I may be poking my head into a lions jaw here with my viewpoint but I'll take the plunge anyway.

I feel that threads like the GFL one have their place. They serve as learning tools. I am pretty new to this site and as well as Ufology in general. Therefore I have relatively little basis to begin learning from except from threads both good and bad. I have learned much from the OPs of a thread and at times even more so from replys both good and bad. If it weren't for the threads dealing with the GFL (and debunking) I wouldn't have known about the GFL's existence. One can learn as much from a bad thread as a good one. I will state that as far as I can tell, I am in agreement that the GFL is ... well how shall I put this? Less than believable.

In short:
1) Threads like those have their place.
2) They provide a excellent chance for others to learn from.
3) Debunking of threads like that also provide a chance for those such as myself to learn from as well.

Instead of the Comic relife (that its a good idea) I would to see a section call HOAX Section or HALL OF SHAME section so they can put all this crap treaths...

[edit on 1-10-2008 by AlexDJ]

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Originally posted by Deson

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Hmm, I see your point about after the 14th posting in the Gray area or Skunkworks and I agree. But please not the religion forum. While albeit a amusing idea (Imagines sparks flying from posts) can you imagine an amalgamation? Perhaps a consolidation of the various GFL threads into one? The thing of it is, is that no matter how you slice it, technically the GFL threads are dealing with aliens and therefore qualify. A possibility is that since pretty much all communication with the GFL is via telepathy perhaps the Paranormal forum?

Yeah - The Paranormal Forum sound like an equally valid idea!
Technically they are speaking about UFO's but as the 14th will show - technically it's a perpetrated hoax in order to garner money and followers ..etc.. all the usual things we've come to expect from Cults. Having said that, ATS does have a policy concerning hoaxes and thus, should enforce it.

If claiming they're channeled messages proves to be a loophole in the HOAX policy, i.e It can't be proven or disproven - then perhaps it's time for the 3 Amigos to review that policy IMHO.

An amalgamation of threads is a better idea than allowing x-amount of threads to exist as it would limit the presence of cult behavior the board.

I figure on the GFL basically has a built in "escape hatch" assuming that nothing happens on the 14th. Date goes by. "We're sorry but the majority of you didn't want us to come so we didn't." Unverifiable message status. Very convenient.

Yep, I agree! In fact that's what most people I've spoken to on the subject are expecting, (including myself). They (The GFL) have done it before when the mothership didn't show.

Thanks for your valued input Deson

IRM

*No sniping. Stay on topic please.*

Attack the post, if you must, not the member.

Thanks for your attention.

-Badge01
Forum Moderator

Originally posted by InfaRedMan

I'm not so sure that they feel offended as much as they are feeling outraged at the frequency of such threads

THAT would be it

Newest Channeling from Blossom Goodchild Friday October 3 2008

Is Blossom Goodchild Right about Oct 14th? Is This proof?

Galactic Federation Of light?

All this based on ONE person

Originally posted by sir_chancealot

"Kook sites" (conspiracy, ufo, bigfoot, chemtrails, etc.) all go through the following life cycle: First, they are almost unknown. Then they become well known. People into "kook" ideas and theories go "Hey, here is a place I can go to talk to people of like mind!". Then, the "debunkers" come in droves. Then the "kooks" get tired of dealing with these "debunkers", and leave the website. Website goes down to just a former shade of itself.

Firstly I don't speak as a debunker, I speak as a skeptical believer - however my beliefs have limits and I do not choose to believe in the GFL. That is my choice - just as you have the choice to believe. I don't tell you not to believe. If logical arguments from skeptics 'harsh the buzz' of 'kooks' (your term), then this issue is not ours. If their belief was actually firm in the subject matter - it would not matter what others thought or said to the contrary.

It is not the intention of a skeptic to bring down a website forum - not from what I've seen - but it is the intention to try and inject some rationality or logic into the debate. It seems by your own admission that 'kooks' (your term) don't have the intestinal fortitude to participate in rational debates - but prefer to take the path of least resistance and run. Again, this is a choice issue!

Guess where in the life cycle ATS is, at the moment?

ATS is a thriving forum with no equal. ATS is for Skeptics, Skeptical Believers, Debunkers, 'Kooks' (your term), Believers and Average Joe's alike. No one group has a bigger right to be here than the other - so long as they stay in accordance with ATS T&C's of course.

I come here because I want to discuss "kook" ideas. You see, if you talk about any of the "kook" stuff on other sites, you will get the same response that has started to become endemic here.

Have you ever stopped for a second to wonder why that is without, of course, resorting to another conspiracy theory to explain it?

"Debunkers" NEVER grow a website like this. If it did, then James Randi's site would be much, much higher in web rankings.

This statement is misguided. ATS works because it provides a voice for all types of people regardless of color, creed, race, belief systems. In short ATS is for everyone and it's everyone that has helped make this website the success that it is. James Randi doesn't quite have the 'X-Factor" appeal that ATS does so that makes sense - even from an aesthetic stand point.

I, along with many, many other "uneducated kooks" prefer to be left in our "ignorance" regarding these issues.

Why would you prefer to be "left in ignorance" at a site who's motto is to "Deny Ignorance"? Is that not unrealistic?

Are you suggesting that 'non kooks' don't have a right to be here? Or are you saying that they shouldn't post in 'kook' threads?

If so... may I ask you why you are posting in a Skeptic Thread? Are you not exhibiting the same behavior that you are in essence complaining about?

IRM

[edit on 5/10/08 by InfaRedMan]

Originally posted by InfaRedMan

I hope this will all be over in 8-9 days!

Well they can use the 'time line change' as an out... they can say that too many people didn't want it to happen so they decided not to show up...

But your right its an infiltration and on many boards... ALMOST seems like a coordinated effort and I see a lot of signatures using "Namasté" in closing...

Seems a way to recognize the new cult members

Well I am heading for the Kingdom of Caid Oct 7th to 14th coincidence or what? A little escape back to Medieval Tymes... Battle all day... dancing girls around the fires all night... the food... the drink.... Ahhh Valhalla on Earth

If the World ends while I am there at least I will be with MY 'support group' and we will be well armed to deal with it

So when I get back one of you better have pictures of that Alien landing for me



[edit on 6-10-2008 by zorgon]