Discussion about Discussions- can we try again?

[Servant222]

I just read the original thread above and was saddened by how it ended!

To encourage more Christ-like discussions, there already is a Christian and a non-Christian forum. So can we go to an even higher level and restrict contributions to this thread to only those who are upbeat, positive, and honestly love their Christian brothers/sisters? If this doesn't yet describe you, be a reader and a learner for a while, and then contribute!

So my advice is this- call it the "Golden Rule" of Christian forum discussion: ask yourself the following:

Is what you are about to post going to steer a reader towards Christ, or away?

If a post provokes anger, brings Christianity into disrepute, encourages someone here to tune out or turn off, then it probably is not pointing someone in the right direction.

A forum involves rapid communication where regretful things will inevitably be written. That is why there is an "Edit" button- where you can correct a misstep. Trouble is, you have to realize and admit that you may have made a mistake. A sure clue is if someone tells you that a comment was offensive, or directs a comment back to you that feels like a barb.

Before you post, imagine that all other readers have a finger hovering above a "delete" button- and challenge yourself to make your point without being zapped!

So what other "Golden Rules" do others have to offer?

 

[love4all]

My golden rule is that if something you say is true and verified, you should be allowed to post it. Regardless of what the information is, people should have a right to read it and if they don't like or its too truthful they can simply close the window and look at something else.

 

[busterdog]

What the hey? Double post.

 

[busterdog]

So what other "Golden Rules" do others have to offer?

"Opinions are like toe jam. Everyone has some and it doesn't make you special."

"Don't take yourself so seriously."

"Nobody cares what I think."

 

[mark kennedy]

Use evidence from the other persons frame of reference.

Telling people that the Bible says so and so doesn't really have a lot of persuasive authority. Not only do you have various interpretations to consider there are also various levels of faith in Scripture.

On the other hand starting out by blasting a person for taking the Scriptures literally isn't going to result in a constructive conversation. I try to focus instead on the enormous amount of empirical evidence modern science is producing. There is more then enough to raise serious questions in an evolutionists own field of reference.

The Scriptures tell us a lot about who created the world and all that is in it. The problem is that it tells us precious little with regards to how living systems actually work. We should pay careful attention to the logical limits of the source material we use as evidence for our arguments.

 

[laptoppop]

The crucial thing for YECs to remember is that there are TEs around here that truly love the Lord, are seeking His truth, and are wonderful, godly people.

The crucial thing for TEs to remember is that there are YECs around here that can think, are willing to look at things intelligently, and just have a different interpretation of the evidence.

 

[Servant222]

The crucial thing for YECs to remember is that there are TEs around here that truly love the Lord, are seeking His truth, and are wonderful, godly people.

The crucial thing for TEs to remember is that there are YECs around here that can think, are willing to look at things intelligently, and just have a different interpretation of the evidence.

Agreed- a good point you make, but could I suggest for the purposes of learning more about discussions on this thread that your reference to intelligence could be misconstrued- perhaps the word "logically" in place of "intelligently" would have avoided any double meaning.

I would suggest that if someone does find a word or comment to be offensive, and doesn't think it should pass unchallenged, then a first step is to send a personal message (PM) to the poster and raise your concern privately. If that doesn't resolve the issue, then a gentle rebuttal public post may be in order.

Proverbs is such a rich source of advice on what to do if you find something offensive:

Proverbs 17:9
He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

Proverbs 19:11
A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.