Are You Wasting Your Time?

[brettnolan]

My main point, starcradle was that CF CAN be a valuable resource for those seeking Christian help. To your point, there are a lot of people who issue advice contrary to what MOST of us consider biblical truth. Also, most of the time, we don't back up our positions/advice with Scripture references (I am guilty of this). This would allow/help the seeker to look it up on his/her own in cases where the seeker is (a)not a Christian, (b) is a new Christian, (c) doesn't go to church, therefore doesn't have a pastor to visit, (d) truly doesn't have the time to do all the legwork himself (poor excuse, I know).

I think it's unfortunate to give up on all of us because of a few (a lot of) bad apples. 1 out of 100 was good enough for Jesus.

Not only that, but what about all the folks that smash_kate may have been able to help with her knowledge.

Bottom line, however, if it causes her to stumble and she has other resources, then she is right to move on. That's what I stay out of the General Apologetics section.

 

[Starcradle]

My main point, starcradle was that CF CAN be a valuable resource for those seeking Christian help.

Did I ever say it COULD NOT be? No, I never stated that.

 

[vibrant]

smash_kate, i think you made a post earlier which encouraged everyone to base their advice and council in Scripture, and i gave you my support on that point, just like i'm doing now.

we totally need to turn to the Bible and use the Word of God to soothe our hearts, gain strength, and realize a course of action.

 

[brettnolan]

Did I ever say it COULD NOT be? No, I never stated that.

Sheeesh!

SORRY! I didn't think I was attacking you...obviously you feel different.

I'll shut up.

 

[markmayer23]

You know what? growing in spirituality is not only reading and studying the Word but also applying it and wecan grow with the fellowship of other believers inthe world. This site helps us to share our love and care for everyone that really needs spiritual guidance. That's why there are many souls who posts here asking for help and advice from other. Its loving your neighbor as yourself.

 

[HoosierCanuck]

I come here strictly for the interaction with other Christians....something I DON'T get in 'the real world' as I am an outcast. I'm single and in my 30's, therefore SOMETHING must be wrong with me.

I have YET to attend a church where I feel accepted as who I am. In these parts (Hypocrite Central, Indiana) by the time you're my age you have to be a soccer mom with a degree from Betty Crocker's Baking School, have a good income and drive an S-U-V.

I don't rely on other people because they let me down. If I need an answer to a question in life I pray and read the Word. Most of my answers come from prayer. I just come here because it helps me to know that others somewhere in this world (apparently not Indiana because most Christians here think they are already perfect!) are going through similar issues in their lives.

 

[Starcradle]

I'll shut up.

Suit yourself.

I hardly deem it unreasonable to clarify my position when it is apparent that my posts are either not being read thoroughly or their content is being added to by suggesting that 1) I am claiming CF is not a valuable resource; 2) I am discarding this as a form of fellowship altogether; 3) I am making generalizations, according to one of your previous posts. I stated that certain people were too lazy to conduct their own Biblical research. You responded that I was being unfair, as though I had stated ALL people were this way.

If you address me in your posts, misquote me, or misinterpret my comments, expect a response. I do not do this because I am endeavoring to be contentious, yet because I am very aware that new believers may be reading these posts and the last thing I desire to be is a stumbling block to them in any fashion. I take great care in what I post in these sorts of threads and will not allow others to twist my remarks or claim I said something I never did.

That said, I'm through with beating this dead horse and am off to the rec forum!

 

[harmmony]

Sometimes I think those asking for advice here waste their time trying to find answers from other people when it is already answered by Christ.

Get yourself a nice holy book and look for Christ's answers which should be in red ink. Also some of your other questions are answered in other parts.

Lots of people here do not give you the right advice especially if they don't take what the bible said into account. I am worried.

Also, I feel that I am sinning when I read a lot of the posts in this and other forums because they deal with issues that I shouldn't be thinking about. That's why I'm not coming back to these forums and if I need help, I'm going to the bible or a bible teacher. I feel sometimes like these forums are anything but Christian.

Let's be honest, I have had some questions and things I have thought on which the bible is just not clear about (as have others obviously because I haven't posted any of my questions, but have found them here nonetheless), and so I have enjoyed hearing from fellow Christians in this forum, but even biblically based answers can disagree.

I like the fact that this a place where people can ask the questions that they might be too embarassed to ask their pastors or family about. So, please don't pass judgement on others because they have questions and issues where you don't. And I don't think it's healthy to stick your head under a rock and pretend like certain problems don't exist, that you shouldn't be thinking about them. Just reading about a problem that another person is having, couldn't possibly be sinning and you are demeaning the issues that are genuinely concerning them. And, I personally think there's a lot to be said for life experience and advice that comes from people living as Christians in the real world, biblically based or not.

Lastly, I don't have a church that I go to, so like others, I don't have the luxury of a pastor or bible teacher I can run to whenever I have a question. So, there might be bad advice here, but my last pastor was completely rude and hopeless and wasn't there to answer any questions or deal with any problems the church members had. But, even the bad advice is usually given with a pure heart. It's up to you to use your brains and heart to discern the good from the bad, just like you would out in the real world.

Considering what you have said though, I think you should just avoid people all together, it's the only way you will be able to avoid bad advice and issues you don't want to think about.