Should We Even Respond?

amadeus · Oct 8, 2018

Hidden In Him said:
Me. LoL.

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 agree with this.

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.

I also agree with this. The problem is having a set of rules with teeth without being too quick to exclude people because they belong to a group considered a cult by most members or the moderators. Also we should have moderators willing and able to make fair rulings even if they may conflict with the beliefs of the moderator.

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).

If the words are not hurting people and are easy to ignore then I would choose to ignore them rather than to suspend or ban. If a thread goes on and on without seemingly edifying anyone the moderator should be able to close, but this leaves the members as members... which hopefully is a good thing.

Atheists are allowed on the forum and I would say properly so as long as they behave. The same should be true of any Christian or non-Christian members. Behavior is perhaps the most important point of consideration for suspending or banning.

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).

This should be a decision made by the individual member rather than by the forum so long as no one else is being hurt.

amadeus · Oct 8, 2018

Hidden In Him said:
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 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).

This is bringing it back to behavior and proper action on the part of the moderator. Christians should all be Christ-like but different people have very different ideas about what Jesus was like. These very questions are why some people like certain forums and dislike others. By the way, I do like this one even though at times I see some thing happening that I would rather not see. Where else could I go...? I do belong to quite a few other forums, but most of them I never visit anymore and some I visit only rarely.

Hidden In Him · Oct 8, 2018

amadeus said:
This should be a decision made by the individual member rather than by the forum so long as no one else is being hurt.

Yes. This was my driving point. Banning or suspending people is a related issue, but I was really just focused here on what was the proper response for individual members.

amadeus said:
This is bringing it back to behavior and proper action on the part of the moderator.

Keep in mind that when I was using the word "discipline" it was in reference again to individual members shunning those who prove unworthy of a response. I merely brought up discipline at the moderator level for those who refuse to take a hint and persist in being an incessant nuisance by pestering people, high-jacking threads, etc.

amadeus said:
Where else could I go...? I do belong to quite a few other forums, but most of them I never visit anymore and some I visit only rarely

Same goes here. It's strange, but you get a "feel" for various websites and it sort of sticks with you. I'm glad I have this one. I could make a few others my "home" site if I had to, but I think I would enjoy it less and struggle to find as many like-minded members who were pleasant to reply to.

Jun2u · Oct 8, 2018

Hidden In Him said:
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).

I believe this type of case should be handled by the administration just as the church in Corinth did with the man who fornicated with his father’s wife (1 Corinthians 5). He was excommunicated.

However, the above should be the last resort after having done 1 Peter 3:15.

To God Be The Glory

Hidden In Him · Oct 8, 2018

Jun2u said:
I believe this type of case should be handled by the administration just as the church in Corinth did with the man who fornicated with his father’s wife (1 Corinthians 5). He was excommunicated.

However, the above should be the last resort after having done 1 Peter 3:15.

To God Be The Glory

Hmmm... I dunno. I think I'd have to side with Amadeus here, and say banning somebody is a bit too strong. Only if they were being absolutely obnoxious and posing a threat to the smooth operation of the site would I go that far.

I do agree with your use of 1 Peter 3:15, however. Whatever is done should be done in a Spirit of Love.

ScottA · Oct 8, 2018

Hidden In Him said:
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?

Yes, like David against Goliath, as if the battle were already won - because it is.

Jun2u · Oct 8, 2018

Hidden In Him said:
I do agree with your use of 1 Peter 3:15, however. Whatever is done should be done in a Spirit of Love.

The Bible is full of examples how a Christian ought to live. I know love hides a multitude of sins, but what if this same love is being used as a platform to make some readers in this site to go astray?

Do you know why the fornicator at the church of Corinth was excommunicated? So that he can realize his life of sin and still be able to become saved. This was the thrust of 1 Corinthians 5 that Paul taught.

To God Be The Glory

Nancy · Oct 8, 2018

lforrest said:
I should clarify that I don't mean to mimic bad attitudes. That is never appropriate.

Lol. That was my first reaction when I saw that line, but I knew what you meant.

Mayflower · Oct 8, 2018

Really Matthew 18 is a really good way to handle issues to. Go privately, then bring one or two others with you, Then in continuation the strongest of disciplines. I'm unsure how that works on a forum though.

Hidden In Him · Oct 9, 2018

Mayflower said:
Really Matthew 18 is a really good way to handle issues to. Go privately, then bring one or two others with you, Then in continuation the strongest of disciplines. I'm unsure how that works on a forum though.

LoL. Not quite, although it would be nice if it did. I think this may only be applied properly in the context of a group of believers, i.e. a fellowship. I'm not quite sure any Forum is ever that tightly knit as a group. And because it is not a church, the one under discipline would likely accuse the membership of the forum of simply acting as a click.

But that's just my take on it. Maybe others would disagree.

Helen · Oct 9, 2018

Sadly, it seems that more days now, I come on here and read through the list of threads...having read them before I have a good idea of the content and who is arguing in which and about what...then I say to myself...." self...Should I even respond?"

Quantity doesn't = quality.
I am missing so many of the respected stalwarts that used to post on this site.

I know that I have taken the meaning of your heading out of context Chris....but when I saw your thread in the New Post list...I thought of what it said...not what you were asking.

Hidden In Him · Oct 9, 2018

"ByGrace" said:
Sadly, it seems that more days now, I come on here and read through the list of threads...having read them before I have a good idea of the content and who is arguing in which and about what...then I say to myself...." self...Should I even respond?"

Quantity doesn't = quality.
I am missing so many of the respected stalwarts that used to post on this site.

I know that I have taken the meaning of your heading out of context Chris....but when I saw your thread in the New Post list...I thought of what it said...not what you were asking.

Not a problem.

Threads always have a life of their own anyway.
Is @epostle1 still around? I haven't seen a post from him in a while.

lforrest · Oct 9, 2018

Hidden In Him said:
Not a problem. Threads always have a life of their own anyway.
Is @epostle1 still around? I haven't seen a post from him in a while.

I was wondering about him too.

lforrest · Oct 9, 2018

2 Corinthians 11:4 Suggests a different approach. One not necessarily opposed to the one in Tim. Cause you can shun someone and put up with them at the same time.

For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
2 Corinthians 11:4 KJV

Hidden In Him · Oct 9, 2018

lforrest said:
2 Corinthians 11:4 Suggests a different approach. One not necessarily opposed to the one in Tim. Cause you can shun someone and put up with them at the same time.

For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
2 Corinthians 11:4 KJV

Ummm... I think Paul was chastising them for this rather than commending them, Forrest. In the previous verse he mentions the serpent beguiling Eve through his subtlety, and expresses fear that their minds should likewise be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Enoch111 · Oct 9, 2018

Mayflower said:
Really Matthew 18 is a really good way to handle issues to. Go privately, then bring one or two others with you, Then in continuation the strongest of disciplines. I'm unsure how that works on a forum though.

That is not really applicable to forums. It is up to the moderator(s) to monitor what goes on (without going overboard). The sad fact is that many (if not most) Christian forums have become hotbeds of false doctrines.

Helen · Oct 9, 2018

Enoch111 said:
That is not really applicable to forums. It is up to the moderator(s) to monitor what goes on (without going overboard). The sad fact is that many (if not most) Christian forums have become hotbeds of false doctrines.

And who is it that says what is truth and what is a false doctrine?

I presume you are confident that 'you' have all of 'your' ducks in a row.

Most are on all different levels of understanding and revelation.
What to some, especially the fundamentalists..looks like a false doctrine ...is nothing more than the fact that they have not yet seen some deeper truth ... or grown enough in understanding.
What many probably believe now to be a truth....20 years ago they would probably just called it error.

Don't judge before the time brother...
Everyone believes that how "they" read the scripture is "right way".

I believe that there will be a few surprises when we see what the Lord says about many of these things.

Enoch111 · Oct 9, 2018

"ByGrace" said:
And who is it that says what is truth and what is a false doctrine?

If the Holy Spirit does not bear witness with your spirit in these matters, then we are of all men (and women) most miserable.

Nancy · Oct 9, 2018

Enoch111 said:
That is not really applicable to forums. It is up to the moderator(s) to monitor what goes on (without going overboard). The sad fact is that many (if not most) Christian forums have become hotbeds of false doctrines.

"...Christian forums have become hotbeds of false doctrines."
Kind of like main stream churches

Nancy · Oct 9, 2018

"ByGrace" said:
And who is it that says what is truth and what is a false doctrine?
I presume you are confident that 'you' have all of 'your' ducks in a row.

Most are on all different levels of understanding and revelation.
What to some, especially the fundamentalists..looks like a false doctrine ...is nothing more than the fact that they have not yet seen some deeper truth ... or grown enough in understanding.
What many probably believe now to be a truth....20 years ago they would probably just called it error.

Don't judge before the time brother...
Everyone believes that how "they" read the scripture is "right way".

I believe that there will be a few surprises when we see what the Lord says about many of these things.

"I believe that there will be a few surprises when we see what the Lord says about many of these things."

Should We Even Respond?

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