the other. This person claimed to know NF in real life and I suspect he might've, but I don't think he was even banned from chat, let alone publicly admonished on the board and shunned by the other posters. This happened before my fall and the StC thing, but it just goes to show what a huge double standard so many here have. I don't remember anyone in chat getting bent out of shape over it but me. Granted it was several years ago, but that's what happened.

False dichotomies: Our enemies aren't the only ones who do it. Many here are guilty of it as well. I did my fair share of it as a pro-contacter and was rarely, if ever, challenged on it.

In short, while GC is not a cult, it still may attract followers who want it to act like one.

That's all I've been saying in this latest scuffle, although I add the caveat that it could turn into a cult under the right circumstances and I dread that it is drifting in that direction.

And of course we need a better class of Anti to keep us on our toes.

You also need a better class of Pro to take up that fight. You always manage to keep it classy, Dante, and because of that I feel you're worth debating. You, Baldur, a few others. NF remains impartial and just quotes facts or references various authorities. Obviously I don't expect everyone to be an NF, but a lot people here could learn from him. And from you and Baldur as well. You guys are among the few I actually trust to shoot us straight, and consequently you have a lot of influence on me.