Rating Feature - What do you think?

[bb_baptist]

The latest version of this message board allows members to rate each other. (Only registered members may be rated and they can only be rated by other members. Even if ratings are being used on this board, you may elect to not have other members rate you. To turn off member ratings for yourself, just change your profile settings.)

This option can be disabled by the board administrators. Should it be? If so, why?

Also, currently only rating for members rated **** and ***** are shown. Should we show ratings for all members?

 

[Barnabas H.]

It should be left to personal preference. I noticed that some people like it while others do not care for it. Personally I don't mind at all. It keeps peeple guessing about what it means, and how they can obtain it.

 

[hollyberry710]

I am a very new member of this board, and I have wondered what the rating scale implies. Do I give someone a high rating if I agree with their post? Do I give someone a high rating if they ask a compelling question which starts a thought provoking thread? Do I give someone a low rating if they say something that bothers me? Maybe it bothers me because they are speaking the truth and it is something that is uncomfortable for me to hear!

I have been saved since I was 10, but later joined a church that did not use the Bible much during church services. I since have found a Baptist church (through the patient leading of my wonderful husband)and feel as if I've 'come home'. I am not as familiar with Scripture as I want to be, so I don't quote it when I post. Does that mean I will get a low rating?

I enjoy this board very much, and am learning a lot from reading the messages. I would be *so* embarassed if I knew I had a low rating because of asking something that others thought was inappropriate or obviously un-Baptist.

 

[Larry]

I'm going to disable the rating in my profile. I think the number of stars by your name can influence what you say in your post and we should be more concerned with how the Lord would rate us.

Deuteronomy 16:19
19 Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.

Proverbs 28:21
21 To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

James 2:1
1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

James 2:2
2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

James 2:3
3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

James 2:4
4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

Galatians 5:19
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

Galatians 5:20
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

" emulations"
Possible Definitions:
1) zeal, ardour in embracing, pursuing, defending anything; zeal in behalf of, for a person or thing; the fierceness of indignation, punitive zeal
2) an envious and contentious rivalry, jealousy

 

[swaimj]

I think hollyberry brings up some excellent reasons not to have the rating system. It seems to me that it is very unclear what is being rated. It also seems that the ratings could be very unfair. If a person has a two-star rating, why is that? Did they offend one person in one post or one hundred people? If they offended someone did that person tell them they were offended or did they just go and give them a bad rating? If the rating is bad it is not displayed. What is the point of doing that? If the rating is good why not compliment the person openly rather than secretly giving them a rating. Maybe I'm misreading it and maybe the webmaster has a rationale for the rating system that he could give us. As it is I just don't get it. I hope my rating doesn't fall after sharing these negative comments

 

[DocCas]

Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

 

[bb_baptist]

I would have no problem removing the ratings, but I'd like to hear a few more opinions before I decide.

Any pros? More cons?

 

[Barnabas H.]

Dear "hollyberry710" and "swaimj," once you are rated it can not be taken away from you, regardless of what you are posting - nor can it be reduced, because of your negative remarks. The only thing could happen, if you go off the deep end with your remarks, that the Moderators will delete your post and after repeated offences they revoke your membership priviledges.

Here is, in a nutshell, what the "FAQ" (Frequestly Asked Questions) tell you about this subject:

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> MEMBERS RATINGS. The administrators of this message board may permit members to rate each other. Only registered members may be rated and they can only be rated by other members. Even if ratings are being used on this board, you may elect to not have other members rate you. To turn off member ratings for yourself, just change your profile settings. This option can be disabled by the board administrators.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

"Bro. Larry" & "Dr. Cassidy," in reply to your Bible quotes, may I humbly present to you 1 Corinthians 8:13 "Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend."

 

[Joy]

I have rated only a few members by giving them the highest rating. I felt they deserved respect for their well thought our replies and their degree of spiritual maturity. I am sure there are some members here that you regard what they say more so than others.

Using the system in reverse, by giving someone a low rating because you don't like what they say, isn't really ethical, but you are on the honor system.

Confession time My head was getting puffed up from my rating, so I disabled that option in my profile.

Just my humble and not so humble opinion.

null

 

[renewedspirit1]

The rating system is absolutely ridiculous and should NOT be on this kind of board. This is not a popularity contest!!! Not to mention how very judgmental it is! When I first became a member it struck me funny why you would even consider a member rating system. It's the ONLY thing I don't care for here.

 

[Lorelei]

I agree, we shouldn't be rating one another, but uplifting one another. When I first read this, I thought..hey...is rating others biblical? *hehe*

I am fairly new and it isn't something that would bother me or make me leave the board if it stayed, but if we have a choice, I say get rid of it

.

~Lorelei

 

[Dr. Bob]

I disabled mine the day they started, before I had to watch my stars disappear!

For a person with a fragile self-image, what was planned as a BENEFIT could turn into a real NEGATIVE.

Now, where did I put my prozac?

 

[Larry]

bjh

Were you offended by something I said?

The verses, I believe, apply in that if you post something that is very conservative or liberal and all of the sudden you get a five star rating…. It's kind of like a gift. You are more likely to lean that way the next time you post. Deut 16:9 is an example of this printable.

If you post something and have five stars, and a low membership #, by your name your opinion is more likely to be considered… your more likely to be respected upon the merits of your rating rather than how biblical your opinion may be.

On the other hand, someone may be very sound, biblically, but because one or two were offended by the truth he or she may have a low rating and based upon the lack of stares, sound biblical council may be dismissed.

I think the verses I quoted support what I said. It's nothing personal, if I had anyone in mind when I posted it was me.

 

[SaggyWoman]

I still haven't figured out what the purpose of the rating system is.

Is it in preparation for the Olympics?

 

[Joseph_Botwinick]

Larry,

I have been here since November and have never changed my convictions because I wasn't popular...and believe me, I have not always been popular and probably still am not considering a three star rating that I now have. Bottom line is, I am not here to please man, but God. If somebody changes their opinion based on a low rating, I think that says more about their character and maturity than it does the rating system.

That being said, I will agree, however, that the rating system does tend to pit Christians against each other. I would have to agree that I think it doesn't belong on this board, but not for the reasons that Larry said. It doesn't matter if I have one star or five, I will stand on conviction from the Holy Spirit, not on the winds of popularity. If I stood on the winds of popularity, I would be just as corrupt as politicians in Washington or SBC leaders in Nashville.

Joseph

 

[Barnabas H.]

Ease up my friend, "Larry!"

The rating has nothing to do with "popularity." It is not a contest, it never meant to be. The ratings (up-to-now) has been based upon the sound Biblical answers an individual gave - such as yours, and others who are not ashamed of the Gospel!

Now you must understand something. During the day we have demanding and challenging jobs. We come to the BBc to relax, to learn, to share and to be edified by the personal testimonies of fellow believers. And while from time to time we may be frustrated by the answers and the reactions people give on this board, in general we come away refreshed and built up.

Here at BBc we also use the "smilies." This is one way to express our true feelings behind the comments we make. That is why I left a "big grin" smiley ( ) after my quote. It was meant as a jest, as an attempt to lighten the atmosphere. In other words, I was saying (in a non-threatening way) that if this cause a chism between the board members then I will not be a part of it and remove it from my profile.

Now, since this subject is definitely gotten out of hand, with your kind permission I will take my leave. Incidentally, I do enjoy reading your posts and I would like to rate you, but allas your rating apparatus has been disabled - for I have met the following in your profile, "Note: This particular member is not permitting ratings."

Nevertheless I gave you 5 stars! So, keep posting with the zeal and determination as you have done up-to-now, and God bless!

 

[PreacherDave]

Ratings are so carnal. If someone is purporting false doctrine or is just flaky, let him be lovingly addressed with the truth. Otherwise, we are all members one of another in Christ's body.
Would the early Church rate Peter and Paul? When they tried, Paul told them they were carnal--that Paul & Peter were only workers in God's field, and God gives the increase. (1 Cor. 3)
I think we should do away with ratings.

 

[rlvaughn]

It is my opinion that there is more negative about the rating system than any good effect it could have. It is much too subject to abuse.

 

[TomVols]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by rlvaughn:
It is my opinion that there is more negative about the rating system than any good effect it could have. It is much too subject to abuse.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I could not agree more. It should be done away with. It serves no good purpose.

 

[bb_baptist]

I'm leaning toward removing all ratings.

Anyone else wants to add anythig before the ratings are gone?