Online theology vs Real life

I'm more polite online. Offline, where tone of voice, body language, and eye contact can assist, it's easier to be "verbally combative" without causing more offence than was intended.

-Neil

 

With me, What you see is what you get.

Joseph Botwinick

 

I think I post the way I talk. Sometimes I have to be more careful online, because thinking out loud, as it were, it not often "allowed."

I also think that if I were being less honest about my beliefs online than I am in real life, I would be much more . . . . liked? respected? I don't know which.

 

I probably come across as much more laid back in person. If I’m discussing something with someone who disagrees, we sit down and talk about it. I do a lot of listening and then try to figure out where we disagree then demonstrate my point through scripture and common sense.

Because of the debate/argument format, there is a limit to what can be effectively discussed.

Friends and family members lurk here and read some of my posts. Although I purposely stay pretty anonymous here to people who don’t already know me in “real life”, anyone who knows me in person will recognize me even if I don’t tell them my BaptistBoard name.

To many here I come across as a “liberal” when in fact I’m anything but. Among real liberals I tend to come across as very conservative and among extreme conservatives I tend to come across as liberal.

I tend to make everyone angry at one point or another because I don’t fall into traditional categories.

 

I think that is true of most of us. I know that when I tend to think of someone here as liberal, conservative, or fundamental, I find I have to "rethink" that idea from post to post, depending on whether "WE are right" or "YOU are wrong".

I am told that I am too nice and not assertive enough and on this borad I am "practicing" being so. I am not quite the difference between the "Wizard of Oz" before he is revealed and after but the principle is the same.

 

I consider all internet sources as questionable until there is absolutely no doubt as to their accuracy. To me the internet doesn't for the most part reflect real life, and therefore I don't spend to much time getting insulted or taking things personally. People don't act the same on a BBS as they would in real life. The internet and this BBS are a good resource for me, but not as good as real-life and face-to-face conversation.

I also don't use up my time in the endless debates on the Iraq news forum and News affecting Baptists. When I read the paper or watch the news, I'm more likely to discuss it face-to-face with friends than to bring it up on this board. I've seen the way some of those conversations go, and you all know what I'm talking about!

 

Online and offline, I tend to be pretty opinionated and nit-picky.

 

I used to be more vocal and opinionated in person than online, now I think that's reversed. I've learned that diplomacy is more important in person. People who come to a debating board had better be ready to take it as well as dish it out--that's less likely in typical personal contacts.

 

Isn't it sad that "thinking aloud" and asking honest questions are considered opportunities for others to attack, malign, name-call, categorize and villify by many people here?

May God help the seeker who enters asking honest questions.

 

What you read on this board is basically the way I am.

I am quite mellow and relaxed in actual life, and very soft-spoken. I am of a quiet, cheerful nature, though I do have my moody moments. And yes, as a couple of my (very regrettable) posts have shown, I do have a temper that can explode at the worst moments. I do work very hard on this, though, and it is becoming a rarity now.

Overall, I am quite tolerant of others who are not Christian, and I respect an opinion that is different than mine. It is not my way or the highway.

I am a Republican and I support the President, though I am not an absolute apologist for the man. I am also a Miami Dolphins and FSU Seminoles fan! I cannot wait for the upcoming football season to start.

And finally, I am absolutely crazy about my wife and very proud of my daughters! If you were around me often, you would notice how much I love to talk about my family.

So again, what you read is what you get. Overall, a good, though hardly perfect, Baptist Christian man.

mozier

 

I am pretty much myself here, probably more willing to have more intense discussions here than in real life, but it is harder to get your point across in a subtle way online without the benefits of non-verbal communication.

There are several people on the board that know me well in real life, so I couldn't really get away with being someone else anyway.

I am very opinionated, but in general, I am careful unless I know someone well. Here I assume that you just have to put up with what I say, so I say it, If I had to get along with y'all in real life, I would be more reserved, I really am a nice guy, although I do scare people sometimes with my forthrightness, especially my wife. I guess that is better than the alternative. I don't want people to see inconsistency, so I usually tell them like it is.

 

I am a fundamentalist who takes no prisons . . . online or off!

Actually, I too am more laid back in real person. But whether it's looking at typed text, or looking someone in the eyes, I will disagree with what I think is unsound doctrine anytime and everytime! When proven wrong, I'll quickly admit it. I'll let you all know when that happens!

Hopefully, everyone can pick out the serious parts from the humorous parts.

 

WWhat you see is what you get. Actually, I am a lot more funny in person.

 

I'm much more handsome in person!

 

I am pretty much the way I am in person. Often I don't think out what I have to say first and on here I have learned to be more careful in my phrasing because folks seem to read a lot into comments. I am pretty much wysiwyg.

 

Well I'm just a real sweetheart wherever I'm at, online or off. Oh yeah, that's me...Mk