Struick

I'm just wondering what's going on here on this forum.
I have been here 2 days and I'm not sure if I want to stay here.
Reading the various threads I am getting the impression that some people really dominate the forum and for some reason I get the impression they are not really that friendly.
Is it just me or what?
Would I sit at a bible study very long when I'm treated in an unfriendly way?
I don't think so.
Any comments?

cr0ss

Some people do have a controlling spirit...
This usually does result in an unfriendly manner no matter how you spell it.

Personally, I'm not sure if my positive outlook is doing the negative people here any good (but, I try)... their opinions are strong and kind of pride ridden...

Joyful

This forum is very small, mainstream churches dominate large forums. If you wait around and this become a large one, minority Christians will be bulied around by mainstreams. That's the fact.

Struick

Yes, and the thing is, I'm here for fun and to be uplifted in fellowship. Not to be stepped on.

I have been on other forums before, and I thought this forum to be different when I was reading that this forum is strongly monitored.

I guess I see how things go from here. But I certainly don't want to be stepped on in an unfriendly way by people I don't know and live 1000's of miles away from me.

שׁמע ישׂראל

Struick I'm going to take a leap out there, and assume some of what you're talking about is aimed at "certain" members (who will remain unnamed, but judging by your participation, will not have to be).

Voicing your opinion about a "site" because of a member or a couple of members isn't the most honest thing to do though. If you have a grievance against a member, do as exampled in the teaching of Christ. Address them about it privately, and if it is seen that they have an issue and will not repent of it, bring another or two others with you to discuss it with them privately. If they still will not, THEN bring it to the majority of Christians you and that person have a presence in.

I like this site as it is friendly to all who want to be friendly, and seems to be tolerant of members discussing things among themselves without the censoring of the hosts. I've recommended the site to some other of my friends, but as I, and others I interact with here have been insulted time and time again for our indepth discussions... I'm led to somewhat reconsider this.

But I know of the threads you may be making reference to, and its a shame you would see them as such. If you were to ask each one involved in the discussion what they felt of the others involved, they surely wouldn't harbor the same resentment for eachother as you do for them.

Take for example my discussion with templaris in the evolution thread. We seem to be the only ones continuing on in our discussion, but we enjoy long drawn out discussions about such things, and enjoy bringing for evidence, and creative thought to further build our convictions and tear down false ones.

Tell me friend, is this to be looked down upon because others on the site feel "it's going nowhere" when in fact we (the ones discussing) are not gulping the issue down but taking it nibble by nibble so that we do not err in our final position?

Or take for example Theophilus in our tithe discussion. It may seem to the outside audience that there's "Pride" issues or "control" issues, but I myself would not lend that title to someone who feels they are defending truth. Should I insult you with such summaries of your character as:

"petty slandarists and useless debators of idle discussion"

As you and cr0ss have both implied upon those seeking to actually give time to discussing important issues that deal with Christianity? Should I lend this to you, the next time you staunchly defend the death of Christ, or defend a belief you hold as true in your Christian faith? No I shouldn't. And I wouldn't. (Have you seen me do this once to you or any other since I or you have been here?)

Have I insulted either of you two? Have I made you feel less in the eyes of others through aggression or intolerance? I don't believe I have, but I will repent of my sin if you were to bring forth a time when I have. I would even repent at a *hint* of such a thing so that we may be reconciled in love, and in Godliness as bretheren.

But I am led to question, why do you insult publicly? Why do you make such posts/threads as these declaring such people make the whole site unfit for your presence? Are the others to blame as well?

Though, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we shouldn't be implying insults to one another as cr0ss and yourself have.

Shalom

cr0ss

I'm sorry for such an attitude.

Struick

Let me get this straight:

I am the one who is "insulting" by saying there are some unfriendly posters here and I'm also "dishonest" by stating this fact???

Some posts by Christians on this forum would never be allowed if we were sitting together "live" at a Bible study and I would not want to be present at such meetings, as there's no Spirit of love present in such gatherings. The fact that you tell me that I'm insulting and dishonest says enough about this issue.

שׁמע ישׂראל

I apologize if my last post may have been a little... rough. It's just that I've come under alot of fire for some things here than I'm getting frustrated with.

But anyways if offended in any way, again I apologize.

Shalom

Bassmasa

שׁמע ישׂראל,

I don't think this was an insult by Struick in any way at all. Like Struick, I'm new to this site and enjoy the content very much, but it's hard to deny the controlling nature of some threads. That's not an insult, it's an opinion, and one that I share wholeheartedly.

Please don't think I'm saying you're wrong, mean-spirited, or anything similar. I just wonder if such lengthy, more scholarly-oriented discussions are appropriate for this forum, that's all. Maybe an entire area for such discussion could be created and those of us with less time to take part in such discussions can avoid that area.

The tithing thread is a good example. The person who started it wanted to know others' opinions and thoughts. It soon became an absolute chore to read through the different posts and nearly impossible to follow. The original question of the thread-starter was quickly lost, ultimately benefitting very few people (I would guess), as they gave up reading.

So, Struick & Cr0ss, I agree with your thoughts. As a Newbie, I'm wondering if this place is for me, as well.

שׁמע ישׂראל

Whom among the posters is unfriendly, and how are they being unfriendly? Can you quote or give example? Speak and be heard please.

My "dishonest" statement though, is best read in the context it was given.

I stated it is dishonest to speak negatively about this whole site, when there are only a few you have issues with. There are many, many, good people here, and by giving the overall site such a title... well that speaks negatively of not only the ones you find fault with, but them as well. I find that dishonest.


Yeah I think often at times people might get frustrated with the long conversations, but I, and others like myself looooove a good long conversation. I just hope we aren't alienated because of it.

I'm a newbie myself (only been here a few days actually) and I love it because I can sit here and relax, and talk out stuff with fellow believers instead of talking them out with my non-christian friends. But lately... it seems like people like myself are bad guys cause I don't put enough "smileys" nor speak in a "happy-go-lucky" form. Am I happy and peaceful? Yes. But relaying emotions online is tricky, and I often at times get blamed for not showing enough emotion. I guess that's a sin to some lol.

Anyways...

Shalom