For those who might need to talk

[RevCheesehead]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=291x1591

You all are in my prayers.

[Maeve]

1. Thank you for posting this

First, I missed the brouhaha but realized I'd missed SOMETHING. Second, I am shocked and a bit saddened to get the whole story. And third, your compassion is noted and appreciated. :hug:

[CBHagman]

2. I had no idea about this and am reeling.

I was away over the weekend and didn't post at all. When I returned to DU, I felt overwhelmed by the tone of a good many posts, though not any in this particular discussion group. Monday night in particular was extremely discouraging.

But I am floored completely by what has transpired. Thanks so much, Rev C, for coming to us with this.

[Dorian Gray]

3. I somehow missed all this.

Thanks for keeping us posted, Rev. :)

[Matilda]

4. I have just read the threads you've linked to.

I had no idea this was going on. I don't go into GD or the Lounge
very much, I mostly met him/them in this forum and LBN. I thought
only that he/they were very pious, but not particularly right-wing.

Somebody said there were about 10,000 posts over a year - that looks
like somebody who spent most of their time in front of a computer,
so I'm guessing it was somebody who didn't have much of a life and
created a fantasy world. Bit less awful than somebody just having
a laugh at us all. So maybe we should be charitable, and say it's a
sad case, they're welcome to our prayers.

[etherealtruth]

5. Agreed ...

How does one possibly post that much (also the posts I have seen were lengthy and detailed)? I think you are correct about "having that amount of time on your hands".

Like "everyone else" I was totally unaware.

[DemBones DemBones]

20. Exactly my reaction -- sad that someone would spend that much

time creating fiction, if that's indeed what he/they were doing. I'm still unsure what he/they did to get banned.

[JohnKleeb]

21. Someone sent the proof to a mod

who later reviewed it with admin, and thats why ultimately. Ive looked at the evidence myself, and it is very convincing, its a shame that said that anyone would do such a thing.

[JohnKleeb]

6. I heard saturday

I was afraid to tell you guys because I was afraid I wouldn't be believed. I looked at the evidence and its very convincing, and I cant bellieve anyone could be that sick to do what he did, there were many of us here who I know prayed for them and those are the people I feel the worst for. I wasnt real close with those two but I know some here were.
If anyone wants the full story, PM me.

[Longgrain]

7. First of all, I'm not a practicing Catholic

or even a Christian, and mainly agnostic.

But I must admit, part of the reason I liked that Cuban guy, and was drawn into him, was because he kept saying he was gay while still being a devote Catholic, which for me, as a liberal, denounced Catholic, I found very admirable: to stand up for one strong belief, even tho it contracted, in theory at least, with another.

I'm sorry he turn out to be a fraud. Some of what he said was inspirational.

[elshiva]

8. You are welcome here no matter what you believe, Longgrain.

You are very respectful, so welcome!

The Cuban and Padraig were both pretty cool, but then I don't go to GD too often, so I didn't see their irrational writings.

[JohnKleeb]

9. The irrational stuff when I found out about it made me queasy

Things like defending police brutality and the thing that most got me upset was when I found out that the whole nephew KIA in Iraq was a damned lie.

[AngryOldDem]

10. Damn

I'm a little late to this conversation but I think I've been able to get the gist of what happened by piecing together things from this forum, Liberal Christians. and Skinner's note.

I was extremely moved by Cuban's/Padraig's/Whoever's essay about his nephew -- so much so I forwarded it to another person. My anger at being "had" is tempered by my pity that someone could feel so needy that he felt he had to do something like this. You all know him much better than I -- I'm sorry for what you must be feeling right now.

[JohnKleeb]

11. I have no sympathy for him

Played so many people for fools not only to get sympathy and prayers but apparently also bilked people for money and a camera too. Its just fucking sick that someone can do that.

[etherealtruth]

12. Thanks for this last bit of info ...

I was feeling bad for the guy (is it really a guy?) assuming that s/he most assuredly had to be sick (as in mental illness) in order to mislead strangers with zeal and enthusiasm. I naively could not figure out what could be gained by this ...

[JohnKleeb]

14. I dont know what he is

Hes obvious really screwed up.

[elshiva]

15. Bilked people? I didn't hear that!

Sorry for all who got fooled and hurt. :cry:

[JohnKleeb]

16. Yes

Pretty fucked up person.

[elshiva]

17. Dang! Still s/he needs are prayers.

I know fucked up people need healing.

[JohnKleeb]

18. I dont wanna sound like an asshole but I'll reserve my prayers

for people who need them, people who dont spend their time tricking people to get their kicks. If you like, I am gonna PM you the whole thing, just ask for it, and I will give it.

[elshiva]

19. You don't have to force yourself to pray for anyone.

But, "pray for those who hate you." Still, I have trouble praying for Dubya/Cheney...

[DemBones DemBones]

23. Maybe people who spend their time tricking other people to get kicks need

your prayers more than most!

If that's what was going on, it shows some kind of deep need that at least borders on neurosis.

[JohnKleeb]

25. I dunno

I dont mean to sound like a mean jerk but damn it was just such a sick thing to do.

[XanaDUer]

26. Bilked people for money?

!!!

[JohnKleeb]

27. Yep pretty sure

He also conned his way in to getting a really good camera too. A con artist and a liar, goes together like peanut butter and jelly eh?

[Longgrain]

13. Thanks for your respect elshiva

I did notice the Cuban persona getting relatively lashful and disrespectful toward the end. There were a few GD and ATA threads that I thought were disparaging and spiteful at the least.

I saw mostly CL's lounge threads, so to me he seemed like a regular guy.

Damned hurt that I was wrong.

So I guess faith is always a matter of trust, albeit a mutual one.

[DemBones DemBones]

24. Maybe what you admired was not fraud at all.

Usually people who tell multiple lies tell some truths in the mix.

And if it helps, I know gay Catholics who are obviously happy attending Mass with their partners. As a Eucharistic minister, I've given Communion to people I know are gay and undoubtedly to other gays I don't know personally. I don't know who denounced you but the 1994 Catechism, which was prepared under the direction of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, no less, talks about respect for homosexual persons, who are children of God like anyone else and not to be discriminated against.

Sex outside marriage is, of course, still a serious sin, no matter what the gender of the partners is and the Church won't allow same sex marriage so that's a Catch 22. I have heard a Capuchin priest on EWTN discussing this and he said gays and lesbians are to live lives of chastity. He added that he knew that was a difficult calling, as he's been living it himself for nearly forty years, but we all have our callings and none of them is easy.

Peace be with you. :hippie:

[mmonk]

22. I completely missed the boat

Guess I don't pay enough attention to certain threads and usually don't go to the religious group threads (but maybe should have noticed in GD). I don't understand the threat trolls can play except maybe to phish.

[alcuno]

28. This is my first time checking out the Catholic group.

I'm not sure what's been going on here, but I'm Catholic and I'll probably be back. When on the internet, I'm either on DU or on a Catholic forum where I'm likely to be eventually kicked off.

[elshiva]

29. Welcome, alcuno! Hope you come back!

[AngryOldDem]

30. LOL

<<I'm either on DU or on a Catholic forum where I'm likely to be eventually kicked off.>>>

You, too, eh? I think you'll find this place is different.

Welcome!

:hi: