This IS Real Life...

[Tone]

Why is this place (CF) downplayed, as when people will make a distinction between what is said here with "real life"? Also, in many threads, users will ask questions about a denomination or about attending/not attending "Church" and many will almost belittle what happens here and say something like,"Of course you need to have contact with others in the 'real world' or you're not really having fellowship."

Do we all not have Bibles...and many other powerful writings? Since when is the written word not a powerful medium, especially since we have mutual communication? If anything, this place is even realer than the "church" setting, since we are truly sharing much of our selves here.

I just wanted to point this out, because I think it is important for keeping a healthy, loving, and positive tone around here!

 

[thecolorsblend]

Why is this place (CF) downplayed, as when people will make a distinction between what is said here with "real life"?

Because there is a distinction to be noted between online discourse and meatspace. We are not sharing the same physical space with one another. Recognizing that fact is a matter of simple intellectual honesty.

Also, in many threads, users will ask questions about a denomination or about attending/not attending "Church" and many will almost belittle what happens here and say something like,"Of course you need to have contact with others in the 'real world' or you're not really having fellowship."

I tend to agree that we need contact with others in meatspace in order to have authentic fellowship with one another. I suppose some pale shadow of fellowship can exist online between people separated by vast distances. But in the main, gatherings are to be real and physical.

Do we all not have Bibles...and many other powerful writings?

We do. And if history teaches us nothing else, it's that those things achieve precisely zero when it comes to creating authentic communion among Christians.

Since when is the written word not a powerful medium, especially since we have mutual communication?

Again, you've paid attention to history, yes? The Christian world has had essentially equal access to Sacred Scripture as well as other writings by various and sundry teachers and whatnot for centuries. But this reality has not fostered anything that could ever be mistaken for genuine unity. On the contrary, access has created (and deepened) division and separation in ways which are almost incomprehensible.

If anything, this place is even realer than the "church" setting, since we are truly sharing much of our selves here.

I do acknowledge that information can be more comprehensively disseminated and studied here than most IRL settings. Certainly, those of us who are introverts might find it easier to communicate our ideas and beliefs in writing online than in verbally in person.

However, that fact does not diminish the reality that true and genuine fellowship occurs in person. For me as a Catholic, it is particularly important that I attend Mass for reasons which most Protestants either wouldn't understand or else don't accept as a matter of doctrine.

Lest I be accused of bias in this matter, however, I should emphasize that I held essentially this same view back in my evangelical days.

 

[timewerx]

This can't be real life

 

[ChicanaRose]

Why is this place (CF) downplayed, as when people will make a distinction between what is said here with "real life"?

By "real life," I think people mean "off-line life" with people you communicate with in person. At least that is what I mean when I use the phrase.

I think the anonymity makes the Online environment feel safe for opening up. For example, it's hard to tell a church member about another church member I am struggling to forgive, because even if I don't use her name, she may eventually figure it out. This could quickly get awkward for a mutual friend in the same social circle. A challenge like that could be avoided by sharing anonymously Online.

 

[Tone]

Because there is a distinction to be noted between online discourse and meatspace. We are not sharing the same physical space with one another. Recognizing that fact is a matter of simple intellectual honesty

Yet, here we are...communicating. What about a CF BBQ?

I tend to agree that we need contact with others in meatspace in order to have authentic fellowship with one another. I suppose some pale shadow of fellowship can exist online between people separated by vast distances. But in the main, gatherings are to be real and physical.

Of course we need the meating (ha ha) of the minds and the vast majority of CFers (why do I feel like I said something bad?) do meat (lol) with others, but that shouldn't take from the fact that this is real life interaction with real people...(some may be bots...).

We do. And if history teaches us nothing else, it's that those things achieve precisely zero when it comes to creating authentic communion among Christians.

I wouldn't say "zero"...at all...I mean, remember the epistles?

Again, you've paid attention to history, yes? The Christian world has had essentially equal access to Sacred Scripture as well as other writings by various and sundry teachers and what not for centuries. But this reality has not fostered anything that could ever be mistaken for genuine unity. On the contrary, access has created (and deepened) division and separation in ways which are almost incomprehensible.

You think the writings are the cause of division?!

 

[Tone]

By "real life," I think people mean "off-line life" with people you communicate with in person. At least that is what I mean when I use the phrase.

I understand what you are saying, but do you see how this seemingly obvious distinction serves to downplay the fact that we are real people?

I think the anonymity makes the Online environment feel safe for opening up. For example, it's hard to tell a church member about another church member I am struggling to forgive, because even if I don't use her name, she may eventually figure it out. This could quickly get awkward for a mutual friend in the same social circle. A challenge like that could be avoided by sharing anonymously Online.

Well, I really don't consider any of this really anonymous...but, I tend towards paranoia so...

Also, there is plenty of anonymity going on in church settings...lots of church politicking.

 

[ChicanaRose]

I understand what you are saying, but do you see how this seemingly obvious distinction serves to downplay the fact that we are real people?

We are real people.

 

[Tone]

We are real people.

Yes, we are. Hello real person...Shabbat Shalom!

 

[mama2one]

Why is this place (CF) downplayed, as when people will make a distinction between what is said here with "real life"?

unless one is Skyping online, we don't "see" the other person
there are people who pretend online, exaggerate, and even pretend to be female when they're male and vice versa
even on CF, have seen males with female avatars

I've been on other forums where people confessed to stirring up trouble or even creating 2 online accts to interact with themselves on a thread they created!

so sadly a lot of what is online may not be true
even on CF, I've been on a couple threads giving advice and later the person admitted to being a troll

was surprised I didn't recognize their "problem" was entirely fabricated

people can easily be deceived online so much so that every year kids disappear when lured into thinking they're meeting another kid but it's really some adult

introverts like myself find online easier to communicate but us introverts need to force ourselves to deal with others in person even if it's uncomfortable

 

[ChicanaRose]

there are people who pretend online, exaggerate, and even pretend to be female when they're male and vice versa

was surprised I didn't recognize their "problem" was entirely fabricated

I've met people who pretended, and exaggerated in real life. I didn't recognize their problems were fabricated to stir up trouble.

If someone is being an Online troll, that says a lot about their character. I would not be surprised if they acted similarly in real life.

 

[Tone]

so sadly a lot of what is online may not be true

Sadly, we can say the exact same thing about churchgoers.

people can easily be deceived online so much so that every year kids disappear when lured into thinking they're meeting another kid but it's really some adult

Also sadly, this (deception) happens offline as well.

introverts like myself find online easier to communicate but us introverts need to force ourselves to deal with others in person even if it's uncomfortable

I'm sure the vast majority of us deal with others "in person" every day. I'm not saying that we should all do this exclusively. I was just saying that this too is a part of real life.

 

[Tone]

How do you two have more positive ratings than posts...are you the same person?...ha ha

 

[mama2one]

I was just saying that this too is a part of real life.

however, we can make it "more" than it really is

because I'm a parent who has adopted a child, I was on two adoption forums for a number of years
we even had a private room for people adopting at the same time
we exchanged addresses, sent Christmas cards, and even discussed meeting in person

then one day, the forums both disappeared without warning (different years)
I was so attached to the readily available adoption info, friendly people, quick answers to questions, etc

when the one forum disappeared, I felt depressed about it for about a year
had become too dependent on it because "in real life" there are few adoptive parents where I live

 

[Tone]

however, we can make it "more" than it really is

because I'm a parent who has adopted a child, I was on two adoption forums for a number of years
we even had a private room for people adopting at the same time
we exchanged addresses, sent Christmas cards, and even discussed meeting in person

then one day, the forums both disappeared without warning (different years)
I was so attached to the readily available adoption info, friendly people, quick answers to questions, etc

when the one forum disappeared, I felt depressed about it for about a year
had become too dependent on it because "in real life" there are few adoptive parents where I live

Oh wow, sorry to hear that. Yeah, I would probably be sad if CF was pulled or crashed or something. But, I would also continue to pray for the people here and know that we are in communion regardless.


*Because, this is also spiritual.

 

[ripple the car]

Because there is a distinction to be noted between online discourse and meatspace. We are not sharing the same physical space with one another. Recognizing that fact is a matter of simple intellectual honesty.

I tend to agree that we need contact with others in meatspace in order to have authentic fellowship with one another. I suppose some pale shadow of fellowship can exist online between people separated by vast distances. But in the main, gatherings are to be real and physical.

We do. And if history teaches us nothing else, it's that those things achieve precisely zero when it comes to creating authentic communion among Christians.

Again, you've paid attention to history, yes? The Christian world has had essentially equal access to Sacred Scripture as well as other writings by various and sundry teachers and whatnot for centuries. But this reality has not fostered anything that could ever be mistaken for genuine unity. On the contrary, access has created (and deepened) division and separation in ways which are almost incomprehensible.

I do acknowledge that information can be more comprehensively disseminated and studied here than most IRL settings. Certainly, those of us who are introverts might find it easier to communicate our ideas and beliefs in writing online than in verbally in person.

However, that fact does not diminish the reality that true and genuine fellowship occurs in person. For me as a Catholic, it is particularly important that I attend Mass for reasons which most Protestants either wouldn't understand or else don't accept as a matter of doctrine.

Lest I be accused of bias in this matter, however, I should emphasize that I held essentially this same view back in my evangelical days.

I just enjoyed the introduction of the term "meatspace". Thank you, Colors!

 

[ChicanaRose]

because I'm a parent who has adopted a child, I was on two adoption forums for a number of years
we even had a private room for people adopting at the same time
we exchanged addresses, sent Christmas cards, and even discussed meeting in person

then one day, the forums both disappeared without warning (different years)

If they were discussing meeting in person, then they really led you on. I'm so sorry to hear this.
And bless you for having a big, generous heart to adopt a child!

 

[bekkilyn]

I can't really explain the difference, but there IS a difference between online and in-person. Each has advantages and disadvantages, but I would no more replace actual in-person corporate worship services with online services unless I absolutely had no choice. How would one be able to participate in communion (eucharist, mass, etc.) if only online, as just one example?

Yes, we do interact with real people here on CF, but it's different than in "real life" vs. "virtual life" as so much sensory perception is limited in our online interactions. Also, many people create virtual lives that are very different than their physical lives, so the person we know online may be very different than the same person someone else knows in physical space.

I don't believe either can be a replacement for the other.

 

[gennypearl]

.

 

[Tone]

I'd say 50/50. 50 for those who posts/shares about their personal lives and don't even tell it to people close to them. 50 for those who keeps their anonymity, not using their real name or picture.

I've put real pics. up...all of them are taken by me actually. Tone is not far off from my name...it's a spin off part of it.

 

[gennypearl]

.