Christians of R&S: What advice would you like to give to other Christians regarding R&S?

Question

I'm thinking along the lines of "using only the Bible to back up your assertions is not particularly compelling", but any type of advice is welcome.

Answer 1

I could write a dissertation on this!

1. Stop being so judgmental.
2. Fire and brimstone is a sure turn-off.
3. Just because someone asks questions about other religions doesn't mean they will or want to convert. Info is a way to understand others.
4. Learn a little unity. Who are you to determine who is a "true Christian"? Can you see into the hearts of others?
5. Harmony is not all thinking and acting as one (that is called melody.) Harmony is variety, working together.

I could keep going, but if they get this it will be a good start!

Answer 2

I have taken a position that if a question is explicitly targeting "atheists", "non-believers" or something similar, that I will not answer (but may read for my own edification) the question since I obviously do not fit these labels.

Likewise, if a question is labeled "believers", "theists", “Muslims”, “Jehovah’s Witnesses”, etc., it would be polite if persons not fitting the question’s label would not respond. Persons that do so seem to me to be very desperate for attention or the paltry two points. I also ignore questions that obviously violate the new community guidelines posted at http://answers.yahoo.com/info/community_guidelines.php, and especially those that are vulgar, hate-mongering, vapid preaching, or are just chatty.

So it seems to me, outside of responding to questions that fit one’s identity, only if a question is non-specific as to some target population should responses be expected from “any and all” persons.

We all learned this behavior in kindergarten but seem to have forgotten how to play nice with one another. We were taught to not speak unless spoken to, answer the question asked, and be polite. Yet, even when a question is marked unequivocally for, say, “Pro-Choice Women”, you will find males posting answers. Apparently some have never learned, as George Elliot noted, "Blessed is the person who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving us worthy evidence of the fact."

Yet why is it that when some are older they feel they can reject all semblances of politeness hiding behind anonymity, or shallow and strained arguments for free speech, “I’m just having fun”, etc? In truth, these are not really the salient issues, but only excuses for bad behavior.

What enables these forums? The answer should be clear--it is the question posed. The questioner is the driving force in these forums and should be able to designate a specific population for the responses they are seeking. For if there are no questions, there is no reason for a Q&A type of forum. Thus, the focus for any of my responses is on what the asker may think of my answer. If the asker doesn’t like my answer I usually hear about it and learn from them. Nevertheless, I try to write cogent responses in hopes they are useful to others who may take the time to read them.

I create my answers from an academic theologian’s perspective, as this is my “day job”. Yes, my answers are often wordy; to honor the questioner with enough details to help them learn more. I believe that what a person sets into writing is a greater act of consciousness than what a person speaks from their mouths. So, when a person writes some of the vitriol that we see in this Forum, especially from self-professed believers, this person is demonstrating the real nature of the state of their faith to others. In short, some may know the Word of the Lord, but they demonstrate by their actions that they do not know the Lord of the Word.

If we respect the sincere questioner’s desires for specificity (if any), adhere to the community guidelines, and remember what we learned when we were six years old, spending time in this forum will be worth our precious time.

Answer 3

My main advice is this.

Go to a Bible college.

Many Christians on this board perpetuate the idea that Christians are dumb by their answers such as "We don't need to read the Old Testament because of Jesus" and things like "Atheists are so dumb, if we were evolved from monkeys, why are there still monkeys."

I suggest Christians who come here should not answer unless they understand and have studied in-depth the Scriptures that they quote. I have seen more Scripture taken out of context by Christians than I have Atheists.

It's time to step up as Christians and show the world that we can be logical and intuitive at the same time. We're not dumb, lets start showing that.

Answer 4

1) Be kind & respectful (goes for everybody)
2) Be sure of your beliefs.
3) If you quote, give the source--chapter & verse if applicable.
4) Don't take the insults personally.
5) Don't condemn people & tell them they're going to hell.
6) Be honest.
7) In other words, be as genuinely Christ-like as possible.
This is the way I live my life.

Answer 5

My biggest concern is that some people use the forum to air the dogma of their particular denomination/faith. If you're trying to witness to someone about the necessity of accepting Christ, don't then start adding stuff like what day you attend church, whether the singing is accompanied by instruments, etc. That sort of thing leads to more confusion. We should keep our theological differences confined to discussions between ourselves and present the unified message that sinners need Christ.

Answer 6

Be prepared for a lot of bad mouthing.
Be prepared to answer the same question over and over again.
Be prepared to see scripture take way out of context.
Be prepared to have non Christians set the rules for living for you. As if they knew.
Be prepared to have the guilt trip tried to be put on you.
All the very old tricks.

Answer 7

To make every day count. I've heard 2 people(one Pat Robertson) say something big may happen soon. I usually don't accept words of gloom by another person, but it does seem to make sense to be the best we can everyday.

Answer 8

Come with your 'A' game!!! There are some really smart people in the R&S section and if you're going to represent for Christ, do it to the best of your ability... not for your honor, but so that He may get the glory! ALso, don't judge!!! Be humbled servants for Christ!
.

Answer 9

Please don't try to prove God. He has already done that Himself. Just be a good example of what a Christian should be. Oh, and do your best to ignore the insults instead of giving some back.

May God Bless you.

Answer 10

Don't try to prove the truth. Just present the truth you know, accpetance is done through higher powers than ours, never forget love either!