Dear MNHQ, I didn't see all the problems kick off over poor Revjustabout...

[georgimama]

but I would be grateful if you could tell me that you have at least given serious consideration to banning the posters who were harrassing her.

Thank you.

I don't understand why the Rev (or whatever she is called now) doesn't just become the official mn vicar (or deacon or whatever) then she can call herself Rev (or Dec or whatever is short for a Deacon) with impunity.

Surely that could be possible? If she has the blessing of her... erm... whatever you call a Boss in the church. Surely a group of people online is just as viable a flock as people who go to a church.

i agree, cd. it would be nice. and afaik she doesn't have a parish at the moment.

That is true, Aitch. I will shut up now.

So is it like some sort of MN cult?

Is MNHQ involved in that site? Is it by invitation? cooptation?

Rhubarb has it crossed your mind that people who have been really nice posters for um 6 years may still be really nice?
And do you not think it odd that Rev claimed that all her posts were being checked by her "supervisor" who has happy with her "ministry" on Mumsnet? Do you not see why that might make some of us, who have a small idea how professional ethics etc work, go "well, THAT'S a lie?" and get deleted for our pains? (I note she has resiled from that position)

But I repeat I have NOT contacted MN with any concerns and I have CERTAINLY not been in any way involved in any private life of Rev, as I say, I don't know who she is or anything about her apart from her economy with the truth. And any accusations of harrassment are utterly unacceptable. My dealings with Rev have been completely transparent and public.

It was highly suspicious though, that suddenly there were serveral posters (all moldies) attacking rev, and it does read like they had been watching/discussing the thread, then one of them came in on the attack, then the others turned up as backup.

my gut instinct tells me Rev has definatley been disscused on moldies, or else why would those posters turn up with such vitrol

by invitation and voting system apparently slim you should search previous threads for info if you like, there will no doubt be tonnes

Well maybe the rev can confirm whether indeed that was true (about the supervisor thing) and clear it up.
Shit now I keep calling her that
What is her name now?

Hmm, well strictly speaking there was no need for the rev to start a thread about defrocking was there? She could have kept her rev name for her worship threads and changed to another more anonymous name for all other purposes. It seems to me, as a newcomer, that she herself has stirred things soemwhat.

"Frankly it seems like it is an abuse of power for someone from Mumsnet HQ to ask that she prove who she is.

No one else I know has ever been asked. I have not been asked to prove my identity."

Well presumably because she's posting in a rev role (I haven't followed the reluctant worshipers threads but understand from her previous posts she has someone from the church overseeing her posts?? i guess that makes her a church representative of some sort). I think if someone (anyone) posts in a semi professional role then they may be asked to prove who they are. I'm guessing HQ have to do that; otherwise they could be in the stew if something went pear shaped following advice from a professional.

Maybe God is happy with her ministry on mumsnet. Who's to say?

from a legal professional POV I can see why PPH would be suspicious - as it would be unusual for a legal or other similar professional to open themselves up to all the potential hassle and professional snafus that would ensue from offering their advice in any more than the most general and irregular sense on the internet. I suppose though the church is different; you don't really get many professional negligence cases against vicars...

excellent post jute. It's that crossover of professional and personal life. And if you're posting as a professional then you have to be accountable.

oh is there no overseer of posts??

ok jute but when someone posts on breastfeeding saying they're an NCT breastfeeding counsellor I've never heard of anyone having their credentials checked.

Deacons DO have supervisors, they are usually the Parish Priests or Monseigners, or even Bishop. Surely you intellects know that?

A vicar's posting would be the same as a therapist or counsellor - ie. you would take anything you deemed 'advice' into supervision. That's just how it works.

Actually I should make that more personal. I've given advice about the process to be a foster carer and no one has ever asked me to prove that I know what I'm talking about.

Hello all,
Here's what we think:

1. The revjustabout is not a hairy trucker (nor is she a reverend actually but a deacon as she has said). We posted this some time ago as it happens but clearly folks missed it/ didn't believe us.

1. If you suspect troll-like goings on MNetters should do one of two things:

a) give poster benefit of the doubt - see our troll policy

b) report suspicions to us so we can look into it.

Otherwise you risk being very unfair if/when their suspicions prove to be unfounded, as was the case in this case.

1. As a rule we tend to discourage folks setting themselves as experts in any field - that's not to say we don't have lots them and obviously we and you really appreciate all their fabulous advice eg Tiktok, Mears, Mars, Flowerybeanbag - but they don't wear their expertise on their sleeves - Mars isn't Marsthesuperdoula for instance she is Mumsnetter Mars first, who happens to know a lot about birth. This feels the right way to go in our view - it's in line with the MN's general philosophy that all posters are equal and no-one has any authority over anyone else. And names do matter in that regard.

One of the reasons certain posters were suspicious of the Rev in the first place for example was because she was broadcasting her Reverendness. So we (me and the Rev) agreed that a name change was a good idea to help move things on. (Though clearly we might have to have a few more thousand posts before we get to the moving on from this thread stage, given it's nature.)

So to summarise we think on board troll hunting of this kind is a mistake - it is specifically against our policy because it really is deeply unpleasant I'd imagine being on the wrong end of it if you are not in fact a troll. (If you are a troll you probably enjoy it!) So please report any suspicions you have rather than posting about them - we promise to look into it.

Cheers,
MNHQ

TC - I think as a vicar you have to be UTTERLY careful about what you post, and the ethical nature of advice you give. I work for the church and I KNOW the emotionally vulnerable people who come to the church for help, guidance and support. And a lot of harm can come from misguided advice. I have seen someone commit suicide (not in church), and I know what a finely balanced knife-edge a person on the verge of serious mental health problems can be on. And they can depend disproportionately on a member of the clergy, and put much more weight on their words.

Shall we just let this thread lie? The last thing we need is Moldiegate-The Sequel. Let MNHQ deal with it and let's hope nobody feels too upset. Least said soonest mended and all that...

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So surely if the rev can confirm that she was taking this into supervision then that will put that to bed.

And then apply to be official mn rev

Actually Laurie- there recently was a thread asking for someone to list their credentials (tt or hm, cannot remember)
We have all become far too suspicious of each other recently.

This is an internet forum- not real life- people need to start wising up and take it all with a larger pinch of salt.

"On the internet, no-one knows you're a dog"

CD she has already said that

LOTS of people here will have supervision, it's none of anyone's business what they discuss in there!!!!