I consider the blue-dot gif to be "innocent fun", and I am not offended. I even thought it was funny. (
My skin is not that thin... )
I just don't like to be "railed upon" and belittled for simply having a different opinion.
No one does.
I always try to ask the questions and make the statements that will encourage people to
think and
reason for themselves.
I always try to "lay it out there where they can pick it up" -- without trying to force it upon them.
I usually try not to get into 'stand-offs' with others unless I think that they are displaying an 'attitude' sufficient to warrant it - just to place a mirror in front of them to help them see what they look like - or some similar thing.
I try my best to
never "attack", "insult", or "belittle" anyone -- for, that is "personal" -- and, there is simply no cause for that on a site where Christian brothers and sisters should be having good fellowship -
especially in these last days...
I may at times "reprove" someone if I deem it to be warranted, but I always try to focus on the "what they did" that I believe crossed the line -- not - personal 'attributes' - like - their ability to think for themselves.
Now --
I am not perfect by any means. I have my "struggles" like everyone else. But -- there are several people on here who know me well enough by now ( I think ) - that can attest to the fact that I am [ at least ] "a fairly 'decent' guy"...
My personal beliefs aside, most people on here probably do not have any "disagreements" with me.
I have been here longer than my current account suggests. This is [ technically ] my third. ( 'GRA' once and 'GaryA' twice ) There are people here who have known me for something like five years ( or more ). They ( even the ones who might be inclined to say something 'negative' about me if you asked them about me ) would probably attest to the fact that what I am saying in this post is true -- that I respect the site staff and the other members, that I never talk to any female ( or male either, really ) in a way that is "personally inappropriate" - things like that...
Discussions may become 'candid', 'deep', 'funny', 'tense', or whatever. I always try to keep what I say in my posts centered on the topic of discussion -- and never let it get [ too ] 'personal' - never actually
target the person.
As we discuss our topics with 'fervor', let us not loose sight of the fact that the people with whom we are discussing those topics are [ hopefully ] our brothers and sisters in Christ.
We need each other more than ever - in these last days. Right?
I try to live by the Golden Rule. And, I try my best to "forgive and forget"...
In "real life" and on the internet.
I do not "hold grudges" against other members.
General Rule: New Thread, Clean Slate
(
I "treat" the discussion in each thread separately. I can be in heavy at-your-throat 'dispute' with someone in one thread while "laughing and cutting up" with the same person in another thread -- at the same time. WOW. Yes - I can do that. )
I do not put them on 'Ignore'. (
I can handle it. ( I am not criticizing anyone who does; it is just not my way of doing things. ) )
I try not to make reference to any post that any member makes in a Forum that cannot be seen by non-logged-in members. Those Forums are 'invisible' for a reason.
{
I have said enough. You get the idea. }
Besides ( snicker ), I took your 'lemonade' and opened a lemonade stand...