Negative Vibes: Solutions?

[humblemuslim]

This question could just as easily be asked to any religious group for a response, but I would like to know what the Christians on this forum think about the subject.

It is no secret that there are people out there that hold extreme negative feelings for certain religious groups or in some cases all religious groups. It does not take a genius to figure out who these people are. It typically is obvious from the first interaction you have with them. And there are also some people that have been bitten, so to speak, so many times by these negative people that they get into a habit of assuming the new guy on the block is just like all the others. Not to mention sometimes people change for the better, so even those who have exhibited less than ideal behavior in the past can improve in the future.

What do you believe is the best way to handle this sort of negativity?

Both original negativity (Person(s) starting it) and generated negativity (Negative response by others to the person starting it).


Sometimes I personally ignore it. Other times I feel I need to respond. Depends on a case by case bias really. Even though it can be hard at times to resist, responding negatively only worsens the situation. Anyone with experience can attest to that.

 

[freeport]

This question could just as easily be asked to any religious group for a response, but I would like to know what the Christians on this forum think about the subject.

It is no secret that there are people out there that hold extreme negative feelings for certain religious groups or in some cases all religious groups. It does not take a genius to figure out who these people are. It typically is obvious from the first interaction you have with them. And there are also some people that have been bitten, so to speak, so many times by these negative people that they get into a habit of assuming the new guy on the block is just like all the others. Not to mention sometimes people change for the better, so even those who have exhibited less than ideal behavior in the past can improve in the future.

What do you believe is the best way to handle this sort of negativity?

Both original negativity (Person(s) starting it) and generated negativity (Negative response by others to the person starting it).


Sometimes I personally ignore it. Other times I feel I need to respond. Depends on a case by case bias really. Even though it can be hard at times to resist, responding negatively only worsens the situation. Anyone with experience can attest to that.

Meh... [I have this problem often and see it in people often and is one of my biggest "pet peeves".]

I had this problem on another forum. I use Christian symbolism in some poetry and some guys flip out. Someone else - a good friend, even - takes me aside and keeps coming at me, "You are not being yourself".

Like she knows me. She obviously doesn't that well.

I let people judge me, and always leave the door open. I am an individual and I refuse to conform to anyone's expectations of me. I will not lie just to fit in, and I will not act a certain way if I do not feel it is best just to get friends.

I am an individual and I treat people as individuals. I hate it when people judge whole groups as a monolith. And I mean the people, not say, if you disagree with XYZ doctrines or practices of whatever group. Because there are wrong doctrines and practices -- but it is through reasoning and evidence that people discuss matters. Not false accusations without it. Everybody understands reasoning.

So, everyone wants their enemies: for some it is guys that wear suits and are rich. For some it is guys that are poor and don't dress well. For some it is some political or religious group. Fact is though... in almost any political or religious group people are rarely one hundred percent "one way".

I never get offended. My wife even agrees with this. I find some behavior distasteful. But offended? No. People make their own choices. They can not surprise me. I have yet to be surprised. I don't have a long list of dos and do nots I expect people to follow to get along with me.

My door is always open. I never shut someone out forever or judge them as someone who is hateful. If people want to be my enemy: that is their choice, not mine.

What I find it that it is easier to do this online then in person. Online you can change identities. In person, a lot of people... if they think you belong to their imaginary enemy set... they will peg you as a 'dog that bit them' and keep you that way forever.

Same thing with people today and relationships. They sleep with them, then dump them. Romance and family -- out the window. I am not talking about rules here. I am talking about heart. Loyalty. Meaning it for to be forever.

Same thing with friends. Why ever close out any friend? It is absurd. What "sin" did such a friend do to close the door on them forever? Why ever do that excepting someone's heart is shallow and made of wood?

That is my attitude. People do pick up on it even if they have closed me out. Bottomline: they sense I do not judge them. I understand them. I look beyond petty differences.

So, they always turn around. Sooner or later.

 

[humblemuslim]

Negative responses stem from those things which are inherent to human nature, the seven deadlies (so to speak). Rage, gluttony, pride, avarice, envy, sorrow, and greed (and their various other forms).

What do these all have in common? They are all focused on selfishness of some sort. The negative person lacks something in their heart, and they want to fill that space with something from the outside. Sorrow is an interesting one, because we usually think of sorrow as innocent. But sorrow is an insecurity, a fear, that prevents one from healthfully participating in their own life, and so it's almost a vortex of negativity upon others. They get drawn in by the gravity of emptiness.

But if you have a more specific scenario, I'm very interested to share my thoughts on it, and it might be more helpful to you!

Well unfortunately I have already been told that even by mentioning members names I would be goading them, which is a rule violation. Otherwise I would mention specifics. All I can say is check out the Non-Christian Religions sub-forum and you will see what I am talking about. Especially those threads that have been closed (Both recent and past threads). I am also referring to websites that are containing highly negative material gathered about other religions. A couple websites I know of are answeringislam and answeringchristainity. One negative against Islam, the other Christianity. One governed by a Christian, the other a muslim. They even go back and forth with each other.

Thanks for sharing your general thoughts.

 

[humblemuslim]

Thanks for sharing that freeport

 

[FutureAndAHope]

The following is what Jesus said to do when confronted with some one who wants to be an enemy, someone who is a taker not a giver.

Luk 6:27-36 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

 

[Bible2]

humblemuslim posted in message #1 of this thread:

What do you believe is the best way to handle this sort of
negativity?

Greetings.

The Bible says to Christians: "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome
evil with good" (Romans 12:21). "Whosoever shall smite thee on thy
right cheek, turn to him the other also" (Matthew 5:39). "Christ also
suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his
steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who,
when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he
threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth
righteously" (1 Peter 2:21-23).

humblemuslim posted in message #1 of this thread:

responding negatively only worsens the situation

The Bible says to Christians: "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but
grievous words stir up anger" (Proverbs 15:1). "Only by pride cometh
contention" (Proverbs 13:10). If Christians are humble, they won't
care when people say bad things about them personally, and so they
will feel no compulsion to defend themselves personally.

---

humblemuslim posted in message #4 of this thread:

I am also referring to websites that are containing highly negative
material gathered about other religions. A couple websites I know of
are answeringislam and answeringchristainity. One negative against
Islam, the other Christianity.

True, Biblical Christianity has to be negative against the doctrines of
Islam which contradict the Bible; otherwise, it wouldn't be preaching
the truth (2 Timothy 4:2-4, 1 Timothy 4:1-2). For example, Biblical
Christianity has to be negative against the doctrine of Islam which
denies that Jesus is the Son of God, for this contradicts Jesus' very
own claim to be the Son of God (John 10:36). And Biblical
Christianity has to be negative against the doctrine of Islam which
denies that Jesus died on the Cross for our sins and rose from the
dead on the third day, for this contradicts Jesus' very own claim
that he came to die on the Cross for our sins and rise from the dead
on the third day (Matthew 26:28, Matthew 20:19). This is the
gospel by which Biblical Christians are saved (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
They are even specifically warned in the Bible against any other
religion that would bring any other gospel, even if that other religion
claimed that it was revealed to man through an angel from heaven
(Galatians 1:8-9, cf. 2 Corinthians 11:14).

 

[Van]

I do not think there is a solution, short of moderators actually doing their job. And my experience is they perpetuate the negativity. All any poster can do is not return evil for evil, but do good to those who persecute you.