Who here on R&S doesn't accept email and why? Especially Regulars.?

Question

Now Community guidelines state that Q&As are not to be used for chatting. And that's quite right. That's not what they are for.

But we now have our own 'Networks' which strengthen the sense of Community. And ineveitably when you post a lot you pick up when other regulars aren't on their usual form. And the inclination is to just sent a quick 'are you ok?' to show someone cares.

But quite a few people, including regulars, don't accept email. And I wondered why?

Thank you. (I ask on R&S because that's where I post most).

If you go to your 'Edit My Profile' you can set up an email address. Others do not see this in messages they send or receive from you.

I set up a Yahoo email address, separate from my main email just for this purpose. I haven't had any problems so far.

Answer 1

Having your email activated is a good way to weed out the ones who are dangerously insane. I received one from a person who - without knowing me - accused my of being a homewrecking anarchist working towards the destruction of our nation.

I felt soooooo powerful for the rest of the day...

Answer 2

This is a very large forum, with a small percentage of truly sick individuals on it. If you publish your email that leaves the path open for some of them to try to find out more info, like where you live. It's a security thing that anyone who has ever been stalked would understand, not an unwillingness to accept constructive criticism, as a poster above said. Not that I wouldn't like to hear from some of the more caring, intelligent, or interesting folks, but don't want to be harrassed by whackos, and also don't want to be spammed. My participation is greater, and my remarks more candid, because of the anonymity, than they might be otherwise.
Kallan: I wasn't aware that was how the email worked, and may re-think my postion about it, but then like the others, I am sure I would probably get my share of you're going straight to hell mails, and who wants to wake up to that in the morning? Doesn't go very well with coffee....

Answer 3

When I first came here, I had that feature shut off.. I didn't realize that when someone clicks on "send email" that they don't actually see your email address, and it's all done from the Yahoo board. I think that may be a common misconception on here.
I was concerned about spam etc.. but, so far, it hasn't been too bad.
I do get the "you're going to bust hell wide open" emails, but not a whole lot.
I like being able to receive emails from my R&S buddies, and from new people who want to ask questions.
So, if you weren't aware, you can open that feature, and people won't know your email address.. you'll get an email that says you've received a message from another user. If you reply, it takes you to the Y/A site and opens a blank email for you to send to that person.

Answer 4

Friend, I have been contacted by yahoo that there is 2 people trying to contact me. The way it is right now, I average a day about 250 emails a day, not on R&S, But I hesitate to allow anyone to email me, because there is several factor, First, I am a married man, & 57 yrs. old, & been serving God for 37 yrs. & I figure if someone sees enough in something I am doing, then that is great, I will not subject my family to invasion of prividge, & 2nd. they can get my answers from the questions they ask. I am not afraid to talk to anyone, But I want to know what their motive is first, & they have failed to show me a motive, & I have to go through so many emails a day, Time itself don't allow me to answer everyone or to chat with everyone, & I am a Retired person. As I said, if they saw something they like in my answers, so be it, But I need a motive first, Because of what I have answerd here in the last 8 months, is only a scratch, of the depth into the scriptures, 2 yrs ago, I was chatting with my own flesh & blood brother, & the few subjects he was debating, took me almost 7 months to finish my reply to his questions. Because I don't just put in one or 2 verses to make a doctrine out of it, I put in the whole scriptures pertaining to it, & also Church history with it. So if someone can give me a motive, then I may consider to contact them or to let them contact me. But I will not contact anyone to argue, that is what my brother tried to do, & I put up with it until he finally stop contacting me, because he finally knew that I was unshakeable. I do have a sense of humor, But I also take The Truth of God's word very serious, & I know if I begin letting people to contact me, they will not really want to stay & chat. No, I will not say anything hateful, But some people can only go so far with the truth, & then they hit a brick wall, like my brother did.

Answer 5

I never had my communications open. I knew from the start that I was going into a controversial section just for fun and games. I knew I would pick up mostly hate mail. I didn't see a reason for communicating then. I figured I would have nothing to really say to people on here over an email. I didn't know how many interesting people there were on here, I just never opened my mail. I some times open my mail for a second just to send someone a message if I feel it necessary (I never send negative mail, I just don't let things bother me that much). People who know me can reach me on 360 if they know where to look.

Answer 6

I've never accepted email thru here, simply because its not the account I check for any reason. I set this email up to catch junkmail.

I had my IM on until recently. I shut it off, because frankly, I got tired of the Jesus Crispies (meaning the zealots) leaving me offline messages. Intelligent discussion is one thing, but the attacks and threats became all together too much. Some of the prime examples are:

A woman named Regina wished bodily harm on a family member who considered an abortion, because the pregnancy threatened her life.

One individual (I don't remember his name), circumvented the block user function, and the "appear invisible" function to spam me with endless prayers, gospel tracts, links and arguements...usually while I was at work.

I've had born agains attack me, personally, because of my views that their faith was a result of trading one addiction for another, via the 12 step cult.

I've been attacked by 12 steppers (usually sponsors in the program) because I had the audacity to answer a question, and say that I disagreed with their view that addiction is a disease; and that one should take responsibility for all their decisions...not leave it up to a "higher power".

Even after all that, I kept it available for awhile. Common sense kicked in though. Besides, basic computer security means not allowing someone you don't know to contact you, uninvited.

Answer 7

I don't want harassment. I had one particular incident where I received an e mail with expletives. I requested the member not to send me any similar e mails and they replied with a lot of expletives so from that point on e mail from this site became undesirable. Most of the people here I would be willing to communicate with but the minority of idiots spoil it for other people.

Answer 8

Hi

I've never actually allowed anyone to contact me as i was unsure to the type of e mail content i would get. if it is a reasonable e mail actually wanting to discuss on my comments then that is fine i do not have a problem, but i guessed most of it would be also of junk. It certainly wasn't for the reason that i was scared of of what people might think of my comments

Perhaps i will allow it to see what interesting things can happen

Answer 9

I turned it off because I don't need the bad vibe of hate emails telling me how I am stupid or going to hell.

I have 360 option and have lots of 360 friends from here at answers, like 70 plus friends on 360.

Answer 10

I do.... I figure if people want to ask me more they can, or if they want to give a rebuttal to something I said, maybe I either was wrong or can correct them. I let anyone email me, but that doesn't mean I always reply. Sometimes if they just want to hand out insults or say I was wrong, I don't reply, I'll just let them think they won. But if they want to talk or listen I will indulge them, but if they just want to rant, I wont reply.