A Serious Note!!

[bakersfieldpethead]

I know people are a little iffy for a serious topic coming from ol Bakes

I don’t believe all of this arguing is beneficial to us or to the body of Christ. I understand there are some who just love to debate for the sake of debating however; I don’t see it as profitable to the cause of Christ. Someone needing help, needs help, not three or four people debating the right way to give them the help.

Therefore I summit to this family that we all agree that Jesus is the answer to salvation and leave it at that. If someone calls for us to pray, then pray the way you know how to. All other discussions on interpretations and theologies, just throw it out the window, it has done nothing but cause confusion and arguments on this board. When we do get to heaven I guaranty we won’t be talking about this stuff anyway.

[separateunion]

I don’t believe all of this arguing is beneficial to us or to the body of Christ. I understand there are some who just love to debate for the sake of debating however; I don’t see it as profitable to the cause of Christ. Someone needing help, needs help, not three or four people debating the right way to give them the help.

Therefore I summit to this family that we all agree that Jesus is the answer to salvation and leave it at that. If someone calls for us to pray, then pray the way you know how to. All other discussions on interpretations and theologies, just throw it out the window, it has done nothing but cause confusion and arguments on this board. When we do get to heaven I guaranty we won’t be talking about this stuff anyway.

Doesn't this go against the whole idea of "iron sharpens iron"? Not that there shouldn't be civility in arguments and discussions, but I don't think that the Bible calls us to never talk about differences in views of Scripture.

[bakersfieldpethead]

I guess my frustration is more on the attitudes of people during discussing on this board. I’ll admit I get pretty hot debating also. I don’t mind really debating about what I believe, if you can’t stand up for what you believe then why believe it.

It’s just getting crazy with the division going on this board. This board was originally created to talk about Petra, the only reason “Off Topic” was created was because people kept debating about so much other stuff in the Petra Zone.

[separateunion]

I guess my frustration is more on the attitudes of people during discussing on this board. I’ll admit I get pretty hot debating also.

It's a side effect of anonymity on the internet that I really struggle with too. It's a lot easier to be a big jerk when you're talking to people you don't know from behind a computer screen.

It’s just getting crazy with the division going on this board. This board was originally created to talk about Petra, the only reason “Off Topic” was created was because people kept debating about so much other stuff in the Petra Zone.

The off topic section isn't the problem. It's the attitudes of the people on the board. Look how easily some are offended and how know-it-all others can be, even in the Petra section.

[CatNamedManny]

I think the OT board ends up being more civil because we know we're gonna be talking about controversial stuff sometimes. It's the Petra board where things get crazy because some people are probably 1. not used to discussing controversial stuff and don't know how to do it in a strident-but-civil way, or 2. get blindsided by the argument and lash out without putting the requisite thought into it.

FWIW, I also struggle with the whole keeping it strident-but-civil thing. I'm sure someone will let me know if/when I fail.

[bakersfieldpethead]

Whatever the case, I think it would do us all good to remember, as Christians we have one goal to see souls saved. Remember we are not talking to the computer, we are talking to other people. Remember that this isn't anyones personal journal which is where some of people's thoughts should have been posted in instead of on here.

Instead of getting mad right off the bat, take some time and think about what has been said and put some clear thoughts down instead of getting overheated and risk hurting someone. If we cause a brother or sister to fall then what good comes from that?

There are those that will come here and post something just to cause devision, it's happend ever since The Petra Zone was created even on the old .com site. So just remember we're suposed to Love them and just try hard not to fall into their game.