Confrontational

[Key Guy]

I have a friend who lives by the phrase, "Thus saith the Lord". He does not browbeat with it, but does use that to demonstrate the source of his opinions. I admire that. It's hard to argue with God's chosen messengers.

If we all study to discern what the Lord says, we will all develop beliefs that 'converge'.

[Neil D]

I usually only post things I would say to a person's face.

I have many scars and bruises.

Graeme

Honest Graeme, when we met and talked, I never laid a hand on you....except to lower you to the ground...

[Gail]

Originally Posted By: Planey

I usually only post things I would say to a person's face.

I have many scars and bruises.

Honest Graeme, when we met and talked, I never laid a hand on you....except to lower you to the ground...

You mean you did that on purpose? I thought that was just one of Graeme's many tricks! :)

[GreatLakesGramma]

Quote:

And BTW, the sting of ridicule or disdain, for the most part is largely of none affect when a person is confident of his/her place in God's plan of salvation.

That is correct!

If we can't stand the 'heat' in a forum of mostly like believers, how will we expect to stand the slings and arrows, the highly personal and spiritual attacks of the representatives of our adversary. The term 'ridicule' will seem kind.

As you stated, confidence is the key to withstanding anyone's attacks.

Do you think that is the only reason people dislike hostile discussions?

Once the epithets and accusations start flying, it's not worth the time and energy it takes to sort through all the hostility looking for something worth reading.

[LifeHiscost]

If God gives a msg to a person to convey to His people, he is also going to equip that person with the ways and means to get that msg out. DB

TU

"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."Isaiah 55:11 NKJV

Regards!

[Key Guy]

Quote:

Do you think that is the only reason people dislike hostile discussions?

No (I don't think I said that).

There are several reasons. It is my goal to try to balance appropriate discussions that won't diss anybody. I'm kidding myself, of course, but I can try.

Anytime anyone holds to an opinion, they will have disagreements from others. Unavoidable.

[LifeHiscost]

Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do.

And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with

– even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department.

Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently. Romans 14.1: The Message

There is no doubt in my mind that to restrict answers to those answers that only please people is more comfortable. However is it safe, enduring and honest for all concerned.

"Beware of your friends; do not trust your brothers. For every brother is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer." Jeremiah 9:4 NIV

I didn't read this in context so I'm not sure where Jeremiah was at the time he said this. However I remember he was on a mission the Lord had asked him to fulfill and he was, at a certain time, put down into a pit for speaking out plainly. So if there were empty pews because he was doing the Lords will, could we say sometimes one can expect to receive abuse and disassociation as a result of some who might fit into this category below.

"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables."

2 Timothy 4:2-4 NKJV

"He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Prov 18:24 ASV

Regards!

[LifeHiscost]

There is only one truth, right?

Correct! However I have a long way to go before I understand Him the way He wants me to know Him. (understatement of the year).

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

John 14:6 KJV

Regards!

[LifeHiscost]

If we all study to discern what the Lord says, we will all develop beliefs that 'converge'.

Especially as we approach the end of all things, as we know them.

"He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?" Luke 10:26 KJV

" Let each be fully convinced in his own mind." Romans 14:5 NKJV

"Love....is ever ready to believe the best of every person"1 Corinthians 13:7 AMP

"EAGERLY PURSUE and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy ( interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching)."

1 Corinthians 14:1 AMP

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."Hebrews 12:2 KJV

Blessings!

[LifeHiscost]

As you stated, confidence is the key to withstanding anyone's attacks.

Do you think that is the only reason people dislike hostile discussions?

Once the epithets and accusations start flying, it's not worth the time and energy it takes to sort through all the hostility looking for something worth reading.

[LifeHiscost]

Many times it is due to fear, other times it is due to an over-inflated view of self and sometimes it is simply an emotional response that is later regretted.

[Gail]

Hear hear

[jasd]

QR frame:

With all due respect to the concerned...

I noticed that no matter how phrased, there is a prepacked recourse to a “truth” [as agreeably defined]. In keeping to agreement with ‘truths’ as they may actually obtain – agreeable or not – following:

>>The Christian is to be sympathetic as well as true, pitiful and courteous as well as upright and honest. {AH 427.2}

[...]

Such an examination, honestly made, will reveal the fact that they, too, have defects of character, and have made grave blunders in their work.<<

Okay, the [sometimes] occurring tendency to causticity of its author aside -- I attempt, with some difficulty, to meet the criteria above; soooo, what part of the above does not describe my very self?

Are we not confusing the goals of a forum with those of a traveling chorale? I may be wrong; however, I thought that a good post from this list – attempts to stimulate thought – not to reinforce a communal definition of curds and whey and toadstools...

The engines of Xtians ought to tick and pinckle.

My tuppence.

________________________

Whatsoever thine hand findeth to do, do so with vigoricity – else just twiddle and navel gaze... that thou mayest be found – as the neutered. –jasd 12:12

[lazarus]

Are we not confusing the goals of a forum with those of a traveling chorale? I may be wrong; however, I thought that a good post from this list – attempts to stimulate thought – not to reinforce a communal definition of curds and whey and toadstools...

Well said jasd!

[lazarus]

Did I just post that? :)

[Key Guy]

I have a long way to go before I understand Him the way He wants me to know Him. (understatement of the year).

Do we wait until we are in perfect harmony with God before we express our opinions or beliefs? If we did that, no one would evangelize or even witness for the Lord.

[GreatLakesGramma]

Quote:

Do you think that is the only reason people dislike hostile discussions?

No (I don't think I said that).

There are several reasons. It is my goal to try to balance appropriate discussions that won't diss anybody. I'm kidding myself, of course, but I can try.

Anytime anyone holds to an opinion, they will have disagreements from others. Unavoidable.

I don't mind disagreements. Disagreements make things interesting. Hostility is totally unnecessary, and ruins what would have been a good discussion. It has been my observation that hostile attacks most often come when someone is backed into a corner and knows he/she doesn't have a leg to stand on. If there were reasonable arguments to support their position, they would use them.

[jasd]

Colour me flabbergasted, absolutely!

[Key Guy]

It has been my observation that hostile attacks most often come when someone is backed into a corner and knows he/she doesn't have a leg to stand on. If there were reasonable arguments to support their position, they would use them.

Sadly, I have posted points that were completely ignored. That was demonstrated by a regurgitation of a previous litany. I took that to mean that there were no more legs to stand on. It wasn't a hostile attack, it was a deflection. That can cause me aggravation, encouraging my more pointed reply.

Then the tensions escalate. Fortunately, I have ID'd some of the 'frequent fliers' that do it and am avoiding serious discussions with them.

Less confrontation!

[GreatLakesGramma]

Fortunately, I have ID'd some of the 'frequent fliers' that do it and am avoiding serious discussions with them.

Less confrontation!

[Stan]

What is so important that people need to be backed in to a corner..

[Planey]

Did I just post that?

Preserve this post, Laz.

Probably not going to be repeated any time soon.

Graeme

[GreatLakesGramma]

I know it's been brought up already, but what I would like to see is a forum for discussing controversial issues in a friendly, respectful manner. This is a kind of discussion I really enjoy - one where all participants pay attention to other people's opinions and actually think about them, instead of just reacting. Sadly, it's a very rare thing.

I simply do not understand why people feel threatened by others having different opinions than theirs. Although, when it comes to politics, I can, since people who have opinions diametrically opposed to yours often try to force you to live by theirs, in a manner which is abhorrent to your own view of what is good, right, and worthwhile. That is something I definitely fight against.

Actually, I don't fight, I just ignore them and do my own thing anyway, even if they do try to make it illegal. When my state was trying to stamp out home births, I had my daughter at home anyway. And later, I homeschooled when they were arresting homeschool parents. There were enough others who did the same thing that they eventually gave up on both issues.

[Planey]

Originally Posted By: Neil D

Honest Graeme' date=' when we met and talked, I never laid a hand on you....except to lower you to the ground... [/quote']

You mean you did that on purpose? I thought that was just one of Graeme's many tricks!

One of my tricks?

Surely you jest!

All I know is that one second I was happily conversing with Neil, the next I was on my back on the grass, gazing at the beautful wide blue Australian sky.

Not accusing anybody or anything, now...

Graeme

[GreatLakesGramma]

What is so important that people need to be backed in to a corner..

On the forum, backing someone into a corner usually happens because the other party has more reasonable support for their position, and the "backee" feels threatened by that position. It isn't something that is necessarily done on purpose by the "backer" though if they're the aggressive sort, it could very well be deliberate.