"We become what we hate".

Waaaaaaa!!! I don’t wanna become an ignorant narrow minded control freak !!!!

Well to me , science deniers, racist and misogynistic people are some who I definitely do not think of as good role models for being broad minded

Mark Dohle said:

(snip) That is why I do not argue religion or politics. (snip)

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...this would seem to be an odd forum to be hanging out in than.
tulc(just a thought)

Mark Dohle said:

When people of opposing views come together, I believe it brings out the worst. That is why I do not argue religion or politics. Though I share m faith, I understand it is grace that allows the seed to grow.

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There's nothing wrong with discussion from different perspectives and differing views. I was considering (to myself) earlier after making a forum post just how many people I know, and befriend, and consider freinds, in real life that all have different beliefs, whether religious or political, and as freinds we get along beautifully and even have the capacity to discuss our varying beliefs.

We are all more libertarian thinkers in that we have a to each his own mentality more than others, but our different views don't turn to disgust or anger - ever.

I think online is just different... people are rude, don't discuss and the entire atmosphere is generally degraded into hate of anyone who thinks or believes differently.

Why that is, is anyone's guess... but in life it's not the same when you simply respect others, regardless of whether they agree or disagree.

Perhaps our lives would have been better without this medium.. sometimes I wonder.

When people behave the opposite online to others who have different views, as they behave to them in person, it shows just how scary it would be if they had all power over people.

Years ago, a wise old priest who gave up his career in law to serve God told me, "sarcasm always has a wounding effect."

I had to think about it, as I always laughed at those who were cleverly sarcastic.

But it's the truth. Some one always gets hurt with our sarcasm.

Still praying that Christ will bring me away from being sarcastic, even when it's just to be funny.

WOW! If we become what we hate, there are going to be a whole lot of Donald Trumps out there.

Hazelelponi said:

We are all more libertarian thinkers in that we have a to each his own mentality more than others, but our different views don't turn to disgust or anger - ever.

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One of the people I enjoy conversing with the most on the site is an atheist. We get along well. We don't argue about politics, religion, etc. I don't need to him agree with everything I think, feel or believe. He's his own person. I value our similarities and differences. I focus on the common bonds and go from there.

I think online is just different... people are rude, don't discuss and the entire atmosphere is generally degraded into hate of anyone who thinks or believes differently.

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Many people are seeking validation. When you don't agree they hit the roof. Difference is offensive to some. They want everyone to be the same. I've read book reviews that made me cringe. Christian authors being lambasted over dinner parties and traveling. Not the theology.

I saw early traces of what you've shared in a blogging group years ago. They were venting about someone. I finally commented and told them they didn't know what her life was like. Her responsibilities, support network, etc. They were comparing themselves and growing angrier by the minute. It was crazy to read and I left shortly after.

The insight I gained was priceless. Out of the heart the mouth speaks. I realized they were telling the truth. Trolls do the same. They're revealing what's inside of them. It goes back to love and contentedness.

This medium provides an opportunity to speak your mind without immediate consequences. That's made significantly worse when you immerse yourself in topics that bring out the worst in you. Sometimes we need to censor ourselves and make certain subjects off limits.

If you're getting bothered or triggered its the wrong one. There are things I can't discuss here. It will start a fight. I don't have time for that. There are threads I avoid for the same reasons. I don't want to spend my time mudslinging. How am I bettered by that?

The same applies to people. If the person pushes your buttons or annoys you leave them alone. Remove them from the screen. Arguing or venting about them is nuts. There's better ways to spend your time. That's how I feel.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella

Brightmoon said:

Well to me , science deniers, racist and misogynistic people are some who I definitely do not think of as good role models for being broad minded

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What I see are people that are overly passionate about a certain subject are the ones struggling with something inside themselves. The ones yelling the loudest about racism for example are ones that are struggling with their own feelings about other races.

Arc F1 said:

What I see are people that are overly passionate about a certain subject are the ones struggling with something inside themselves. The ones yelling the loudest about racism for example are ones that are struggling with their own feelings about other races.

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. Struggling with racism ? Sure ,family has been in the forefront of the civil rights movement since about the 1880s long before I was born . Struggling with sexism ? I’m old enough to remember the bad old days, pre 1960s before feminism, and don’t want them back! The fight against homophobia? I had a gay friend almost die because of it . I guess I do have a chip on my shoulder about this stuff. I don’t want too see this harmful crap come back . Too many people actually want these destructive ideas to become reality and a lot of them claim to be Christian. It’s not inside me , it’s all around me!

Brightmoon said:

. Struggling with racism ? Sure ,family has been in the forefront of the civil rights movement since about the 1880s long before I was born . Struggling with sexism ? I’m old enough to remember the bad old days, pre 1960s before feminism, and don’t want them back! The fight against homophobia? I had a gay friend almost die because of it . I guess I do have a chip on my shoulder about this stuff. I don’t want too see this harmful crap come back . Too many people actually want these destructive ideas to become reality and a lot of them claim to be Christian. It’s not inside me , it’s all around me!

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Wasn't directing it towards you. Just adding to what you had said.

Arc F1 said:

What I see are people that are overly passionate about a certain subject are the ones struggling with something inside themselves. The ones yelling the loudest about racism for example are ones that are struggling with their own feelings about other races.

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There's a lot of finger-pointing going on. People are quick to assume the worst. We all have off moments. But affixing a negative label to someone is an incredible leap. We're multifaceted. No two people experience us in the same way.

One of the people I converse with I nicknamed adorable. That's how he relates to me. He's kind and considerate. That may not hold true for others. But it doesn't mean my assessment is wrong.

Some people focus on the negative. They look for flaws and weaknesses in others. Yes, that particular issue may be a stumbling block. But there's more to the picture. The greatest gift God has given me is an ability to see beauty.

One day I found a lot of pictures. I planned to post an image to encourage someone. But as I looked at them I thought of others. I began sharing them on my Inspiration thread with the person who came to mind and a word of encouragement.

It's very easy to see what's lacking. But it takes effort to see the good and point out redeeming qualities. Most people don't hear it enough. They're bombarded with shortcomings. They don't hear well done, you can do it, and so on.

Tearing others down is pastime for some. It makes their day to see others suffer. They're operating from a place of lack and afflicting their woe on those they encounter. Like a barrel of crabs they want every one to join them.

But we must be wiser. That's a death knell. Nothing good dwells in that place.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella

I do think this medium (internet/social media) reveals people's desires and thoughts that in the past might have remained hidden. To put it bluntly, people will say things and act in ways on the internet because, let's face it, they know they can't get punched in the mouth through a screen. Anonymity behind a screen removes shame and fear so that people say and act in ways they would never do face to face.

Even now, in every day life there is much more restraint when it comes to discussions that can provoke, e.g. discussions about politics. Why? Well, because people know it could go south. Relationships could be ruined. And, in rougher contexts, one could get punched in the mouth. And, perhaps, people do value their relationships, jobs, and general peace more than arguing for their point.

When I was coming up, people were much more careful about when and to whom they discussed politics. The internet definitely changed that. Unfortunately, the possible negative outcomes for lack of restraint are still there. I don't know why people think saying it on the internet is somehow different than saying it face to face. I don't forget what someone says just because I shut my computer off.

Bèlla said:

There's a lot of finger-pointing going on. People are quick to assume the worst. We all have off moments. But affixing a negative label to someone is an incredible leap. We're multifaceted. No two people experience us in the same way.

One of the people I converse with I nicknamed adorable. That's how he relates to me. He's kind and considerate. That may not hold true for others. But it doesn't mean my assessment is wrong.

Some people focus on the negative. They look for flaws and weaknesses in others. Yes, that particular issue may be a stumbling block. But there's more to the picture. The greatest gift God has given me is an ability to see beauty.

One day I found a lot of pictures. I planned to post an image to encourage someone. But as I looked at them I thought of others. I began sharing them on my Inspiration thread with the person who came to mind and a word of encouragement.

It's very easy to see what's lacking. But it takes effort to see the good and point out redeeming qualities. Most people don't hear it enough. They're bombarded with shortcomings. They don't hear well done, you can do it, and so on.

Tearing others down is pastime for some. It makes their day to see others suffer. They're operating from a place of lack and afflicting their woe on those they encounter. Like a barrel of crabs they want every one to join them.

But we must be wiser. That's a death knell. Nothing good dwells in that place.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella

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We are to put away falsehoods and speak the truth.

Was I wrong to speak the truth? Should I not have stated the obvious? I'm very over the top on abortion issues because of the guilt I have from the past. I'm very blunt about suicide because of the friends and family I've lost. It's not hard to see what motivates our actions.

Arc F1 said:

We are to put away falsehoods and speak the truth.

Was I wrong to speak the truth? Should I not have stated the obvious? I'm very over the top on abortion issues because of the guilt I have from the past. I'm very blunt about suicide because of the friends and family I've lost. It's not hard to see what motivates our actions.

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My comment isn't related to truth. I'm talking about love. Read it again.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella