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I know that a forum is a place to express one's opinion, and to have healthy debates about topics that are important to us. I've seen some great threads started on here on subjects that are really relevant to a lot of people, and I've been impressed by how well some CC members express their point of view and still manage to keep their cool and show love and support for others with differing views.
I also realize that when it comes to religious views, people often get hot-headed and easily riled up. I can understand that, to an extent. Especially when it comes to debates between a believer and a non-believer. I understand, too, that when debating, each participant is 100% sure that they are right, and wants to change the other's mind and have them agree.
But I've noticed, on this forum, that it is taken so much further than that. I feel that more often than not, even a thread that starts out as a simple question for others, turns into not a debate, but a full-blown argument and slashing of other people's beliefs and/or opinions. Even if people are not being directly attacked and called out (which I've noticed they often ARE), there is still no attempt at love or understanding in a lot of posts on here.
People are now resorting to the lowest forms of sarcasm to defend themselves because others are ignoring completely what is actually being said. There are scriptures being thrown around and taken out of context by some. People are doing more preaching than debating or discussing.
The thing is, I go to church to hear a sermon. I come here to compare/contrast what I know to be true, and things I'm unsure of. Sometimes this site is a great place to learn more about God and the Bible, but more often than not, I find that it is a good place to learn how NOT to behave towards my brothers and sister in Christ.
I rarely quote scriptures to people on here, because most of us know what the Bible says, but I feel that at this point, we could all use a reminder (yes, that does include me as well)...
Matthew 7:3-5
3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
It just seems to me that people are starting threads on here for the sole purpose of getting others to argue with them. How is that helpful to anyone? How is that portraying ourselves as Christians?
I also realize that when it comes to religious views, people often get hot-headed and easily riled up. I can understand that, to an extent. Especially when it comes to debates between a believer and a non-believer. I understand, too, that when debating, each participant is 100% sure that they are right, and wants to change the other's mind and have them agree.
But I've noticed, on this forum, that it is taken so much further than that. I feel that more often than not, even a thread that starts out as a simple question for others, turns into not a debate, but a full-blown argument and slashing of other people's beliefs and/or opinions. Even if people are not being directly attacked and called out (which I've noticed they often ARE), there is still no attempt at love or understanding in a lot of posts on here.
People are now resorting to the lowest forms of sarcasm to defend themselves because others are ignoring completely what is actually being said. There are scriptures being thrown around and taken out of context by some. People are doing more preaching than debating or discussing.
The thing is, I go to church to hear a sermon. I come here to compare/contrast what I know to be true, and things I'm unsure of. Sometimes this site is a great place to learn more about God and the Bible, but more often than not, I find that it is a good place to learn how NOT to behave towards my brothers and sister in Christ.
I rarely quote scriptures to people on here, because most of us know what the Bible says, but I feel that at this point, we could all use a reminder (yes, that does include me as well)...
Matthew 7:3-5
3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
It just seems to me that people are starting threads on here for the sole purpose of getting others to argue with them. How is that helpful to anyone? How is that portraying ourselves as Christians?
