Would you marry your political opposite?

I thought so. Just "the right". I don't see it your way. You legitimize people like C.T.Boy, with his history, and you are going to get lumped with him.

If you ever do raise a good point, perhaps you won't have to whine so much about the tone here. And you do whine.

 

Here's the difference between men & boys.

Boys whine. Men don't.

Carpro and I have had vicious arguments. We have said horrible things about the other's viewpoint. Several times. Same with KenH. But I have never called either one "hateful".

If you can't be in this forum without being offended, then you shouldn't be here.

 

I would hope you agree since it's almost a direct quote from you.

You set the tone when you chose to make yourself the example of how a Christian should speak and act. Then you offered public prayers for the offenders to exalt yourself even more.

You object to being called a liberal, but this is a political forum and your words belie your claims of not being a liberal. Since you did not address it, this may bear repeating:

You can be shocked if you wish, but it is you that decided to make your own self- righteousness an issue. Did you not expect to be called out for it?

 

If you want to call me a whiner, go ahead, that's your opinion. But is it okay to just say "that's just the tone here" when it is completely mean-spirited? Or should we aim for some basic Christian charity?

Please spare me.

So since most people are nice, but you and Carpro and mattwade and a few others can't even be civil, then I should just get out? I shouldn't suggest that we act our age and show basic decency to each other? Just because this forum is about politics do we throw out standards of speech? I would hope not. Check the whole thread here. Most everyone is being respectful, even in disagreement. Why can't the rest of you be that way?

Strong language is necessary when dealing with strong subjects. For instance, I'm not going to argue with those of you who choose to use graphic terms when discussing the horrific nature of abortion. That is one thing. I also don't think it's the worst thing to use "impolite" terms when dealing with evil and sin.

But we're not talking about that here. We're talking about how Christians interact with each other. We're obviously commanded to speak love and peace to each other, even in disagreement.

Since nothing else I said got the point across, praying was the only thing I knew to do. And it wasn't to exalt myself - I prayed specifically for you. I was not condemning you according to non or extra-biblical standards

I don't talk like a conservative who is caught up in a nationalized gospel. I don't talk like a Washington conservative. That doesn't mean I'm a Washington liberal. Politics is completely secondary to Kingdom work. Forgive me if I don't pick a side and use the old arguments or regurgitate what Hannity and Beck say all the time just to get people riled up.

You want specifics on the things you mentioned? Okay.

I'm not sure in what sense you're mentioning being an egalitarian. If we're talking about gender, I am, but that's not liberal or political, so maybe I don't understand.

I do not believe in the government taking my money away to support or reward laziness or lack of initiative or apathy. People should get what they work for. Of course, the only proper response for a Christian is to show grace and love and mercy to those in need. I definitely don't want the government in charge of it, though. It's the responsibility of individuals and churches.

I do not hate nationalism, but don't feel that, as a Christian, I have to blindly support each step my country takes. I am thankful for where I live, and it is the perfect place for me. Of course, if God wants me to be in India or Russia or Guatemala or anyplace else, that becomes the greatest country in the world for me. The USA is not a chosen nation of chosen people. I absolutely don't, and you can't find this in anything I've said, hate the standard of living that you mention. But it still doesn't make us superior.

Look at history - or even today. The gospel thrives much under persecution. I think if the Church were to suffer a bit more of it here, it would likely make us stronger.

I just want you guys to understand that you don't need to jump all over people with a different viewpoint. You can listen, sympathize, discuss and disagree without dehumanizing and demeaning.

 

You should probably know that the people you align with, have mostly been banned, at one time, for one reason or another. Carpro, Mattwade, Targus, RBell, none of us have ever been kicked off the board. One thing I will say about C.T.Boy, at least he comes back, after his banning, (what, two, or three times now, I plum fergit) under his real tag name. A lot of others switch them around, but we know who those are, too. Ask Robert Snow how many times he's been banned, see if he's honest with you. Would you rather be lied to by a "civil" voice ?

Stop whining about how we talk to each other, if you are not going to point out both sides of the coin. I have grown weary of reading your weepy requests that we ignore offensive remarks by the left. You are as one-sided as they come.

 

You have to realize, jaigner, that I saw your "prayer" as hateful, arrogant, snide, boastful, everythng Christians are not supposed to be. And the prayer, it'self, was everything prayer isn't supposed to be, and that admonishment was backed up with scripture.



Haughtily imploring our Lord to make carpro as good a person as you, is one of the most offensive things I have read. You cannot complain how you are treated, when you treat others like that.

 

I'm not wanting him to be made as good a person as I am. I'm not any better than him or you or anyone else. You can't read that into what I wrote. It's not about me being a good person, but freedom found in Christ. There wasn't pride in that. It wasn't haughty or boastful - I didn't boast at all, in fact. Just because I've found freedom from my

And the proof-text I was given as a rebuke was completely taken out of context. You can't throw Scripture out there if it's not

I only prayed after I was completely discounted time and time again, nearly dehumanized. I prayed because I didn't know what else to do. And I wanted my response to be one of love instead of anger, which is probably where I would have gone otherwise.

And I'm obviously not the only one who finds many of these attacks to be inappropriate, seeing as how they've been edited.

Basically, you have no proof that the statements I made in prayer are anything other than authentic. Some of the other remarks made toward me were overtly slanderous, personal attacks.

 

You didn't finish your sentence. Looks like it stuck in your throat.

No one else is buying it. Open up your mind and look in the mirror.

You are totally blind to the similarities between you and the hypocritical pharisees Christ rebuked.

Blind to your pride. Blind to your boasting. It would be comical if it weren't so serious.

You used to be like me, but you are now ...better, so you prayed that I would become ...better...and more like you? Please.:rolleyes:

Pharasiacal and haughty are understatements. If you don't see the similarities, you are not who you think you are. Your psyche is still deeply wounded and you are not healed. It is you who are to be pitied and prayed for.

 

Okay, you're obviously not ever going to believe me, which really, isn't my concern, I suppose. The Pharasiacal was thanking God that he wasn't a lowly figure like the publican. Pharisees were actually the conservatives of their day and were so caught up in their own legalism that they actually missed the grace and mercy of God.

I wasn't created superior to anyone. I don't believe that and I'm not implying that. My prayer was not for you to be good "like me" or something, but that your spirit would find rest from the bitter agendas you harbor. That has nothing to do with me. I have my own struggles. But I genuinely pray for peace in your life.

All I can do is pray for you guys, not because I want you to be perfect or because I think I'm better, but because we are brothers in Christ who share the same Spirit.

Blessings, friend.

 

That's the ticket. :thumbs:

 

But doesn't the word of God challenge us to strive to avoid offending other believers?

Fro example:

'And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,'

or,

'Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,'


How does that fit in with the statement above?

 

The context of your "prayer" was that you used to be like Carpro - a really mean, negative, and judging person. But now you are so much above that.

And then you "prayed" for Carpro's "damaged psyche".

What other is anyone to conclude?

 

So, why do you whine so much. Why do you whine and cry concerning those you do not agree with. Why do you use emotional words with no thoughts to back them up? Why do you use juvenile insults toward others. Read and learn to think and then grow up my friend, grow up.

 

Crabby, please cease in using such judgemental and hurtful words against those that you do not agree with.

Why do you use such emotional words with no thoughts to back them up?

 

It looks like Christ disobeyed those rules, several times. Along with Stephen. Stephen said some things that made people bite him. I think those verses are taken out of context. You cannot resond to satan-inspired lies in a civil way.

 

But his answers, time and time again, which are very mean and unnecessary cruel, tell the story. He is, at least on here, mean, negative and judging. I'm not here to judge -

I'm not perfect, okay? I'm quite aware of that, but I'm not going to talk to another believer that way.

And please stop putting the word "prayer" or "prayed" in quotation marks, because it was a prayer for a brother in Christ who is behaving disturbingly for everyone to see. I am legitimately concerned about believers who display that kind of behavior.

 

But you are talking to other believers. There is a way to do it that conveys strength and earnestness and then there are ways to do it that demean and destroy.

Also, you believe that these statements are "Satan-inspired lies." That is your conviction and that is fine, but don't for a minute think that people who disagree are just stupid or evil or sinful or rebellious. That's just not the case. This is a fallen world and, until the day of Christ, we are going to disagree on issues, but that doesn't mean we aren't one in the Spirit right now.

Please tell me that you can see the difference between what Crabby said and some of the other things that have been said. It's a statement of disgust for a point of view that is not generous, does not seek reconciliation in differences, and is divisive.

I have no problem with the things you believe politically, but it's nobody's job to police the forum and make sure everyone who disagrees is attacked. Speak your piece in a kind and courteous way.

 

"He is (insert judgement here)."

"I'm not here to judge."

:laugh: :laugh:

 

I'm done talking to you. If you are going to complain about everything I say, you are going to be a busy jaigner.

I'm not toning anything down. Whine all you want. Yopu are in great company, here.

 

"Grow up" is not a statement of disgust for a point of view.

It is a negative judgement of the person who expressed a point of view.

"Grow up" also does not seek reconciliation in differences and is divisive.

But you go right ahead and "see the difference" if it makes you feel better. :rolleyes: