Originally posted by denversurvivor
Why are you getting so worked up? Knight was just giving lion an "atta boy". Everyone on TOL gives props to those who agree with their opinion.
Hey there DS,
In all honesty, I wasn't worked up at all. I was just thinking of how ironic we, as a race, really are.
The truth is that a great post, or anything else for that matter, shouldn't really be placed on agreement of the idea, but more with how the information, reguardless of whether we really agree with it or not, is actually presented. And I know I am not any less guilty in this than anyone else.
The quality of anything shouldn't really be judged on whether we agree or not, but rather if the side being presented is done in a rational and unemotional way.
I realize we often give kudos to those we agree with, but the entire point of having a discussion forum is to present many different ideas and beliefs, many different ways of viewing the same thing, and the reasons that each of us has formulated their ideas. Almost every time someone views something differently than another is because of different ways they grew up, different life experiances, if you prefer.
Does that make their ideas less valuable simply because they approach it differently? No, because if we really consider the difference objectively, we will see that in the same position we would probably formulate the same answers those we are belittling do.
My post was more hoping to remember everyone has a side, and their side was formulated by their life experiances.
One of the reasons I type many of the posts I do is to remind myself constantly about my own failures and to keep them at the forfront so that I can improve where I am failing. Everytime I see my own words on in here I realize that often I am critisizing others for some things I myself still do. You have no idea how many partial posts have never actually made it here because, while typing, I realized my own hypocrisy.
I know that often I voice my frustration with the actions and words of others in here, but in all honesty I never express them as often as I catch myself doing the same thing.
I also know I do have a problem with those who follow Mr Enyart and his beliefs. The biggest reason to me seems to be the deception used in here by those who follow him. I just can not see deception and Jesus being used in the same place, yet I see it daily.
For example, earlier in this thread I repeatedly asked if Mr Enyart was a member of this forum. I had been led to that assumption by some contradictory statements made by those who run or moderate this forum. We are told that only subscribers were allowed to post in one area of this forum. Then we see a post supposedly started by Mr Enyart. While at the same time there is a huge announcement stating this forum has no church backing. If Mr enyart is a member, then that second statement is false, since he admittedly has his own church in Colorado.
But if the second statement IS true, then the thread could not have been started by Mr Enyart, and the lack of answering that question is also a deception, since it appears to everyone as thought Mr Enyart actually posted that thread.
Now if Mr Enyart is NOT a paying member then that thread should not have been posted in that section of this forum based on the rules Becky explained to me. If Mr Enyart IS a paying member then this site has church sponsering. If that thread was started by someone else (webmaster maybe?) then that fact should have been made clear to all that Mr Enyart didn't actually post it, but was posted with his permission.
But since every one of the points was ignored by those who would know the answer, it continues to be an attempt at deception.
Now to clear this up before your response comes back, let me explain that it isn't his membershipo or not that I have a problem with, but the idea of a Christian (or a group claiming to be christians) practicing deception while trying to also teach the word of God to others. That is also the reason I have problems with c.moore and squeaky. Neither of them actually deal with the truth in their lives. If you are proclaiming to be men (and women) of God, then deception just can not be part of your life.
The only other part about the philosophy in here that bothers me is when a moderator steps out of his/her role in which they should be trying to keep a discussion ration and without the namecalling, but instead they instigate the name calling themselves.
As I said, I know that I am not unique and innocent myself. I realize this often enough as I proofread my posts. I also realize that one thing I can never do is speak and teach about God while practising deception. My children would see right through it. And if they do, so will those who are more 'worldly'.
I just hope that people will start judging the things a persons says more objectively instead of by how much we personally agree. I would much rather see a reply says "You know, I really have never thought about it that way. Let me think about it. I will get back with you very soon. Thank you very much for your input."