I think you will find that many of the men in this section are so convinced of their "rightness" that they look sound nasty and aggressive without any conscious intent to be that way.
I believe you will find that many people, both men and women who post on this board are convinced that scripture means what it says. Many have accused Paul of being an oppressor of women because of his teachings on a woman's role in the church, dress standards for ladies, etc. These items have nothing to do with my "rightness" and everything to do with my belief that scripture was inspired by God. I do address things in a very blunt manner because I have no use for the watering down of scripture that comes from todays concept of tolerance. If you read the writings of Jesus, the Apostles, the early church and the early Anabaptists, you will find very blunt words when they were addressing false teachings.
Perhaps it can be chalked up to the difference between the way men and women communicate. Perhaps it is because they have never been held accountable by the women in their lives to speak gently.
I loved my wife dearly, but there were times when speaking gently was not the appropriate way to communicate. The same goes for my children, there are times to speak gently and there are times to be blunt.
Some guys just like to stir up trouble, and online forums make it difficult to tell the intent behind the words.
You have me there. I do enjoy a good theological debate based on scripture and facts rather than emotional response. I like have my moments when I have to step away from the computer because I feel myself getting a little to worked up and I know that this comes across on some of my posts. Unfortunately, there are some who consider it unloving to disagree with somebody. Many people who post online have a need to be affirmed in what they believe. I have no use for affirming something that is false.
For instance, is danfrey trying to be inflammatory when he lumps feminism and women pastors together in his closing statement? Or is he just ignorant of the differences between feminism and a woman following God's call on her life? I don't know him well enough to decide, although I have an idea of his response, based on his previous posts. He calls this "unemotional debate". Many women may feel he is making inflammatory remarks. Isn't it funny how we can react so differently to the same thing.
I was addressing what I perceived was the intent of the post as well as the issue that has come up time and time again in these forums. Anabaptist men have been accused of being oppressive by many who are outside the conservative Anabaptist circles. Many people feel that we need to adjust scriptural teachings to fit into our 21st century mindset. I don't see a need to manipulate scripture to fit my perception of equality.
All this to say, not all Anabaptist men are like this, especially if you are able to talk to them in person.
This statement is very true. You will find many Anabaptist men who are willing to set aside scriptural teachings for the sake of harmony. Let me add that along with this, if you had the opportunity to sit down in gathering of conservative Anabaptists you would find men who love their wife's, daughter's, and sisters very deeply. You will find families that are strong and divorce is all but unheard of. These strong communities are not the result of oppression. They are the result of following God and loving their neighbors as themselves.
As a final note, let me add that you will find the exception to the rule. There are men who have a distorted view of what it means to be a brother, a father and a husband, but I believe it is the exception not rather the common.
Why are the men in this forum so aggressive and nasty?
