Should We Even Respond?

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Hidden In Him

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Just checked in for a second to see if anything looked interesting and check messages.

Found this thread:
Who Started That Lie?

Didn't Paul teach to avoid such discussions? (2 Timothy 2:16-21). I'm not saying it in condemnation of anyone who replied, but I wouldn't even respond. For one I don't even consider it worthy of a response. And this is before even taking in the implications of Paul's command to Timothy.

Anyone have any thoughts?
 

Hidden In Him

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There are some OPs and some posts that simply should not be dignified with a response.
Is it about predestination? I skimmed the thread. I am learning that some things are trivial matters that just cause division to talk about.

Agreed. I end up displeased with myself when I lose my patience discussing doctrines that really do need to be defended. Why should I over things that are relatively inconsequential (and often just plain ridiculous)?

Thanks for the responses.
 

prashanthd

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I understood the opening post, the posts in the last page made no sense. I've seen such threads before where people ask a question not really to know the answer but to push their own preconceived ideas into other's minds.:)
There were threads were I was wondering, why the discussion should continue so many pages.;)
I think it is not really necessary to respond to such discussions.
 

lforrest

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I believe in responding in kind to the spirit in which a question was asked. It quickly becomes clear when someone is open to actual discussion regarding their beliefs. When they show no interest I have no interest either.

I wouldn't respond if they wouldn't continue to stand day after day on their soapbox unopposed. How I respond to such people is with scipture, usually not directly quoted. Or with an analogy. If anyone reading cares about the truth they will form their own defense with the ammunition provided. The poster is usually not bothered by my subtle defence and ignores it.
 
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Hidden In Him

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I wouldn't respond if it they wouldn't continue to stand day after day on their soapbox unopposed.

I believe this is where management comes in (hint, hint, LoL). The rest of it I agree with, but sometimes the real trolls can take non-responsiveness as an excuse to keep pestering people, and/or the website. That's where I think they need to get the boot. My thinking is, if no one is welcoming them and they offer nothing of value, why are they still here?

Not a commentary on the job you do. Just debating what the proper "response" is to such types :) (i.e. pure, all-out instigators).
 
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Hidden In Him

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I understood the opening post, the posts in the last page made no sense. I've seen such threads before where people ask a question not really to know the answer but to push their own preconceived ideas into other's minds.:)

Yes, and not just to push their preconceived ideas, but also to deliberately antagonize. And it's the spirit behind such posts that I think we especially should distance ourselves from. It's an evil thing, and the godly man or woman should be on guard against such things, lest they become tempted too.
 

lforrest

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I believe this is where management comes in (hint, hint, LoL). The rest of it I agree with, but sometimes the real trolls can take non-responsiveness as an excuse to keep pestering people, and/or the website. That's where I think they need to get the boot. My thinking is, if no one is welcoming them and they offer nothing of value, why are they still here?

Not a commentary on the job you do. Just debating what the proper "response" is to such types :) (i.e. pure, all-out instigators).

The problem I see is people who don't even try to be trolls, but are just arrogant.

But no worries, these people usually will get agressive against those opposing them and brake the rules.
 

amadeus

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My thinking is, if no one is welcoming them and they offer nothing of value, why are they still here?
This point of view may also be a problem. It is certainly one reason there are so many different supposedly Christian denominations.

Who is to decide what is "nothing of value". You might decide it rightly or I might or some others, but what if any of us are wrong in our understanding of them? I am not saying that no one should ever be banned or suspended, but whose authority here is always on a par with God's? Having been a moderator on another forum I understand too well the difficulty of making a decision about the appropriateness of someone else's membership without letting our own viewpoint or bias influence that decision.
 

lforrest

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This point of view may also be a problem. It is certainly one reason there are so many different supposedly Christian denominations.

Who is to decide what is "nothing of value". You might decide it rightly or I might or some others, but what if any of us are wrong in our understanding of them? I am not saying that no one should ever be banned or suspended, but whose authority here is always on a par with God's? Having been a moderator on another forum I understand too well the difficulty of making a decision about the appropriateness of someone else's membership without letting our own viewpoint or bias influence that decision.

Years ago I wanted to impose the statement of faith on all members, effectively barring anyone who did not agree with it. Thank God for Hammerstone's wisdom, that I didn't get my way. The only beliefs I ban people for are ones that are clearly blasphemous. Like one Guru who claimed to be Jesus.

I not only consider what is said, but how it is said. Their tongue can not be restrained.
 

Helen

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Agreed. I end up displeased with myself when I lose my patience discussing doctrines that really do need to be defended. Why should I over things that are relatively inconsequential (and often just plain ridiculous)?

Thanks for the responses.

I confess that I often 'cheap-out' in some threads.
I try to read all threads...but obviously some don't interest me.

But when I find someone being dominant and pushing their personal beliefs over and over...I then do what we did as kids...= knock on the door and then run away!! Ha!

Because I don't wish to get in a fruitless debate ..because the minds are already made up anyway....So I just posts what I believe is the heart of the Lord...
Obviously they will post back against it...but I side-step their response. I just do that just in case "God chasers" are reading the Site ....I want them to be able to think beyond what is usually a dogmatic position that is being repeated.

Maybe cowardly I know...but we all know by now which members one can have a discussion with , and even disagreement with , and it can be enjoyable..and also we know which members just want a platform to spout from , but are not very interested in a real discussion...

But then again...we all know that a Site like this needs both sides of the coin ...it would get a bit boring if everyone just agreed...
Yet we may get more posts on the Praise Boards if that were so. :D
 

amadeus

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Years ago I wanted to impose the statement of faith on all members, effectively barring anyone who did not agree with it. Thank God for Hammerstone's wisdom, that I didn't get my way. The only beliefs I ban people for are ones that are clearly blasphemous. Like one Guru who claimed to be Jesus.

I not only consider what is said, but how it is said. Their tongue can not be restrained.
It is really better, as I see it, to allow as many people as want to be members to do so. The purpose here should be discussion and interaction and growth toward God. There must be as you indicate limitations [rules]. I have seen some forums with no moderation at all effectively become extremely devilish places.

A lot here depends upon having reasonable rules and devotedly flexible moderators who work hard to not suspend or ban anyone. Thank you for your efforts to maintain this forum a place where people can express themselves and grow closer to God. It is not an easy job.
 

Hidden In Him

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Who is to decide what is "nothing of value".

Me. LoL. :)
I am not saying that no one should ever be banned or suspended, but whose authority here is always on a par with God's? Having been a moderator on another forum I understand too well the difficulty of making a decision about the appropriateness of someone else's membership without letting our own viewpoint or bias influence that decision.

I understand what you are trying to say, Amadeus, but it is ultimately a question of behavior not doctrine, as I was stating in Post #11. I can take bizarre doctrinal theories if they are at least presented with a humble spirit, but as forrest was saying, when it is presented with arrogance and it's rather ridiculous, that becomes a different matter. Surely there are some things that qualify under what Paul referred to as "profane and empty babblings," and quite frankly there are a number of discussions on here that Imo border on being just as profane and empty as arguing that the resurrection has already past (2 Timothy 2:18).

Granted, this is not a church where discipline can always be applied the same ways. But in this case I think the proper response should be much the same as in a church setting: Shun them (2 Timothy 2:16).
 
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Hidden In Him

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Obviously they will post back against it...but I side-step their response... Maybe cowardly I know...

Not at all, and this is at the heart of the issue: What is wisdom in such cases? That's why I think the command was to shun rather than continuing to debate, which is what Paul called a "youthful lust" (2 Timothy 2:22). We all have a tendency in the flesh to want to put someone in their place, or at lest try to. Any response at all just exacerbates things. They inevitably retort back with something, usually something even more antagonizing and inciting, and then it can be even more tempting to get involved in heated debate.

My response is often to politely let the antagonist know that I'm not even reading his posts anymore (which I'm really not). I know it comes off as a little insulting, but I'm really just trying to obey the command expressed in 2 Timothy 2:16.
 
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Hidden In Him

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I have seen some forums with no moderation at all effectively become extremely devilish places.

I was dealing with this issue when I posted that thread on if members had any defense for being Divisive. That is a worst case scenario.
The purpose here should be discussion and interaction and growth toward God.

The question here however becomes are we attempting to encourage the "growth" of some at the expense of others, Amadeus. As Helen was saying, if they are arrogant then chances are very high they are not even listening anyway; their intent is to antagonize. Meanwhile, there may be other weaker members or visitors who truly are searching for the Lord yet come here hoping to find encouragement in their faith and instead read through a thread that mocks it, with supposedly stronger Christians along for the ride rather than disciplining them in the situation.

I think we have to look at everyone involved, not just the perpetrator (LoL. Been watching crime shows lately, but I guess I'm applying that word properly).