Asking for opinions members have

[LifeHiscost]

What is the difference betweena

Discussion board

and a

Debate board.

and what do you think my intend was with clubadventist.com?

Without going to the dictionary to supply what Webster might have to say about the difference between one and the other, I'd like to suggest a discussion board is a platform where ideas are presented on any one of many different subjects with responses expected with ideas being presented on the same subject, whether yea or nay, according to the opinion of the individuals taking part, hopefully without rancor building on the ideas expressed earlier, adding whatever would be helpful in arriving at a consensus of opinion.

OTOH, a debate board is a platform where ideas are presented on any number of different subjects considered to be truthful, with sides being taken either to add to the previous ideas or in rebuttal, neither side of the subject believing themselves to be in error on the topic being presented and using every possible idea to prove the reality of their own position, while discrediting, insofar as possible, that which they might feel jeopardizes their own position.

I'm of the opinion your intent when establishing Club Adventist, was to provide a platform for Christians to share ideas, and considering the name, Club Adventist, especially a safe place for Adventist Christians to gather for sharing ideas, without fear of ridicule or open attack re: their personal faith. IOW a discussion board.

"Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name."Malachi 3:16 NASB

Blessings!

[Overaged]

I think your intent with Club Adventist has always been to have a place online where people, (including Adventists - lol) of all kinds would be welcomed, and would be able to make atleast one friend; all in keeping with your motto "where no one stands alone." I think that is still your intention!

[Neil D]

What is the difference betweena

Discussion board

and a

Debate board.

and what do you think my intend was with clubadventist.com?

Wow....if ever there was an opening to infuse my desires with yours....this is the opening....[/tic]

The question begs to define friendship...and the applications of principles to encourage friendship....Friendship desires the wellbeing of others...it teases others in a good natured way, it sympathises and encourages...it even sometimes debates rather strongly...friendships give others a chance to pause in thier thinking and listen to new ideas...it allows people to be creative without undue harmful criticism [still not sure how that is done].....Sometimes a strong occasional debate does a friendship good....Sometimes it doesn't...but the friendship continues...as long as kindness toward others prevail...

Your question kinda implys that this board has failed in achieving these lofty goals...It implys that there are more destructive debates than created friendships...It also implys that you are tired of dealing with these destructive posts and are irritated with the people posting them.....Perhaps you have taken the position that this board has failed you....and failed in realizing your dream of created friendships....

I have been with ClubAdventist for a long time....I think I can say that I have been here for at least 10 years...and I don't post nearly as much as I should to create and encourage friendships...perhaps it's because I see so much thought that is destructive....or that posts indicate ill will toward others who are not Adventist...or missionary minded enough to convert others...And I don't see my people living up to the standards that belong to a child of God...the desire of good for others, even at thier own expense....I have seen all this, and desire a better board myself....selfish though that thought may be....

So, if you don't see a funny story anymore, or many of my posts the way they used to be, perhaps you can understand why....And why I see that there is much to surmise in your question, Stan....

Try to be at peace, Stan...

[phkrause]

Neil I tend to agree with your post. But unlike you I still post as much if not more now than when I first joined. I just ignore those, not always, that tend to argue when they agree or disagree with you. Its like you can't win for losing. hahaha

I do appreciate your posts, even when I might disagree with you, because like you mentioned we all don't always agree, that's just life. Lets allow others there opinion without telling them they are ignorant for there choice's.

[Rondo]

Quote:

Gerry Cabalo said:

I think a good example of the difference between discussion and debate can be seen in the thread on "Rondo..." and "Disconnect". In the former, you have people coming in telling you that what you believe is all wrong. You can easily see how this immediately becomes a debate. In the latter, I believe there is a genuine desire to know the truth.

My objective is to keep the various studies based on the Bible, not EGW or just someone else's source. But we should not be afraid of sources that are discussing scripture and show that we might be going down a wrong path. Example: New Covenant Theology.

[Rondo]

Debate is usually more formal and can have individuals arguing a side the do not believe in order to bring out all sides. There mayb be a "Devil's Advocate".

Discussion is usually more informal with people stating their views, and not in "Devil's Advocate" manner.

I would say Stan meant this to be a discussion form, thou I have seen him put a "Devil's Advocate" comment in to stir discussion.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Discussion is where people can come together and talk about various topics and exchange ideas. Debate is where one side tries to persuade in a certain direction, including the idea of "I am right, and you are wrong."

I think Stan intended the forum to be a DISCUSSION venue. But it has turned more and more into a DEBATE arena, which is why I don't come here very often anymore. People are getting mean-spirited, and coming here isn't any fun anymore.

And just for the record, posting chapters upon chapters of EGW writings is not discussion. I could go to another site to read that.

And people who come to the forum to *persuade* other members that what Adventists believe is wrong, are coming here to debate. I don't see debate in stating what one believes. But I don't like it when someone acts like they have a corner market on the truth....and I've seen that here A LOT recently. It makes me want to run for cover because I'm afraid of being attacked if I say the wrong thing.

It's late. And I'm still very sick. Good night.. I hope you all have a good Sabbath.

[Gordon1]

Hi Stan,

Thank you for hosting.

I've not seen where Christ encouraged or engaged in debate. EGW discouraged such practice because it gives Satan advantage.

Christians will share truth as found in the Bible and respond to error with an earnest desire to represent Christ and save souls. How can a follower of the Saviour use scorn, mockery, ridicule, or even taunt another? These are not God's methods and they defy the first forum rule: 'Play well with others'. If you seek to encourage a more even-toned participation, you may need to enforce this rule.

Christian discussion OTOH, is a pooling of Bible perceptions as found in a good Sabbath School class (from those who've cracked the book). Mutual respect and serious intent mark their deportment.

Others here lament the bitterness & sarcasm of debate with good reason. Debate is usually to defend my position; discussion is to discover God's will.

Serious error must be met, but not with railing or ad hominem attacks. Christ relied upon Scripture when meeting the accuser of the brethren. He focussed upon erroneous teaching, not in tearing down individuals. (Conversely, Apollyon or Abbadon is the destroyer.)

John 317's efforts at objective moderating are to be commended.

--------------------------

What do you think my intent was with CA?

Not sure Stan. Now that you've had some feedback, it would help if you offer your own words of intent & was it met or not.

(I don't believe online forums can substitute for real community - the apparent similarities can mask great differences)

Did you envision this direction? What would you change?

Gordon

[phkrause]

Discussion is where people can come together and talk about various topics and exchange ideas. Debate is where one side tries to persuade in a certain direction, including the idea of "I am right, and you are wrong."

I think Stan intended the forum to be a DISCUSSION venue. But it has turned more and more into a DEBATE arena, which is why I don't come here very often anymore. People are getting mean-spirited, and coming here isn't any fun anymore.

And just for the record, posting chapters upon chapters of EGW writings is not discussion. I could go to another site to read that.

And people who come to the forum to *persuade* other members that what Adventists believe is wrong, are coming here to debate. I don't see debate in stating what one believes. But I don't like it when someone acts like they have a corner market on the truth....and I've seen that here A LOT recently. It makes me want to run for cover because I'm afraid of being attacked if I say the wrong thing.

It's late. And I'm still very sick. Good night.. I hope you all have a good Sabbath.

rudywoofs I for one appreciate your input on this forum. So I'd hate to see you not partissipate(sp) because you are afraid of being attack, or feel that you are being attack. But having said that I'd like to make a comment, I also don't care for all the long postings of EGW or even the Bible, but I think that those that do that have the right to post what they like to talk about or even read. You can just skip or ignore those threads, this should not be a big deal. I think we need to accommodate all. And I definitely agree with you on the fact that people should be able to state there opinions without getting jumped on for saying something that might be a little different than someone else. I do hope I have not offended you by my reply to your post, if I have I apologize.

And Happy Sabbath to you too. :)

[Woody]

all in the eye of the beholder

[Ellen]

"As soon as someone becomes pushy and is not interested in what I might have to say in return, that person has lost me. "

Interesting you would say that. Today I see there are a couple news articles about how narcisistic posters are on Facebook.

We all like to see our names and our ideas and without that there is no interest.

If you want to get someone to like you and hear you, talk about them and make a fuss about them.

As a former literature evangelist that little bit of information goes a long ways to getting a chance to make a sale.

I like debates, in Canada CBC has a programme called "The Debators" and they have included extra credit for being funny. If the listeners (readers) know it is a debate they will understand that everything has to be black and white on that side.

In a discussion you can sit on the fence and please everybody.