Why can't everyone in the world just be nice to each other?

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Socreta93

Socreta93

Senior Member
#1
Jul 28, 2015
2,298
360
83
#1
This is a legitimate question, why is it so hard for people to just be nice? Why do people have to be mean occasionally? I'm sorry if I don't live in the "real world" or you label me an idealist. But I never understood why people choose to be mean? And that is in all walks of life, in any spectrum, discussing any top, people just resort to low hanging insults when you don't agree. Yes even in this "Christian" forum, when discussing politics I'd see vile things said about people like it's a toxic twitter thread,, heck even discussing the Bible I've some insults and name calling and people just angry. I may have been that way in the past but it's really getting on my nerves every time I scroll through comment sections on any place. Even watching conversations in real life, it feels unnecessary to me. Why do some want to bully people, at school work, even at home. Wouldn't the world be a better place if we were all just friends? I don't accept the notions that "it's life deal with it", I choose to believe we can all be better.
 
Lynx

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
#2
Aug 13, 2014
27,370
9,381
113
#2
Being mean is a good way to get what you want. If you are mean enough you can make the other person give up because continuing to contest your wishes is not worth the meaness they would have to endure from you.

Being mean is a good way to feel good about yourself. If you can put someone down in a witty manner you can make other people laugh, so it makes you feel good two ways. Bonus.

Being mean is a good way to keep people from bugging you. If you're cranky enough they'll just leave you alone, which is all some people want.

Mind you, I'm not advocating being mean. I'm just saying I understand why some people do it. It's really shortsighted, but they feel like it works so they keep doing it. By the time they realize they are going to die as lonely old farts, it's too late because they've already chased everyone away and they don't know how to be anything else anyway.
 
Willow

Willow

Well-known member
#3
Oct 10, 2021
435
405
63
ohio
#3
Socreta93 said:
This is a legitimate question, why is it so hard for people to just be nice? Why do people have to be mean occasionally? I'm sorry if I don't live in the "real world" or you label me an idealist. But I never understood why people choose to be mean? And that is in all walks of life, in any spectrum, discussing any top, people just resort to low hanging insults when you don't agree. Yes even in this "Christian" forum, when discussing politics I'd see vile things said about people like it's a toxic twitter thread,, heck even discussing the Bible I've some insults and name calling and people just angry. I may have been that way in the past but it's really getting on my nerves every time I scroll through comment sections on any place. Even watching conversations in real life, it feels unnecessary to me. Why do some want to bully people, at school work, even at home. Wouldn't the world be a better place if we were all just friends? I don't accept the notions that "it's life deal with it", I choose to believe we can all be better.
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Well I have learned when someone says they want your opinion they really only want you to agree with them. When people tend to disagree they start hitting below the belt. Why I don't comment on alot . Learned to mainly lift it in prayer. Some people will argue with a stump and find everything wrong you say. It is not about God ,but about them being right no matter what ;)
 
T

TheIndianGirl

Guest
#4
#4
Socreta93 said:
This is a legitimate question, why is it so hard for people to just be nice? Why do people have to be mean occasionally? I'm sorry if I don't live in the "real world" or you label me an idealist. But I never understood why people choose to be mean? And that is in all walks of life, in any spectrum, discussing any top, people just resort to low hanging insults when you don't agree. Yes even in this "Christian" forum, when discussing politics I'd see vile things said about people like it's a toxic twitter thread,, heck even discussing the Bible I've some insults and name calling and people just angry. I may have been that way in the past but it's really getting on my nerves every time I scroll through comment sections on any place. Even watching conversations in real life, it feels unnecessary to me. Why do some want to bully people, at school work, even at home. Wouldn't the world be a better place if we were all just friends? I don't accept the notions that "it's life deal with it", I choose to believe we can all be better.
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Some of this meanness has to do with culture. People are more open and confrontational in the U.S.
 
Going_Nowhere

Going_Nowhere

Well-known member
#5
Nov 10, 2019
1,726
939
113
#5
I think that's one reason why I prefer solitude over being around people. There's too much cruelty in this world.


 
G

Gideon300

Well-known member
#6
Mar 18, 2021
5,354
3,156
113
#6
Socreta93 said:
This is a legitimate question, why is it so hard for people to just be nice? Why do people have to be mean occasionally? I'm sorry if I don't live in the "real world" or you label me an idealist. But I never understood why people choose to be mean? And that is in all walks of life, in any spectrum, discussing any top, people just resort to low hanging insults when you don't agree. Yes even in this "Christian" forum, when discussing politics I'd see vile things said about people like it's a toxic twitter thread,, heck even discussing the Bible I've some insults and name calling and people just angry. I may have been that way in the past but it's really getting on my nerves every time I scroll through comment sections on any place. Even watching conversations in real life, it feels unnecessary to me. Why do some want to bully people, at school work, even at home. Wouldn't the world be a better place if we were all just friends? I don't accept the notions that "it's life deal with it", I choose to believe we can all be better.
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It's really simple. It's human nature to argue and fight. Just ask Vladimir Putin. He honestly believes that he is fully justified in murdering children and babies to pursue his objectives. On a smaller scale, people imagine that they are justified when they attack others.

No, we can't just be friends. James 4:1 "What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you?"

Believers can and should resist the temptation to descend into insults and displays of wounded pride. If we are trusting the Lord Jesus, He will enable us to speak the truth, but in love, not pride. The people of the world have no one but themselves to rely on. It's obvious from the earliest days of human existence that conflict is part of human nature. Only God can change the heart of man. If we could all live in harmony, Lord Jesus need not have died to save us. We are our own worst enemies.
 
Lanolin

Lanolin

Well-known member
#7
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#7
This was a question that I asked way back about bullying.

I'll see if I can dig up my old thread and see what ppl answered about that. My guess is that selfishness and desire to be on top, (eg im number one) the root cause is pride.

People hang on to pride because they think it gives them dignity or status

However God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble

so proud people arent given grace and therefore find it hard to be nice.
 
C

ChristianTonyB

Guest
#9
#9
As G300 said, although I might use Adamic nature in lieu of human nature. Same implication, though!
 
Lynx

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
#10
Aug 13, 2014
27,370
9,381
113
#10
Willow said:
Well I have learned when someone says they want your opinion they really only want you to agree with them. When people tend to disagree they start hitting below the belt. Why I don't comment on alot . Learned to mainly lift it in prayer. Some people will argue with a stump and find everything wrong you say. It is not about God ,but about them being right no matter what ;)
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Heh... That reminds me of this one guy at my job. We can tell when he's not feeling well - it's the only time he doesn't argue with everybody about everything.
 
J

joecoten

Guest
#11
#11
Lynx said:
Heh... That reminds me of this one guy at my job. We can tell when he's not feeling well - it's the only time he doesn't argue with everybody about everything.
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You don't know that. Maybe sometimes he doesn't want to argue. You're wrong!
As far as being being nice goes...who wants to be nice when you can be right??? :mad: Grrr!
 
Magenta

Magenta

Senior Member
#12
Jul 3, 2015
60,183
29,488
113
#12
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God?
Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. James 4:4
 
J

joecoten

Guest
#13
#13
(post #11 was a joke)
 
Lynx

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
#14
Aug 13, 2014
27,370
9,381
113
#14
Magenta said:
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God?
Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. James 4:4
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Well... it WAS inevitable. I guess it's better to get it out of the way early.
 
Eli1

Eli1

Well-known member
#15
Apr 5, 2022
4,762
2,055
113
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#15
I’m gonna go with @TheIndianGirl here. Culture and history plays a large part in people‘s attitudes. And this isn’t just in America but worldwide. Think of the relationship of a Palestinian with an Israeli for example. Also there are many places and islands around the world where people live blissfuly in peace. I have visited such places.
Nice places exist also where you least expect them.
For example I live in a no-gun small town in a blue state (U.S.) which has an emphasis on family values and God with a focus on education for children. Everyone is nice to each other, there’s no crime and I’m grateful for this.
 
jwork727

jwork727

New member
#16
Sep 18, 2020
6
3
3
#16
On earth as it is in heaven hasn’t been fulfilled yet for the sake of fulfilling other parts of scripture. These are perilous times. It is good that we experience evil and the lack of the fruits of the Spirit, so that we can appreciate with true gratitude the good of Father God and the abundance of peace.
 
J

joecoten

Guest
#17
#17
"On earth as it is in heaven" can be, in my understanding, asking that the Father's will be done in a certain situation; that just because something is His will, doesn't mean that it will necessarily happen all by itself. We are in a spiritual war, after all.
We were desperate to get Trump into office. Remember the prayer chains? He got in. The midterms came and by this time, much of the body was offended by Trump, and many were predicting a red wave. We know what happened.
The 2020 election came, and it seemed to be certain that Trump would get in again! How could he lose? I tell you, the servants of darkness were working overtime. Once again, we know what happened.
I don't believe what is happening today is the Father's will.
Okay, you can pile on me now.
 
jwork727

jwork727

New member
#18
Sep 18, 2020
6
3
3
#18
What I meant by on earth as it is in heaven is how satan and a third of his followers were kicked out of the heavenly places of God, and will not be around in the new earth and new heaven. If there are no tribulation or trials, how can the Word be fulfilled as true? It says that spirits of darkness will be in heavenly places….I don’t get into politics, turning to the right or left, but I do believe Romans 8:28. I believe everything that’s happening is part of God’s plan and knowing, that nothing is happening that He did not plan accordingly to happen. God doesn’t need any of us for His will to be done, As Jesus and John have both stated, God can make things happen with stones, things we see as lifeless, His thoughts are higher than what man has stamped as science or knowledge.
 
Cameron143

Cameron143

Well-known member
#19
Mar 1, 2022
19,226
6,611
113
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#19
The answer is simple enough. It's inferred in the great commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. The implication is that we already love ourselves and do what is in our best interest. This is often to the detriment of others.
But if you are interested there are ways to lessen the negative effects of such people. A soft answer truly does turn away wrath. And when a man's ways please God even his enemies will live in peace with him.
 
J

joecoten

Guest
#20
#20
jwork727 said:
What I meant by on earth as it is in heaven is how satan and a third of his followers were kicked out of the heavenly places of God, and will not be around in the new earth and new heaven. If there are no tribulation or trials, how can the Word be fulfilled as true? It says that spirits of darkness will be in heavenly places….I don’t get into politics, turning to the right or left, but I do believe Romans 8:28. I believe everything that’s happening is part of God’s plan and knowing, that nothing is happening that He did not plan accordingly to happen. God doesn’t need any of us for His will to be done, As Jesus and John have both stated, God can make things happen with stones, things we see as lifeless, His thoughts are higher than what man has stamped as science or knowledge.
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There are Christians who are intercessors, though I'm not sure how widely known or understood this is. We can all intercede, but I'm talking about something else here. On earth as it is in heaven.
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