Request to merge "Tiki" thread into "Religion" PDF

rowdyhawk10 said:There are a few key points regarding the issue at hand. First off, we respect the original poster's desire to close this thread. However, we also have to consider—and I think you all should too—that every sub-forum, every thread, and every single post is the property of the Muslim.com domain , where a team of about 50 professional moderators manages the discussions, while registered members participate voluntarily whenever they feel like it (or choose not to). Essentially, the forum operates on a voluntary basis.

Secondly, regarding us moderators and our policy for managing the Religion sub-forum—(this goes out to steeleagle2, northernrider9, and anyone else using this as an argument)—everyone is already aware of this thread, as well as others, it isn't the place to debate this. That discussion belongs in the Messages, Desires, Comments sub-forum. I say this as someone who has been on this forum for nearly ten years and understands how things work here. So, if anyone wants to start a discussion about the conduct of our moderation team, please feel free to do so over in that section. In fact, it’s actually encouraged; power without criticism eventually leads to unethical or even aggressive behavior. If we handle things peacefully through civil discourse, logic, and honest human conversation, everything can be resolved. Therefore, please head over to the PZK sub-forum! That entire section exists specifically for these matters, and because of that, we won't tolerate further critiques of moderator actions here, and such posts will be deleted moving forward.

Lastly, just generally for everyone... this thread will either be closed or remain open. Whether the starter's word should be final, or whether everyone who has carried this thread through the months and years—as well as the moderation team—should have a say, is now the real question. As you know, several very active members of the Dervish Lodge have already expressed their opposition to closing the topic. On the other hand, steeleagle2 essentially issued an ultimatum, coming out of nowhere... or rather, dropping a bombshell without any consultation with the moderators, notifying us that we would be expected to close the thread. So, once again, we find ourselves somewhat caught off guard by this little "revolution."

So, brother steeleagle2 and everyone else... we are currently weighing which solution is best, so please bear with us! We will make a decision very soon, perhaps even tonight or tomorrow. At the moment, I am leaning toward keeping the Dervish Lodge open (I'll explain my reasoning later), and posts starting from this one and everything related to it might be moved to this sub-forum, so that everything can be examined calmly and from multiple angles there.

To address a few individuals specifically... Gary Morales3, we seriously ask you not to escalate this crisis! We won't tolerate that. Gary Morales3, please, let's have some peace right now. northernrider9, please don't try to force a solution. As a member, he has stated his opinion three times (here, here, and here), which is more than enough. We won't tolerate further insistence, regardless of our good intentions. steeleagle2, please calm down and trust in our competence and good intentions. We want what is best and most useful. We thank boldgull19 for her selfless help and advice; we believe we will reach a decision she is happy with. Donna Cook48 has voiced her opinion, thank you, Donna Cook48. Thanks also to rapidmaker6, Flow, the guys, Justin Mitchell (a note to him: please refrain from lobbying for banned users; their case is now out of our hands and rests with the administration), as well as Jeffrey Fox84, Brenda Cook4, Rachel Sanders2... We expect to hear from other active participants of the Dervish Lodge as well. Peace Peace to all. 🙂

Honestly, what is there even to say to you? Look, I’ll put this in terms you might actually grasp—THIS IS MY THREAD. It doesn't belong to you, nor does it belong to any other member here. I have poured years of my life into this, and with the help of a select few valuable members, I have brought giants of men to this forum, serving them tea all these years just so they would share their profound wisdom. Have you ever brought anyone worth their salt to the Dervish Lodge? Go ahead, name just one handle, you who are stuck in a phase of weighing options.

I find myself standing firmly against the closing of the Dervish Lodge.
I truly believe this virtual space serves as a profound example of a great struggle, given how many hurdles we have collectively cleared just to reach this point.

Fitna exists everywhere throughout the world; this particular chaos isn't something exclusive to this Dervish Lodge...

One might even interpret these circumstances as a form of retreat...
In any event, if this closure is truly meant to be, perhaps one of the Muslims here could perform Istikhara and then share the guidance received afterward.
Sufism follows the path of the companions, and the companions prayed Istikhara regarding all matters of significance.

If my opinion carries any weight, I would suggest that one of these three individuals perform Istikhara, as I hold them in the highest regard.
I am calling upon steeleagle2, wearyhawk222, or northernrider9 to pray (any one of them) and then convey to us what becomes clear through their prayer!
That is how we shall proceed, God willing!

Peace Peace!

wiredcyclist72 said:Peace be upon you

What exactly do people mean by "style"?
I've been keeping an eye on this—honestly, I follow this regularly—but can someone explain why some z
are calling for the Dervish Lodge to be shut down?

I always thought once the Dervish Lodge opens its doors, the keys are thrown away!
Peace, peace, peace... because nobody is to blame here...

Peace be upon you.

The "style" is that there is no style. Personally, I wanted it closed.

Edit: Don't get me wrong, I just meant that I wanted to see—and show everyone—what happens when someone asks for their own thread to be closed, versus how it looks when they close it themselves. The Mejdan was "Insan's" thread, whereas this one is "mine." For the Mejdan, nothing was even up for debate.

Brian Mendoza95 said:I find myself standing firmly against the closing of the Dervish Lodge.
I truly believe this virtual space serves as a profound example of a great struggle, given how many hurdles we have collectively cleared just to reach this point.

Fitna exists everywhere throughout the world; this particular chaos isn't something exclusive to this Dervish Lodge...

One might even interpret these circumstances as a form of retreat...
In any event, if this closure is truly meant to be, perhaps one of the Muslims here could perform Istikhara and then share the guidance received afterward.
Sufism follows the path of the companions, and the companions prayed Istikhara regarding all matters of significance.

If my opinion carries any weight, I would suggest that one of these three individuals perform Istikhara, as I hold them in the highest regard.
I am calling upon steeleagle2, wearyhawk222, or northernrider9 to pray (any one of them) and then convey to us what becomes clear through their prayer!
That is how we shall proceed, God willing!

Peace Peace!

Peace be upon you.

Are you stepping up to take responsibility for the Dervish Lodge and acting as its servant?

Fine, let someone pray. But how will they notify us? Perhaps they can send word through a human... Or better yet, let FMN ask c&b to find Zakariya, then report it all to Gary Morales so he can pray. Then Gary Morales, along with rapidmaker6, can interpret the results for us. Once rowdyhawk10 has shaken things up, we can decide how to proceed.☕

Brian Mendoza95 won't step up; if he wanted to, he would have spoken up by now.

I am opening this position up to anyone—except rowdyhawk10—to act as the caretaker for this Dervish Lodge. Since I am stepping down from this role and washing my hands of all responsibility, I’m looking for a volunteer. Does anyone want in? The only condition is that the Lodge can only remain open if someone takes charge.

Muslim.com - 🙂 Brother... why on earth do you want to shut down this thread? It’s become a sanctuary for Americans... a place to exchange Islamic opinion...

Sophia King42 said:Muslim.com - 🙂 Brother... why on earth do you want to shut down this thread? It’s become a sanctuary for Americans... a place to exchange Islamic opinion...

Because you didn't offer me a Peace.

Looking at the numbers, we have 114 Americans and 76 non-Muslims here, totaling 190 people.
This thread has been read over 255,000 times and boasts more than 8,500 posts.
It originally opened on April 10, 2006, under the spirituality sub-forum. Later, that whole section was moved under the jurisdiction of the philosophy moderators, who then shifted it over to religion. At one point, it was actually closed for a few months. One person even embraced Islam just by reading through it.
Personally, I’ve contributed about 1,300 posts here. Following me, wearyhawk222 has 662 posts, then Raiden with 444, Forget-me-not 383 with 383, and rapidmaker6 with 375. That makes our top five. Behind them, with over 200 posts each, come
Brian Mendoza95, boldgull19, Humaninside, and Ashik. Everyone else has fewer than 200.

There are nine people who have truly poured themselves into the Dervish Lodge. Out of those nine, one is permanently banned, and two have stopped posting because they can't stand this forum anymore—leaving just six of us. Of those six, one supports my request, one is against it, one doesn't care, one has no idea what's happening, and one hasn't spoken up yet.

This space was envisioned to showcase a side of Islam that is largely unknown to the Western world, yet today, it risks becoming something we would never want to represent.

rowdyhawk10 said:Look, there are a few key points to consider regarding how this whole thing came up. First off, we totally respect a new user's wish to just close a thread. But we also have to keep in mind (and honestly, you guys should too) that every single sub-forum, every thread, and every individual post is actually property of the domain AmericanForum.com. We have a dedicated crew of about 50 expert moderators keeping discussions in order, while our registered members jump into conversations whenever they feel like it—or choose not to at all! At its heart, this forum is entirely voluntary.

The Dervish Lodge on this forum isn't owned by the AmericanForum.com domain. God has provided ways to ensure that the content (which primarily belongs to the forum members—the actual authors) can be preserved in its original form, including all the texts and details. (And hey, that’s not even hard to do nowadays since the forum is public)!

I believe steeleagle2 has skillfully diverted attention from the fact that the Mejdan was shut down quite rudely. Now that he, in his capacity as the head of the Dervish Lodge, is requesting its closure, people are suddenly acting like we need to hold a full-blown debate over it. It’s obvious that certain individuals realize they won't have a place to exert their influence once it's closed. Personally, I stand with the Dervish; this kind of dictatorship simply isn't sustainable.
It’s better to turn off the heat entirely than to let the whole thing get filthy...

I'm with steeleagle2 on this one. He made a solid point earlier, and besides, as the thread starter, he's got every right to ask for it to be closed for now.

Peace to everyone.

If anyone else signs up, maybe throw in a fitting pic...

Like this:

Benjamin Foster said:I believe steeleagle2 has skillfully diverted attention from the fact that the Mejdan was shut down quite rudely. Now that he, in his capacity as the head of the Dervish Lodge, is requesting its closure, people are suddenly acting like we need to hold a full-blown debate over it. It’s obvious that certain individuals realize they won't have a place to exert their influence once it's closed. Personally, I stand with the Dervish; this kind of dictatorship simply isn't sustainable.
It’s better to turn off the heat entirely than to let the whole thing get filthy...

Humaninside used to break up every single moment of monotony and pessimism...
Honestly, I knew for a long time—people were messaging me privately about the administration and especially about that admin, Sadonji—but I didn't want to believe them. I kept asking myself, "Well, what if someone actually shows up acting like a jerk?" But after seeing what happened with Humaninside, I am just deeply surprised, disappointed, and honestly, a bit crushed. It scares me that tomorrow someone else might end up the same way, which is why I say this. My goal isn't to gossip or slander rowdyhawk10; it’s about the survival of the REAL community members on this Forum.
Those true members unknowingly leave a piece of themselves in anyone who has even a grain of humanity left... and they’ve just cut down a massive, significant pillar. Honestly, I just feel bad 😢 and any words I say now feel completely useless 👎 . That more relaxed, conversational style of debating was exactly what made the Banquet Room special, back when subtle and thoughtful things could actually come to light. Once the Banquet Room was shut down, everything got moved into the Dervish Lodge, and the whole system basically collapsed because of its own actions, which indirectly caused this shutdown in such a SAD and PATHETIC way. 😉

Peace 🙂

Dervish, peace to you. On behalf of Tamia, please know he only forgot to mention it because he was so overwhelmed by the closing of this spiritual treasure trove; he wasn't even sure how you would react, so out of fear, he left it 🙂

Donna Cook48 said:Humaninside used to break up every single moment of monotony and pessimism...
Honestly, I knew for a long time—people were messaging me privately about the administration and especially about that admin, Sadonji—but I didn't want to believe them. I kept asking myself, "Well, what if someone actually shows up acting like a jerk?" But after seeing what happened with Humaninside, I am just deeply surprised, disappointed, and honestly, a bit crushed. It scares me that tomorrow someone else might end up the same way, which is why I say this. My goal isn't to gossip or slander rowdyhawk10; it’s about the survival of the REAL community members on this Forum.
Those true members unknowingly leave a piece of themselves in anyone who has even a grain of humanity left... and they’ve just cut down a massive, significant pillar. Honestly, I just feel bad 😢 and any words I say now feel completely useless 👎 . That more relaxed, conversational style of debating was exactly what made the Banquet Room special, back when subtle and thoughtful things could actually come to light. Once the Banquet Room was shut down, everything got moved into the Dervish Lodge, and the whole system basically collapsed because of its own actions, which indirectly caused this shutdown in such a SAD and PATHETIC way. 😉

Peace 🙂

Dervish, peace to you. On behalf of Tamia, please know he only forgot to mention it because he was so overwhelmed by the closing of this spiritual treasure trove; he wasn't even sure how you would react, so out of fear, he left it 🙂

Peace be upon you.

It isn't his fault. This is just the current state of affairs—a condition passed down through fake religions into the Dervish Lodge, which now tries to preserve and even worsen that very situation. Without the recovery of true Religion, there can be no Dervish Lodge.
Why do you think rowdyhawk10 argues that it's better for the Dervish Lodge to stay open? But then again, poor guy, he just doesn't see these things...
Tamia was merely a good example used to illustrate my point. Halali Tamia🙂

steeleagle2 said:Peace be upon you.

It isn't his fault. This is just the current state of affairs—a condition passed down through fake religions into the Dervish Lodge, which now tries to preserve and even worsen that very situation. Without the recovery of true Religion, there can be no Dervish Lodge.
Why do you think rowdyhawk10 argues that it's better for the Dervish Lodge to stay open? But then again, poor guy, he just doesn't see these things...
Tamia was merely a good example used to illustrate my point. Halali Tamia🙂

1.(this isn't meant to be quoted) ----------------- 🙄 😁🤷 😢

So, this whole topic is pretty specific, and I'm not trying to perform psychoanalysis on the admin, the forum members, or even the process itself—though you could certainly find similar patterns in how I operate. (So, don't go handing out red cards or accusing me of shifting the focus; nothing would surprise me if that happened, because the worst thing is when a process takes control of a person with such a negative undertone, especially when it's all happening out in the open.☕)

2.By shutting down the Dervish Lodge—that place for spiritual rest—a lot of people are going to walk away, and they won't have any intention of participating in other constructive discussions over in the religion section. In the end, he loses his own influence, and the religion fails as his personal kingdom.

3.If we let this train gain momentum in this direction, we'll just be passing on all that "bad karma" from the PDF religion section, and eventually, he might find himself forced to close it himself. This doesn't really fit his life motto, where he demands that a forum member be shut down, yet he hasn't acted as the supreme leader in his own jurisdiction to prevent someone else from being sidelined by his own hand. (He’s likely unaware of this, because if he were, he would have opened his eyes to it.

Well, now that someone is rejecting me, it looks like I'm rejecting them too, 😁 (but I suppose it's clear enough from the posts and actions who is who... "everyone ends up where they belong!").

As a famous scholar once said: "You aren't at my level for my deeds to transfer to you while I receive your bad ones in return."

So, Dervish, you're making me lose my good deeds—is this just an impulse carried over from the PDF religion, or do you really want to see how messy my character gets when things get jumpy? 😉

See, the Merciful is bringing back one of the many goals of the Dervish Lodge: "Perfecting one's character." You see, you just can't escape the Dervish Lodge.👍 .

Abu Bakr used to hold a pebble under his tongue and just stay silent—now that's wise! Meanwhile, here I am, just rambling away.

Peace🙂

Look, Dervish, you're making me feel like I'm losing my good deeds here. Is this just an impulse triggered by some PDF version of religion, or do you actually want to see how messy things get when we tackle the volatile questions? Like, what kind of madness is this?

Every single one of us carries a full spectrum of traits within us—both the light and the dark. A Dervish Lodge is meant to be a sanctuary where those negative traits are neutralized, while our positive qualities are nurtured and polished until they reach perfection.
The world at large tends to drag out the worst in people, forcing their flaws into the light, and then judges them based solely on those moments. That’s exactly how it works with religion today; it’s become a calculated strategy. On the flip side, the Dervish Lodge used to foster environments that encouraged a human to lean into their best self. Unfortunately, that cynical religious strategy has managed to seep into the Lodge itself. Right now, we simply don't have the strength to fight it, and our duty would be to shut it down entirely—close the doors and walk away, following the legalistic way of doing things. But the people overseeing this whole operation won't close the Lodge because it’s become a matter of vested interest. On one hand, it's about pure profit, and on the other, it's a way to needle us since they've successfully created these conditions. This, my friend, is the war being waged in the spiritual realm. Our move should be to close the Lodge, regroup, and unify. Only then can the winners reopen a Lodge—whether it's this one or another on a different forum.

Please keep the discussion regarding this matter here instead of on the Dervish Lodge
We will follow up later with a more detailed explanation, so please bear with us. Thank you.

What did I tell you, rowdyhawk10—what kind of person are you actually gonna turn into if you keep up this whole witch hunt thing...

Let me get straight to the point, in order...

Justin Mitchell said:Dervish, Peace be upon you!
The Dervish Lodge really needs a shake-up from you, Dervish. Look at how much life has been breathed into this place! Everyone is rushing to step up. Every two minutes, someone says: "We’re closing down, it's over." But don't you dare close it; it's clear people aren't ready for that. And I hope rowdyhawk10 takes care of things his way by bringing back HumanSide (is that how you say it?) and the others who felt slighted. Peace!

He actually managed to tear me apart this time. I suppose I’ll have to keep your post in mind for next time. 😉

boldgull19 said:@rowdyhawk10, hasn't it always been fine to just close the thread if the OP asked for it?

Some people feel a sense of closure once they see a topic is truly settled, but that logic doesn't really apply here since the Dervish Lodge hasn't even hit fifty posts yet. Besides, I suspect you’re actually feeling a bit bummed about seeing it shut down, aren't you? And look, I get it—you have a soft spot for the Dervish, and so do I. But imagine if this worked that way: if every single person who felt full or satisfied just decided to demand their thread be locked every day. Would this Forum even function? In any public discussion, you have to expect a variety of perspectives; otherwise, what is the point of having a conversation at all? Maybe I’d consider closing it for a few days just for your sake, given how much you adore the Dervish, but I have a feeling he'd be back asking to reopen it before we knew it. this I won't bother commenting on the post itself, but I suppose that single entry is the only one among everything written here that offers any actual justification for closing her out for a while. Still, even then, those reasons don't seem quite sufficient. As far as the Dervish is concerned, it's probably for the best that his input isn't taken to heart.

northernrider9 said:I’m calling out to every single Muslim in the world, to all of humanity, and even to all you spiritual leaders—please, for once, use some common sense—don't you dare shut this forum down. What on earth is rowdyhawk10 supposed to do if they pull the plug? Honestly, get that stench out the window immediately.

Understood. It's all set. 🙂

wiredcyclist72 said:Peace be upon you

What exactly do people mean by "style"?
I've been keeping an eye on this—honestly, I follow this regularly—but can someone explain why some z
are calling for the Dervish Lodge to be shut down?

I always thought once the Dervish Lodge opens its doors, the keys are thrown away!
Peace, peace, peace... because nobody is to blame here...

Let me explain my reasoning here. First off, this serves as a commemoration for a certain forum member who seems obsessed with making crude jokes about people he wouldn't dare say those things to in real life. Second, Gary Morales3 has caused quite a stir at the Dervish Lodge lately with his recent posts—though I suspect he might eventually realize the mess he's made, especially once reality hits him hard enough that he feels like checking into a rehab clinic or just cutting off his internet service for the week. Finally, the Dervish wants everything that's been happening to settle down a bit, which is a fair point, I suppose. He wants to close the thread for a while so the online community can recharge, which also makes sense. However, I think he's mistaken in assuming that running away from reality actually solves anything. You have to face these things head-on. carrying! And let’s just imagine for a second that someone decides to shut down the actual Dervish Lodge on their own whim? Occasionally, a place might close for renovations or an expansion... but even then, one ought to find a better location to move to while the repairs are being handled.

wiredcyclist72 said:Peace be upon you

What exactly do people mean by "style"?
I've been keeping an eye on this—honestly, I follow this regularly—but can someone explain why some z
are calling for the Dervish Lodge to be shut down?

I always thought once the Dervish Lodge opens its doors, the keys are thrown away!
Peace, peace, peace... because nobody is to blame here...

Well, I'm looking for the key too, but I can't seem to find it. 😉

steeleagle2 said:True, but that used to be a matter of principle. Back then, moderators closed threads as a way to show respect to the person who started them, especially since there wasn't actually a rule in the Forum guidelines allowing it. Nowadays, though, it’s all about calculation. That sense of honor has either vanished or become incredibly rare...

I don't believe you're aiming at my honor, Dervish. That simply cannot be true. Nor am I aiming at the idea that I've trampled yours. That can't be true either. So, I suppose showing respect in a situation like this wouldn't involve listening to you, but rather precisely not listening to you. I see that clearly, by God. I only hope you and everyone else sees it too. Besides, if you wanted to close this, you could have just sent me a private message stating your intentions and the reasons behind them. I know it's difficult for you, but the internet isn't meant for people without empathy or those lacking restraint, and such people aren't really worth grieving over.

steeleagle2 said:Honestly, what is there even to say to you? Look, I’ll put this in terms you might actually grasp—THIS IS MY THREAD. It doesn't belong to you, nor does it belong to any other member here. I have poured years of my life into this, and with the help of a select few valuable members, I have brought giants of men to this forum, serving them tea all these years just so they would share their profound wisdom. Have you ever brought anyone worth their salt to the Dervish Lodge? Go ahead, name just one handle, you who are stuck in a phase of weighing options.

Even if I haven't brought anyone else (which I have), at least I've tried to be useful here as a moderator. 🤷 And I'm not sure why it's even an argument whether I brought someone or not?! 😕 I moderate the Religion sub-forum. Besides, the years of your life invested (and mine in this forum, don't forget that) are two more reasons why the Dervish Lodge shouldn't be closed. And I know you don't actually want it closed either. Even if we did close it, you'd probably be asking to reopen it before long.

steeleagle2 said:Peace be upon you.

The "style" is that there is no style. Personally, I wanted it closed.

Edit: Don't get me wrong, I just meant that I wanted to see—and show everyone—what happens when someone asks for their own thread to be closed, versus how it looks when they close it themselves. The Mejdan was "Insan's" thread, whereas this one is "mine." For the Mejdan, nothing was even up for debate.

And yet, many people feel just as strongly about keeping it open. ☕ Most of them, actually! Especially some of the people held most dear here. You can see that for yourself. On the other hand, even those who claim they want it closed (including you) don't truly mean it, which seems pretty obvious too.

steeleagle2 said:Peace be upon you.

The "style" is that there is no style. Personally, I wanted it closed.

Edit: Don't get me wrong, I just meant that I wanted to see—and show everyone—what happens when someone asks for their own thread to be closed, versus how it looks when they close it themselves. The Mejdan was "Insan's" thread, whereas this one is "mine." For the Mejdan, nothing was even up for debate.

You're conflating two different things (much like Benjamin Foster is doing below). The Banquet was the thread of a banned user (who earned that ban a long time ago; we only tolerated him for so long out of pure goodwill... specifically Ego's goodwill!). Humanside started the "Banquet of Giving" and managed it the whole time, so we figured once he stopped posting, the reason for the thread to exist vanished—if he had simply logged off or stopped writing, we wouldn't be closing it, but since he's banned, it's different.

steeleagle2 said:Brian Mendoza95 won't step up; if he wanted to, he would have spoken up by now.

I am opening this position up to anyone—except rowdyhawk10—to act as the caretaker for this Dervish Lodge. Since I am stepping down from this role and washing my hands of all responsibility, I’m looking for a volunteer. Does anyone want in? The only condition is that the Lodge can only remain open if someone takes charge.

rowdyhawk10 is part of the six-person team serving as caretakers for the Dervish Lodge. 🙂

steeleagle2 said:Because you didn't offer me a Peace.

Looking at the numbers, we have 114 Americans and 76 non-Muslims here, totaling 190 people.
This thread has been read over 255,000 times and boasts more than 8,500 posts.
It originally opened on April 10, 2006, under the spirituality sub-forum. Later, that whole section was moved under the jurisdiction of the philosophy moderators, who then shifted it over to religion. At one point, it was actually closed for a few months. One person even embraced Islam just by reading through it.
Personally, I’ve contributed about 1,300 posts here. Following me, wearyhawk222 has 662 posts, then Raiden with 444, Forget-me-not 383 with 383, and rapidmaker6 with 375. That makes our top five. Behind them, with over 200 posts each, come
Brian Mendoza95, boldgull19, Humaninside, and Ashik. Everyone else has fewer than 200.

There are nine people who have truly poured themselves into the Dervish Lodge. Out of those nine, one is permanently banned, and two have stopped posting because they can't stand this forum anymore—leaving just six of us. Of those six, one supports my request, one is against it, one doesn't care, one has no idea what's happening, and one hasn't spoken up yet.

This space was envisioned to showcase a side of Islam that is largely unknown to the Western world, yet today, it risks becoming something we would never want to represent.

Those are reasons to keep the thread open, not reasons to close it.🙂

steeleagle2 said:Because you didn't offer me a Peace.

Looking at the numbers, we have 114 Americans and 76 non-Muslims here, totaling 190 people.
This thread has been read over 255,000 times and boasts more than 8,500 posts.
It originally opened on April 10, 2006, under the spirituality sub-forum. Later, that whole section was moved under the jurisdiction of the philosophy moderators, who then shifted it over to religion. At one point, it was actually closed for a few months. One person even embraced Islam just by reading through it.
Personally, I’ve contributed about 1,300 posts here. Following me, wearyhawk222 has 662 posts, then Raiden with 444, Forget-me-not 383 with 383, and rapidmaker6 with 375. That makes our top five. Behind them, with over 200 posts each, come
Brian Mendoza95, boldgull19, Humaninside, and Ashik. Everyone else has fewer than 200.

There are nine people who have truly poured themselves into the Dervish Lodge. Out of those nine, one is permanently banned, and two have stopped posting because they can't stand this forum anymore—leaving just six of us. Of those six, one supports my request, one is against it, one doesn't care, one has no idea what's happening, and one hasn't spoken up yet.

This space was envisioned to showcase a side of Islam that is largely unknown to the Western world, yet today, it risks becoming something we would never want to represent.

Just leave Ashik out of it since he’s Ashik. And honestly, most of the other usernames... probably aren't looking for a shutdown either.

steeleagle2 said:Because you didn't offer me a Peace.

Looking at the numbers, we have 114 Americans and 76 non-Muslims here, totaling 190 people.
This thread has been read over 255,000 times and boasts more than 8,500 posts.
It originally opened on April 10, 2006, under the spirituality sub-forum. Later, that whole section was moved under the jurisdiction of the philosophy moderators, who then shifted it over to religion. At one point, it was actually closed for a few months. One person even embraced Islam just by reading through it.
Personally, I’ve contributed about 1,300 posts here. Following me, wearyhawk222 has 662 posts, then Raiden with 444, Forget-me-not 383 with 383, and rapidmaker6 with 375. That makes our top five. Behind them, with over 200 posts each, come
Brian Mendoza95, boldgull19, Humaninside, and Ashik. Everyone else has fewer than 200.

There are nine people who have truly poured themselves into the Dervish Lodge. Out of those nine, one is permanently banned, and two have stopped posting because they can't stand this forum anymore—leaving just six of us. Of those six, one supports my request, one is against it, one doesn't care, one has no idea what's happening, and one hasn't spoken up yet.

This space was envisioned to showcase a side of Islam that is largely unknown to the Western world, yet today, it risks becoming something we would never want to represent.

Whoa, maybe take a step back there. ☕ Just one fact: FOR MONTHS NOW... meaning at least a hundred days, perhaps even half a year, NONE of you active participants (those who want the shutdown) have filed a SINGLE report regarding those inappropriate posts that would supposedly make "the Dervish Lodge become something we would never want to be associated with." Meanwhile, those who actually care about the lodge and were filing reports are now all against the shutdown. (You can count on that.) That tells you everything. So, if things have gone off course, perhaps it's time to set sail and fix what you can.

Kate Phillips40 said:I'm with steeleagle2 on this one. He made a solid point earlier, and besides, as the thread starter, he's got every right to ask for it to be closed for now.

Peace to everyone.

I might be wrong to respond to you, but heir... 🙄 My opinion is that there isn't a valid reason here. For starters, it's partially manipulated (by his own admission, northernrider9 here) and mostly fueled by bitterness over Gary Morales3's recent posts. While I don't necessarily agree with how Gary Morales3 wrote (regarding the lack of hospitality), I suspect even that might ultimately lead to something positive.

Kate Phillips40 said:I'm with steeleagle2 on this one. He made a solid point earlier, and besides, as the thread starter, he's got every right to ask for it to be closed for now.

Peace to everyone.

Which ones? Name them and drop the links. If someone suggests closing things down, we’ll only take that into consideration if there's actual evidence to back it up. objective One should consider the underlying reasons and whether the benefits of closing—or perhaps the potential damage caused by staying open—would ultimately outweigh the costs. In this specific situation, however, I suppose that doesn't really change anything.

Benjamin Foster said:I believe steeleagle2 has skillfully diverted attention from the fact that the Mejdan was shut down quite rudely. Now that he, in his capacity as the head of the Dervish Lodge, is requesting its closure, people are suddenly acting like we need to hold a full-blown debate over it. It’s obvious that certain individuals realize they won't have a place to exert their influence once it's closed. Personally, I stand with the Dervish; this kind of dictatorship simply isn't sustainable.
It’s better to turn off the heat entirely than to let the whole thing get filthy...

What exactly constitutes "rudeness" when it comes to shutting down the Mejdan betrayal? Is it about that one image, or something else entirely?

Benjamin Foster said:I believe steeleagle2 has skillfully diverted attention from the fact that the Mejdan was shut down quite rudely. Now that he, in his capacity as the head of the Dervish Lodge, is requesting its closure, people are suddenly acting like we need to hold a full-blown debate over it. It’s obvious that certain individuals realize they won't have a place to exert their influence once it's closed. Personally, I stand with the Dervish; this kind of dictatorship simply isn't sustainable.
It’s better to turn off the heat entirely than to let the whole thing get filthy...

You can't even begin to compare these two. steeleagle2 isn't a permanent fixture, whereas Human is most likely one (unless the administration decides to scrap the whole permanent status thing). If that actually happens, the Mejdan Odaja thread will inevitably resurface. And when it does, I'll be making sure the first post is mine, where I'll use some rather vivid descriptions to recount just how cozy and comfortable it felt sitting in Ego's backside.

Benjamin Foster said:I believe steeleagle2 has skillfully diverted attention from the fact that the Mejdan was shut down quite rudely. Now that he, in his capacity as the head of the Dervish Lodge, is requesting its closure, people are suddenly acting like we need to hold a full-blown debate over it. It’s obvious that certain individuals realize they won't have a place to exert their influence once it's closed. Personally, I stand with the Dervish; this kind of dictatorship simply isn't sustainable.
It’s better to turn off the heat entirely than to let the whole thing get filthy...

Go ahead, list them. The one and only. Could someone share an example of a time when they experienced someone acting like a dictator toward them? I’d also be interested to hear from steeleagle2 on whether he’s ever dealt with that kind of authoritarian behavior personally. Honestly, if anyone else here has a story, please feel free to speak up. In my view....

That’s all from me for tonight. Peace Peace to everyone.

rowdyhawk10 said:Let me get straight to the point, in order...

He actually managed to tear me apart this time. I suppose I’ll have to keep your post in mind for next time. 😉

Some people feel a sense of closure once they see a topic is truly settled, but that logic doesn't really apply here since the Dervish Lodge hasn't even hit fifty posts yet. Besides, I suspect you’re actually feeling a bit bummed about seeing it shut down, aren't you? And look, I get it—you have a soft spot for the Dervish, and so do I. But imagine if this worked that way: if every single person who felt full or satisfied just decided to demand their thread be locked every day. Would this Forum even function? In any public discussion, you have to expect a variety of perspectives; otherwise, what is the point of having a conversation at all? Maybe I’d consider closing it for a few days just for your sake, given how much you adore the Dervish, but I have a feeling he'd be back asking to reopen it before we knew it. this I won't bother commenting on the post itself, but I suppose that single entry is the only one among everything written here that offers any actual justification for closing her out for a while. Still, even then, those reasons don't seem quite sufficient. As far as the Dervish is concerned, it's probably for the best that his input isn't taken to heart.

Understood. It's all set. 🙂

Let me explain my reasoning here. First off, this serves as a commemoration for a certain forum member who seems obsessed with making crude jokes about people he wouldn't dare say those things to in real life. Second, Gary Morales3 has caused quite a stir at the Dervish Lodge lately with his recent posts—though I suspect he might eventually realize the mess he's made, especially once reality hits him hard enough that he feels like checking into a rehab clinic or just cutting off his internet service for the week. Finally, the Dervish wants everything that's been happening to settle down a bit, which is a fair point, I suppose. He wants to close the thread for a while so the online community can recharge, which also makes sense. However, I think he's mistaken in assuming that running away from reality actually solves anything. You have to face these things head-on. carrying! And let’s just imagine for a second that someone decides to shut down the actual Dervish Lodge on their own whim? Occasionally, a place might close for renovations or an expansion... but even then, one ought to find a better location to move to while the repairs are being handled.

Well, I'm looking for the key too, but I can't seem to find it. 😉

I don't believe you're aiming at my honor, Dervish. That simply cannot be true. Nor am I aiming at the idea that I've trampled yours. That can't be true either. So, I suppose showing respect in a situation like this wouldn't involve listening to you, but rather precisely not listening to you. I see that clearly, by God. I only hope you and everyone else sees it too. Besides, if you wanted to close this, you could have just sent me a private message stating your intentions and the reasons behind them. I know it's difficult for you, but the internet isn't meant for people without empathy or those lacking restraint, and such people aren't really worth grieving over.

Even if I haven't brought anyone else (which I have), at least I've tried to be useful here as a moderator. 🤷 And I'm not sure why it's even an argument whether I brought someone or not?! 😕 I moderate the Religion sub-forum. Besides, the years of your life invested (and mine in this forum, don't forget that) are two more reasons why the Dervish Lodge shouldn't be closed. And I know you don't actually want it closed either. Even if we did close it, you'd probably be asking to reopen it before long.

And yet, many people feel just as strongly about keeping it open. ☕ Most of them, actually! Especially some of the people held most dear here. You can see that for yourself. On the other hand, even those who claim they want it closed (including you) don't truly mean it, which seems pretty obvious too.

You're conflating two different things (much like Benjamin Foster is doing below). The Banquet was the thread of a banned user (who earned that ban a long time ago; we only tolerated him for so long out of pure goodwill... specifically Ego's goodwill!). Humanside started the "Banquet of Giving" and managed it the whole time, so we figured once he stopped posting, the reason for the thread to exist vanished—if he had simply logged off or stopped writing, we wouldn't be closing it, but since he's banned, it's different.

rowdyhawk10 is part of the six-person team serving as caretakers for the Dervish Lodge. 🙂

Those are reasons to keep the thread open, not reasons to close it.🙂

Just leave Ashik out of it since he’s Ashik. And honestly, most of the other usernames... probably aren't looking for a shutdown either.

Whoa, maybe take a step back there. ☕ Just one fact: FOR MONTHS NOW... meaning at least a hundred days, perhaps even half a year, NONE of you active participants (those who want the shutdown) have filed a SINGLE report regarding those inappropriate posts that would supposedly make "the Dervish Lodge become something we would never want to be associated with." Meanwhile, those who actually care about the lodge and were filing reports are now all against the shutdown. (You can count on that.) That tells you everything. So, if things have gone off course, perhaps it's time to set sail and fix what you can.

I might be wrong to respond to you, but heir... 🙄 My opinion is that there isn't a valid reason here. For starters, it's partially manipulated (by his own admission, northernrider9 here) and mostly fueled by bitterness over Gary Morales3's recent posts. While I don't necessarily agree with how Gary Morales3 wrote (regarding the lack of hospitality), I suspect even that might ultimately lead to something positive.

Which ones? Name them and drop the links. If someone suggests closing things down, we’ll only take that into consideration if there's actual evidence to back it up. objective One should consider the underlying reasons and whether the benefits of closing—or perhaps the potential damage caused by staying open—would ultimately outweigh the costs. In this specific situation, however, I suppose that doesn't really change anything.

What exactly constitutes "rudeness" when it comes to shutting down the Mejdan betrayal? Is it about that one image, or something else entirely?

You can't even begin to compare these two. steeleagle2 isn't a permanent fixture, whereas Human is most likely one (unless the administration decides to scrap the whole permanent status thing). If that actually happens, the Mejdan Odaja thread will inevitably resurface. And when it does, I'll be making sure the first post is mine, where I'll use some rather vivid descriptions to recount just how cozy and comfortable it felt sitting in Ego's backside.

Go ahead, list them. The one and only. Could someone share an example of a time when they experienced someone acting like a dictator toward them? I’d also be interested to hear from steeleagle2 on whether he’s ever dealt with that kind of authoritarian behavior personally. Honestly, if anyone else here has a story, please feel free to speak up. In my view....

That’s all from me for tonight. Peace Peace to everyone.

Hey, you don't have to roll your eyes at me. It's not like I'm some extremist or anything!😁

All jokes aside, I’m glad you took the time to answer everyone on what you felt was actually relevant. It makes you a better moderator and a better human.👍

rowdyhawk10 said:Let me get straight to the point, in order...

He actually managed to tear me apart this time. I suppose I’ll have to keep your post in mind for next time. 😉

Some people feel a sense of closure once they see a topic is truly settled, but that logic doesn't really apply here since the Dervish Lodge hasn't even hit fifty posts yet. Besides, I suspect you’re actually feeling a bit bummed about seeing it shut down, aren't you? And look, I get it—you have a soft spot for the Dervish, and so do I. But imagine if this worked that way: if every single person who felt full or satisfied just decided to demand their thread be locked every day. Would this Forum even function? In any public discussion, you have to expect a variety of perspectives; otherwise, what is the point of having a conversation at all? Maybe I’d consider closing it for a few days just for your sake, given how much you adore the Dervish, but I have a feeling he'd be back asking to reopen it before we knew it. this I won't bother commenting on the post itself, but I suppose that single entry is the only one among everything written here that offers any actual justification for closing her out for a while. Still, even then, those reasons don't seem quite sufficient. As far as the Dervish is concerned, it's probably for the best that his input isn't taken to heart.

Understood. It's all set. 🙂

Let me explain my reasoning here. First off, this serves as a commemoration for a certain forum member who seems obsessed with making crude jokes about people he wouldn't dare say those things to in real life. Second, Gary Morales3 has caused quite a stir at the Dervish Lodge lately with his recent posts—though I suspect he might eventually realize the mess he's made, especially once reality hits him hard enough that he feels like checking into a rehab clinic or just cutting off his internet service for the week. Finally, the Dervish wants everything that's been happening to settle down a bit, which is a fair point, I suppose. He wants to close the thread for a while so the online community can recharge, which also makes sense. However, I think he's mistaken in assuming that running away from reality actually solves anything. You have to face these things head-on. carrying! And let’s just imagine for a second that someone decides to shut down the actual Dervish Lodge on their own whim? Occasionally, a place might close for renovations or an expansion... but even then, one ought to find a better location to move to while the repairs are being handled.

Well, I'm looking for the key too, but I can't seem to find it. 😉

I don't believe you're aiming at my honor, Dervish. That simply cannot be true. Nor am I aiming at the idea that I've trampled yours. That can't be true either. So, I suppose showing respect in a situation like this wouldn't involve listening to you, but rather precisely not listening to you. I see that clearly, by God. I only hope you and everyone else sees it too. Besides, if you wanted to close this, you could have just sent me a private message stating your intentions and the reasons behind them. I know it's difficult for you, but the internet isn't meant for people without empathy or those lacking restraint, and such people aren't really worth grieving over.

Even if I haven't brought anyone else (which I have), at least I've tried to be useful here as a moderator. 🤷 And I'm not sure why it's even an argument whether I brought someone or not?! 😕 I moderate the Religion sub-forum. Besides, the years of your life invested (and mine in this forum, don't forget that) are two more reasons why the Dervish Lodge shouldn't be closed. And I know you don't actually want it closed either. Even if we did close it, you'd probably be asking to reopen it before long.

And yet, many people feel just as strongly about keeping it open. ☕ Most of them, actually! Especially some of the people held most dear here. You can see that for yourself. On the other hand, even those who claim they want it closed (including you) don't truly mean it, which seems pretty obvious too.

You're conflating two different things (much like Benjamin Foster is doing below). The Banquet was the thread of a banned user (who earned that ban a long time ago; we only tolerated him for so long out of pure goodwill... specifically Ego's goodwill!). Humanside started the "Banquet of Giving" and managed it the whole time, so we figured once he stopped posting, the reason for the thread to exist vanished—if he had simply logged off or stopped writing, we wouldn't be closing it, but since he's banned, it's different.

rowdyhawk10 is part of the six-person team serving as caretakers for the Dervish Lodge. 🙂

Those are reasons to keep the thread open, not reasons to close it.🙂

Just leave Ashik out of it since he’s Ashik. And honestly, most of the other usernames... probably aren't looking for a shutdown either.

Whoa, maybe take a step back there. ☕ Just one fact: FOR MONTHS NOW... meaning at least a hundred days, perhaps even half a year, NONE of you active participants (those who want the shutdown) have filed a SINGLE report regarding those inappropriate posts that would supposedly make "the Dervish Lodge become something we would never want to be associated with." Meanwhile, those who actually care about the lodge and were filing reports are now all against the shutdown. (You can count on that.) That tells you everything. So, if things have gone off course, perhaps it's time to set sail and fix what you can.

I might be wrong to respond to you, but heir... 🙄 My opinion is that there isn't a valid reason here. For starters, it's partially manipulated (by his own admission, northernrider9 here) and mostly fueled by bitterness over Gary Morales3's recent posts. While I don't necessarily agree with how Gary Morales3 wrote (regarding the lack of hospitality), I suspect even that might ultimately lead to something positive.

Which ones? Name them and drop the links. If someone suggests closing things down, we’ll only take that into consideration if there's actual evidence to back it up. objective One should consider the underlying reasons and whether the benefits of closing—or perhaps the potential damage caused by staying open—would ultimately outweigh the costs. In this specific situation, however, I suppose that doesn't really change anything.

What exactly constitutes "rudeness" when it comes to shutting down the Mejdan betrayal? Is it about that one image, or something else entirely?

You can't even begin to compare these two. steeleagle2 isn't a permanent fixture, whereas Human is most likely one (unless the administration decides to scrap the whole permanent status thing). If that actually happens, the Mejdan Odaja thread will inevitably resurface. And when it does, I'll be making sure the first post is mine, where I'll use some rather vivid descriptions to recount just how cozy and comfortable it felt sitting in Ego's backside.

Go ahead, list them. The one and only. Could someone share an example of a time when they experienced someone acting like a dictator toward them? I’d also be interested to hear from steeleagle2 on whether he’s ever dealt with that kind of authoritarian behavior personally. Honestly, if anyone else here has a story, please feel free to speak up. In my view....

That’s all from me for tonight. Peace Peace to everyone.

Honestly, I’m not a fan of how the Bank handles its dictionary or how they treat people on the forum, regardless of the situation. rowdyhawk10 is making things pretty rough on the Religion forum again.

I know I went a bit overboard with you last time, but I truly believe everything should be handled politely and civilly, whether we agree on everything or not. That said, I can't stand constant insults or disrespect, even when it comes to Humaninside, who definitely crossed the line with those recent posts directed at you. I get that he had his reasons and was frustrated with how you moderate things, but it’s just not our style to be rude. We should always try to find an alternative solution that works for everyone involved.

Everything can be settled between humans without any insults or rudeness, just with a little goodwill and patience.

rowdyhawk10 said:Let me get straight to the point, in order...

He actually managed to tear me apart this time. I suppose I’ll have to keep your post in mind for next time. 😉

Some people feel a sense of closure once they see a topic is truly settled, but that logic doesn't really apply here since the Dervish Lodge hasn't even hit fifty posts yet. Besides, I suspect you’re actually feeling a bit bummed about seeing it shut down, aren't you? And look, I get it—you have a soft spot for the Dervish, and so do I. But imagine if this worked that way: if every single person who felt full or satisfied just decided to demand their thread be locked every day. Would this Forum even function? In any public discussion, you have to expect a variety of perspectives; otherwise, what is the point of having a conversation at all? Maybe I’d consider closing it for a few days just for your sake, given how much you adore the Dervish, but I have a feeling he'd be back asking to reopen it before we knew it. this I won't bother commenting on the post itself, but I suppose that single entry is the only one among everything written here that offers any actual justification for closing her out for a while. Still, even then, those reasons don't seem quite sufficient. As far as the Dervish is concerned, it's probably for the best that his input isn't taken to heart.

Understood. It's all set. 🙂

Let me explain my reasoning here. First off, this serves as a commemoration for a certain forum member who seems obsessed with making crude jokes about people he wouldn't dare say those things to in real life. Second, Gary Morales3 has caused quite a stir at the Dervish Lodge lately with his recent posts—though I suspect he might eventually realize the mess he's made, especially once reality hits him hard enough that he feels like checking into a rehab clinic or just cutting off his internet service for the week. Finally, the Dervish wants everything that's been happening to settle down a bit, which is a fair point, I suppose. He wants to close the thread for a while so the online community can recharge, which also makes sense. However, I think he's mistaken in assuming that running away from reality actually solves anything. You have to face these things head-on. carrying! And let’s just imagine for a second that someone decides to shut down the actual Dervish Lodge on their own whim? Occasionally, a place might close for renovations or an expansion... but even then, one ought to find a better location to move to while the repairs are being handled.

Well, I'm looking for the key too, but I can't seem to find it. 😉

I don't believe you're aiming at my honor, Dervish. That simply cannot be true. Nor am I aiming at the idea that I've trampled yours. That can't be true either. So, I suppose showing respect in a situation like this wouldn't involve listening to you, but rather precisely not listening to you. I see that clearly, by God. I only hope you and everyone else sees it too. Besides, if you wanted to close this, you could have just sent me a private message stating your intentions and the reasons behind them. I know it's difficult for you, but the internet isn't meant for people without empathy or those lacking restraint, and such people aren't really worth grieving over.

Even if I haven't brought anyone else (which I have), at least I've tried to be useful here as a moderator. 🤷 And I'm not sure why it's even an argument whether I brought someone or not?! 😕 I moderate the Religion sub-forum. Besides, the years of your life invested (and mine in this forum, don't forget that) are two more reasons why the Dervish Lodge shouldn't be closed. And I know you don't actually want it closed either. Even if we did close it, you'd probably be asking to reopen it before long.

And yet, many people feel just as strongly about keeping it open. ☕ Most of them, actually! Especially some of the people held most dear here. You can see that for yourself. On the other hand, even those who claim they want it closed (including you) don't truly mean it, which seems pretty obvious too.

You're conflating two different things (much like Benjamin Foster is doing below). The Banquet was the thread of a banned user (who earned that ban a long time ago; we only tolerated him for so long out of pure goodwill... specifically Ego's goodwill!). Humanside started the "Banquet of Giving" and managed it the whole time, so we figured once he stopped posting, the reason for the thread to exist vanished—if he had simply logged off or stopped writing, we wouldn't be closing it, but since he's banned, it's different.

rowdyhawk10 is part of the six-person team serving as caretakers for the Dervish Lodge. 🙂

Those are reasons to keep the thread open, not reasons to close it.🙂

Just leave Ashik out of it since he’s Ashik. And honestly, most of the other usernames... probably aren't looking for a shutdown either.

Whoa, maybe take a step back there. ☕ Just one fact: FOR MONTHS NOW... meaning at least a hundred days, perhaps even half a year, NONE of you active participants (those who want the shutdown) have filed a SINGLE report regarding those inappropriate posts that would supposedly make "the Dervish Lodge become something we would never want to be associated with." Meanwhile, those who actually care about the lodge and were filing reports are now all against the shutdown. (You can count on that.) That tells you everything. So, if things have gone off course, perhaps it's time to set sail and fix what you can.

I might be wrong to respond to you, but heir... 🙄 My opinion is that there isn't a valid reason here. For starters, it's partially manipulated (by his own admission, northernrider9 here) and mostly fueled by bitterness over Gary Morales3's recent posts. While I don't necessarily agree with how Gary Morales3 wrote (regarding the lack of hospitality), I suspect even that might ultimately lead to something positive.

Which ones? Name them and drop the links. If someone suggests closing things down, we’ll only take that into consideration if there's actual evidence to back it up. objective One should consider the underlying reasons and whether the benefits of closing—or perhaps the potential damage caused by staying open—would ultimately outweigh the costs. In this specific situation, however, I suppose that doesn't really change anything.

What exactly constitutes "rudeness" when it comes to shutting down the Mejdan betrayal? Is it about that one image, or something else entirely?

You can't even begin to compare these two. steeleagle2 isn't a permanent fixture, whereas Human is most likely one (unless the administration decides to scrap the whole permanent status thing). If that actually happens, the Mejdan Odaja thread will inevitably resurface. And when it does, I'll be making sure the first post is mine, where I'll use some rather vivid descriptions to recount just how cozy and comfortable it felt sitting in Ego's backside.

Go ahead, list them. The one and only. Could someone share an example of a time when they experienced someone acting like a dictator toward them? I’d also be interested to hear from steeleagle2 on whether he’s ever dealt with that kind of authoritarian behavior personally. Honestly, if anyone else here has a story, please feel free to speak up. In my view....

That’s all from me for tonight. Peace Peace to everyone.

It might not be written in the rulebook, but let's be real—does a request like this carry any weight when it comes from a long-time member who’s helped make this forum what it is today? They've contributed so much to its success, yet they're just starting out on this specific topic.

Man, don't you think Dervish deserves at least a little grace here? Given the circumstances, he should get exactly what he's asking for—just lock his thread for a bit and call it a day.

That’s why I’m backing him. I think he has plenty of solid reasons to go after what he's looking for.

Also, I really hate that rule where they lock up threads about banned users once they're gone. But hey, it is what it is.

Peace.

steeleagle2 said:Peace be upon you.

Are you stepping up to take responsibility for the Dervish Lodge and acting as its servant?

Fine, let someone pray. But how will they notify us? Perhaps they can send word through a human... Or better yet, let FMN ask c&b to find Zakariya, then report it all to Gary Morales so he can pray. Then Gary Morales, along with rapidmaker6, can interpret the results for us. Once rowdyhawk10 has shaken things up, we can decide how to proceed.☕

Oh, I completely missed this message.
I am certainly willing to serve as the caretaker for the Dervish Lodge; I am not running away from such a duty. However, if this implies I must be present every single day, or every second, or every third day, I cannot commit, as I am uncertain how frequently I will actually be able to manage it... By the way, I am waiting for a new arrival in March or perhaps April.🙂

In any case, I am awaiting the official announcement and intend to consult with my legal representative; that is the proper etiquette, and that is how I shall proceed.

Besides, the final decision does not rest solely with me.
I accept that reality.
This Dervish Lodge is my very first one, and I would not give it up easily.