I fully agree. You've all seen my posts and my letter in support of Jay. However, this practice, if continued indefinitely, will look cultish. It will harm our fulfilling of the great commission. And it can make people feel left out, and lead to confusion.

Holy Worlds was brought together by God, like everything else, not Jay.

And so we give it back to God.

And I will keep Mimetes in my signature until Jay's release from prison, rehab, or this life on earth.

Eli

*smiles quietly*

I have been waiting for this.

The surname Mimetes was wonderful in its time. We took it upon us, rallying behind Jay. But now a new phase of HolyWorlds and Jay's individual ministry has begun, and the name with its widespread appearance demands more of our attention to this issue that we should give it. While still supporting Jay wholeheartedly we need to refocus, need to deliberately look beyond the awesome guy God used to found HolyWorlds, to God Himself.

Wonderfully put, Brenden.

My regards,
Cassandra.

Well said!

And Aslan *is* on the move, I believe... great things are right around the corner...

And, I freely admit, I do miss being able to recognize people. xD

So, after a traumatizing argument with myself I decided I had to say something.

I'm not changing my name back. I have two reasons.

1. I said, when I changed is that "Thus it shall remain until the return of the king." And I thought very carefully about those words before I said them; whether or not I would stick by them. And having made that decision I will not go back on it. I never break my word.

2. I don't think you're right. I don't think it's cultish, and I don't think it's harmful. I don't think it's hindering us in anyway, and I don't think it's something that we can't get over as easily as any other hiccup.

But... I can't say why. It's an instinct I have learned to trust.

I'm not here to argue. I'm not here to debate. If anyone asks me to explain or prove... I won't. Not in this thread. You are welcome to contact me in private if you want to talk about it.

What I want to say is: think. Think as carefully about dropping Mimetes as you did about assuming it to begin with. Think about why you're dropping it.

I don't accuse or condemn anyone. I know you all love Jay; and your names are simply an outward appearance and have no bearing on your actual feelings. All I ask is that you promise you will consider carefully what you do; in all areas of your life.

Sempre Fideles

*Nods*

I thought carefully about the change, but I understand where you are coming from, Vanya

People of Holy Worlds, it is my duty to inform you why I will not be re-christened at this point in time.

Everything Brendan is saying is wise and logical and I fully agree with it. I encourage you all to doff your adopted surnames in favor of the person God has made you who will always be a valued sibling to everyone here. My name would be changing with yours if it weren't for the fact that I stated upon my donning of the title Mimetes that I would bear the name until Jay's return.

Do not believe for a moment that this is for faithfulness to a human being. To think that I am doing this to show defiant honor to Jay would be a slander to Brendan, to those changing their names, to me, and to the very meaning of the name Mimetes. The name Mimetes means imitator. Yes, it was ironic that we chose the name because Jay did before us, but we were never meant to truly imitate Jay. Jay and Brendan and I and every Christian are only echos of a greater source and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. I took my name understanding that I must always imitate God. I keep my name to honor my word and God through it.

That said, I am in full agreement with Brendan on this matter and look forward to seeing all of your beautiful names that are you.

Faithfully,
Lady Kitra Riniel Jasmina Talise Skene Mimetes

I too, have returned to my former name.

I am in complete agreement with Brendan in that Jay still has my total support and trust. However over the past few weeks, I have been beginning to feel, as things have progressed into new happenings, that though my support for Jay remains strong and the fact that following Christ is still - and will always be - paramount in my life, Bush Hasah Mimetes is not who I am.

I wish to be true to the name that I am, this second name that I have chosen and God has allowed to become me. I did think about this before I took on the name of Mimetes. In taking it on, I was fully conscious that it would not be for forever. I was strongly aware of what I was standing for, however in my taking it up, I was also strongly aware it would not be a name I would keep.

I talked this over with Brendan before posting here, as I wanted him to know my reasons for changing before I did. It turned out he felt the same way. I have a high regard and great respect for those who wish to keep Mimetes in their name. However I do think that as a new person joining the forum, so many people with such similar usernames could be quite daunting and confusing. (I know someone who was) I just thought I would mention that.

At any rate, I am BushMaid once again: ever loyal to Christ, ever supporting of Jay.

I know I posted this in Changing Usernames, I also wanted to post it here and add to it a bit.

I, Cpt. Nemo T. Mimetes hereby change my name back to Captain Nemo,

After reading Brendan's post and Jaynin's post, it made me think about why I did what I did in taking the name of Mimetes. I took the name to support Jay. And I still completely do. Another thing I liked about using the name Mimetes was it made us feel like a family joining in support. This was an excellent binder in our time of need, but the need is passing away. When Jay returns, I want him to see us working hard and diligent in our own names, not in his name.

Also, my name is still on the Siblings Mimetes list. This list shows those who did change their names in support for Jay. I do not want my name taken from this list because it still shows my support. I think that if anyone wants to show their support for Jay at this point, they should put their names on the list, but they do not need to change their username. This shows our support and that we're all part of the family, but also allows us to carry on, as Jay would want.

Also, I like that Brendan said that we should be focusing on Christ more than Jay. We do not want to seem like we're worshiping Jay, but should have our eyes on Jesus. So, as hard as it is, I am taking the name Mimetes from my username.

I put in my signature in place of my old name that I am on the Siblings Mimetes list to show my support for Jay. I still support him, just in a different way. Also, when I did take on the name Mimetes, I did know that it would not be permanent. I didn't know how long I would have the name, but I knew one day I would change it back. So today is that day.

I do respect fully those who wish to keep their names, but for me I think that it is time to change back. Thank you Brendan for the thoughtful post, for Jaynin for explaining your feelings, and for everyone else posting in here.

I too have had a few agonizing arguments with myself about this.

I am keeping my name as Azlyn Mimetes.

When I took it up, I made a promise. Not as much to Jay, but to God as well. I put that promise in my signature, and considered it prayerfully before doing so. I meant what I said when I told you guys I would keep the Mimetes in my name until Jay returns. I did change it a bit because I missed being Azlyn, but the Mimetes shall remain.

It is also a promise to myself. I have faltered in my faith, questioning God many a time. The meaning of the name Mimetes is follower, and I see that as a follower of Christ, not a follower of Jay. I fully support Jay, but I want to respect why he took the name in the first place.

I am a simple human being. I do things I regret. I've gone back on promises and made mistakes. But a promise to God is one I never want to go back on. I want to be reminded of the promise I made when I added mimetes to my username. By bearing this name, I am reminded of it every time I log in to HW (which is quite a lot).

I took the name with the intention of keeping it. That is what I will do.

My reasons for taking it may be different then some. My reasons for keeping vs dropping it are also different. I agree with Brendan, but I also agree with Vanya and Kitra.

I just joined Holy Worlds a week ago, and I changed my username three days ago. In other words, I'm new here, and new to all of this. In less than a week, though, my world has been changed by Jay's story, reading posts from y'all on this forum, and some long conversations with another member here.

No one told me I needed to change my name. No one said anything about it. I did it for several reasons of my own, and for those same reasons, I am keeping my new name. Perhaps at some point, I will return to my former name, and perhaps not. It depends upon the Lord's leading.

I took the name Mimetes as my own, first and foremost because I felt that God wanted me to. As a Christian, my allegiance will always be to Christ, and He is the one everyone of us must follow. I bear the name Mimetes now as a follower of Christ.

In addition, as Paul said, however, "Be imitators of me as I am of Christ." If there is anything in Jay's life that emulates Christ (and from what I have seen, I believe there is), then we do well to follow that example as He follows Christ. Not placing this on a scale higher than the first cause, for indeed, none of us have already attained but we press on toward the prize of the high calling in Christ. But, so far as we see Jay following Christ, follow that. Most certainly, this can be done without bearing his name.

New to HW, it is a way to show you all that I care about this. I've talked to one of you--that one knows I care. But the rest may not. In all seriousness, this changed me. I want you to know that, to know I stand behind you all.

It is also a reminder for me to pray.

I see excellent consideration from both those who are returning to their former names, and those who are continuing on with their new name. I commend you all for this. Always emulate Christ in all that you do.

Your Sister in Him,
Lady Nicole Mimetes

Thank you all for your words, they are filled with wisdom, because God fills us with His Holy Spirit according to the measure of the trials we encounter. It's only by His grace that we've had such a peaceful time of it here, dealing with Jay's arrest, then trial, then sentencing, and now looking on into the future.

Excellent words Kitra, Bush, and Nicole.

I'm the one who has been speaking with Nicole, and I can vouch that this has indeed impacted her, just as much as Brendan or I. That God's using it.

I'd like to say, that this shouldn't be taken lightly. Consider it. And don't break your word, by all means. What is sin for one person may not be sin for another. And what's not sin for me, could be sin for you.

And it's not easy simply because I love Jay. Brendan and I were both near tears when we changed our names. I'm sure others of you felt the same way.

Re: Captain Nemo: No one touch that list. It's a record, an incredibly valuable record, and it needs to stay exactly as it is. Just because you change your name back doesn't mean you get to take your name off that list. Leave it.

Okay, done here, carry on.

...
I wasn't saying take my name off of it! I was saying people could still add their names on, though. It is a dear and valuable record and also still a way to support Jay. I don't think anyone should touch it either (except to add their name on).

That's what I thought you were saying, but I wanted to make very sure everyone else understood that.

I'm glad to see people discussing this, I've put thought into it too.
Names are very important things.
I was a late adopter of the name Mimetes for this reason, I didn't see why I should do it since I could support Jay anyway. But when I heard and thought about how it was a good way to honor him and show our support, I wanted in.
I've never understood really why some people feel that it looks a bit like we're saying we'll imitate or follow Jay, that was never my impression (even before I decided to join in on it), I knew why he had it in his name and gladly adopted it for that reason--I am a follower. A follower of Christ to be exact.

Since having added it to my name, Mimetes has become a part of it for real...if that makes sense. It has grafted on to my "HW identity" not something that is cultic or Jay-worshipping or anything at all like that--there's no reason for it to look like that as far as I can see (I do realize others have a different perspective though). I, like Jay, am a follower of Christ. To be able to proclaim this and show support for a friend in trial at the same time with one word seems to me awesome, and I do not feel convicted to change it until Jay's return (and then only so that he can have some individuality). Then I will probably have something about the word in my signature, like some others already do.

Please understand, I respect all you guys here, and am glad you are acting on your convictions. Names aren't something to be taken lightly even on a forum, they become a part of your abstract identity in a way. So I say bravo to everyone here that is giving attention to this aspect of things.

After much thought, I too am changing my name back. I still fully support Jay and pray for him. I still care. But my F and HF usernames together make a story, a story of my own growth as God's child. They are a testament to how He has changed me, and I want to return to that.

Always praying, still supporting, always caring,
Raven of the Wood

Everyone in here has given this considerable thought, and I respect you for your decisions, whether they be to keep the surname or drop it.

I, however, made a promise to keep Mimetes in my name until Jay returns and I cannot go back on my word. Thus, I will keep Mimetes in my name no matter how long Jay is away, in order to support him, but more importantly to remind myself to imitate Christ.

To God be the glory, forever and ever, amen.

~Calista Beth

I can see where you both are coming from. Personally I do not think it is cultish. I don't think one person here would say they followed Jay. We stand by Jay through what he's going through, we don't 'follow' him we follow Christ. Standing by someone during tribulation is different from following someone.

I didn't change my name lightly, and neither can I change it back lightly. I feel confused about what to do about it right now, so it stays as it is whilst I pray about it. You might think that sounds silly, pray over a name change, but it means a lot to me. It doesn't say to me 'I follow Jay' but rather I follow Christ.

Guys, Jay created Holy Worlds with a vision in mind. God gave him this. I don't know if this makes sense but I want to know that I am helping towards fulfilling God's vision for Holy Worlds and I remind myself that God laid it on Jay's heart to start this mission, and he's still a part of it. Jay might not be right here with us, but he prays for us and Holy Worlds, and his vision of what he knew God had planned for this place remains strong. Having Mimetes in my username doesn't just say to me that we're standing by Jay through the trials that he is enduring, I like to think that it reminds me that God gave him a vision for Holy Worlds, and I want to be sure that I help reach out towards that goal. So for me it doesn't hinder, it pushes me on; knowing that this is God's vision, and wanting to be a part of it. I don't want to see Holy Worlds become a shadow of Jay, I want to see it become the vision that God gave him.

I hope I'm making sense there. If you think I'm wrong then just say so.

You made a lot of sense Elanor, you put some of my thoughts into words better than I did.

I had early changed my name to Maiden Elly Mimetes. Yet I missed my name. I love being Elly of Zoriah.

I support Jay. But my name is a special thing, and I believe I am meant to be Elly of Zoriah.

Sincerely,
Elly, Maiden of Zoriah/Mimetes

I'm changing my name back to plain old Riahjoy But I'm going to put Mimetes in my signature as a reminder and witness to who I truly am striving to imitate. As with all of you who have changed your names back I am by NO means pulling out my support of Jay.

Thanks to all who have posted in this thread, it has given me new insight for the reasons you have either kept the name Mimetes or gone back to their original name. I think each of you are doing the right thing God wants you to do!

I am very proud of both sides of this coin (and yes, I am using that phrase intentionally, because I believe you all are doing the same thing, it just manifests itself differently). I am also very happy with the responses that everyone has made in this thread.

I am not sure what I shall do, so I won't comment on that presently, but I did want to say how proud I am of you all.

Right! The consideration, thought, and respect of conscience are such an amazing evidence of the grace of God among us... I'm very proud of this community I've adopted. We are still the siblings Mimetes.

I think Brendan was probably thinking about that passage in scripture where Paul addresses people who named themselves after certain human leaders. "I am of Paul! I am of Apollos!"

So that's something to be careful of (Calvinists and Arminians, anybody?)

But on the other side, if the intention is to show that we stand WITH Jay under Christ, instead of UNDER Jay, then there's nothing wrong with it.

So yeah, I probably repeated some points already made, but that's what I was thinking.

I, too, will be retaining my Mimetian name 'Andrew Amnon Mimetes' until Jay's release from prison. In fact, I'll be adding it to my Hi-Fi and Sci-Fi usernames as well, even though it's cumbersome to type.

I promised not to remove it from my name until his release. Were I to do so now would go against the very nature of the name itself: Amnon means faithful, as it's said in my signature this entire time. I am ashamed to confess that along with the name I had committed to pray for Jay every day, and that committment I have not kept, though I take it up again now.

Others have said their pieces far better than I can, but I just wanted to have that declaration on record.

Andrew

I don't think that passage really came to mind to Brendan or myself when we were discussing the possibility of his making this announcement (He was very nervous). I think it was more the idea of not letting Jay's ordeal define who we are. We are of Christ. Despite being Calvinists (Brendan and myself), Arminians, Presbyterians, Baptists, Pentecostals, Non-denoms, Non-non-denoms, read-my-Bible-for-myselvers, Republicans, Libertarians, socialists, anarchists, Constitutionalists, one or two Monarchists, etc.

Amen.

I am keeping Mimetes.

I didn't add it to HWHF or HWSF, because I feel that those names are part of me.

But I will keep it here, one of the real reasons I took it on was so that every day when I logged in, I would remember to pray for Jay. I would remember what God is doing in Jay's life, and here. I would remember the vision God gave Jay and Who I was following or imitating.
That is my opinion, but I think we should make sure we explain to the newbies about our names...

Well said, Bushy. Well said.

After some thought and prayer, I've decided to keep my name as it is.

I agree with Brendan's point, and think that anyone who feels led to change theirs back should certainly do it. But right now, I think that since I promised to keep it until Jay is released, it would show a lack of faith not in Jay, but in God. I want to show I believe that God WILL release Jay sometime, and when that time comes, my name will go back to normal. Especially since the name I chose, Amaris, means "God has promised."

I might change my mind later. But for now, that is how I see it. I so appreciate everyone's response, and how you are all doing what you believe is right.

I have decided that for now I will not be changing my username. Jay has just been found guilty, and for me it would feel like an admission of worry that he is guilty. I trust Jay; I trust God. Maybe after a few months my name will change, but just now when all this has just happened I will not. Just because someone said Jay was guilty - that doesn't make any difference to me. I know it doesn't to you guys as well, but I don't want to visually back down. For me it would be like I was turning my back on Jay, and on my trust in God through this. I can move on, I will move on, God will still do great things, God has great things planned for Holy Worlds; my name won't change that, my name doesn't mean that I'm hindering these things; as I said - maybe in some time yes, but not right now, just weeks after Jay was pronounced guilty, I won't.

Oh no, I know that, Brendan. Of course. But I just meant that for me it would make me feel like I was at the moment. I meant me not anyone else.

I understand your reasoning, Elanor. My reasons for taking the name and keeping it are also different from others. Some took it with the intention of just for the time, others were prepared to keep it. Both are right in the way they feel about keeping the name. Mine was the latter, so that is why I am keeping it.

As usual around here, I'm a day late and a dollar short
I too am proud of everyone, the thought yall have put into this decision, and the maturity with which yall have discussed this.
For me, though, the decision to change my name was not a very major one, and as I feel no conviction to change it back at the moment, I'll be keeping it as is for now. And no, I didn't put lots of thought into that decision either Because for me and my conscience neither decision was that critical. Not trying to depreciate the importance of this issue for all of yall, but just saying that for me personally it's been a pretty casual issue.
Might change it eventually, though. Who knows...with Jay and Neil gone, I might bring back "Mr. Squishy"

YES!!!---*sudden coughing fit, hack, wheeze*

Well, as y'all can see, I've decided to change my name back. I'm still in full support of Jay, by all means. But it seems like it's time.

I won't change my prayer list, though. He's still there. And really, it's the prayers, not the name, that will support him the most.

- Terra

I'm changing my name back. I still support Jay and he's still in my prayers, but I think it's time for me to change it back.

When I changed my name I said this:

I have put a lot of thought into this, and finally decided to change part of my name.

A lot of factors were considered over the course of several days, but now I will replace Ira Mordecai with my former name: Suiauthon.

Mimetes will remain 'til the return of the king.

I did that same thing, Mark. I missed my old name, but wanted to keep Mimetes.

I still like seeing all the Mimetes... It reminds me of how everyone rallied at the beginning.

Noooooooooo.....

Sorry, I was going to say something more meaningful soon, but I couldn't help it.

I always did like Mr. Squishy.

* sigh *

I know, I know, Jay couldn't take Jem seriously every time he read it.

If I'd known my retirement was going to impact the world THAT dramatically, I might have stayed on as a matter of principle.

But seriously, it's not like I'm leaving HW. I'm just changing the relationship. But since you're now my superior, I suppose you can change it back if you want. But don't. Maybe.

* bursts out laughing *

*Giggles* Aye, Neil, it's all your fault if Mr. Squishy returns.

Not at all. Neil would have my eternal thanks.