Be ye kind

[booklady]

As I read through some of the threads here on the BB I can't help but wonder if some of us realize how rude and unkind we sound. I was just reading through a thread about music that made me feel sick. :tear: It seems that some of us feel that it is ok to be rude or unkind because "he/she started it." I understand that we will have disagreements but can't we be nice about it? I wonder if we turn people away from Christianity by the way we communicate on here.

Go ahead and comment but please be nice.

 

[npetreley]

As I read through some of the threads here on the BB I can't help but wonder if some of us realize how rude and unkind we sound.

Who died and made you attitude police? Shut up!

Just kidding... I can't resist going for the obvious joke.

I agree with you, but I would point out two things:

1. "Tough love" strong language is sometimes appropriate. The Bible has many such examples, including when Paul said those who preached a gospel of works (starting with circumcision) should go the whole way and cut themselves off. That's not polite or kind, but it was certainly called-for. Jesus said a lot of very hard things to the Pharisees, too.

2. Sometimes what we say isn't so bad, but the medium makes it seem much worse. It's the nature of the medium. Without facial expressions and body language, it's easy to get the wrong idea from what someone is saying.

 

[Cutter]

These threads are definitely not for the faint of heart. Although I have been in many heated discussions I can honestly say I do not hold any grudges or animosity towards anyone and if I met them in person, I would greet them in Christian love.
I do think men are more used to direct conflict and can deal with it better than women. Nothing against my sisters in Christ, it's just part of our biological makeup.
Having words to read on here from others as opposed to being able to read their expressions, body language, and demeanor make a difference, too.

 

[charles_creech78]

I have not been on hear long but I have learned alot. There are alot of rude people in hear like npet but we still love each other. Just joking npet.

 

[abcgrad94]

I do think men are more used to direct conflict and can deal with it better than women. Nothing against my sisters in Christ, it's just part of our biological makeup.
Having words to read on here from others as opposed to being able to read their expressions, body language, and demeanor make a difference, too.

I totally agree! Many times I've avoided debating an issue on the BB because I'm sometimes more emotional than logical and I knew my arguments would get blown away by a bunch of cold hard FACTS!:laugh:

While some posts seem intimidating to me, I don't consider them hateful unless they resort to name calling. It's easy to get offended when you have to imagine the poster's tone and vocal inflection and facial expression.

 

[Dale-c]

It can be hard sometimes to know what the poster means. Sometimes people have thought I was being mean spirited when I wasn't and I am sure I have misjudges the intentions of others.
That said, sometimes we do get a bit rude.

Also we need to remember that sometimes strong words can be useful.
Iron sharpens iron, not cotton.

 

[npetreley]

It can be hard sometimes to know what the poster means. Sometimes people have thought I was being mean spirited when I wasn't and I am sure I have misjudges the intentions of others.
That said, sometimes we do get a bit rude.

Also we need to remember that sometimes strong words can be useful.
Iron sharpens iron, not cotton.

Well, that explains why my knives are so dull.

(Tosses cotton knife-sharpener in the trash.)

 

[Dale-c]

Wait, was that iron doesn't sharpen cotton or cotton does't sharpen iron?
Does cotton soften cotton??

 

[SaggyWoman]

Cotton with Cotton causes static cling.

 

[Mr.M]

I find deliberate ignorance far more unkind to far more people than a single rash comment from one person to another individual. But I do understand your point.

 

[Dale-c]

Cotton with Cotton causes static cling.

Ahhh, so thats it!
To much cotton on the board has caused static! Not sure about the cling part though

 

[mcdirector]

The medium is tough.

Coming from someone who has been known to throw a reminder out from time to time that the world is viewing what we say and how we say it.

The more we post and read each other -- the more we know each other. It's harder with the newer posters or the ones that may not be new but don't post enough for us to have a great feel for the "full" poster. That just takes time.

 

[tinytim]

And might I add, that sometimes on one thread we are at each other's throat, but on another thread at the same time, we are teaming up with each other to debate someone else...

It is the nature of the beast...
But even the ones that give me the hardest time, I would love to meet in person! And even join them in a meal at McDonalds.... We may even come out with a lawsuit!! lol

 

[npetreley]

And might I add, that sometimes on one thread we are at each other's throat, but on another thread at the same time, we are teaming up with each other to debate someone else...

Meh. It just means we're incredibly fickle.

 

[mcdirector]

Meh. It just means we're incredibly fickle.

naaaaaa, not us . . .

 

[SaggyWoman]

All you guys get on my freakin' nerves.

I love you, man!!

 

[mcdirector]

All you guys get on my freakin' nerves.

I love you, man!!

We do it on purpose donchaknow

 

[Rufus_1611]

I have not been on hear long but I have learned alot. There are alot of rude people in hear like npet but we still love each other. Just joking npet.

I had an English Lit teacher who would often say, "All jokes contain 50% truth." Yours seems to contain greater than 50%.

 

[booklady]

I find deliberate ignorance far more unkind to far more people than a single rash comment from one person to another individual. But I do understand your point.

Mr. M., will you please explain what you mean by deliberate ignorance?

 

[mcdirector]

God didn't gift us all with super-duper brain power either.