Why do you think, some people are so cruel on the net?

[aflower4God]

Here is why I ask this question:


i was on a very non-Christian message board and I was asking alot of questions about well known to the pubic person. Anyway, to my knowledge I really thought that this message board was created for that very purpose. Anyway, this one nasty person accused me of being something that i am 100% not!!!! I feel really sick now and I feel like crying. Anyway, here is what I did, i went to that message board and deleted all of my post that pertains to this well known person, why cause I do NOT like to be harassed and called something that is completely opposite of me! I feel like I am gonna get sick because of this libelous accusations that were made against me. I reported this person immediatly but usailly the mods there say put this person on ignore. they are not nearly as kind and well equiped to handle this kind of rubbish as the mods here!

It is simple, if you do not know the person then why the heck do some people post things that are completely false about that person. And does not make since what so ever! Example, it is like calling someone gay just because they support gays. Or calling someone a hippie just because they help the earth and they like the style. Gosh I am sorry but that is totally wrong. See people assume way too much and think it is just okay and great to be nasty to others. Gosh is that what this world is like these days. So sad!!!


I wish that some people would learn that the internet should not be a place where as they go out of their way to deliberately try to hurt others. It is simple, if you do not like that person just do not post!!! And a word to anyone who is ""rookie" to CF, this place is probably one of the safest places to be because of the moderation staff!!!! And the members here seem to be alot more kinder to others!

Thanks in advance for your kind thoughts about this issue!

 

[HotRhymez]

Word...I totally agree with what you're sayin...I guess some people think they're cool by being immature..or they're having problems in their life and they take it out on people they don't know. It makes me sick. The sad thing is, I see it happening once in awhile here on CF too.

 

[4Christ2]

Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

As believers, we have to allow the Lord Jesus to shine through us by the power of the Holy Spirit....Always remembering that He died on the cross for the "mean" people too.

 

[ReformedChapin]

I have been accused of being gay for fighting against homosexuality on this board. I don't understand the logic behind it but hey sinners will say anything to support their life style. . I have also been called a close minded fundie by the same individuals...I guess they can't make up their mind about what I am. I just ignore it

 

[DZoolander]

People are cruel on the net because the net takes away their inhibitions. In real life - they'd like to say those things - but their afraid of the social consequences of being such ***hats. Put them on the net, where they're just another randomly chosen name and where they don't need to look into the eyes of the person they're railing on, they are more willing to reveal what they actually think.

 

[jgnat]

"Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh..." perhaps on the 'net more even than in person, the real character shines through. After all, it's not like they are going to run in to you in the school hallway or anything. It's not like people that really matter to them are going to know what they said.

But I am of the mind that if people have it in their heart to be so cruel, it will come out in real life eventually. Everything in our hearts is revealed over time.

On the flip side, you have to develop a thick skin over what people say on the 'net. You can't take it personally.

 

[UberLutheran]

It's real easy to be really, REALLY nasty to people we can't see face to face; and it's equally easy to say things to people online that most of us would (hopefully!) never say to people to their faces.

What we forget is that the person on the other side of the screen is an actual flesh-and-blood human being with feelings, life experiences, strengths and insecurities — and who is also equally beloved by God.

Sometimes I think the Internet might actually bring out the very worst in some of us. There are people I've encountered in this forum, on CF and other forums who have gone so far out of their way to be despicable and hateful people that I wouldn't care to meet them face to face, knowing that how they act to my face is one thing and what they really think is quite another.

 

[aflower4God]

You all have such logical view points about this. Someone on this thread posted that I need to have thicker skin on the net...Well you are right on friend!!!! Because of the reasons you all had mentioned. Someone else posted here that people dont realize that others ARE human with feelings...I think that is sad but as many good people here on CF has said "all I can do is pray for them". It is hard, but I know in my heart they are right!

Thank you for your insight and your logic on this. It really has helped!

God bless you all!

 

[MarieRose]

It's real easy to be really, REALLY nasty to people we can't see face to face; and it's equally easy to say things to people online that most of us would (hopefully!) never say to people to their faces.

What we forget is that the person on the other side of the screen is an actual flesh-and-blood human being with feelings, life experiences, strengths and insecurities — and who is also equally beloved by God.

Sometimes I think the Internet might actually bring out the very worst in some of us. There are people I've encountered in this forum, on CF and other forums who have gone so far out of their way to be despicable and hateful people that I wouldn't care to meet them face to face, knowing that how they act to my face is one thing and what they really think is quite another.

Yes, I agree, the net does seem to bring out the worst sides of many people and they say things that they wouldn't normally even think of saying in real life.

And I would like to say that it's just because we are talking about a controversial subject here (religion) that causes tempers to rise, but I've honestly seen people get fired up and say derogatory remarks about others on the net for all kinds of trivial things. I used to visit a fansite for a television show and the fighting and insults that would go on over fictional characters was unbelievable. Nobody in real life would bash a stranger who didn't like a certain tv character, and yet on the internet it's perfectly acceptable to treat others like this.

 

[HannahBanana]

Personally, I think it's because of the anonymity that the internet brings. People don't know who you are, thus, if you insult someone, you don't have to be fearful of them seeking revenge or trying to get you in trouble.

Also, it's easy for some people (myself included) to forget that the text on the screen was typed by a living, breathing human being with feelings. Therefore, it's easy to type something incredibly callous and cruel and not realize that it could hurt a person.

It's one of the downsides of the internet, and I think that just about everyone has fallen victim to it at one time or another (goodness knows I have).

 

[aflower4God]

Yes, I agree, the net does seem to bring out the worst sides of many people and they say things that they wouldn't normally even think of saying in real life.

And I would like to say that it's just because we are talking about a controversial subject here (religion) that causes tempers to rise, but I've honestly seen people get fired up and say derogatory remarks about others on the net for all kinds of trivial things. I used to visit a fansite for a television show and the fighting and insults that would go on over fictional characters was unbelievable. Nobody in real life would bash a stranger who didn't like a certain tv character, and yet on the internet it's perfectly acceptable to treat others like this.

So sad.... I just can not imagine how people can hurt others like that. When I post my message I TRY my best to post them in a friendly matter because I know that there is a person with feelings reading the messages. I mean there is so much hate going on around the world. I know when I come on the net I am just trying to chat with folks about stuff that I am interested in. I do this on my time to relax. If I wanted someone to be hateful to me I would quit my job and take a job at telemarketing with evening hours..really...cause that is an open door for people to be irrate at calling to solicit products. I do understand how no where in this world is a perfect place only one place is..and that is heaven. But I just think it is sad how others just use the net to be mean and cruel to innocent folks!

Personally, I think it's because of the anonymity that the internet brings. People don't know who you are, thus, if you insult someone, you don't have to be fearful of them seeking revenge or trying to get you in trouble.

Also, it's easy for some people (myself included) to forget that the text on the screen was typed by a living, breathing human being with feelings. Therefore, it's easy to type something incredibly callous and cruel and not realize that it could hurt a person.

It's one of the downsides of the internet, and I think that just about everyone has fallen victim to it at one time or another (goodness knows I have).

My heart goes out to you sister! It is sad how you got torn up like this. It does hurt. But a dear member told me that time will pass and this hurt that I am feeling will too go away, however I will never forget this what happened to me today on that non christian web site.

God bless you all, and please know that if I have ever offended you in any way I assure that I was not trying to do that at all...you all have feelings sensitive or not..you all are human!!!

God be with you all!

 

[Chie]

Here is why I ask this question:


i was on a very non-Christian message board and I was asking alot of questions about well known to the pubic person. Anyway, to my knowledge I really thought that this message board was created for that very purpose. Anyway, this one nasty person accused me of being something that i am 100% not!!!! I feel really sick now and I feel like crying. Anyway, here is what I did, i went to that message board and deleted all of my post that pertains to this well known person, why cause I do NOT like to be harassed and called something that is completely opposite of me! I feel like I am gonna get sick because of this libelous accusations that were made against me. I reported this person immediatly but usailly the mods there say put this person on ignore. they are not nearly as kind and well equiped to handle this kind of rubbish as the mods here!

It is simple, if you do not know the person then why the heck do some people post things that are completely false about that person. And does not make since what so ever! Example, it is like calling someone gay just because they support gays. Or calling someone a hippie just because they help the earth and they like the style. Gosh I am sorry but that is totally wrong. See people assume way too much and think it is just okay and great to be nasty to others. Gosh is that what this world is like these days. So sad!!!


I wish that some people would learn that the internet should not be a place where as they go out of their way to deliberately try to hurt others. It is simple, if you do not like that person just do not post!!! And a word to anyone who is ""rookie" to CF, this place is probably one of the safest places to be because of the moderation staff!!!! And the members here seem to be alot more kinder to others!

Thanks in advance for your kind thoughts about this issue!

Out of the mouth comes the issues of the heart.
Those who display lack of the fruits of the Spirit on the net displays them in their everyday life as well. The only difference is they can be bolder in their rebellion and ungodly behavior because the monitor is their defense to be accountable , but they lack the knowledge and Spirit that they are accountable to God regardless where they are at.

 

[SallyNow]

Personally, I think it's because of the anonymity that the internet brings. People don't know who you are, thus, if you insult someone, you don't have to be fearful of them seeking revenge or trying to get you in trouble.

Also, it's easy for some people (myself included) to forget that the text on the screen was typed by a living, breathing human being with feelings. Therefore, it's easy to type something incredibly callous and cruel and not realize that it could hurt a person.

It's one of the downsides of the internet, and I think that just about everyone has fallen victim to it at one time or another (goodness knows I have).

So very true!

I do think, though, that there is another side to this... that sometimes a person may be so used to discussing a subject with those who agree with them that they are too thin-skinned when they debate with people on the internet who have different opinions, viewpoints, and personal experiences.

That isn't, of course, a reason to jump from debate to cruelty...

 

[habeas]

I think sometimes it is because the persons saying hurtful things are hurting tremendously themselves. They have no peace or joy, and thus the only satisfaction or "entertainment" they have in life is to engage in bitter fueds.

Lashing out distracts them momentarily from their misery. I've witnessed it over and over again.

 

[goldenrule]

Some can't articulate as well, for instance myself. I can say something, while thinking of something that gives it context, but without writing that context. Everyone starts pointing and laughing at me!
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[marshgreencohen]

because they are free to say it here unlike in saying it in person...they have their so-called guts to do these mean things to pretend that they're way cooler than everybody else but the truth is they're not.

 

[Nadiine]

I think part of it (or even a lot of it) is the prophecy that Jesus gave us as to how it would be in the last days:

Matthew 24:12
"Because lawlessness is increased,
most people's love will grow cold
​

This is just one of the areas it will really increase and spread. Plus, it's much easier to attack someone "virtually" than in person; face to face.
(many cowards around)
​

 

[Archivist]

Albert Mehrabian of UCLA came up with the so called "7-38-55 Rule" a number of years ago. He proposed that words account for only 7% of a message, while tone of voice accounted for 38% and body language accounted for 55% of the message.

We loose tone and body language when communicating online, which can change the meaning of our intended message.

 

[Nadiine]

Albert Mehrabian of UCLA came up with the so called "7-38-55 Rule" a number of years ago. He proposed that words account for only 7% of a message, while tone of voice accounted for 38% and body language accounted for 55% of the message.

We loose tone and body language when communicating online, which can change the meaning of our intended message.

That may be true, but emoticons & smileys were created which help convey "facial" expression/emotion, and supposedly ALL CAPS or BOLD CAPS in flaming red with an underline can tell us a few things too, depending on content...

 

[Archivist]

That may be true, but emoticons & smileys were created which help convey "facial" expression/emotion, and supposedly ALL CAPS or BOLD CAPS in flaming red with an underline can tell us a few things too, depending on content...

Yes, but if you are doing a quick reply you don't get the various smileys, nor can the addition of smilies, boldafce or all caps make up for the loss of 93% of a message.