Wiki143:Mediation Cabal/Cases/2006-05-12 Every Nation

Mediation Case: 2006-05-12 Every Nation

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Request Information

Request made by: Thelma Bowlen 06:54, 12 May 2006 (UTC)

Where is the issue taking place?

...The Every Nation page

Who's involved?

...An anonymous contributor named User:Blueboy96 and Thelma Bowlen, Communications Coordinator, Every Nation (a registered 501c3 non-profit organization)

What's going on?

...The Every Nation page was originally created in November of 2005. Since then, it has been changed in its entirety to reflect the biased, prejudiced views of an individual who has blatant, negative POV comments regarding Every Nation on his Wikipedia User Profile. . . . "I was suckered into joining a campus ministry affiliated with the Every Nation cult--read more about it here.” He has threatened that I will be blocked from making edits. The information that I have been posting is verifiable on the Every Nation corporate website and is not subject to copyright, as stated in our copyright policy.

What would you like to change about that?

...I feel that one individual should not be allowed to take this entry hostage to his own very biased POV. Every time I make a NPOV correction, he immediately changes the page back to his slant. I'm requesting to be allowed to remove his personal bias, protect this page and prevent him from blocking me.

If you'd prefer we work discreetly, how can we reach you?

...Through my user talk page, please.

Would you be willing to be a mediator yourself, and accept a mediation assignment in a different case?

This is, following the Categorical Imperative, the idea that you might want to do

what you expect others to do. You don't have to, of course, that's why it's a question.

...I would like to be of assistance if it won't take up too much of my time. And of course, if someone can show me the ropes.

Mediator response

New mediator needed I have put this case back into the in need of mediators section, hopefully a new mediator will be back here to respond shortly. I believe the discussion was occuring on the talk page of the article in question. Cowman109^Talk 22:23, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

I think David. L. Rattigan has volunteered to continue where Jbolden left off, so I guess this case is back in order. Please update this case page with status updates if you need any help or if you are closing it, thanks. Cowman109^Talk 22:19, 8 July 2006 (UTC)

Requesting update This case has not seen activity since early July. Is it still active? If not, I will close it due to inactivity. Thanks. Cowman109^Talk 17:57, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

I am closing this case due to inactivity. Should any further trouble arise, this case will remain on my watchlist (though a note on my talk page would be helpful as well). Thanks. Cowman109^Talk 06:24, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Evidence

Please report evidence in this section with {{Wikipedia:Mediation_Cabal/Evidence}} for misconduct and {{Wikipedia:Mediation_Cabal/Evidence3RR}} for 3RR violations. If you need help ask a mediator or an advocate. Evidence is of limited use in mediation as the mediator has no authority. Providing some evidence may, however, be useful in making both sides act more civil.
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Compromise offers

This section is for listing and discussing compromise offers.

Comments by others

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I'm not sure if this is the proper place for this, so forgive me if not, and please delete. I am a member of an Every Nation church, and while I know about some ties to Maranatha and some of the "scandals" going on, I feel this whole article is heavily biased against Every Nation. It is the umbrella of a large number of churches, and while the accusations may be founded, things that happen in a few places hardly represent a vast majority. I feel almost personally attacked, as someone browsing my information now believes I am in a violent authoritative cult, when in reality my church is not like that at all. I don't want a friend or my mother reading this and forming a negatively biased opinion. It would be best if the article only cited facts publically available, and that at the least both sides would be equally represented on the article. Everything has its problems, that hardly means the whole organization is one big conspiracy. This reads like a UFO article. --DaveHarris 18:11, 19 May 2006 (UTC)

Discussion

I believe it is important, in light of the recent scandals and issues that have plagued EN that prospective member of EN understand the historical roots of Every Nation. The links to FACT NET, to Maranatha Christian Ministries and to EveryNationExposed are important tools for people to make informed decisions.

As the author of the Blog Every Nation Exposed I feel it is important to at least explore the roots of Every Nation. I make it clear in my blog that Every Nation and Maranatha Christian Ministries are NOT identical. The introduction clearly asks the reader to "consider their experiences" to form a judgement with regards to EveryNation and the practices therein.

The facts are that Phil Bonasso, Steve Murrell and Rice Broocks all came from and were part of Maranatha Christian Ministries. Many of the tactics used, and the changes made to EN find their root causes in the structure and practices of Maranatha Christian Ministry.

There are certainly reasons to take issue with equating MCM and EN, however the fact remains that the structure of EN is rooted in what happened at Maranatha Christian Ministry. The Link to EveryNation Exposed reviews these links, the background of the followers, but additionally, it clearly asks the reader to make judgements based on thier EN experiences and what is written.

If there is no basis for comparison of MCM and EN vis a vis the EveryNation Exposed Blog then there should be no concern by anyone. But if there IS then it is an important source of information.

With regards to the FACTNET Link- Fact net simply explores problems and issues. The problems at the Every Nation Leadership Institute and Tony Fetchel and Phil Bonasso (founder of EN) were raised on FACTNET. The discussion board is an attempt to assist in the potential reformation of EN.

Many people, including me, believe that EN problems lay in the attempt to reform MCM churches. The real FACT is that the top echelon of EN has deep ties to MCM and their practices.

I would urge Wikkepedia to keep a balanced view of Every Nation and not "rewrite history" by excluding the very visible links to Maranatha Christian Ministries.