Hey everyone, I’m #newhere. I’ follow #bible, #church, #college, #conservative, #education, #fire-rescue, #history, #libertarian, #linux, #maga, #reformed-theology, #startrek, and #starwars.

My previous experience in the Fediverse (Diaspora) was very bad. My avatar and persona at first was Robin, Batman’s sidekick. There aren’t that many males named Robin where I’m from, and I enjoyed being the boy wonder and writing from his perspective just for fun. A second Diaspora account was a fictional character from the Star Trek universe named Artim - this guy - with whom I share a great fear of technology mixed with childlike curiosity and fondness for play. But in serious discussions about social, political, and spiritual issues, I couldn’t be that character, of course.

Unfounded accusations of pedophilia followed, and whenever any underage person created an account on Diaspora thereafter, regardless of gender or sexual orientation or anything else, then my old adversaries would link that poor kid with me some way or another, and more stupid allegations would spread. I did actually invite one kid to Diaspora, from a Sunday school class I used to teach. They jumped all over that poor kid too and drove him off as well. I would be surprised to find anyone in the Fediverse except maybe Mastodon under the age of 20.

It’s too bad. I think the Fediverse would be awesome for kids, and we adults need to hear from the next generation, to listen to them, and to offer a little help to them in these unbelievably confusing times. But as long as there are those who would associate any kid with me and try to drive them off, I couldn’t stick around and be the reason for it, so I left. For what, two years I guess. Now I’m back but on Friendica on Diaspora for now, and hoping the storms are over. If not, I’ll disappear again, probably never to return.

The Friendica instance I chose has very few #Christian #conservatives in it's directory, and has blocked a number of Fediverse instances where some might be found. Also, I found the interface on diaspora much easier to navigate and manage. I think I prefer it in spite of it's lack of some great features that Friendica offers. Those extra features don't mean as much to me as the short learning curve and intuitive interface that Diaspora offers, so I chose a pod that doesn't appear to censor users and block many instances.

Following a 30-year career in #fire-rescue, I took some college and seminary courses (Presbyterian / Reformed) and took a job running freight around the lower 48 for a bit, just to travel and learn. Now approaching my 65th year, I work locally and continue taking courses in college and seminary. Not working for a degree, just learning for the sheer pleasure of growing more and being equipped to teach at church when needed.

My interests are #bible #theology #history #writing #living-history #reenacting #church-history #sacred-music, #prepping #MAGA #America-first (that does not necessarily mean #Republican by any means! More like #libertarian)

Hopefully it's safe for me now, and hopefully my first experience of this Fediverse will be a positive one in which I can contribute, learn, and share.