I just came from a thread that someone posted about leaving CC due to all the bickering. The thread: http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/99449-so-much-arguing-4.html. That thread inspired this thread.
Unfortunately, even on that thread, people began fighting. I've seen several people post threads about leaving CC due to all the strife; I don't know how many I haven't seen or how many people have left quietly like I almost did. But here's a different approach: instead of saying what everyone already knows (that people argue a lot on CC), I want to mention some of the reasons people fight on here (and basically in every other Christian setting). Here we go:
1. Pride. I rarely ever see anyone say something like, "You're right" to anyone else except that other person is a part of their clique or 'circle of friends'. People rarely say, "I learned a lot from that" or "That helped me a lot" because some people feel their pride will be hurt if they come across as not being knowledgeable, and they want to appear to be more put-together than they really are.
2. Insecurity. This is closely linked with the above. Some people are insecure about things in their lives and can't afford to be wrong as it would betray that they do have imperfections. They 'fail' in other areas and try hard not to 'fail' here.
3. Entitlement. This is directly linked with pride. It's the sense that what a person knows should have precedence over everything else-- the belief that a person should have their way.
4. Self-righteousness. Again tied to pride, this is the belief that a person is actually more righteous than others and should therefore have preeminence or an important place (along with their beliefs and opinions) over others. I've been surprised to see this facet (of pride) suddenly jump up and attack or slander others.
Except for those who are trolls or causing problems on purpose, the root of all the fighting is pride which is a stubborn refusal to yield [to God first, then to others]. Solution? Those who argue and refuse to budge from pet doctrines should realize that even if others don't know it (because they are guilty of the same thing), all they are doing is putting their pride and their insecurities on display. Only true biblical doctrine is able to unify Christians which means that as long biblically unsupported opinions are flying around, there will be fights and debates and quarreling. If someone shares something you agree with, share your agreement; and if someone says something before you say it, let them have the credit. Yield:
"Be kindly affectionate toward one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another... Do not be wise in your own opinion" (Rom. 12).
Unfortunately, even on that thread, people began fighting. I've seen several people post threads about leaving CC due to all the strife; I don't know how many I haven't seen or how many people have left quietly like I almost did. But here's a different approach: instead of saying what everyone already knows (that people argue a lot on CC), I want to mention some of the reasons people fight on here (and basically in every other Christian setting). Here we go:
1. Pride. I rarely ever see anyone say something like, "You're right" to anyone else except that other person is a part of their clique or 'circle of friends'. People rarely say, "I learned a lot from that" or "That helped me a lot" because some people feel their pride will be hurt if they come across as not being knowledgeable, and they want to appear to be more put-together than they really are.
2. Insecurity. This is closely linked with the above. Some people are insecure about things in their lives and can't afford to be wrong as it would betray that they do have imperfections. They 'fail' in other areas and try hard not to 'fail' here.
3. Entitlement. This is directly linked with pride. It's the sense that what a person knows should have precedence over everything else-- the belief that a person should have their way.
4. Self-righteousness. Again tied to pride, this is the belief that a person is actually more righteous than others and should therefore have preeminence or an important place (along with their beliefs and opinions) over others. I've been surprised to see this facet (of pride) suddenly jump up and attack or slander others.
Except for those who are trolls or causing problems on purpose, the root of all the fighting is pride which is a stubborn refusal to yield [to God first, then to others]. Solution? Those who argue and refuse to budge from pet doctrines should realize that even if others don't know it (because they are guilty of the same thing), all they are doing is putting their pride and their insecurities on display. Only true biblical doctrine is able to unify Christians which means that as long biblically unsupported opinions are flying around, there will be fights and debates and quarreling. If someone shares something you agree with, share your agreement; and if someone says something before you say it, let them have the credit. Yield:
"Be kindly affectionate toward one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another... Do not be wise in your own opinion" (Rom. 12).
