Character Assassination: Hitman on the loose!

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BenFTW

BenFTW

Senior Member
#1
Oct 7, 2012
4,834
981
113
34
#1
VVhat are your thoughts on dealing with character assassination on the forums? You know, when people accuse others of lying, attacking, or partaking in any malicious activity. How should this be resolved? A lot of it comes up when people start addressing the commentator instead of the content of the comment. Maybe instead of accusing the person of certain things we would be better off just addressing what they said?

I don't like this, that I have to come to my defense cause someone wants to accuse me of things and then my character is put on the line for me to defend. Thank God others, friends, can jump in and vouch for me but still, how fair is it when we accuse someone of doing something instead of just addressing their points? I can already see certain individuals calling me a hypocrite and saying I've done this to them and surely we all have to some degree. I am not ignorant of that.

I don't know guys, we are a Christian forum. Can we have some type of proper etiquette? Address the comment, not the commentator. I feel, too often, we have people going for the jugular and trying to completely defame another. This isn't good. It isn't righteous and is of questionable character in and of itself. Character assassination, I feel, has happened a little too freely and ought to be addressed.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#2
#2
It does get old.. As well as other arguments. Like your a calvanist or gnostic, just because you believe in grace alone. .. that's why you believe that etc etc..
 
Grace777x70

Grace777x70

Banned
#3
Nov 22, 2015
20,436
1,430
0
#3
There is the coveted "ignore" button..it works wonders and keeps the malice and slander down to a minimum. If they continue to be malicious and to slander....then just bless them and "shake the dust of your feet" and commit them to the word of His grace.

It may be time to "pass the baton" to someone else that can reach them. Usually they are hurting in some way and they really need to know the Lord and who they are in their true identity in Christ. The Lord will be faithful to them..just likely not through you... ( He always has 5,000 others that have not bowed the knee just like He told Elijah.... )

Also these scriptures can come into play here too.

Matthew 5:11 (KJV)
[SUP]11 [/SUP] Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

1 Peter 2:23 (NASB)
[SUP]23 [/SUP] and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;

1 Peter 3:16 (NASB)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.

Psalm 121:7 (NASB)
[SUP]7 [/SUP] The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul.

1 Peter 4:14 (NASB)
[SUP]14 [/SUP] If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.


Luke 6:28 (KJV)
[SUP]28 [/SUP] Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.


This one that we all can use here on CC.

Galatians 5:24-26 (NASB)

[SUP]25 [/SUP] If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
[SUP]26 [/SUP] Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#4
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#4
Well, Ben... I think you should repent. (That's the kind advice I usually get. LOL)
 
Bushido8000

Bushido8000

Banned
#5
Jan 24, 2012
1,299
15
0
#5
BenFTW said:
VVhat are your thoughts on dealing with character assassination on the forums? You know, when people accuse others of lying, attacking, or partaking in any malicious activity. How should this be resolved? A lot of it comes up when people start addressing the commentator instead of the content of the comment. Maybe instead of accusing the person of certain things we would be better off just addressing what they said?

I don't like this, that I have to come to my defense cause someone wants to accuse me of things and then my character is put on the line for me to defend. Thank God others, friends, can jump in and vouch for me but still, how fair is it when we accuse someone of doing something instead of just addressing their points? I can already see certain individuals calling me a hypocrite and saying I've done this to them and surely we all have to some degree. I am not ignorant of that.

I don't know guys, we are a Christian forum. Can we have some type of proper etiquette? Address the comment, not the commentator. I feel, too often, we have people going for the jugular and trying to completely defame another. This isn't good. It isn't righteous and is of questionable character in and of itself. Character assassination, I feel, has happened a little too freely and ought to be addressed.
Click to expand...
Honestly, Character assassination doesn't bother me a bit. People usually accuse me of being a liberal because I don't support killing foreign babies. I then respond with a cute meme to let them know that I'm just a friendly neighborhood anarchist.
 
crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#6
Nov 24, 2012
30,716
3,655
113
#6
"We are a Christian forum"...in name only, as there are some who masquerade as such.
 
E

ember

Guest
#8
#8
well you're preaching to the choir

had this happen to me when I came back to the forums after an almost 2 month hiatus

it's my conviction a mod stepped in after multiple complaints on my part as well as others who stood up for me and also reported the truly insane posts

yes I prayed about it as well...it was just nuts! it has stopped and quite suddenly which is why I think a mod might have intervened...I sure hope they did!

there are a few on here who are nothing but bullies and when they don't have any answer supported by scripture, they start with the personal attacks

I think we all know who they are and then we have the charmers who think they are God's gift and personal mouthpiece
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#9
#9
ember said:
well you're preaching to the choir

had this happen to me when I came back to the forums after an almost 2 month hiatus

it's my conviction a mod stepped in after multiple complaints on my part as well as others who stood up for me and also reported the truly insane posts

yes I prayed about it as well...it was just nuts! it has stopped and quite suddenly which is why I think a mod might have intervened...I sure hope they did!

there are a few on here who are nothing but bullies and when they don't have any answer supported by scripture, they start with the personal attacks

I think we all know who they are and then we have the charmers who think they are God's gift and personal mouthpiece
Click to expand...


I am not a mod. But when I see a person continually doing it, I make a concerted effort to call them out on it and will keep on them for hours. I did that with a certain poster the other day.

I know the mods have to stick to the rules of the forum, so in some cases their hands are tied. I think it would help if more than one person calls another out..

I have taken a lot of flack from some people because I do this. But I hate when people do that.. It takes away from the thread, And I think it has worked before.
 
S

sharkwhales

Senior Member
#10
Jan 31, 2016
280
25
28
#10
BenFTW said:
VVhat are your thoughts on dealing with character assassination on the forums? You know, when people accuse others of lying, attacking, or partaking in any malicious activity. How should this be resolved?
Click to expand...
This is typical of the internet in general, anywhere people can debate.

I think the best way to deal with it is to ignore it and not waste time defending yourself, except in a way that redirects back to your point. Usually if someone insults it is because they don't want to deal with what's being said. Personal attacks are a sign of a weak argument. If you have confidence in your argument you will not attack the other person. If you are committed to your principles and to the fruit of the Spirit as a christian you won't do this.

Sometimes someone is off the rails, coming in with an attitude and they are completely oblivious to it, and the holy spirit might lead you to point out that their attitude stinks. Shed some light on what it is and its consequences. You can do this without trying to bring the person down -- rather, try to bring the conversation back on track. And if they refuse that, don't continue talking, don't get locked into 'I have to win' mentality, because if they're wrong they've already lost, but they may not be able to accept it for some time. People are bound by lies, wounds, and personal demons. These are what we should target, not the people themselves.
 
Sirk

Sirk

Banned
#12
Mar 2, 2016
8,896
112
0
#12
There is just something that happens to a person who is acting out when you ask them questions. A person who lashes out and criticizes is looking to illicit a negative response. Just don't give them the satisfaction of granting it to them.
 
T

Txroads

Guest
#13
#13
BRUCE!!!!!!!
 
C

coby

Guest
#16
#16
BenFTW said:
VVhat are your thoughts on dealing with character assassination on the forums? You know, when people accuse others of lying, attacking, or partaking in any malicious activity. How should this be resolved? A lot of it comes up when people start addressing the commentator instead of the content of the comment. Maybe instead of accusing the person of certain things we would be better off just addressing what they said?

I don't like this, that I have to come to my defense cause someone wants to accuse me of things and then my character is put on the line for me to defend. Thank God others, friends, can jump in and vouch for me but still, how fair is it when we accuse someone of doing something instead of just addressing their points? I can already see certain individuals calling me a hypocrite and saying I've done this to them and surely we all have to some degree. I am not ignorant of that.

I don't know guys, we are a Christian forum. Can we have some type of proper etiquette? Address the comment, not the commentator. I feel, too often, we have people going for the jugular and trying to completely defame another. This isn't good. It isn't righteous and is of questionable character in and of itself. Character assassination, I feel, has happened a little too freely and ought to be addressed.
Click to expand...
I think they need a hug.
 
E

ember

Guest
#17
#17
coby said:
I think they need a hug.
Click to expand...

hahahahaha...I've just been reading in that thread

had some good laughing out loud moments

gimmeee a huuuuuuuuuggggggggggggg
 
Angela53510

Angela53510

Senior Member
#18
Jan 24, 2011
11,782
2,952
113
#18
Ben, I can see your problem. You've only been here for 2 1/2 years, and you haven't figured out the drill yet!

But I do think if we all dropped our egos, stopped name calling, what a wonderful world it would be. And although we try to hope this forum is Christian, people are at different levels in their walk with God. That means some are still stuck in infancy no matter how many years they have been saved.

I would love to see this forum dedicated to studying the actual Bible, and all the other nonsense disappear.
 
E

ember

Guest
#19
#19
eternally-gratefull said:


I am not a mod. But when I see a person continually doing it, I make a concerted effort to call them out on it and will keep on them for hours. I did that with a certain poster the other day.

I know the mods have to stick to the rules of the forum, so in some cases their hands are tied. I think it would help if more than one person calls another out..

I have taken a lot of flack from some people because I do this. But I hate when people do that.. It takes away from the thread, And I think it has worked before.
Click to expand...

you can count on a thread being side tracked these days...I've thought of a few I would like to start and I'm like.....why bother....it will get bushwhacked anyway

sigh
 
BenFTW

BenFTW

Senior Member
#20
Oct 7, 2012
4,834
981
113
34
#20
Angela53510 said:
Ben, I can see your problem. You've only been here for 2 1/2 years, and you haven't figured out the drill yet!

But I do think if we all dropped our egos, stopped name calling, what a wonderful world it would be. And although we try to hope this forum is Christian, people are at different levels in their walk with God. That means some are still stuck in infancy no matter how many years they have been saved.

I would love to see this forum dedicated to studying the actual Bible, and all the other nonsense disappear.
Click to expand...
Lol, made me smile. "ONLY 2 1/2 years." :D
 
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