Thoughts of Late...

[Arbo]

I came across Baptist Board in December of 2010. Other than the fellowship of like-minded folks, one of the things that drew me here was the sense of civility between those on this site. I joined and was made to feel welcome, and have enjoyed the fellowship.

Within the last week or so, I have begun to question whether or not I want to remain involved here. There have been a number of threads lately in which bullying, insensitivity, and incivility seem to have reached a new pinnacle. I doubt this is the model of Christian behavior. It's discouraging.

Anyhow, I think I may have had enough here.

 

[Gina B]

It's been here while, but it's no worse than in my church or anywhere else I go except unlike those places, I can just click off of here. Thus, I prefer it but do miss when it was a kinder, gentler forum.

I recall the exact second it started going downhill and why. It was a couple of extreme IFB guys that felt the forum wasn't "fundamental enough" and it appeared they were appeased with the opening of the "Fundamental Baptist Forum," which really ticked me off, being a fundamental baptist, because those people chose to define it as being KJVO, skirts only type of thing rather than what it really was. I think the Webmaster then had good intentions, thought they'd settle after seeing how hard it is to moderate a forum, but instead it just got more misguided hypers and they haven't quit screaming since. They were vicious then, they're vicious now, and when a new extremist comes in, the viciousness only grows and more people get hurt.

I'd LOVE to see the REAL FUNDAMENTALS of the faith at the top of this board, in great big letters for people to be able to click on and read at any time. It should be a requirement for new members to acknowledge that they read it. At least then the truth would be made known. I get the feeling that a lot of people on here don't even know what they really are, just the version they've been fed by whoever.

 

[SolaSaint]

Some forums have an "ignore" ability where you can block posts from certian members. This is a nice function if available. Not sure if it is possible. If not I just find out who rubs me the wrong way and decide not to read their posts

 

[HankD]

I came across Baptist Board in December of 2010. Other than the fellowship of like-minded folks, one of the things that drew me here was the sense of civility between those on this site. I joined and was made to feel welcome, and have enjoyed the fellowship.

Within the last week or so, I have begun to question whether or not I want to remain involved here. There have been a number of threads lately in which bullying, insensitivity, and incivility seem to have reached a new pinnacle. I doubt this is the model of Christian behavior. It's discouraging.

Anyhow, I think I may have had enough here.

You shouldn't leave Arbo.
As unpleasant as it can get there is much to learn here.

Some of it by the content of the posts, some by the behavior of the posters.

HankD

 

[FundyPat]

Arbo, I wouldn't leave my friend. There are still some good people here.

I too, I have seen what you refer to; not only here, but also into real IFB Churches.

Yes, I am IFB, but I'm not that kind of a IFB. Not after what happened to me here in 2006.

-Pat :type:

 

[TadQueasy]

What happened to you in 2006?

 

[Arbo]

Some forums have an "ignore" ability where you can block posts from certian members. This is a nice function if available. Not sure if it is possible. If not I just find out who rubs me the wrong way and decide not to read their posts

For the sake of clarity, I have not been so personally offended that I cannot overlook it. I'd like to think that I have thick enough skin to take an internet insult. This is not about any perceived slight against me. What has begun to bother me are the attacks and bullying of brethren who are dealing with mental issues that I have witnessed in recent threads on the subject. The last couple weeks have not been ones that Baptist Board should be proud of. The threads dealing with mental illness, depression, PTSD, and the like have exposed an attitude on the part of some that is uncaring and unchristianlike (in my opinion). People have been hurt. That rules Numbers 4 and 5 have not been enforced causes me to conclude that those who rule this site endorse this type of behavior. It's disappointing.

What kind of impression are people getting when they visit this site?

So to be clear, I'm not angry. I'm disappointed.

 

[DiamondLady]

People have been hurt. That rules Numbers 4 and 5 have not been enforced causes me to conclude that those who rule this site endorse this type of behavior. It's disappointing.

What kind of impression are people getting when they visit this site?

So to be clear, I'm not angry. I'm disappointed.

I so agree with you, brother. I have questioned my time spent here over the past week or so. While I enjoy the fellowship and find much of the discussion interesting and even challenging at times, I can not abide the idea that Christians would treat one another so shabbily and wonder at how our precious Lord grieves over it.

What has bothered me most is precisely what I quoted above...the ignoring of the rules, even when it's been brought to the attention of the moderators time and again. I was happy to see many of the threads finally closed, but I'm afraid the damage was already done.

I do not know what has happened to common civility. I'd expect crass behavior on a worldly forum, I never expected to see it here.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

Goodbye

I was going to start a new thread announcing my resignation from this board, but having just seen this thread I might just as well announce it here.

I haven't been here all that long, but I have to say that I find the manners appalling. I stopped participating in the Arminianism/Calvinism threads a while ago, but the theme, and the nastiness, spills over into other threads as it has done in the 'Fundamental' forum. The aggression in the KJV/non-KJV debates is also remarkable. At the same time, serious deviations from Biblical orthodoxy (well, OK, actually heresy) are tolerated.

The moderators should be far more active than they are, but unfortunately some of them are among the worst offenders. I looked yesterday and I couldn't find a single thread that I wanted to particupate in. It's time to go, so good-bye. Thank you to those who allowed me on, and to those who replied to my various posts in a reasonable manner.

Steve

 

[HAMel]

I am of the opinion..., for whatever it's worth, that those who take center stage no matter the cost are very insecure. Makes me think..., that they think..., that if enough of like minded people ban together they will be able to change the mind of the Lord to their way of thinking.

 

[preachinjesus]

It's cyclical. Good times and happy community come and go around forums like this.

I'm not convinced its a bad thing, just part of community.

One check for me is if I take this place too seriously. If I'm getting easily offended and let people bother me beyond what is normal then I need a sabbatical and to be reminded that this isn't a serious place and the conversation isn't that impacting eternally outside of being a good place for perspective and edification.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Civility is a serious issue and should be taken seriously

 

[abcgrad94]

The vast majority of posters here are civil. There's just a handful of bad apples who are very NOISY and make it seem like the whole board is rotten. Please don't leave because of them. That just leaves less "nice" people for the rest of us to converse with.

 

[saturneptune]

I think the worst set of threads I have seen is the new phenomena of depression and human suffering threads. I believe this is what you are referring to. These threads are the lowest form of humanity I have seen in six years here. One made me so angry I ended up with a warning. There is no excuse for this garbage on a Christian board. Since I cannot deal with such destructive ideals in a calm manner, all I can do is ignore the threads and the individuals who use human misery as some sort of sadistic game.

Baptist Board rules forbid calling individuals names like the essence of evil, so I will refrain from doing so.

 

[InTheLight]

I came across Baptist Board in December of 2010. Other than the fellowship of like-minded folks, one of the things that drew me here was the sense of civility between those on this site. I joined and was made to feel welcome, and have enjoyed the fellowship.

Within the last week or so, I have begun to question whether or not I want to remain involved here. There have been a number of threads lately in which bullying, insensitivity, and incivility seem to have reached a new pinnacle. I doubt this is the model of Christian behavior. It's discouraging.

Anyhow, I think I may have had enough here.

Arbo, we both joined the board at about the same time. My experience was the opposite of yours--I thought some posters were insulting and just plain mean. I was also amazed at the diversity of theology and opinions on just about every subject. Yes, some of it is disheartening and discouraging but on the other hand, it just goes to show that there are all kinds of people out there. And this can be encouraging in a sort of "there but for the grace of God go I" type of way. Just look at how this poster would solve the problem of out-of-wedlock parents:

http://www.baptistboard.com/showpost.php?p=1849502&postcount=17

I mean, where else can you get this sort of thing? :laugh:

Seriously, the ignore function in the User CP is a crucial feature for me. I'd suggest you take advantage of it.

I've come to enjoy reading your posts and respecting your opinions. I think the board would be a bit less interesting and enjoyable if you were to leave.

 

[saturneptune]

Something else to remember, there is a distinct difference between me or you getting irked in a thread where a heated debate is going on, and the kind of nonsense that goes on in the depression threads. When one gets irked at a debate, his or her character is still intact. It is a temporary state of anger.

The people who use the threads were are talking about to inflame, divide, and cause anger do not care about debate, they care about causing problems. There is no character in them other than meaness and thriving on playing games with human suffering.

 

[FundyPat]

What happened to you in 2006?

Well.... Without getting into the down and the dirty of the whole thing....let me say this:

I ran headlong into something that read about on here; never thought I would ever see --- But I did or more like it actually happened to me.

I ran headlong into a Pastor who did not practice what he preached. yes, it was a KJV, IFB Church. For the record, I am IFB and KJVO (But not Ruckmanite Crazy about it...)

If you're wanting to know what it was about... read Matthew Chapter 18, versus 15-17.

Quoting the Words of the Lord Jesus Christ:

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
(Matthew 18:15-17 KJV)

I'm sorry, but calling me on a cellphone to level accusations against me, is just not acceptable business practice. (so to speak...) What really got me, this happened twice and after I worked my rear end off for these people, helping remodel a pastor's office that this...."pastor" just had to have.

Good news is, I didn't get bitter, I just quietly left and said to myself, "I'll let the Lord deal with him." I knew his type, and I saw that I didn't belong there. If you really want to know, this is the Church and Pastor here.

He's staying on the old paths alright; of the World... by stabbing people in the back, who simply came to help. It's no wonder though, that Church does have a Mason in it. Which explains much in my humble opinion.

Bible Believer? yeah sure, heard the man disparage the KJV once, knew there was something about him that was not right. Shortly afterward, this happened and I left....for good.

So, there you are, your answer.

-FundyPat

 

[FundyPat]

Let me say too, I don't hate him, and I am not bitter. I just don't like how I was done. I left in peace and will the Lord deal with it on judgement day.

I've been really gun shy about going anywhere else, in fact, I tried another Missionary Baptist Church and I decided to not go there either. Just not my kind of people. I still am a Baptist. But, between the Apostasy in the Church and Pastor's like that. I just really am not interested in going anywhere anymore. One day, I'll go where I'd like to go, but right now, I don't have a car and I cannot just drive to the Church I'd like go to, which is down about 25 miles from here.

To think, I left Pentecostalism in 2004, because the "Writing was on the wall" as far as I was concerned. Needless to say, that from about March of 2004, till about December of 2004; the Lord really opened my eyes about that movement of confusion. I came out, and I'm better for it.

But... I have learned alot about Church, Christianity and so-called "leaders"

That's all I'll say about all that.

Thanks for asking...

-FundyPat

 

[Jkdbuck76]

There have been a number of threads lately in which bullying, insensitivity, and incivility seem to have reached a new pinnacle. I doubt this is the model of Christian behavior. It's discouraging.

Anyhow, I think I may have had enough here.

Yes. Sometimes, we baptists act like the WWE Wrestling of Christianity.

I went thru the same thing you did. You should take about a 1 week break from BB then come back. At least that helped me.

 

[just-want-peace]

Yes. Sometimes, we baptists act like the WWE Wrestling of Christianity.

I went thru the same thing you did. You should take about a 1 week break from BB then come back. At least that helped me.

Ditto for me!!
'Cept I left for about 6-8 months & didn't even open this web site. THEN I started to occasionally open the board and scan the contents & finally about 3 months from there I slowly began to participate again.
It made a world of difference in that I DO NOT TAKE THIS BOARD TOO SERIOUSLY NOW.
Take a break, & then take another shot at it - hate to lose GOOD members.