Walking away from forums

[ATP]

How many are struggling with walking away and deleting account for good;

from the arguments, confusion, obsessions and silliness that forums represent.

 

[OzSpen]

How many are struggling with walking away and deleting account for good;

from the arguments, confusion, obsessions and silliness that forums represent.

How close are you to doing that? What are your reasons for giving up on Christian forums? I'm close to doing it.

 

[ATP]

How close are you to doing that? What are your reasons for giving up on Christian forums? I'm close to doing it.

Well, I've already made up my mind to do it. Three years arguing about scripture is enough for me.

 

[mjrhealth]

Well, I've already made up my mind to do it. Three years arguing about scripture is enough for me.

Thats teh whole problem, its the bible that is argued about, not necessarily scripture.

In all His Love

 

[ATP]

Thats teh whole problem, its the bible that is argued about, not necessarily scripture.

In all His Love

No, the problem is with the internet in general. It's corrupt at its core. It's all part of knowledge increased, end time prophecy.

 

[ATP]

We don't need forums to have the Holy Spirit guide us. Less confusion, arguing etc...we choose to be here.

 

[heretoeternity]

Seems you folks are a bit arrogant....the forums should be considered a learning experience, getting another persons' opinion, and quotes from the Bible, and conveying your own opinion..it is not about winning or losing, it is about sharing knowledge and information, especially about the Bible.

 

[Bibliocentrist]

Yeah often/sometimes i want to walk away from forums/net and struggle to too.
My some/main reasons include: i have other more important things i seriously need/want to do; i struggle with guilt about pride/flesh/mammon (& consequences); i don't like that on most forums i have posted on in last 8 years its mostly just been people arguing/disagreeing/criticising/attacking /ignoring /banning / never-agreeing (and i have not made/meet any friends on any forums and very few on the net/web); plus i suspect that there is going to be a big digital crash in future and alot will be lost; and because the last 1-2 years broadband and windows changes may mean i will loose the net/web anytime (as i did for a few days a couple of weeks ago) because they are trying to force me to change/switch to broadband/windows 7/8 so they can surveialance me like everyone else (i can't change to them even if i want because of various reasons/problems and they force it to be accept theirs or go without).
Just because people are "christians" doesn't mean they are any better than others.
I have a hell situation & condition too which is sometimes part of the reason for my own negativeness on forums.
Even the academic moderator of Arthurnet resigned because she responded negatively to person/s.
Someone once suggested to me to just take a sabbatical for awhile instead of quiting.
Some forums i have been banned from so i can't stay/return even if i wanted to (historum, israelforum, arthurnet, skadi, etc).
You could try some other forums/groups like
http://www.thechristadelphians.org/forums/index.php
http://theloveofgod.proboards.com/

 

[ATP]

Seems you folks are a bit arrogant....the forums should be considered a learning experience, getting another persons' opinion, and quotes from the Bible, and conveying your own opinion..it is not about winning or losing, it is about sharing knowledge and information, especially about the Bible.

Yeah they should be considered..but the reality is the complete opposite. The internet is a monster filled with false prophets, lies, avatar worship and the antichrist spirit. It is not about winning or losing yet all christian forums possess debate sections? Christians fighting with christians does nothing for the kingdom of God. I can't believe I did this for the three years.

 

[OzSpen]

Thats teh whole problem, its the bible that is argued about, not necessarily scripture.

In all His Love

That's part of the issue that drives me away from forums, your quibbling over Bible being different from Scripture. They are one and the same. It's only your invented difference.

Oz

 

[OzSpen]

Seems you folks are a bit arrogant....the forums should be considered a learning experience, getting another persons' opinion, and quotes from the Bible, and conveying your own opinion..it is not about winning or losing, it is about sharing knowledge and information, especially about the Bible.

I think you have a point. I don't think it's a matter arrogance but of seeing little being achieved. Perhaps we should look at Christian forums this way: 'As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.' (Prov 27:17 NIV). But it too often turns into a battlefield of one wanting to defeat the other.

Oz

 

[GerhardEbersoehn]

Well, I've already made up my mind to do it. Three years arguing about scripture is enough for me.

Only 30 years?! O, only 3 years?!

60 years in my case, and the Scriptures have given me both zest for and purpose in life every day of those years plus!

 

[OzSpen]

Only 30 years?! O, only 3 years?!

60 years in my case, and the Scriptures have given me both zest for and purpose in life every day of those years plus!

Gerhard,

I praise God for your conclusion. Discussion, debate and even dissension over Scripture has not removed my resolve to serve the Lord and be edified daily by the Scriptures.

Oz

 

[Josho]

Some people read their Bibles and aren't in 100% agreement with God's word, i think that's how most of the arguments start of.

 

[mjrhealth]

Some people read their Bibles and aren't in 100% agreement with God's word, i think that's how most of the arguments start of.

The problem is they are not in agreement with God.;

 

[OzSpen]

Some people read their Bibles and aren't in 100% agreement with God's word, i think that's how most of the arguments start of.

Very insightful,. Josho. Seems as though many have a better knowledge of God's ways than God himself. When the Bible's content rattles the life and views, what gives way? The Bible and not the person. Submitting to the teaching of Scripture is a challenge that many don't want to obey.

What was Jesus' view? 'He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." (Luke 11:28 NIV).

I know which side I want to be on and that is being an obedient believer who hears God's word and obeys it.

Oz

 

[HammerStone]

I don't see quite such a disconnect from "real" interaction in the world other than the propensity for people to be a little more overt in rudeness. I'd even say that forums encourage people to be a little more open than they might be with someone face to face.

That said, you'll all say I am biased because I own a forum, and to a small extent that's probably true. In all candor, I get quite frustrated with people all the time and have thought about walking away from forums. I've even walked away from Facebook. Part of me regrets the decision because I know from various interactions, I've held some great discussions with folks and I think (most of the time), I've tried to use the medium to point them to Christ. However, my failings are also on display when I get too political or too willing to score a point rather than thinking for the longterm and making a difference, as Andy Stanley puts it.

I think that at the end of the day, forums take a good bit of maturity to realize there are people that are like Paul and will require their own Damascus road, but then there are so many people who are reached that you may never talk to on the forum. I recall the parables dealing with seeds - the germination of which always come later, on God's time and not my own.

I also think one must have the wisdom to see beyond disagreement and realize that other person is imago Dei and fallen just as we are. That's the hardest part, but it goes a long way in dealing with people. Too often, my opinion of the Bible trumps anyone elses, and results in squabbling and namecalling. That tends to happen in real life, too, even though it may be a little more subtle. Christians seem to love to shoot their wounded.

 

[OzSpen]

I don't see quite such a disconnect from "real" interaction in the world other than the propensity for people to be a little more overt in rudeness. I'd even say that forums encourage people to be a little more open than they might be with someone face to face.

That said, you'll all say I am biased because I own a forum, and to a small extent that's probably true. In all candor, I get quite frustrated with people all the time and have thought about walking away from forums. I've even walked away from Facebook. Part of me regrets the decision because I know from various interactions, I've held some great discussions with folks and I think (most of the time), I've tried to use the medium to point them to Christ. However, my failings are also on display when I get too political or too willing to score a point rather than thinking for the longterm and making a difference, as Andy Stanley puts it.

I think that at the end of the day, forums take a good bit of maturity to realize there are people that are like Paul and will require their own Damascus road, but then there are so many people who are reached that you may never talk to on the forum. I recall the parables dealing with seeds - the germination of which always come later, on God's time and not my own.

I also think one must have the wisdom to see beyond disagreement and realize that other person is imago Dei and fallen just as we are. That's the hardest part, but it goes a long way in dealing with people. Too often, my opinion of the Bible trumps anyone elses, and results in squabbling and namecalling. That tends to happen in real life, too, even though it may be a little more subtle. Christians seem to love to shoot their wounded.

Hammer,

That's an exceedingly mature observation and I commend you for such penetrating observations.

I find the forum to be a place where considered views can be expressed that are not possible with instant conversation. Research is possible for the forum but not in person-to-person. Many are not able to give off the cuff comments about: (1) Why there are objections to Pauline authorship of the pastoral epistles; (2) Why didn't Jesus say more about homosexuality? (3) What kind of national health scheme is best for the country? etc.

In Christ,
Oz

 

[Barrd]

Seems you folks are a bit arrogant....the forums should be considered a learning experience, getting another persons' opinion, and quotes from the Bible, and conveying your own opinion..it is not about winning or losing, it is about sharing knowledge and information, especially about the Bible.

That's what I thought, too, Heretoeternity.
Very few people seem to be here to discuss. Almost everyone fancies him/herself to be a teacher...the "Ultimate Authority" on all things Christian.
That idea that what we are doing here is "arguing about Scripture" seems pretty prevalent here...

 

[Joyful]

That's what I thought, too, Heretoeternity.
Very few people seem to be here to discuss. Almost everyone fancies him/herself to be a teacher...the "Ultimate Authority" on all things Christian.
That idea that what we are doing here is "arguing about Scripture" seems pretty prevalent here...

I don't think discussion is going on in the forums. It is very rare, unless you want to learn from other Christians.

I think most of us already made up our mind about our faith.

We can learn from the Bible instead of other Christians. It is direct teaching from the Lord. At least it is this way for me.

I am in the forum to spread my convictions.

blessings.