An Open Letter On Posts -- For Those Of Other Beliefs

[Abiyah]

All Non-Baptists

Please read the thread in the Baptists Only forum,
called "An Open Letter On Posts" and write your
answers here.

Personally, I find the trend over the last weeks to
be appalling. There are open attacks on people
and their religions everywhere we turn.

Certainly, I know that I have been accused of doing
the same, but most readers know that this is not
what really happened; rather, I was trying to
prevent what has happened on other threads from
happening on mine by an attack upon the Baptist
church.

Who all among us non-Baptists would like to see
these attacks ended? Who would like to step up
and say that they refuse to be a part of it? And
Baptists, your input is welcome.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Thanks Abiyah.

I am by no means ecumenical, but I do think that we need to allow each other the freedom to express beliefs without fear of name calling and insults. I appreciate your spirit.

 

[dumbox1]

Hi Abiyah,

I think C4K's comments are valid ones, although frankly the behavior I see around here isn't really shocking to me.

We've got a mix of folks here -- I get the sense that some are kids who want to be shocking and try their best, some are "baby Christians" whose enthusiasm perhaps outstrips their spiritual maturity, some are just naturally full of vinegar, and some have sipped a bit too long at the fountain of hate rather than at the well of living water.

But it's a debate board, so that comes with the territory. Am I surprised if someone from, say, an IFB background disagrees with me strongly about certain isues? Not at all, I expect them to. If they (or I, or anyone else) fails to show Christian love in doing so, I'm saddened -- but that's the world we live in.

What does surprise me at times are posters who refuse to accept correction about others' beliefs. If I were to assume something incorrect about, say, Baptist beliefs in a post here, and a Baptist corrected me, you can bet I wouldn't make the same mistake again.

Of course, I don't say a whole lot about Baptist beliefs here anyhow -- I'm hear to learn from them what they believe (and share what I believe), not to try to dictate to them what they believe.

Anyhow, those are my thoughts -- hopefully somewhat relevant to your topic! May God bless you always,

Mark H.

 

[Abiyah]

Hi, Christ4Kildare and Mike. Thank you for
responding.

Just so that you will both know, I have no problem
at all with debate; it is the outright harassment and
name-calling that seem so juvenile to me. I enjoy
the debate and join in on them myself, when they
are relevant or important to me. In fact, without
debate, I do not know where my husband and I
would be, because we used individual Bible study
followed by debate when we left our old church, in
order to learn what Truth was. Initially, we had
nearly daily debates, but now, it is down to only
occasional ones, because we have basically
figured out our paths, and we are taking classes.

I do think that debate is a good and healthy tool.
The other I find embarrassing and exasperating.

 

[BobRyan]

The "rule" of human nature is -- "when substance fails ad hominem prevails". Because of that you will typically see two side offering evidence that each is correct. But when one side runs out of evidence - or the evidence they have is shown to be lacking - then "The other means" of debate kick in.

That includes everything from name calling, to jokes to a board-form of excommunication.

In Christ,

Bob

 

[Abiyah]

:-D I had to laugh at the idea of board excommuni-
cation. I Do That in my own way!!

I definitely have a quirk I have to watch out for
occasionally: if I finally get to the point at which I
consider someone's behavior utterly hopeless,
whether on a board or in real life, I make them just
. . . disappear!! That is unless I can find some
legitimate reason for their behavior.

I learned that from Mother. When she reached that
point, the whole family had to move. I don't like
moving, so I just make the person disappear from
my thoughts and my eyes. Fortunately, since I left
my old church, I don't have to do that in real life
anymore.

:-D

 

[thessalonian]

This is a debate board. Mainly Catholicism is attached and debated. Other than that I will just said God Bless you Abiyah and leave it at that with regard to this thread.

Blessings

 

[Abiyah]

That is very kind, Thess. Thank you.

 

[Wisdom Seeker]

I forget , not being limited on this board myself, that not all members can post everywhere.

It seems to me that the choice to move that thread from an All Christians forum to a Baptist Only forum was probably not consciously or maliciously meant to exclude people. (not that anyone is suggesting that it was)

Too bad. I'm sure that the original admonision wasn't meant to be directed at only the Baptists here but all the members.

 

[LadyEagle]

When was the thread moved?

 

[BobRyan]

Originally posted by Abiyah:
:-D I had to laugh at the idea of board excommuni-
cation. I Do That in my own way!!

I definitely have a quirk I have to watch out for
occasionally: if I finally get to the point at which I
consider someone's behavior utterly hopeless,
whether on a board or in real life, I make them just
. . . disappear!!
:-D

WEll at the risk of "disappearing" I would say that your course is wise if you are dealing with someone that is not actually arguing a point from the Bible - but is simply ranting and name-calling. Basically they are telling you that the gas tank is empty and they have nothing else to offer.

But the tendancy is to also use that "non-response" even when there are Bible points being made - if those Bible points are "not welcomed" and you see a lot of that on the boards as well.

In Christ,

Bob

 

[Abiyah]

I can understand what you are writing, Bob, but
often, I think, "Why respond?" because my mind is
made up that I know the truth, as is theirs, and it
becomes fruitless. Many times, when someone
says or writes something to me, or of me, I just go
on as though it was never said or written, because
I don't want to deal with the result my response
will bring.

And sometimes, when they write or say something
that appears uncomplimentary or argumentative, I
just play dumb.

 

[BobRyan]

Understood.

But don't you agree that sometimes a post comes up that is "hard to answer"? That has to happen some times.

In Christ,

Bob

 

[Abiyah]

WisdomSeeker --

I think the intention in moving it was to get Baptist
responses. When I was writing as aBaptist, some-
times, I wanted only Baptist responses, and other
times, I wanted all responses. I think it is a great
tool for Baptists on their board.

But I also think that we who are not Baptist could
help on this issue and not just leave it up to them.

 

[Abiyah]

Originally posted by BobRyan:
Understood.

But don't you agree that sometimes a post comes up that is "hard to answer"? That has to happen some times.

In Christ,

Bob

Not really, Bob, except that sometimes, I don't
want to put the energy into some things, because
my computer system is not good, and it often
just blanks out, losing everything I had written.
That is frustrating to me. But most of the things
I see questioned seem so simple, so straight
forward. Perhaps it is my age as compared to
the asker's.

 

[Abiyah]

Originally posted by SheEagle:
When was the thread moved?

The original thread, to which this one refers, was
moved a couple times. This one hasn't been
moveed yet, I don't think.

 

[Abiyah]

Boy, my answer to you sounds quite pompous,
Bob. Thought I should come back and explain.

When I left the holiness-Arminian movement,
I came here asking questions and to be with
Baptists, because I thought they could best
answer them. I have been very open here about
those things I don't understand -- things that are
common, simple, to them but not to me. These
are the things that stymie me, while the other
questions, which are commonly asked in the
churches, are easy.

 

[Wisdom Seeker]

Originally posted by SheEagle:
When was the thread moved?

Well that question is easily answered. The original thread that inspired this one was moved once. See links provided.

Link to original thread in All Other Discussion Forum (all Christians)


Link to thread after it was moved to the General Discussion forum. (Baptists Only)

 

[Wisdom Seeker]

Originally posted by Abiyah:
WisdomSeeker --
I think the intention in moving it was to get Baptist responses.

But I also think that we who are not Baptist could help on this issue and not just leave it up to them.

This is what the moderator said regarding the move.

Originally posted by I Am Blessed 16
If you would like your thread moved to a forum where you would get more responses, please PM me and I will move it for you.
Blessings,
§ue

Originally posted by I Am Blessed 16
This thread has been moved to the "General Baptist" Forum upon a request from the OP.
Thanks!
§ue

Perhaps the original poster didn't realize that it would exclude you and the other Non-Baptists from posting your thoughts if it was moved there. I don't know. You would have to ask him.

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

Thanks Laurenda for covering the bases for me!

The intent of the move, was indeed, not meant to exclude anyone, but to get more responses.

Thank you Abiyah for starting this thread. Now, we can have input from ALL of our members (which is sorely needed on this topic).

§ue