Why the anger or sarcasm?

[Taylor]

I thought this was an SDA forum? It seems to me that many have an ax to grind with the SDA church or the beliefs of the church as many feel are spelled out in the Bible.

If you don't agree with someone else isn't that ok? God leads us all along at the best rate for us. Can't we agree to disagree but do it in a kind spirit?

In my opinion, any name calling, sarcams, or inferring that someone's opinion is not worth listening to is unchristian. Whether you believe in EGW, the Sabbath, tithing, the organized church, our school system the interpretation of Pauls' writings or not can't we disagree in a way that is kind and considerate?

What if you are against something and you are actually right? What if you are "for something" and are actually wrong? I think we can learn from each other, and have any differences in opinion simply point us back to the Bible to study things out for ourselves. We are here to help each other and inspire each other not to cut each other down. The blanket that covers all laws and doctrins is that we are to love each other as much as we love ourselves and we love God supremly.

Just my opinion.........

[Bravus]

You're absolutely right, Taylor.

[Amelia]

Taylor,

Yes you are correct. But with this unique way of communicating, the internet, you also get the dr. jeckle and mr. hyde effect. People tend to act and react on the internet contrary to how they would in real life. A daily struggle for everyone who posts here.

[cricket]

Seems to be a cyclical pattern here at Club Adventist. Somehow I feel as if we'd covered this ground about sarcasm before. I'm sure we'll all come around eventually.

[Amelia]

And the wheels on the bus go round and round....

[Nicodema]

I totally agree with you Taylor -- in theory. That is, I view what you are saying as the standard. I don't always live up to that standard, admittedly, but I try, and I am growing. I think the thing we each need to remember is that when we stumble on this, we make it that much harder for our brothers and sisters to bear up because we burden them with an added stress they don't need and provoke the opposite of what we are trying to achieve. I think success in this runs two ways: first, we need to keep our own spirits in check; second, we need to avoid provoking one another to a wrong spirit too. If we each made both things priorities and responsibilities in ourselves we'd see less bickering and ugliness.

[Anthony!]

Thank you Taylor... you said it all.

Blessings...

[LifeHiscost]

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I thought this was an SDA forum? It seems to me that many have an ax to grind with the SDA church or the beliefs of the church as many feel are spelled out in the Bible.

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I haven't read enough of your posts to know if these principles of conduct are familiar to you, Taylor. However just because I agree with everything you said in your post doesn't mean that will clear the air for logical behaviour by professed followers of Christ, anymore than those who walked on earth with Him were always in tune with Him. But of course the question is why, and when that's answered can I still long for my brethren to be in heaven with me, and yes, one step ahead of me?

[:"red"] "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." [/] Ephesians 6:12 KJV

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Can't we agree to disagree but do it in a kind spirit?

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If one is espousing something contrary to the truth, no matter how vehemently we may believe it to be true, the Spirit of God will not give His conviction. Therefore kindness, a gift of the Spirit, will be lacking in the forwarding of that idea, although there could be perhaps a counterfeit.

[:"red"] "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." [/]

2 Corinthians 11:14 KJV

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can't we disagree in a way that is kind and considerate?

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Not according to John 15:5

[:"red"]"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." [/] NASB

[:"red"] "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." [/] Matthew 10:34 KJV

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The blanket that covers all laws and doctrines is that we are to love each other as much as we love ourselves and we love God supremly.

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I recall in another thread, I think a post of Nico's, it was quoted that as soon as the character of Christ was perfectly reproduced in His children, He would return. And I believe that was in reference to returning to this earth.

If that quote refers to the individual follower of Christ it will never happen. If it refers to the body of Christ on earth, we aren't the one's primarily holding up His return.

How do I know this?

[:"red"] "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone..." [/] John 8:7

[:"red"] "The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance." [/]

2 Peter 3:9 AMP

There is another way one could look at that. There were none present at that circumstance that were without sin, and it didn't reflect the universal condition of man. However, how does one deal with this.

[:"red"] "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one..." [/] Romans 3:10 KJV

[:"red"] "...for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." [/] Romans 14:23 KJV

Of course, it never hurts to be reminded of where we ought to be. I just see no reason to let someone else's fall from grace let my blood pressure rise.

Lift Jesus up!!

[Taylor]

Amelia said: "But with this unique way of communicating, the internet, you also get the dr. jeckle and mr. hyde effect. People tend to act and react on the internet contrary to how they would in real life. A daily struggle for everyone who posts here. "

I would certainly hope so! If our churches are as hostile it is no wonder that some leave the church saying "if this is Christianity I don't want anything to do with it." As I heard one Pastor say "To live with the saints in glory, oh that will be glory, to live with the saints below, well that is another story." heee

However, I think it is especially important on the internet to be careful what we say and how we say it. IT is there, not just as the first "jab" that you might get in a conversation, but it is there to be read over and over again, causing not only damage to the one we were rude to but to others as they come along and read it again. We can have differing opinions without cutting each other down. Truth does not change, but how we present that truth should be in the kindest way possible.

[NormF]

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"... but I try

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That's funny, exactly what my wife says about me: "You're trying, very trying!"

Regards,

Norm

[Guest]

Taylor,,

This is where we get training on how to love one's enemies.

[Anthony!]

How about boot camp for JimBob7 then?

[Nicodema]

ROFL. Sometimes I need "boot camp" too.

[David_McQueen]

Some of us can get angry with subjects that are close to heart. Take abortion, race for example. It is easy to forget sometimes that the conversation is public and get angry. Especially if the conversation is reminiscent of something that has happened offline. Like BOARD MEETING!

Although some of you may have been able to handle such emotions for those who still can get irked, well we are learning day by day. Such is the burden of humanity.

[Robert]

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In my opinion, any name calling, sarcasm, or inferring that someone's opinion is not worth listening to is unchristian.

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You forgot belittling and acting self-righteous not to mention coming off as know-it-alls. ALL of us are guilty to varying degrees.

Like the song goes, "Why can't be friends, why can't we be friends?" Well, it must be because of our human natures! It isn't so easy turning the other cheek or not rendering evil for evil.

Just today I read someone's reply that was belittling and sarcastic....Immediately my flesh overwhelmed me and prompted me to tell the guy to F* myself. Well I didn't because I gave into the Spirit's voice, but it was hard not letting go on this guy.

By God's grace we must individually seek to "walk in the Spirit" when someone attacks. That will be my aim....

Rob

[Guest]

[John317]

Taylor,

You expressed my thoughts and feelings exactly. I work all day with troubled youth and must hear anger, etc., expressed almost constantly. I joined AdventistForum thinking that at last I would be free from such things as anger and sarcasm.

I'd like to make a serious proposal: How about making a new forum to be called something like "ExAdventistForum" or "ForumForAnger&Sarcasm"? Jim

[Clio]

Ex Adventist Forum?

[John317]

I have worked for the past 18 years with young criminals who will do and say just about everything imaginable to show their anger and hatred. I actually love my work, though, and honestly have learned how to take that sort of behavior without getting angry and without even having a desire to "get back." Sometimes I think the Lord put me in that position for a reason, just like He put Moses among the sheep to teach him something about people.

OK, I have patience and know how to love my enemy. But I don't feel that I need some additional training in that sort of thing at AdventistForum. I think I get it enouph at my work in 10 to 12 hour shifts and see no good reason why I need it for another 5 or 6. You see, when I come home after breaking up fights, listening to foul language and being called "niggah," "dog" and "cracker" all day, and click onto AdventistForum, I guess I am just looking for some good Christian fellowship and not for some more of what I was hoping I left behind at my work. If I can't find love and fellowship among other Adventists, where am I going to find it?

[Neil D]

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I guess I am just looking for some good Christian fellowship and not for some more of what I was hoping I left behind at my work. If I can't find love and fellowship among other Adventists, where am I going to find it?

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It's here, but you have to understand, when you bring up old emotional theological controversys, you gonna have to expect someone is just as emotional about it as you are....and they maybe have another point of view that is contrary to what you "just know" to be right....It is possible to stay low, be friendly, and pass a few jokes about and have a few more friends than what you expected...

[Nicodema]

Not resurrecting dead threads would be an excellent start ... no one on ANY forum that I know of really appreciates that.

[lazarus]

If consider myself a Christian and when I argue/discuss I express a whole range of emotions from anger to delight, to frustration, to irritation to joy.

I think MOST come to this forum with good intentions. Sometimes we misunderstand eachother. I think the rough stuff is part of the nature of message boards.

Club Adventist has moderators, has guidelines. If we think they are not stricts enough say something.

All SDA detractors, for me, are welcome, Neo-cons are welcome (although I feel like strangling them all!) racists in denial are welcome (they are already here) the list goes on.

You can find genuine christian fellowship here as well as hate.

"bring it on" as our fearless leader says.

[Taylor]

I've very much enjoyed CA and agree that there are problems with how one can express themselves over the internet since no one can see facial expressions. When I wrote this thread nearly a year ago..there were some real fireworks going on in a couple of threads. I REALLY appreciate the moderators however, and have nothing against them. And I think most people are well intentioned. It just doesn't always come accrossed perfectly, but hey neither does what I post, sometimes. lol

[LifeHiscost]

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John317 said:

Taylor,

You expressed my thoughts and feelings exactly. I work all day with troubled youth and must hear anger, etc., expressed almost constantly. I joined AdventistForum thinking that at last I would be free from such things as anger and sarcasm.

Jim

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[:"red"] "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" [/] 1 Peter 5:8 KJV

[:"red"] "But I am not surprised! Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light." [/]

2 Corinthians 11:12 NLT