May I come in to your house?

[Giaour]

Periodically, and especially in the past few months, there had been a rash of arguments infecting the board in general.

Perhaps it is only my imagination, but it seems harder and harder to keep things on an even keel.

Worthy presents a wide range of discussion topics for many to enjoy. We can feel free to step in at anytime, and feel comfortable with posting responses. That, anyway, is the goal.

Lately, though, there is a tendency to fire shots at each other. I notice it a lot in the News areas, in the Outer Court, and especially in the Prophesy and Science areas.

It doesn't take long for some of these threads to get heated, and once they do, the "Report" box fills up like a cup in a rain storm.

Why?

I know some people have some passionate views on these subjects, but why do we feel the need to tear each other down over them? It makes no sense, and never seems to change anyone's mind on a subject.

How then can we turn the tide, and bring things back to a sensible discussion once a subject turns sour?

Well, here's my suggestions:

1. Understand that the "other" guy is a human being, not some square message post area. I can't imagine inviting someone into my house and treating them as some get threated. Each member can think of Worthy as their own living room. By doing that, we can act accordingly. This is, after all, a place for civil discussion, and not a formal church service, an official outing, nor a boys/ girls club exclusive to any one group. It's a common market place for ideas and discussion, and a home for the thirsty in knowledge. It's a place to gather and feel comforted, and a place to feel like we can relax and unwind, and should not be a place used to tear each other apart.

Does it really matter if someone comes in with a new position, or some kind of fantasy created inside of their heads? We can attempt to show them what God's word says without tearing them down. I can't think of one person who was saved by beating the life out of them. I understand that we must save some with fire, and others with kindness, but there's no need to begin with fire, is there?

It's not that I am weak in spirit, or feel the need to coddle in every situation, but if tearing someone down is what someone feels, then it's obviously what we are presenting them.

We can give our sides without spraying acid on the other person. We can object in love without the need for throwing stones, and we can certainly pray before we post to ensure that our very next words will not cause another to stumble.

Yes, stumble.

Is that not what we do when we put someone in a position that they feel the need to fire back? Do we not cause one to stumble when we raise their anger and cause them to retort in kind? I think so, at the least.

There is a way to do this, and it begins inside- not with others. When Pride has a place to call home, you become a stranger in your own heart. Do what is needed to regain your kingdom, and give no leave to the devil who searches you out.

Faith, Hope, and Charity- which one is above all?

Show love to one another, and you will almost always be shown the same. It's not that hard, is it?

The other option I see is:

2. Have a bunch of Mods shut a bunch of threads down everyday.

Yay, what fun, huh?

Do not be the one to cause your Brother or Sister to stumble. Instead, be the one who carries the conversation past trivial matters. In doing so, I think you will be better for it in the end.

Peace,

t.

What do you mean by this?

We dont argue.

[Guest Biblicist]

What do you mean by this?

We dont argue.

Do too!

[Giaour]

do not!

Where is the report button?

[Guest Biblicist]

do not!

Where is the report button?

Sorry, Giaour, I couldn't resist!!!

[Giaour]

Laughter does a heart good.

[Guest]

[Vickilynn]

Shalom Ted,

Thank you. Very wise words.

[sweetycakes]

Periodically, and especially in the past few months, there had been a rash of arguments infecting the board in general.

Perhaps it is only my imagination, but it seems harder and harder to keep things on an even keel.

Worthy presents a wide range of discussion topics for many to enjoy. We can feel free to step in at anytime, and feel comfortable with posting responses. That, anyway, is the goal.

Lately, though, there is a tendency to fire shots at each other. I notice it a lot in the News areas, in the Outer Court, and especially in the Prophesy and Science areas.

It doesn't take long for some of these threads to get heated, and once they do, the "Report" box fills up like a cup in a rain storm.

Why?

I know some people have some passionate views on these subjects, but why do we feel the need to tear each other down over them? It makes no sense, and never seems to change anyone's mind on a subject.

How then can we turn the tide, and bring things back to a sensible discussion once a subject turns sour?

Well, here's my suggestions:

1. Understand that the "other" guy is a human being, not some square message post area. I can't imagine inviting someone into my house and treating them as some get threated. Each member can think of Worthy as their own living room. By doing that, we can act accordingly. This is, after all, a place for civil discussion, and not a formal church service, an official outing, nor a boys/ girls club exclusive to any one group. It's a common market place for ideas and discussion, and a home for the thirsty in knowledge. It's a place to gather and feel comforted, and a place to feel like we can relax and unwind, and should not be a place used to tear each other apart.

Does it really matter if someone comes in with a new position, or some kind of fantasy created inside of their heads? We can attempt to show them what God's word says without tearing them down. I can't think of one person who was saved by beating the life out of them. I understand that we must save some with fire, and others with kindness, but there's no need to begin with fire, is there?

It's not that I am weak in spirit, or feel the need to coddle in every situation, but if tearing someone down is what someone feels, then it's obviously what we are presenting them.

We can give our sides without spraying acid on the other person. We can object in love without the need for throwing stones, and we can certainly pray before we post to ensure that our very next words will not cause another to stumble.

Yes, stumble.

Is that not what we do when we put someone in a position that they feel the need to fire back? Do we not cause one to stumble when we raise their anger and cause them to retort in kind? I think so, at the least.

There is a way to do this, and it begins inside- not with others. When Pride has a place to call home, you become a stranger in your own heart. Do what is needed to regain your kingdom, and give no leave to the devil who searches you out.

Faith, Hope, and Charity- which one is above all?

Show love to one another, and you will almost always be shown the same. It's not that hard, is it?

The other option I see is:

2. Have a bunch of Mods shut a bunch of threads down everyday.

Yay, what fun, huh?

Do not be the one to cause your Brother or Sister to stumble. Instead, be the one who carries the conversation past trivial matters. In doing so, I think you will be better for it in the end.

Peace,

t.

I just thought I'd bump this post, as I see it as a good guide to educate us all in our usage of this forum, and in our dealings with others on here.

Good words, Ted, and something we should bear in mind.

[nebula]

Good call here, Ted.

From what I've seen, the problem comes from people getting angry and frustrated that they aren't swaying opinions, and so they digress into the attacks as a means of trying to win the debate.

Yes, we say we are merely sharing opinions, but if that's what we were doing then we would say our piece and leave it at that.

It takes discipline to not post when angry. But that's what needs to be done.

[ted]

Yes, we say we are merely sharing opinions, but if that's what we were doing then we would say our piece and leave it at that.

It takes discipline to not post when angry. But that's what needs to be done.

Bingo!

The urge to toss in that one little jab becomes too much to resist when we are posting in response to someone we feel has slighted us.

Can we imagine Jesus behind a keyboard posting the same way?

t.