Hi just-me. I understand your frustration with the arguing/debating/fighting/etc in the BSR and such. I'm trying to find a way to address this without stomping all over your valid feelings and frustrations.
I think we should desire to have as much peace as possible in chat, and in all of life. And sometimes what some consider debating/arguing/fighting/etc, is considered by many others as honest passionate truth seeking discussion.
Finding that sweet spot between not allowing rampant discord, and not stifling valid discussion can be quite challenging considering the diversity of people who come into this chat, and considering the variety of opinions on what people consider discord and valid debate.
Your opinion on what is discord is one of many opinions! Some may observe what you observe and think, "Hey man, lighten up. We're just a little passionate, but we're not shedding any blood or giving any bumps and bruises."
Deciphering between all these subjective opinions to an extent of what is and isn't discord, and then making a judgment call on what types of conversation to allow is going to be a tough call. Of course there are obvious levels of discussion that are nothing but discord and attacks and those shouldn't be allowed.
This is an opinion, which is one of many! To many others what happens isn't forcing an opinion down a throat.
Statements like these can be used to try and quiet statements we disagree with. I mean if we disagree with something, then it's clearly not in the Bible and it's just a personal interpretation? But I'm getting somewhat off track here.
Christian chat has literally thousands of people from all types of backgrounds, with all types of perspectives. They all gather in this place called Christian chat. This is something we need to really get our minds around when we discuss the issue of debating/arguing/discord in Christian chat. Why?
Because I think by understanding such, it can give us some reasonable expectations when we enter/use chat and these forums. We need to understand that given the diversity of people, and diversity of opinions/personalities/temperaments/etc, that Christian chat isn't going to be a place where you're never going to feel uncomfortable. No one is going to have a seamless experience here where they never feel discomfort at all.
There ARE going to be people who rub you/us the wrong way. It's just the reality given all of the different types of folks who register and use the site.
I'm not saying attacks/fights/personal attacks/etc should be allowed due to these realities. Obviously we should and will try to prevent/stop/address those things when they do occur.
But given the subjective nature of so many diverse opinions on what is and isn't discord/fighting/etc, sometimes people may need to consider that their opinions on such matters is actually one of MANY opinions on such matters, and maybe allow for the fact that what they're observing is just debate/discussion. Again I'm not saying this thing is totally subjective, thus there is allowance for full on personal attacks and fighting.
So to sum it up. We all need to understand the diversity of folks using this chat. We all need to understand it's not going to be a seamless experience without discomfort from people who rub us the wrong way at times. Sometimes there is nothing wrong with the micro-events causing us discomfort. Sometimes it's "just me" (No pun intended.) who is feeling discomfort, and nothing wrong is really being done. We need to make allowance/grace for such. This doesn't mean there is permission to full on personal attack each other.
Given the diversities in chat, you're not going to have a seamless scenario where there is no perceived discord. You're not going to have a 100% perceived seamless "unity". You're just not. Everyone isn't going to agree with each other, and expecting this 100% seamless, discord free environment with no discomfort should not be expected as a reality that can be achieved. But this doesn't mean figurative blood letting, bruising and maiming is allowed.
I'm starting to repeat my self, so I'll just end here.
