Apostolic News: AFF has been HIJACKED

[rgcraig]

Hello Apostolic News!!!!

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Socialite

What kind of kids would actually hang out in an AFF forum!!!??? haha.

MB, your children are open to ideas everyday that are "stranger-directed." Classrooms, locker rooms, friend's houses, people they meet, books they read, shows they watch, etc... If there is a discipling relationship, they will want to talk about the questions and things with you, which gives you an even better advantage of helping to disciple them through complex issues.

I don't consider a 15 or 16-year a "child" anymore. They are prime-time at the age of inquiry, reasoning, etc.

First of all, we homeschool, so our children have been introduced to "stranger-directed" philosophies gradually, as we deem them mature enough to participate. Secondly, there's a difference between an adult discussion/debate group and occasional debates that come up naturally in our kids' lives, in which we have some measure of supervision and input.

I agree with you that older teens are ready for debate, but it should still be supervised, IMO. Fortunately, our kids do bring questions to us, because we have made a habit of discussing things with them objectively, and without the assumption that *we* are always right. ("Just because I said so.") While teenagers are intellectually ready to argue, debate and discuss, they still lack the wisdom and knowledge necessary to [always] draw mature conclusions, so parental/adult guidance is still beneficial. Further, we don't always direct them to ourselves for answers, but often to the Bible, resource books, libraries, family members, elders, youth leaders or other trusted adults.

There is no way my teenage girls (13 and 15) would be allowed on an adult discussion forum unsupervised, including this one. MAYBE one with peers, and it would still be supervised.

Our philosophy regarding child-rearing and education includes the idea that children actually DO need parental input the entire time they are maturing. Parental involvement should gradually thin out and evolve, but never disappear from a healthy parent-child relationship.

Bottom line, we don't give our kids carte blanche access to the world, the internet or to the philosophies, doctrines and religions of strangers.

[MissBrattified]

Btw, I'm not supporting the TONE of the article; I doubt the actual intent of it is to protect children, but more about discouraging people from being exposed to anything other than the status quo.

I just happen to agree with them that children should usually be excluded from active participation in adult discussion forums. Even "Apostolic" ones. My children wouldn't be involved in debates on EA either. They're simply not ready for that yet.

[Michael The Disciple]

The Forum has changed dramatically. It is still worthwhile in this sense. At least Oneness believers are still permitted here. Most "Christian" forums will not allow teaching or discussing Oneness doctrine.

I agree that the flow of the Forum itself has become bitterly anti Oneness. Many having woke up out of the sleep that they were wrong about things like beards were a sin, women trimming hair was sin, non tithing sent you to Hell, ect have now rebelled against even the foundation of One God and the new birth.

Not to mention Universalism planted and growing and well respected members openly teaching the Bible is corrupt.

[aegsm76]

Baron - I like Voltaire's quote ""The pen is mightier than the sword."
Let me say though I may be on the other side of the "fence" regarding some issues than others here.
I never withheld ideas or debate from my children as they grew up. I did withhold some things until I thought they were old enough to "handle" or understand them.
I do believe that this is the problem with many that grow up in a religious household.
They never encounter any challenges to why they believe what they believe, so once they do start questioning themselves, they have no foundation on which to stand.
Hopefully you understand what I mean!

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

The Forum has changed dramatically. It is still worthwhile in this sense. At least Oneness believers are still permitted here. Most "Christian" forums will not allow teaching or discussing Oneness doctrine.

I agree that the flow of the Forum itself has become bitterly anti Oneness. Many having woke up out of the sleep that they were wrong about things like beards were a sin, women trimming hair was sin, non tithing sent you to Hell, ect have now rebelled against even the foundation of One God and the new birth.

Not to mention Universalism planted and growing and well respected members openly teaching the Bible is corrupt.

I wouldn't say "bitterly anti-Oneness" describes this forum at all.

If anything, I'm more indifferent in terms of contending for "Oneness" theology, and more passionate about making it known that Jesus is LORD. I can't even think of a single poster that is "bitterly-anti-Oneness." There may be some who have been hurt by Pentecostal churches, harmed by its dangerous teachings, etc that post on here. But most of us just deeply care about what is right and what is true. The "bitter" word is tossed around very flippantly by Pennies for anyone that leaves them. It's a way to marginalize opposing voices. The tone of this "News" article is extremely bitter-sounding.

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Btw, I'm not supporting the TONE of the article; I doubt the actual intent of it is to protect children, but more about discouraging people from being exposed to anything other than the status quo.

I just happen to agree with them that children should usually be excluded from active participation in adult discussion forums. Even "Apostolic" ones. My children wouldn't be involved in debates on EA either. They're simply not ready for that yet.

I hear ya...

Everyone parents differently, and has different discretion. But in principle, I absolutely agree with you.

[aegsm76]

Originally Posted by Socialite

I wouldn't say "bitterly anti-Oneness" describes this forum at all.

If anything, I'm more indifferent in terms of contending for "Oneness" theology, and more passionate about making it known that Jesus is LORD. I can't even think of a single poster that is "bitterly-anti-Oneness." There may be some who have been hurt by Pentecostal churches, harmed by its dangerous teachings, etc that post on here. But most of us just deeply care about what is right and what is true. The "bitter" word is tossed around very flippantly by Pennies for anyone that leaves them. It's a way to marginalize opposing voices. The tone of this "News" article is extremely bitter-sounding.

Solite - you proved MTD's point better than he could.

[Baron1710]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

Baron - I like Voltaire's quote ""The pen is mightier than the sword."
Let me say though I may be on the other side of the "fence" regarding some issues than others here.
I never withheld ideas or debate from my children as they grew up. I did withhold some things until I thought they were old enough to "handle" or understand them.
I do believe that this is the problem with many that grow up in a religious household.
They never encounter any challenges to why they believe what they believe, so once they do start questioning themselves, they have no foundation on which to stand.
Hopefully you understand what I mean!

I don't think children being on here is the issue...it is about thought control. The fact is he says pastors should know where their parishioners are on the web...that kind of statement is cultic.

My kids have been on here long enough to play a joke on me and they have no interest in being on here at all. Someone already made the point that no kid would want to hang out on here.

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Baron1710

I don't think children being on here is the issue...it is about thought control. The fact is he says pastors should know where their parishioners are on the web...that kind of statement is cultic.

My kids have been on here long enough to play a joke on me and they have no interest in being on here at all. Someone already made the point that no kid would want to hang out on here.