When a 5 year old hits the baseball and runs towards 3rd base we don't hit the kid over the head with the bat and yell out "Your an idiot! Everyone knows that your supposed to run to 1st base. You moron!" Most normal people would laugh a bit, then lovingly explain to them about which direction we run the bases. Adults, when debating on this forum, often react much less lovingly.
Online, the lack of face-to-face interaction can make it easier for individuals to forget the human impact of their words. In some cases, people may also use rudeness and condescention as a way to assert power or dominance in online interactions. These people have little power in every day life but when sheltered by the relative anonymity of the Internet, they are able to safely act aggressive and brave. After all, the person they are bereating cannot reach over and punch their lights out. They are free to be as rude and unmannerly as they want.
Just because somebody doesn’t agree with you doesn’t mean that they are inferior to you, or that they deserve to be treated unfairly. If I find myself struggling to respect their point of view, I try to consider how they may have arrived at their opinion. We should keep in mind that we may disagree on an idea, but should still value the person. Once a conversation becomes exhaustive, and we are out of breath from blowing our trumpet, maybe we should agree to disagree and move on.
Jesus said, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another" (John 13:34)
When Jesus commanded us to love others, He didn’t say that we had to agree with them first.
Online, the lack of face-to-face interaction can make it easier for individuals to forget the human impact of their words. In some cases, people may also use rudeness and condescention as a way to assert power or dominance in online interactions. These people have little power in every day life but when sheltered by the relative anonymity of the Internet, they are able to safely act aggressive and brave. After all, the person they are bereating cannot reach over and punch their lights out. They are free to be as rude and unmannerly as they want.
Just because somebody doesn’t agree with you doesn’t mean that they are inferior to you, or that they deserve to be treated unfairly. If I find myself struggling to respect their point of view, I try to consider how they may have arrived at their opinion. We should keep in mind that we may disagree on an idea, but should still value the person. Once a conversation becomes exhaustive, and we are out of breath from blowing our trumpet, maybe we should agree to disagree and move on.
Jesus said, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another" (John 13:34)
When Jesus commanded us to love others, He didn’t say that we had to agree with them first.