If I were the god of LDSFF . . .

[inquirringmind]

You are free to interpret me however you wish. I decline to explain what I meant, just as you declined to explain what you meant by your two scriptural citations, which you later pared down to one.

I thought 2 Cor. 6:3 was redundant, and I didn't decline to explain what I meant by either citation.

You never asked me what I meant, and I'll be glad to explain.

I meant to imply that you should perhaps emulate Paul, and have some concern about how others interpret what you say, and whether you needlessly offend a brother or sister.

That's what I meant to imply, and I thought it was obvious.

Whatever you were trying to imply about the Apostle Paul is not obvious to me (and reminded me of those comments you made on another thread), and I'm asking you to clarify your meaning.

[log]

You are free to interpret me however you wish. I decline to explain what I meant, just as you declined to explain what you meant by your two scriptural citations, which you later pared down to one.

I thought 2 Cor. 6:3 was redundant, and I didn't decline to explain what I meant by either citation.

You never asked me what I meant, and I'll be glad to explain.

I meant to imply that you should perhaps emulate Paul, and have some concern about how others interpret what you say, and whether you needlessly offend a brother or sister.

That's what I meant to imply, and I thought it was obvious.

Whatever you were trying to imply about the Apostle Paul is not obvious to me, reminded me of those comments you made on another thread, and I'm asking you to clarify your meaning.

That's correct, I didn't ask. And I decline to explain what I meant by posting my citations giving examples of Paul's actions in contrast to your post - you are free to use your imagination.

Are you truly planning on pursuing me on this topic for another 76 posts or more?

[inquirringmind]

No.

[lemuel]

Are you truly planning on pursuing me on this topic for another 76 posts or more?

YMWHISTLE Take one down, pass it around... YMWHISTLE

[Lance]

-

[creator]

But I'm not the god of this "virtual" world, and this place is obviously called LDS Freedom Forum. But the level of discourse sometimes really sucks! :-w

-Lan

God IS the God of this world and yet the level of discourse in this world sometimes really sucks too...

In reality.. on this forum.. the discourse is what you all make it.

[Lance]

-

[TZONE]

But I'm not the god of this "virtual" world, and this place is obviously called LDS Freedom Forum. But the level of discourse sometimes really sucks! :-w

-Lan

God IS the God of this world and yet the level of discourse in this world sometimes really sucks too...

In reality.. on this forum.. the discourse is what you all make it.

Yes, I agree of course, the level of discourse is ours to determine. My original post was merely lamenting the level of baiting and contention that some feed off on. And it has become an irritant to me to see the scriptures deployed against others on here, not for instruction, reproof, or to teach correct doctrine, but for the purpose of insulting and mocking. It's unbecoming and is unjustifiable, especially for those professing to follow Christ.

-Lan

Its tough to get caught up in emotions. I do it a lot. The lord was right when he said,

41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—

43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

Its easier online, but hard to show love online... but difficult person to person.

[log]

Ofttimes, we read the words of others by inserting ourselves into them. Thus, when we judge others' words, it happens we are really reacting to what we would have meant if we had said what the other guy said.

It need hardly be pointed out that causes a lot of misunderstandings, but it can be an opportunity for introspection to the humble.

[creator]

...lamenting the level of baiting and contention that some feed off on. And it has become an irritant to me to see the scriptures deployed against others on here ... for the purpose of insulting and mocking. It's unbecoming and is unjustifiable, especially for those professing to follow Christ.

And that is where I must repeat that because I don't read all of the posts on LDSFF I rely on other forum members to report such insults and mocking. I have banned people from the forum that refuse to cease being unkind to others.

[Simon]

I would forbid members of the forum from using the scriptures as "zingers" or "put downs" on other posters on the forum. It strikes me as seriously sanctimonious and demonstrates a real lack of charity for our spiritual brothers and sisters. The scriptures are, after all, the holy word of God. Isn't it a mockery of God's word to utilize it as a weapon to accuse or heap scorn on others? Where is the Christian virtue in doing so? I have seen enough of this that I find it is a sad commentary on us collectively- a group that identifies itself as followers of Christ.

Some of my least favorite examples that I have seen bandied about on this forum with some frequency include the following:

Ether 12: 26- Fools mock, but they shall mourn.

1 Nephi 16: 2- And it came to pass that I said unto them that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked, according to the truth; and the righteous have I justified, and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day; wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center.

Proverbs 18: 2- A fool hath no delight in understanding . . .

Proverbs 28: 1- The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

But I'm not the god of this "virtual" world, and this place is obviously called LDS Freedom Forum. But the level of discourse sometimes really sucks! :-w

-Lan

You are right.. I have seen a couple of peolpe a couple of times that used the words of scriptures to accuse others, thinking that it was not "accusing" because it werent their own words. But when someone leaves a certain scripture in response to another post, in most instances he is doing nothing more than sharing his personal opinion, accusing the other and trying to cover that up by using the words of others.

[log]

You are right.. I have seen a couple of peolpe a couple of times that used the words of scriptures to accuse others, thinking that it was not "accusing" because it werent their own words. But when someone leaves a certain scripture in response to another post, in most instances he is doing nothing more than sharing his personal opinion, accusing the other and trying to cover that up by using the words of others.

Ofttimes, we read the words of others by inserting ourselves into them. Thus, when we judge others' words, it happens we are really reacting to what we would have meant if we had said what the other guy said.

It need hardly be pointed out that causes a lot of misunderstandings, but it can be an opportunity for introspection to the humble.

Judge not, lest ye be judged.

[Simon]

You are right.. I have seen a couple of peolpe a couple of times that used the words of scriptures to accuse others, thinking that it was not "accusing" because it werent their own words. But when someone leaves a certain scripture in response to another post, in most instances he is doing nothing more than sharing his personal opinion, accusing the other and trying to cover that up by using the words of others.

Ofttimes, we read the words of others by inserting ourselves into them. Thus, when we judge others' words, it happens we are really reacting to what we would have meant if we had said what the other guy said.

It need hardly be pointed out that causes a lot of misunderstandings, but it can be an opportunity for introspection to the humble.

Judge not, lest ye be judged.

Oftentimes, we read the words of others the way they are clearely ment. Thus, we judge others words quiet correctly.

Sad enough, there have been plenty of discussions of that sort, where there simply was no room for misinterpretation. If person one makes a clear statement, and the other responses to that clear statement with an unmistakable scripture, we dont need to judge, for then we know how that is ment. Its a person packing his personal opinion in words of scripture, thinking he is not accusing because he does not use his own words.

In such a case, I prefere a person speaking out his opinion with his own words.. which prooves at least he is a man of courage, being honest and clear about his opinion.

[log]

Oftentimes, we read the words of others the way they are clearely ment. Thus, we judge others words quiet correctly.

Do you have an example you'd like to point up?

Sad enough, there have been plenty of discussions of that sort, where there simply was no room for misinterpretation. If person one makes a clear statement, and the other responses to that clear statement with an unmistakable scripture, we dont need to judge, for then we know how that is ment. Its a person packing his personal opinion in words of scripture, thinking he is not accusing because he does not use his own words.

How do you know what rests in that person's mind and heart?

In such a case, I prefere a person speaking out his opinion with his own words.. which prooves at least he is a man of courage, being honest and clear about his opinion.

How do you know the person or people ;) you are referring to are cowards?

[Simon]

Oftentimes, we read the words of others the way they are clearely ment. Thus, we judge others words quiet correctly.

Do you have an example you'd like to point up?

I don't have any, but the forum has plenty to offer. Everyone can see themselves.

Sad enough, there have been plenty of discussions of that sort, where there simply was no room for misinterpretation. If person one makes a clear statement, and the other responses to that clear statement with an unmistakable scripture, we dont need to judge, for then we know how that is ment. Its a person packing his personal opinion in words of scripture, thinking he is not accusing because he does not use his own words.

How do you know what rests in that person's mind and heart?

By the fruits the words bring forth, which is, contention. Besides that, that persons words proove to be an axiom unto itselfe.

In such a case, I prefere a person speaking out his opinion with his own words.. which prooves at least he is a man of courage, being honest and clear about his opinion.

How do you know the person or people ;) you are referring to are cowards?

Right, that person may just be cleverly mean, which can indeed require courage aswell.

[log]

Oftentimes, we read the words of others the way they are clearely ment. Thus, we judge others words quiet correctly.

Do you have an example you'd like to point up?

I don't have any, but the forum has plenty to offer. Everyone can see themselves.

I see. I guess that I, like you, prefer someone to speak courageously.

Sad enough, there have been plenty of discussions of that sort, where there simply was no room for misinterpretation. If person one makes a clear statement, and the other responses to that clear statement with an unmistakable scripture, we dont need to judge, for then we know how that is ment. Its a person packing his personal opinion in words of scripture, thinking he is not accusing because he does not use his own words.

How do you know what rests in that person's mind and heart?

By the fruits the words bring forth, which is, contention. Besides that, that persons words proove to be an axiom unto itselfe.

You know, that is an interesting standard.

John 6
47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

48 I am that bread of life.

49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.

50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.

58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?

62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

66 ¶From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Matthew 10
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

It may be difficult to maintain that standard.

In such a case, I prefere a person speaking out his opinion with his own words.. which prooves at least he is a man of courage, being honest and clear about his opinion.

How do you know the person or people ;) you are referring to are cowards?

Right, that person may just be cleverly mean, which can indeed require courage aswell.

Or that person may not have in his heart what you would if you said the things he did. That has been the biggest problem with Snuffer's detractors that I have noticed - they are always imputing motives to him that, well, for myself, are nowhere in evidence in his writings.

We despise in others what reflects our own weaknesses. Hence the commandment, "Judge not, lest ye be judged."

[Simon]

You know log, we can debate this until the millenium is over, but as for me, I don't want to miss these glorious moments, so I wont.

We can quote and interpret scripture up and down, but it wont change the fact that such behaviour does not lead to unification, and edification of all, but serves only the satisfication of one.

I wonder why you are so defensive towards the fact that people can and do misuse scriptures to judge others. If I call a person "wicked and hypocrite" by quoting scriptures, I surely know what I am doing, don't I ?

[log]

You know log, we can debate this until the millenium is over, but as for me, I don't want to miss these glorious moments, so I wont.

We can quote and interpret scripture up and down, but it wont change the fact that such behaviour does not lead to unification, and edification of all, but serves only the satisfication of one.

Your standard condemns Christ, as demonstrated above, so I'm not terribly concerned about your opinion, which isn't worth a straw.

I wonder why you are so defensive towards the fact that people can and do misuse scriptures to judge others. If I call a person "wicked and hypocrite" by quoting scriptures, I surely know what I am doing, don't I ?

You know what you are doing; I don't. For example, I have noted you have a penchant for citing Acts 10:28 completely out of context. The way you inappropriately cite it makes it appear as though you don't know what is actually meant by that verse, but I could be mistaken - maybe you just unhappily coincidentally keep cutting out the exact part which contains the explanation of what Peter means by "unclean", referring to Jews hanging out with Gentiles, and this pertaining to the customs and traditions of the Jews. I have some theories as to why you keep citing it in the erroneous fashion you do, but honestly, I don't care to ask you - after all, no man's opinion is worth a straw.

Your business is your own, and is not my business.

[Simon]

but I could be mistaken - .

You are

[log]

but I could be mistaken - .

You are

Ah. You are purposefully excising the context, then. Splendid. Theory confirmed.

[Simon]

I have some theories as to why you keep citing it in the erroneous fashion you do.

I prefere to lack knowledge, and err here and there, but experience the spirit of love and unification, than to know all things, but to do nothing more than to cause contention. Such knowledge is worth nothing.

Since I miss that spirit desperatly in this discussion, I will leave it.

Love you.

[log]

I have some theories as to why you keep citing it in the erroneous fashion you do.

I prefere to lack knowledge, and err here and there, but experience the spirit of love and unification, than to know all things, but to do nothing more than to cause contention. Such knowledge is worth nothing.

Since I miss that spirit desperatly in this discussion, I will leave it.

Remember - you are the only one that can drive the Spirit from your own heart. No man can do that for you.

[Simon]

Which is why I said that I cant feel the spirit in this discussion