General Malaise Winning the War...

[rgcraig]

All interesting.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by RevBuddy

Pelathais...

My comments were not intended to be an indictment of the forum or even its members. Rather I was trying to make an important point: that we (that's me, too) need to be sensitive to how we express ourselves and to be careful with "drive by" shootings of our fellow brothers and sisters.

My views are not in keeping with the general flow of the forum...where posts and comments, at times, are designed to produce the greatest controvery or reaction.

Mizpeh's reference to Titus is on point. Unfortunately, discussions about this type of subject...that is, introspection...will not be as popular as a "news flash" or lend itself to a quick, humorous response...or a quick jab at the poster.

Still, such discussions are necessary to continually review and assess our Christain walk and determine if it is in His image or not. Thank you for your views.

You are correct in your concern. I was seeing a broader application as well.

If you made sense of my dear friend Mizpeh's post, then you're way ahead of me. The Epimenedes Paradox that she quotes Paul as quoting is a conundrum.

While agreeing with you, I also have been left wondering why so many people cry "foul" when no foul was made. When pressed about the issue they will often conflate episodes or exaggerate details. I offered the thread on VM's letter as an example. A rather "ho-hum" discussion was going on when a couple of folks complained that VM was being "torn down." Nothing of the sort had happened.

[Scott Hutchinson]

Rev Buddy I appreciate your thread.I have brethren who are my brethren who have drawn some different conclusions on some issues than me but they are still my brethren to me.

[RevBuddy]

Pelathais...

My point with this thread is not to be a "cry baby." Not at all. And I conclude from your post that you understand that. In a debate or discussion, let the facts or argument speak for themselves. The point is not that there are disagreements here, but rather, that...

1. gossip-like news is presented without affirmation for comment and discussion
2. much stereotypical depictions of the "opponent" or opposing view, and
3. a lack of concern about how this forum and its content are viewed by "outsiders

Don't you get frustrated sometime during discussions like this that we can't just "sit down and discuss it to our heart's content?" Oh well...

[OneAccord]

I posted a short lived thread a few weeks ago entitled "Can we talk..." or something like that. I was wondering (and still wonder) why we have to discus and debate every issue that comes up. Where does this appetite come from to debate, to state positions, to discuss every bloomin' thing under the sun come from? Why can't we just fellowship?
Crying? Yeah, I guess I am. I find it kinda grieving to read a sincere, honest and encouraging thread starter (like this one), only to come back a little later to find ... well, what I find later isn't always so encouraging. How can we justify our thirst for gossip when the Bible speaks so sternly against it? How can DEBATES be placed center stage when Paul admonished us in very specfic language against the practice? Some will say, "If you don't like debates, stay out of the debate room". I do. "If you don't like the gossip... "I don't go there either. I like to fellowship. I like to read good reports. I like to read things that encourage, that edifies, that helps me in my Christian walk. That narrows my field somewhat... but the beginning post in this thread (Rev Buddy?) is one I can really appreciate.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by RevBuddy

Pelathais...

My point with this thread is not to be a "cry baby." Not at all. And I conclude from your post that you understand that. In a debate or discussion, let the facts or argument speak for themselves. The point is not that there are disagreements here, but rather, that...

1. gossip-like news is presented without affirmation for comment and discussion
2. much stereotypical depictions of the "opponent" or opposing view, and
3. a lack of concern about how this forum and its content are viewed by "outsiders

Don't you get frustrated sometime during discussions like this that we can't just "sit down and discuss it to our heart's content?" Oh well...

1. This seems to have been addressed in the past and is still being addressed on a "development project" basis. The spicy tidbits do generate a lot of page views and ultimately that is the goal of the those who run any web site.

The abuses of any "news" posts can be resolved by the ensuing discussion. If the presenter hasn't satisfied his/her reader's interests then the silent hand of the market will take over and that's that.

2. Everybody does this, doesn't make it right. I guess it just makes us all human. Again, by following things up with discussion and critical questions or polite admonishments the larger community benefits from a learning experience. Chip in when you see someone stray- but try and "win" them with what you have to say. Convert them, maybe not to your opinion but at least to your tone.

3. I think most people are savvy enough to see an Internet board for what it is. On a good day you may actually hear the Gospel through one of these outlets; but no one should take the overall forum as Gospel.

Of course, everything I said about being positive and etc. could be read right back at me at times. This place should be fun and casual and edifying would be nice as well. It seems to be a place where you can sort of take a pulse of things and compare what's being said here with the things that are being talked about locally. But it should never be taken too literally or cited as a reference source.

You're a good and decent person. The people who know you personally probably benefit from their contact with you. People here could use some of that same benefit, if you can put up with them.

[RevBuddy]

Pelathais...

No argument from me on your latest post...good words and right on!