Did you know this is the worst type of communication to use to discuss varying views on religion?

Question

Research has shown when individuals can hide behind the protection of a computer they treat each other with much less compassion and understanding. They tend to act more aggressively toward one another than they would if they were carrying on the discussion in person. This is evident in my observation of responses from many on this forum. Christians, Atheists, Muslims. No group is immune although I am pleased to say I tend to see more kind hearted responses from those of faith. But ANGRY Chrstians can be vicious. I even found myself doing the same thing when I first began monitroing this forum. I believe no real good comes from Christians and Atheists discussing (actually many times the correct word should be attacking each other) their differing views on God via computer.

Do any Christians out there know of a good CHRISTIANS web forum where people of like faith can discuss their faith and build one another up?

I'm not sure I want to continue participating on this forum.

Point proven. To this point almost all answers are totally worthless.

Research was discussed tonight on a national news program. Can't remember which network but they we talking about exactly this phenomenon and psychologists were commenting on the research that supports it.

stephenja

I have no fear of entering a debate. I am very secure in my faith. I'm just not sure if I am accomplishing anything here or would my time be spent better somewhere else.

D A R

Thanks.

Answer 1

I have been thinking about the pros and cons too, of trying to participate in this forum and be constructive in such a chaotic environment. I have also gotten very frustrated as my attempts are sabotaged and attacked,, to the point of being very angry and honestly expressing that anger, and have decided to leave, and then came back a few times.
I participate much less that I did the first week I was here and saw a lot of potential and wanted to pitch in and be a part of a great thing, the sharing of positive perspectives wherein everyone could benefit,, learning and growing together.
There are other sites for each group, from Islamic, Judaic, Christians, atheists, etc, to support each other as like minded people. There are also some people here in the mix, who sincerely want to ask and answer from their backgrounds in respectful ways. I think fewer and fewer, unfortunatly, as they get discouraged like you are and quit.

I think if we lower our expectations enough, and spend less time, balancing our own time spent on all the sites we visit, on this particular site, and then search for Questions that look like something we can participate in, and then answer the best we can, and then... again, lowering our expectations of the results of our efforts, perhaps some good fruit will result somehow.

Note that Jesus said that his followers would be treated the same way the He was/is treated,, and how is that? Yet even knowing that He would be crucified and not appreciated, He still came to earth in the middle of it all.

I'm not sure what particular kind of web forum you would be interested in, since even in those people of different denominations of the same religion have conflicts.... like shiites and sunnies, and Irish Catholics and Protestants.

There are many people in chat and on forums that are like adolescents whose parents are not at home and so they are going wild. And some of them are in permanent adolescence. On the other hand, some people are like very super reactionary conservative people who call themselves 'Christian' but act in contrary ways to Christ's example.

We'll see more of what Yahoo trends are, and whether it is possible at all to contribute anything positive or whether the 'pearls of wisdom' just get trampled on and we get torn to pieces.

Answer 2

I am convinced that people pull what they want out of the answers. If you watch, the answers in this section often get rated thumbs up only if the answer agrees with someone's believe more than if the answer is well thought out and shares good information. I think if you are atheist, you pay more attention to the atheist answers and believe those are logical. If you are Christian, you likewise only take the Christian answers seriously and more so if they agree perfectly with your beliefs.

I have learned some things on here from different points of view and explanations. I have been able to email people with different backgrounds to try to sort out if my understanding of their beliefs are correct. I believe being able to listen and discuss gets one a lot further than bashing. An answer might make someone curious enough to explore more, but I don't think these answers are going to convert someone to a side they didn't intend to be on in the first place.

Answer 3

My guess is you are not really dealing with Christians. Christians have certain traits and attributes which characterize them as being "Christ-like" and follower of Christ in deed and example. These people who are lashing out in these religious sections are not Christians. How could they be?

Christians produce certain types of fruit...love, joy..peace, patience...longsuffering...goodness...kindness...faith and temperance.

Worldly people produce worldly fruit....hatred, emulations, strife, wrath, impatience, unkindly deeds, etc, etc.

Know these people by their fruit.

Good religious discussion can go sour in any enviroment or venue. Yahoogroups has some really good groups where out-of-real-time discussions are worth your time and trouble. But, frankly, it will be MORE about conduct than venue. This is a poor way to discuss relgious things, so you say, but look and how well you and I are doing.

Christians will look, sound, act like Christ.

Answer 4

Being removed from the constraints of being face to face allows those who would otherwise follow others, fearful that their ideas would be criticized, to engage themselves open and honestly. There are ppl who do not like confrontation and in this forum they have the ability to observe or participate and leave when it gets to rough for them. It would be hard for the a typical bully to batter any one in this kind of forum because he becomes just another voice in the crowd.
If you are unsure rather to continue participating then it is likely that you are needing religious affirmation or guidance than this site can provide. This after all is not a teaching forum and it's participants are not always the solely Christian type that you would like. All I can say that it is probably a good thing that Christ did not limit himself to surrounding himself with only like minded ppl. or no one else would have been saved.

Answer 5

Sometimes the best way to build up your faith is simply to have your faith challenged a little. It does not really hurt all that much to try to answer questions about the religion you have chosen to believe in...it does not matter if the person who asks the tough questions does not like your answers...all that matters is that you are satisfied with the answers you do come up with.

I have always felt that christians who surround themselves with other christians are merely seeking support for a weak faith....those who willingly enter the lion's den to face a challenge to their faith head on, tend to be very strong in faith...and knowledgeable as well.

Answer 6

You don't have to enter any debate sweetie, just speak the truth and do it with gentleness and love. Gods word will not return to him void, do not allow the enemy to shut you down, just try to read the questions and give answer as the Holy Spirit guides you. But hey we are human and we struggle not to be put on the spot or to try to "prove" ourselves right, but that is not our job anyway, we are merely seed planter so to speak, it is Gods job to reap. Yes it is hard to watch they hate that goes on here, just remember we war not with flesh and blood and keep on fighting the good fight. God can use any type of communication to harvest the field, so remember that OK.

Answer 7

You're right... yahoo answers is not the place to discuss religion. But, I enjoy reading the answers people do post here and I spend the majority of my yahoo answers time in the religion section.

Everyone just wants to believe their religion or lack there of is right. I admit, I'm guilty of this too.

Answer 8

Your will be Judged by God by yourself not as a qroup, find out the truth by reading the bibe says.

Rom 10:17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

So if your going to church and they are talking about anything else other than the word of God which is from the bible itself. You r not being fed. Continue to seek and if you do the Lord will show you the truth. He put his word here for our own good. He is perfect we are not.

Rom 10:17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Answer 9

I have found many ways to exist peacefully here. I use these teachings as guidelines, try them, they work:

"Overcome the angry by non-anger; overcome the wicked by goodness; overcome the miser by generosity; overcome the liar by truth"

"Entangled by the bonds of hate, he who seeks his own happiness by inflicting pain on others, is never delivered from hatred"

"The good shine from afar, like the Himalaya mountains. But the wicked are unseen, like arrows shot in the night"

"In a controversy the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves"

"Dispassion is the best of mental states. . . . "

"Like a solid rock is not shaken by the wind, so the wise are not moved by praise or blame"

"Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love, this is the eternal rule"

"Let yourself be open and life will be easier. A spoon of salt in a glass of water makes the water undrinkable. A spoon of salt in a lake is almost unnoticed"

"Do not speak harshly to any one; those who are spoken to will answer thee in the same way. Angry speech is painful: blows for blows will touch thee"

"Better than a thousand useless words is one word that gives peace"

"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned"

Answer 10

That wasn't much of a question. Also, what research? It's not that I doubt you, but putting some links in the details section would have been nice. Especially since your anonymous. I can't trust you.

Oh, and there's a link. Not sure it's what your looking for but you can find Christian X-Files fan fiction there.