I have to say that I agree with Marks post. I also think the reasoning behind some noted cons leaving goes a bit deeper.
I do wish they had stayed around to help balance out the forum. Their presence is greatly missed
And as far as the forum swaying some posters beliefs, I've seen it...there have been some that you can almost set your watch by how quickly they change from one side to the other....it's like a swinging door. Not that the forum is to BLAME, it's just how immature they are in their own spirituality
Do I think some have an agenda? Sure, on both sides of the spectrum.
Do I think there are bitter cons and bitter libs, yes, there are BOTH on this forum.
Some people just have no idea how to convey their own beliefs without getting bitter or hiding behind veiled jabs at folks not like them....
The bottom line is, IMO, we are ALL supposed to be "christian" first and foremost, regardless of what we believe with regard to standards and other "doctrinal" issues.......And it seems more often than not, we lose sight of that whole "christ like" aspect of our relationship with God and others....especially when we are hidden behind a screen.
I think people can come to an internet forum and post in complete animonity but if they use that animonity to lash out and be downright RUDE and hateful, well that brings into question their CHRISTIAN character more so than if they are ex-UPC, UPC or otherwise.
It's not about what acronym you associate with...it's about your ability to handle yourself in a Christ Like fashion on a public, internet forum.
Irregardless, there are folks out there that are vulnerable, looking for an argument or an excuse, we all have a responsibility to handle ourselves accordingly. Whether you agree with me or not, we arent just supposed to live a Godly life in the real world.
I think some cons got fed up with the un-Christ like attitude from ALL sides and chose to go elsewhere, I wish they had stayed to balance out the views here...
Just my two cents.
And no, it's not some "conspiracy".....it just happened.
I don't have time right now to look through all 15 pages of posts, but I'll just say this. IF an internet forum, or people in general, are to blame for causing, in some Con's judgment, people to leave their faith, their faith was in trouble to begin with.
There are ideas, values, and opinions represented on this forum daily that aren't congruent with my personal beliefs, and I haven't changed any of those due to the fact.
I'm not doubting or accepting Mark's position on what other's believe about AFF. However, the belief that somehow people are being turned from their beliefs or caused to lose their convictions because of what's put forward on an internet message board strikes me as silly.
Amen!
__________________
Master of Science in Applied Disgruntled Religious Theorist Wrangling
PhD in Petulant Tantrum Quelling
Dean of the School of Hard Knocks
I know of two who have changes dress standards after joing these forums, but I will NOT name them out of respect for them...
So, do you think they changed their beliefs because of this forum?
__________________ "Many people view their relationship with God like a "color by number" picture. It's easier to let someone else define the boundaries, tell them which blanks to fill in, and what color to use than it is for them to take a blank canvas and seek inspiration from the Source in order to paint their own masterpiece"
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