Love WON another

[Taylor]

You have some good points as well Shane. I think we can't controll other's reactions to what happens but we need to be a committee of one to make sure that we don't react or that we don't antagonize people either. If everyone did this then the reactive and the antagonistic people would both calm down a bit and if they didn't they would just demonstrate what kind of people they really were and we wouldn't have to stress about it so much.

I think another thing to bear in mind is that sometimes when people attack another person it is because they themselves are hurting badly and are just taking out their pain on another person because coping has become too much. I think this can help us view people who attack with some compassion instead of disgust. (of course this isn't always the case but I have seen it be the case many times throughout my life.)

I think we also need to think about the fact that much is lost over the internet, the voice intonation, the facial expressions, the body language and what we might view as very offensive might indeed not be offensive if we were in the situation "in person" "face to face".

This community needs to be known as being a safe place where honest discussion can take place without attacks.

[David Koot]

you went on your rant

[Taylor]

Perhaps so but his point was about ultra conservatives because of the Dennis Sellers thing and if you noticed he appologized saying that he shouldn't have characterized a group either.

Redwood wrote: I would gladly erase what I wrote about conservatives vs liberal but I can't. I do not feel it was the appropriate place to address my observation. So ... for that I apologize and ask all to overlook my mistake. (Direct quote from above post). Maybe you missed that?

[David Koot]

No, I didn't miss it, but what I read sounded ambiguous--and to that ambiguity I responded. That, and the concern about demeaning others, as well as the importance of sticking to the issues.

Dave

[Taylor]

David I have nothing against you, but maybe you'll feel better if you don't read into things quite so much. I have no idea exactly what Redwood meant as I am not inside his head nor have I ever met him but just take an appology as an appology even if the wording isn't quite right. Usually that works for me.

[Taylor]

This is not directed at David or anyone on this list...just comments in general:

On a different topic...having nothing to do with this situation in particular but I think it is wise advice that I once got from a friend.

If we cease to have expectations of people they will not disappoint us. When they do not behave in ways that are pleasing to us, we don't have to get upset because we didn't necesarily expect them to agree with us or see things our way, or even God's way. However, if they are nice, even a little nice we can be excited because we also didn't expect that either. (This was told to me by a friend who had been deeply hurt by a very sad situation in his church where they had to let the pastor go due to some serious problems. My friend was a new SDA at a time and that really rattled him. However, since he has changed his expectations, he has gone on to be a very solid firm SDA whose eyes are much more focused on Jesus than the "rights" or "wrongs" of others.)

We need to be harder on ourselves than on others. And we should be friends with people even if they appear to be prickley (And please don't think I am calling ANYONE on Club Adventist Prickly. I have no one in mind by saying this...I am just speaking in generalities).

Jesus loves everyone, the super liberals as well as the super conservatives and everyone in between. I love the Title of a book I once saw "Jesus loves you JUST the way you are but he loves you too much to leave you there".

[David Koot]

David I have nothing against you, but maybe you'll feel better if you don't read into things quite so much.

I am a little surprised that you are making such an issue of this. HOwever, you need to recognize that others may read the same thing you do, and come away with a different understanding. I think that is what disucssion forums are all about. It is fine for you to have the understanding you do. I have a different understanding. That kind of stuff can be sorted out, through study and discussion, but . . . for a person to say that someone with a different understanding is 'reading into things,' and that s/he will 'feel better' that way, is dismissive. I encourage you to give others the freedom to have their perceptions, and to respect what they have to offer.

[Taylor]

Well David, that is what I have always tried to do. I am a very laid back person who rarely gets upset at anyone, including you. And I am not upset at you in any way. I was just making a point cuz I thought you had missed the appology above (by Redwood), that is all. Or that somehow you were upset and I was just sharing what works for me if when I feel frustrated with someone.

I want you to have all the freedom you need to have your perceptions, and to respect what you have to offer. I would never ever want to take that away from you. I respect everyone here online, whether I agree with them or disagree with them. I am the type of person who loves people and have friends from many walks of life, backgrounds, races, and "leanings". I learn from others and enjoy the differences. I also LOVE to study my Bible and EGW's writings and other excellent sources.

I am really sorry if I offended you in any way. It was not my intent at all. But if in some way I brought frustration or pain your way I am sorry.

[David Koot]

But if in some way I brought frustration or pain your way

You didn't.

[Taylor]

Good cuz I value you and everyone else here at CA