Beyond Expectations (Reclaiming Art Part 2)

It's time for the next episode on the Reclaiming Art hoax.

After the initial outrage at the god-spam aimed at Linda we let the mood cool for a couple of weeks. Socar made her carefully planned "mistake" post in the EK Study forum to leave a trail for the sleuths to follow. Linda posted the second letter from Andrew T Foster. The EK community boiled.

The Intended Victims - 2nd Letter

Here are selected comments from EK members once they had seen the second letter and found Reclaiming Art.

• You sure these aren't just a rude joke?


• Eythay urklay onway EKway.


• wow, what a pile of shit!


• only references to the new testament...and only to the really creepy parts
  I'll await Wolfmoons comments and just wholeheartedly agree with those <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->


• "As of a few moments ago Socar MYLES web site gorblimey.com was unavailable. God is using technology to block the work of the Deceiver."
  Fascinating...laugh or cry anyone?


• "God is using technology to block the work of the Deceiver."
  Oh man... you just have to laugh.


• 'Brothers and sisters we need to start praying in earnest for a woman named Linda Beravist. My research shows that she is the founder of the EK community and it is her will that holds sway in there, using the name "Enayla".'
  OMG he spelled your name wrong too!


• Linda, it's yours and the gay lobby's fault if I end up in hell in my second life!!!<!--EZCODE BOLD END--><!--EZCODE FONT END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :grrr --><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> 


• We are all doomed! Linda holds sway over us! 


• "I felt God's inextinguishable blaze in me today when I looked in EK. The influence of demonic forces is written on every message. Anger and trepidation filled me. There was a message thread that tried to make fun of Jack Chick."
  *pokes this message* Demonic forces! Where are you? I want to draw something. Influence me, please.
  ...
  Come on, I'm waiting, here. 


• I'm going to make a post with some photos there right now... *saves photos from her body modification page* 


• Drat, need a password to be able to post... <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> I would've had such nice pictures including blood, knives and needles in places... They really wouldn't want to see. Bah.


• I would toss his e-mail in the recycle bin without any further thought.


• 'I am dignified enough to leave you to go about your own beliefs, please leave me to go about mine without seeing the need to impress your own ideology onto me. Your beliefs have no more or less foundation than mine, or anyone elses.
  I'm sure that God as of the New Testament will forgive me my attitudes should i end up at Purgetory upon my death, unless of course you're refering to the same God as the Old Testament, whereupon i (and most of the planet) shall end up feeling various degree's of His Wrath reguardless.
  You have done your duty as the Cristian faith see's it by explaining to me about God. It is not required, wanted or appreciated, by myself or the church, for you to persist in your attempts to convert.'
  
  with an optional 'piss off' at the end. 


• Good letter<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->.
  I wonder how much these people must suffer everyday by just leaving their house or watching the news.


• Once again, that kind of religious freaks should be seeing their psychiatrists a bit more often.
  Or just be shot behind the shed.


• *Cracks up* 4 people on their board, 3 of which are from EK 


• Ok this is funny but imho we shouldn't dismiss the whole thing because it's funny hence superficial. The underlying threat still IS and I agree with wolf wholeheartedly: this is harrasment.
  
  First, I'd keep the old emails, block their email addresses to avoid new ones, then file complaint against their provider/host.
  
  and Soccar should do the same because :"Pray against Socar MYLES and the other tools that Satan is using to hold Linda from God's love." is a kind of sentence that freaks me the hell out.
  
  OMFG...Where do those wackos come from...


• "The technique I am using is to look in 2 or 3 posts, no more, then take those to the Lord in prayer, then come back later for more."
  I suppose, on the bright side, that if he's going through <!--EZCODE ITALIC START-->this<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> place three posts at a time between prayers, he'll be far too preoccupied from now until doomsday to get up to anything more nefarious than some irritating e-mails.
  
  On the other hand, this <!--EZCODE ITALIC START-->is<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> rapidly turning from mildly amusing to outright harassment. I'm pretty sure Ezboards must have something to say about people setting up boards with the sole purpose of slagging off other people. If it continues (which it likely will), just get their forum shut down. As a paying customer being persecuted by a about three non-paying Ezboard users, they'll probably jump right to it, if one of our admins draws it to their attention.


• SO harassment! what an asshole!
  hahahahaha we should make a sticky just for these freaks who like to visit. and blame. and point. and accuse. they must be so perfect.


• eheheheheh from their forum : "I at first posted a long reply against trying to rewrite the Word of God, but then I thought better of walking into that snake pit and tried to get rid of it. But it left a shadow post which I cannot delete (pub237.ezboard.com/febony...&stop=31). Is there any way to get rid of this completely? If there is, please tell me as fast as possible. They could theoretically follow my post to our forum, which judging from the climate there would be very painful to watch them rip us apart. "
  
  aaawww. anyway.. spent way too much time already over those nutcases.


• and, SoMK, he wrote a message on his forum implying that he expects bloody armageddon to break loose because of that blank message. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :) -->
  
  Don't give him what he wants. Just e-mail the EzB harrassment address.


• I'm trying hard to decide whether I should cry or laugh. Really, what is this? This sounds like a scam, or people who do this for fun.
  
  Sane they are not, in any case.
  
  [Then again, I'm probably just denying myself the fact that somebody can really be so mentally fucked up that they'd live in such a delusion-filled world as those guys obviously do and still not be locked into an asylum. I wish they turn into a suicide sect and just make this world a favor and kill themselves.]


• There's too much effort put into it for it to be a joke.


• "They could theoretically follow my post to our forum, which judging from the climate there would be very painful to watch them rip us apart."
  so judgemental aint they.
  hahaha big brother is watching us fotes.


• I smell a rat.
  We have some very sneaky buggars in the Keep.
  Methinks this a bloody good prank.


• dude this is so histerious if have trouble believing it's serious. But we'll wat happens.
  But i did not knew that the lord was a system operator, i mean shutting down socars website with his divine power he surely must be the bastard operator from hell.


• I really don't think so, given that they're going to all the effort of slamming every other art place on the net. Elfwood, Epilogue, DeviantArt, GFX, Sijun, their hitlist (<!--EZCODE LINK START-->here<!--EZCODE LINK END-->) goes on and on and on, and all the personal stories and rants in the prayers forum are far too elaborate (and unfunny) to be done just for fun. It smacks of real obsession, through and through. It's also not publicised enough to be a joke. There's no point in a prank that you don't want people to know about.


• *looks at calendar*
  HAHAHAHAHA it <!--EZCODE ITALIC START-->is<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> that time of year.
  *goes to forum*
  HAHAHAHAHA it is also so new.
  *looks at bottom of page at all our names*
  HAHAHAHAHAH!
  *looks at bottom of EK page*
  Paul A. Williams is newest member.
  *looks at his first post*
  (same sex marriage thread, Study)
  <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) -->HAHAHAHAHAHAHA


• "DEVIANT ART: www.deviantart.com/
  The name says it all. Be VERY CAREFUL on this site, however, because CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IS PRESENT! Do not even click on anything that looks like a naked picture, because it is illegal to even view such things on the Internet. This site has no morals and no rules, and it is a free-for-all of every kind of ungodly content."
  <!--EZCODE QUOTE END-->excuse me, child porno on deviant?? WTF those people need pyschologic help beyond dr phill


• If it is a joke, it's not funny, and incredibly offensive to me.
  If it isn't a joke, this is a particular person's character flaws and paranoia, hopefully not to be taken as a reflection on serious Christianity.


• Awwww man! It was so much funnier when I thought it was real. :P
  Next you'll tell me there's no Santa.


• I'm not convinced it <!--EZCODE ITALIC START-->isn't<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> real. We all know that people like this do exist, by the million. Have you never seen one of those televangelist things? Even if you're not American yourself, you must have seen enough TV to know that some people really do live like that in various areas around the States. I don't think it's such a huge stretch of the imagination that a couple of that kind of obsessive religious fanatic (Christian or otherwise) have web access.
  I still think it's far too elaborate to be fake. There's far too much information about things people have done in their lives and what they think about <!--EZCODE ITALIC START-->all<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> art sites on the net, not just EK, for anyone to bother making up and backing up each day just for a prank. Not to mention not imaginative or funny enough to be a joke.
  Besides, it's weeks until April Fool's Day.
  I feel sorry for that kid whose mum caught him having a private moment. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :( --><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->
  And if it <!--EZCODE ITALIC START-->is<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> a joke, which I really don't think it is, it's gone too far, but all the same, I'll laugh at <!--EZCODE ITALIC START-->myself<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> for being such a sucker.


• I sure hope this is not for real:
  "This evening I started a fast for my family (yes, even Adam and Eve!). We must all ignore our mortal desires and focus on being united by our unwavering love for eachother and for God. My husband claims that he will not participate, but I have ensured that he will not be able to leave our home until his soul is cleansed."
  "My husband tried to escape today, but I held fast to his injured soul. I told him that my love for God will release him from the temptation of Satan. I think that your prayers are reaching him."
  "I've talked to much! I need to go to the attic to check on Andrew. His body is weak from the fasting, but I will not give in. Thank you everyone for your prayers!! I can see that the evil around him is crumbling! I will not give in until he is completely cured though, no matter what it takes. God bless you all for helping my dear husband!!<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :) --><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->"
  
  This makes my skin crawl...


• I'm not saying I think they're <!--EZCODE ITALIC START-->all<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> real, by the way. That malamuteloverr, with the wanking son, certainly seems suspect.<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->
  The others, though, the main posters on the forum and that guy sending the e-mails... they seem like they might be plausably real fanatics.


• I wanna know who the traitorous JRaseligh is ?


• Some stuff is really really creepy. Praying for strangers, even condemning their art and writings and sending them one or two emails - I can live with that, you can ignore such things; but they are forcing their beleifs on the people around them, on people dependent on them. Like the guy who caught his daughter looking at EK and now prohibiting her to access the internet. Or the just posted example of a crazy mom locking in all of her family until <!--EZCODE ITALIC START-->she<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> is convinced they are all free of sin. o___O


• Well whatever,
  I think they're kind of like a cooky, fun, fan club.


• OMG, Lina is one of the tainted artists too!
  "pub237.ezboard.com/febony...2655.topic
  This is another artist who needs our prayers, but I do not think she is an innocent. This image is HIGHLY disturbing. Use caution when viewing. It is a distorted fetus with VERY strong demonic/Satanic overtones."


• I actually wasn't going to try to impose my beliefs on them, just post them a few images of a devout christian...
  Whether it's a fake or not is irrelevant, well to me at least. It's creating a lot of buzz and entertainment... So who cares if it's a fake? <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->Whether it's real or not a) it has no effect on me and b) it's entertaining so it doesn't change a thing, ha ha.


• This went from mildly amusing straight to creepy. That board seems to be inhabited by fanatics. I hope it's a joke of some sort, but I kind of doubt it.


• i feel all dirty knowing that people are praying for me.


• *remains skeptical*
  *but highly amused*
  *thinking of contributing to thier forum*


• I would have replied with simply
  "go fuck yourself"


• I LOVE sinning.


• "Paul, I have seen that God has spoken to the members of EK and alerted them of our presence."<!--EZCODE QUOTE END-->
  hey...I am God...could I have a new custom title please or prepare for eternal damnation


• holy bacon!
  This is too much. Harassment in it's most amusingly weird form.
  
  <!--EZCODE ITALIC START-->"The Holy Spirit is already at work in the EK community. There was nothing in my letter to mention the evil themes in Linda's art but one of the artists asks "Have you been painting the devil with your divine wacom powers again, Linda?" They recognize the sin."<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->
  
  ....I said that.
  And I can't express the sadness I feel for them not beign able to recognize blantant sarcasm. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->
  I shall pray for them, so god might see fit to send them a sense of humor -- and a reality check.


• I think it's a joke, personally. Way to psycho to be real. Heh.
  Hehehe...I fell for last years April Fools thingie..hook, line, and sinker....so I'm more cautious this year


• I think I'll second you on that one... *smirk* the more I read, the more I think it's too good to be true... Now they want to go after Brom.. yeah right..


• The problem is that they are pointing at other forums (Elfwood, Sijun, Eat Poo, etc.) and artists (Linda, Socar, Brom, etc). Now if it were an April Fools, would they not just be targeting EK? If it is then the others named might not be so forgiving as EK.
  Admittedly after lasts year I am a little more cautious.


• April is way off. And if you do an April fool at the wrong time, you're the fool. Thus is it written, thus shall it be.


• Ugh.
  I am so sick and tired of religions fanaticists.<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :toilet --><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->
  I really feel for anyone who gets those kind of ridiculously stupid emails.


• Blech. Joke or not, it's in bad taste.


• ^^ agreed. it's hard enough for me and J.C. to get any respect as it is.


• Oh my... this started as a ridiculous e-mail and now it got quite creepy... these people scare me, and they think that we are the weird ones who need salvation, that's disgusting. They are either insanely ignorant people or this is just a big stinky joke.


• i think their forum header speaks for itself. i'm surprised it's lacking a lens flare... wouldn't god at least give them mad skills if (s)he'd choose them for such a holy task?
  Edit: wait, there IS a lens flare... ololol. GOD MUST HAVE COMPRESSED THIS IMAGE BEYOND RECOGNITION TO COVER TEH SAD TRUTH!


• well then.. if you guys are leading us away from that persons concept of god, oh well, i dont think i'd like his god if he cant appreciate beautiful art and wants to hide it from the world..


• ur sbeling si sin! i wil prei 4 u 2naight!


• Fucking helirious, man. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->But not so funny when I read the mother starving her family, that's just wrong. *shakes head*


• HELL<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->irious, yes


• *cracks up*
  <!--EZCODE LINK START-->pub16.ezboard.com/freclaimingartfrm2.showMessage?topicID=31.topic


• as time progresses i want to mess with their heads more and more


• I suspect it's a joke ... the most elaborate joke ever (enough to excuse the earlyness). I guess time and/or detective work will tell.
  PS - Buahaha, I wanna know who wrote this, and what the w****** was:
  "Malamute*****,
  This is Satan. Your son is w****** under my control. MUHAHAHAHAH! FEAR MY WRATH! Oh, and your dogs are g**.
  TEH DECEIVER <3"


• monkies masturbate. are they all evil? I ASK YOU THAT GOD.