A dozen years of cyberstalking by a religious fanatic

[carolinayellowdog]

Hey,

Perhaps this is not the right forum in which to bring this up, but here goes. My only source of psychological distress is a person so infuriated by research I've published that he's pursued me online for a dozen years. Otherwise, life is wonderful. Typical examples: posting 5-10-15-20 disparaging posts with my name in the header in a day or two, whenever someone shows any sympathetic interest in my ideas. Posting *immediately* after I do just to show he's always there, watching. And the creepiest realization has just now hit me after all these years thanks to a hint from a friend. This stalker has created fictitious alter egos for the purpose of engaging me in discussion long after I've made it clear I won't interact with him if I know who he is. Oh, the years of manipulation of myself and others that has been unveiled by that discovery!

The obvious solution is to absent myself from any forum where this person is present, and I've done so for years on end. But for a variety of reasons have been drawn back to discuss with others, only to end up retreating under constant harassment from this one fanatic. Even though many/most forum members are sympathetic, no one will say or do a damn thing to object to the behavior or stop it. Probably because they fear being the next target; targeting people for relentless harassment and denunciation is this person's stock in trade.

I'm bringing this up here for two reasons. First, any advice on getting over the distress caused by the latest cycle of abuse? And any suggestions about what makes such a person tick? He's like a robot, always on the attack, just looking for a heretic to punish.

CYD

[Droopy]

1. I don't know what to do about the distress

beyond yoga or meditation. As for what makes this guy tick, he probably has some serious shortcomings in his personal life and the only way that he can feel empowered is by trying to make life rough for someone else. If I'm right about that you could probably stick it to him by pursuing that angle. Or you could just do what I do and not expend any of your energy on the asshole and ignore him. Just say, "Fuck it."

[carolinayellowdog]

2. Ignoring is both easy and impossible

That is, I haven't replied directly to him in many years, and only rarely refer to him obliquely in discussion with others. Ignoring him in the sense of not overtly feeding the beast is easy. But ignoring the presence of a dozen angry posts with your name in the header just isn't possible in psycho-physiological terms. If I see it, it causes distress just to be reminded that someone has been destructively obsessed for years. (No one else ever replies or even acknowledges when he goes into one of these frenzies with post after denunciatory post. It's like they're all terrified into silence.)

The only solution is to avoid completely any online place where he lurks, and after a brief spell my own terrorized feelings subside. Which I'll do again, and probably for good this time. As for my distress, somehow knowing that he has adopted at least two fake personae just to get to me provides a sense of relief. Don't know why exactly other than knowing the depth and breadth of his obsession is better than being in the dark.

Have been told that he is a near-total recluse and highly secretive. I speculate that it's a case of paranoid personality disorder and that he feels he is on some kind of mission from God.

Thanks,

CYD

[Droopy]

3. Good luck, CYD

Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Maybe somebody else will come along and offer a better solution. I think you are handeling it the best way you can. Engaging the guy could prove to be detrimental to your emotional well being.

[TrogL]

4. Want me to have a go at him?

Click "religious right" link below.