SDA on the internet

[hennerk]

Hello, I'm writing a paper (for a college course) about the role of forums like this is in religious life and communication. I'm posting here and on another SDA forum because I want to hear directly what you think, instead of just reading your posts and making assumptions about what motivates them, etc.

I want to keep it kind of broad, but I have a few specific questions that might get a discussion started:

How does online participation in the SDA community compare to participation among family or friends or in the church?
What kind of a connection do you feel with other users here? Does the relative anonymity of the internet make a big difference?
What is the importance of discussion and sharing religious information in general (on or off the internet)?

 

[AndrewK788]

Hello, I'm writing a paper (for a college course) about the role of forums like this is in religious life and communication. I'm posting here and on another SDA forum because I want to hear directly what you think, instead of just reading your posts and making assumptions about what motivates them, etc.

I want to keep it kind of broad, but I have a few specific questions that might get a discussion started:

1How does online participation in the SDA community compare to participation among family or friends or in the church?
2What kind of a connection do you feel with other users here? 3Does the relative anonymity of the internet make a big difference?
4What is the importance of discussion and sharing religious information in general (on or off the internet)?

Hey hennerk,
I'm a newer member here, but as a fellow college student I'll gladly answer you questions!

1) Well the biggest difference is it gets much more heated here. Other than that, I don't experience much of a difference other than the fact I don't actually know any of these people in person.

2) I actually do have some close connections with users here. I've made several friends that I wouldn't mind meeting in person if the opportunity ever arose.

3) Haha, yes it does. There are plenty of things people say to one another that they wouldn't dare say to someone's face. In a way it is good for those who may be shy but still wish to discuss and debate, but for those who's intentions may not be so noble, it gives them a convenient mask to hide behind.

4) It brings people with common beliefs and questions together. The internet is nice since it spans the globe so you see numerous cultures and point-of-views represented.


Hope that helps. If you didn't notice I stuck numbers into the quote that correspond to my answers.

 

[Kyran]

Hey hennerk,
I'm a newer member here, but as a fellow college student I'll gladly answer you questions!

1) Well the biggest difference is it gets much more heated here. Other than that, I don't experience much of a difference other than the fact I don't actually know any of these people in person.

2) I actually do have some close connections with users here. I've made several friends that I wouldn't mind meeting in person if the opportunity ever arose.

3) Haha, yes it does. There are plenty of things people say to one another that they wouldn't dare say to someone's face. In a way it is good for those who may be shy but still wish to discuss and debate, but for those who's intentions may not be so noble, it gives them a convenient mask to hide behind.

4) It brings people with common beliefs and questions together. The internet is nice since it spans the globe so you see numerous cultures and point-of-views represented.


Hope that helps. If you didn't notice I stuck numbers into the quote that correspond to my answers.

3 Of course. People seem to enjoy venting their frustrations against innocence people on the internet.

 

[Jon0388g]

Hello, I'm writing a paper (for a college course) about the role of forums like this is in religious life and communication. I'm posting here and on another SDA forum because I want to hear directly what you think, instead of just reading your posts and making assumptions about what motivates them, etc.

I want to keep it kind of broad, but I have a few specific questions that might get a discussion started:

Hi Hennerk, Welcome to the SDA forum.

How does online participation in the SDA community compare to participation among family or friends or in the church?

Different. Sometimes it is easier (for me anyway) to express opinions or beliefs in person rather than online. I also forget very often that there are other people on the end of my computer screen which can sometimes affect how I word my posts.

What kind of a connection do you feel with other users here? Does the relative anonymity of the internet make a big difference?

The anonymity of the internet makes a very big difference. I am certain there are some members of CF which have a much louder 'voice' here than they do in their local church or community. We are all held far less accountable online than in the 'real world', so a lot of 'alternative' ideas get thrown around here.

On the other hand I have made very good relationships with a number of people over the years I've been a member, and I've learned a great, great deal from what I've read, both good and bad. Being challenged on what I believe has helped me grow in my faith and not take anything for granted.

What is the importance of discussion and sharing religious information in general (on or off the internet)?

The Bible says:

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17

As I said above, discussing and sharing information can help us to grow in our faith and prepare us to defend it in a 'real life' situation. It also can do the opposite as it has done to a few here; but either way we are shaped by the dialogue we have.



Jon

 

[mva1985]

Hey hennerk,
I'm a newer member here, but as a fellow college student I'll gladly answer you questions!

1) Well the biggest difference is it gets much more heated here. Other than that, I don't experience much of a difference other than the fact I don't actually know any of these people in person.

2) I actually do have some close connections with users here. I've made several friends that I wouldn't mind meeting in person if the opportunity ever arose.

3) Haha, yes it does. There are plenty of things people say to one another that they wouldn't dare say to someone's face. In a way it is good for those who may be shy but still wish to discuss and debate, but for those who's intentions may not be so noble, it gives them a convenient mask to hide behind.

4) It brings people with common beliefs and questions together. The internet is nice since it spans the globe so you see numerous cultures and point-of-views represented.


Hope that helps. If you didn't notice I stuck numbers into the quote that correspond to my answers.

Andrew pretty well summed it up for me as well.

 

[hennerk]

First of all, thank you all for replying! Nobody has replied yet to my post at the topix.com sda forum, and I was getting worried.
It seems like, from what I've read in your replies so far and in other posts on here, that there's a pretty good consensus about the questions I asked, so I'd like to elaborate on them a little more. I'm replying to Jon0388g's post, but I hope other people will respond too.

We are all held far less accountable online than in the 'real world', so a lot of 'alternative' ideas get thrown around here.

What kind of alternative ideas? Is there a big difference between the kinds of ideas that are discussed here, and would be discussed in a real-world church community, or is there just a larger volume or wider variety of ideas making some of them inevitably 'alternative' or unusual?

On the other hand I have made very good relationships with a number of people over the years I've been a member, and I've learned a great, great deal from what I've read, both good and bad. Being challenged on what I believe has helped me grow in my faith and not take anything for granted.

Could you elaborate on how being challenged on your beliefs helps your faith grow? Does it help you justify and understand what you already believe, or does it help you find new ideas or change your mind about your belief, or both? Is there just one correct understanding that you have to search for?

 

[Jon0388g]

What kind of alternative ideas? Is there a big difference between the kinds of ideas that are discussed here, and would be discussed in a real-world church community, or is there just a larger volume or wider variety of ideas making some of them inevitably 'alternative' or unusual?

The Seventh-day Adventist Church is known for its unique beliefs and doctrine. So, the 'ideas' in our church are already narrowed down quite a bit from mainstream Christianity: not leaving much room for 'variety'.

Examples of alternative ideas? Pick your fancy from:

• Unreliability of the Scriptures
• A fictional Creation account
• Universalism
• 'Once saved always saved'

Just to name a few. These are alternative ideas to most conservative Christians, much less Adventists.

More specifically, the doctrines which form our pillars as a Church: the Sabbath, state of the dead, the Sanctuary, Health Message - all of which have been openly despised and mocked by so called "Adventists". And of course the spirit of prophecy which Adventists believe was manifested in the writings of Ellen White. I definitely do not believe the attitude toward these beliefs are so flagrantly abhorred in local churches or communities. Discussed perhaps - openly taunted, no.

Could you elaborate on how being challenged on your beliefs helps your faith grow? Does it help you justify and understand what you already believe, or does it help you find new ideas or change your mind about your belief, or both? Is there just one correct understanding that you have to search for?

Well for me, when I first arrived here I knew very little about the Bible and what Adventists taught. Yet being bombarded from the offset with how we are so wrong on practically everything lead me to my Bible to see if the Church I was raised in really was false. Being challenged made me search the Scriptures for myself - and my faith grew.


I would agree that there is only one correct understanding we have to search for. I don't believe that God has left us to be confused in any matter of faith.



Jon

 

[IntoTheCrimsonSky]

Hi there.

My name's Sarah. I've been here just over a year now and even moderated for several months.

Here's my answers:

1) How does online participation in the SDA community compare to participation among family or friends or in the church?

It's very different. In church it's a very limited comminucation, because in most cases you only know them while at church. Here you can chat beyond and often get a deeper understanding of their beliefs, whereas in the short time you're with people at church you tend to stick to certain topics. (In my short experience)

I can't really relate to family or friends in this question, as I don't know anyone else offline who shares my beliefs.

2) What kind of a connection do you feel with other users here?

Depends on the person, but some very close. I have been mostly at home my whole life, so online friends are my main source of socializing. I try to look at it in the same context, though.. We're all God's children and those online deserve the same love and respect from me as those I meet offline.

3) Does the relative anonymity of the internet make a big difference?

Not at all in my case, although it does for some. It's hard when you can't offer proper support to those you know could use it, due to distance.

4) What is the importance of discussion and sharing religious information in general (on or off the internet)?

I think it's very important. We can learn from eachother, and even from ourselves while sharing things with others. It creates the possibility for moral support, as well as advice. Not to mention the fact sharing our faith and praise is one of the most important things God wants us to do. By using forums it allows us to share with so many more people than we ever could have before, and allows those of us (like myself) who cannot attend church most of the time to still fellowship.

 

[DarylFawcett]

hennerk,

You said you also asked these questions on the topix.com SDA forum?

I went there and couldn't even find such a forum, therefore, I suggest you try some other more known SDA forums such as http://www.maritime-sda-online.com and/or http://www.adventalk.com where you will more likely receive a reply to your post/questions.

 

[hennerk]

I can't really relate to family or friends in this question, as I don't know anyone else offline who shares my beliefs.

Do you mean that you don't know people any people at all offline that share your beliefs?

 

[hennerk]

hennerk,

You said you also asked these questions on the topix.com SDA forum?

I went there and couldn't even find such a forum, therefore, I suggest you try some other more known SDA forums ...

Cool, thank you. I'll check them out.

 

[IntoTheCrimsonSky]

Do you mean that you don't know people any people at all offline that share your beliefs?

Yes. Apart from a few I met at church (which I don't really know beyond church, and I've only been maybe 10 times in my life), I don't know any that share my beliefs offline.

I was born and raised with different beliefs, more of a spiritualism/wiccan/kinda Christian thing. It was a huge leap when I switched to being a Christian/SDA, and all of my friends and family didn't leap with me.

 

[reddogs]

First of all, thank you all for replying! Nobody has replied yet to my post at the topix.com sda forum, and I was getting worried.
It seems like, from what I've read in your replies so far and in other posts on here, that there's a pretty good consensus about the questions I asked, so I'd like to elaborate on them a little more. I'm replying to Jon0388g's post, but I hope other people will respond too.

What kind of alternative ideas? Is there a big difference between the kinds of ideas that are discussed here, and would be discussed in a real-world church community, or is there just a larger volume or wider variety of ideas making some of them inevitably 'alternative' or unusual?

Could you elaborate on how being challenged on your beliefs helps your faith grow? Does it help you justify and understand what you already believe, or does it help you find new ideas or change your mind about your belief, or both? Is there just one correct understanding that you have to search for?

I knew I had seen this somewhere, it was topix....

Well here is what I wrote on one of the other threads...

When I came to CF I knew about Gods truth but had been spiritually dead for many years, going over the truths in careful study, fellowshiping, interacting and sharing Gods truth forced me to come to a decision, and ever since the Holy Spirit has been guiding me into harder and higher levels of understanding which never meant anything to me before.......

I guess thats what it means to 'grow in Christ'....

Red

 

[hennerk]

When I came to CF I knew about Gods truth but had been spiritually dead for many years, going over the truths in careful study, fellowshiping, interacting and sharing Gods truth forced me to come to a decision, and ever since the Holy Spirit has been guiding me into harder and higher levels of understanding which never meant anything to me before.......

Cool. I'm actually glad you brought up the Holy Spirit, because I'm wondering what role the Holy Spirit takes in the discussions that go on here. Is it different than in at other times, like in the church, or when you're reading the bible? Does the Holy Spirit have a part in guiding the discussions here, or in guiding individuals in their understanding and interpretation, or what.
What about the mentions of people being antagonistic or talking about 'alternative' beliefs (not that those are necessarily the same)?