Am I paranoid? Too cynical?

[brettnolan]

Occasionally, there will be a post in a forum, usually from someone with only 1 or 2 posts, that will ask a question that just looks to me like they are trying to get some kind of Jerry Falwell-ish sort of response to fuel their stereotypes of Christians. The reason I think that is because the question often will sound innocent and simple enough that a Christian probably could come up with the answer on their own if they thought for a minute. Other times, the question might sound the complete opposite, so outrageous and sick.

Most of the time these posters will only have a name and one rep block, yet the good people of CF will entertain these posts, sometimes for pages.

I don't want to call out any current posts, so I'll try to make up an example. Once a guy asked a question about a problem he had that was sick and twisted, yet possible, I guess and got several responses. About three days later, he said he was cured PRAISE GOD or HALLELUJAH or some other "churchy" phrase, but now he had a different problem that stemmed from the "cure." Again several responses and a few days later, IT'S A MIRACLE, GLORY BE TO ADONAI or something, but a new problem same story.

To me it was obviously a ruse to play with the gullible, so I mentioned that, and someone else quickly responded that they had the same problem, so back off buddy. In this case, the original poster had been around a little while, so my theory was that is was some wise-guy atheist trying to see how stupid we are.

Am I way off base?

 

[MrsGnomeCrusher]

I understand what you're saying, and I happen to think the same way you do. Although I am new, I have posted. I know that I have a big issue with people in general where I think they have different motives and basically do not trust them. I see these posts that you're talking about and think the same thing. However, others see them as innocent posts. Personally I throw the question back and forth in my head and usually don't answer. I don't think that's how I should approach it, but I have issues.

The sad thing is, that they may be speaking the truth and just came here looking for someone to answer their questions.

 

[brettnolan]

The sad thing is, that they may be speaking the truth and just came here looking for someone to answer their questions.

I agree, that's why I'm asking. But I think, as in my illustration, sometimes it seems obvious to me.

Maybe that's because I can remember college life and doing things very similar...making fun of people when they don't even realize it.

 

[SDSUMarcus01]

I'm not quite sure I've seen this post that you are referring to.

 

[fishstix]

Am I way off base?

No, I think you are quite correct. I've noticed the same sort of thing. I'll usually give people the benefit of the doubt for a post or two, until it becomes fairly obvious that they are basically just behaving as message board trolls.

I'm not quite sure I've seen this post that you are referring to.

I think his example was hypothetical in order not to single anyone out.

 

[Donny_B]

I don't think we should presume the worst on anyone. Many people come in here who are really hurt and seeking answers and what is "so obvious" may not be obvious to them at the time.

I have also seen a lot of posters come in here new and be very active for a few months, and then get flamed and go away.

If I had the choice, I would rather be a victim of bullying than a bully, especially when it comes to speaking the truth and proclaiming the gospel. One of the beatitudes is:

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Matt 5:11-12

 

[wvmtnkid]

I know what you are saying brettnolan. I tend to be skeptical at first, but also give the benefit of the doubt. How's that for a political answer?

I guess what I am trying to say is that I will entertain the question until I can see or get a feeling for which way it is going. I would rather help someone who doesn't need help than not help someone who does.

 

[fishstix]

I don't think we should presume the worst on anyone. Many people come in here who are really hurt and seeking answers and what is "so obvious" may not be obvious to them at the time.

I have also seen a lot of posters come in here new and be very active for a few months, and then get flamed and go away.

I don't think the issue is so much those people as the ones who show up and immediately start posting things, often in the form of leading questions, in order to shock people or start up arguments. In other words, message board trolls. See definition 1 of troll. And I agree that flaming them is not the answer, however I do think that recognizing what they are doing and then refusing to take the bait (by not continuing a discussion that is going nowhere) is. That can include making a post to let others know what is happening so that they don't fall into the troll's trap.

 

[megan76291]

So i agreed with what you have to say completely. i think that a lot of "random" people come on under different screen names that have a goal of getting banned and getting everyone to get upset about a certain topic. it is sick, and you are right, the discussions go on for pages. we give them what they want. however, if they do not do anything especially bad, what are we supposed to do about it. this is a forum where everyone is supposed to be accepted, so if someone actually is serious then we really cant turn them away. so yes, i agree with you, but there really isn't anything we can do about it so i guess we should just sit here and ignore them.

 

[katherinethegreat]

i agree but that many come on to be obnoxiuos, but some, like i come here to argue points with other christians. i like the fact that i can some on here and meet other people who are much more into thier religion than i, and i like to debate with them and see their point. i am sorry if i seem to start things i jsut like debating my indeas with others and all of you haev really opedned my eyes to my relgion and everyone who is a part of it

 

[brettnolan]

Maybe I'll try to come up with an example post to show what I mean. I don't want to use someone else's as an example, because as you say, it could be a perfectly legitimate question.

The tricky thing to me is, the ones that I am talking about aren't easily identifiable as a troll most of the time, because they aren't rude or anything. I guess it's just a sense that I get that they are sitting at their computer screens chuckling at our goody two shoes responses, and that usually comes after their subsequent responses to other posters.

In the example I gave, what triggered me was that the guy treated the problem(s) as having "miraculously" disappeared after applying the advice he had gotten in the thread. NOT THAT GOD CAN'T DO THAT. But, come on.

Anyway, I feel bad for thinking the worst sometimes, but I've been on the other side and I guess I still think that way sometimes. And even when I WAS on the other side, I didn't like Christians being portrayed as gullible, backwoods, fanatics.

 

[klewlis]

I definitely believes that it happens, and if we know *for sure* that that's what is going on, then we should approach it accordingly, and I have no problems with calling them on it.

However, we rarely know for sure, so I think it's important to give them the benefit of the doubt. The real issue is how we respond to it--if we respond kindly and honestly then we have done no wrong even if the OP has alterior motives. In that case we have done our jobs.

I think it was Ben Franklin (someone correct me if I'm wrong) who used to give away money to any poor person who asked for it. Someone asked him, "what if you're being deceived by people who don't really need the money?" And he replied that he would rather accidentally give to the wrong person than turn away the right person because he had doubts.