Why you shouldn't take this (place) too seriously
 

Consider the different meanings implied merely by emphasizing different words in the following sentence. I follow each example with brackets to show the different meaning implied by merely stressing a different word in the same sentence. Stressed words are natural and understood in verbal conversations, but often don't translate online.

Template: "I never said facial hair is a sin."

1. I never said facial hair is a sin.

[But the previous poster said it.]

2. I never said facial hair is a sin.

[I keep track of everything I ever say, and I didn't say that one.]

3. I never said facial hair is a sin.

[But I strongly implied it!]

4. I never said facial hair is a sin.

[Of course, hairy legged women ought to repent.]

5. I never said facial hair is a sin.

[But it certainly was in the 70s!]

5. I never said facial hair is a sin.

[But in my church men can't sing in the choir until they look clean cut.]


a. Some people adopt nasty online spirits here toward folks they could probably love and find common ground with if they could talk to in person. Then they could have a good debate.
b. Some people never consider how their writing "comes across" but are satisfied because they know what they mean.

:usa

Re: Why you shouldn't take this (place) too seriou
 

I'm guilty. I admit.

Re: Why you shouldn't take this (place) too seriou
 

True. There is one poster on here that NEVER agrees with me but he is a good fellow and we have enjoyed time spent face to face.

But all people have to do is agree and there is nothing to say on here.

Re: Why you shouldn't take this (place) too seriou
 

Just make sure you wear one of these so you don't go to Hell...LOL

http://www.uniform-streetwear.com/im...ack_030113.jpg

Re: Why you shouldn't take this (place) too seriou
 

Even that one will send you to the pit! You'll be needing some BLEACH! :lol

Re: Why you shouldn't take this (place) too seriou
 

Not to mention the PEARL buttons!

Re: Why you shouldn't take this (place) too seriou
 

Excellent post Marcbee!

Also, as we've said in the past......some people read what they THINK you are trying to say too.

Re: Why you shouldn't take this (place) too seriou
 

Alot of innocent people happen upon this forum.

It reads Apostolic along with Friends.

Maybe they are searching for the real truth of how to live for God....of how to trully be saved.

Do we ever wonder about stuff like that? Of how confusing it seems? And worst of all.......that they would leave after a while and never consider salvation again?

Re: Why you shouldn't take this (place) too seriou
 

This forum has helped me.

Re: Why you shouldn't take this (place) too seriou
 

Ain't that the truth:thumbsup

Re: Why you shouldn't take this (place) too seriou
 

An admirable concern. But <<how to be truly saved>> is itself somewhat controversial here.

<<innocent people happen upon this >>

5 minutes of thread surfing would probably cure anyone from their lingering innocence!

:thad


Maybe Admin could devise a "Meet an Apostolic" button where a seeker could be linked to a "private line" (so to speak) with an Admin or someone(s) vetted by Admin for the purpose of personal evangelism, just for these cases (if they do exist.)

:usa

Re: Why you shouldn't take this (place) too seriou
 

Lacey, good point. Some of us have thought about it. I cringe to think what my parents would think if they read some of the statements here. We are witnesses wherever we go, even when we don't see each other face to face.


Marcbee, "meet an Apostolic"... that is an interesting idea! Who chooses who is and isn't Apostolic? (I'd really like to use that trick I learned a few weeks ago with those [] and the word you right now, but I'll refrain... :thumbsup) Really, though, if there were a panel of volunteers that would not argue and would be kind and talk to those who want to know what we are really about, it might be helpful to someone. Perhaps a link with the volunteers' pseudonyms, avatars, and locations to choose from? Then again, we could all just be nice to each other and be witnesses ourselves... :noidea

Re: Why you shouldn't take this (place) too seriou
 

Well, a general members' vote would be the worst possible thing, IMO. For the purposes of contact with "innocent seekers", it should be just two or three vetted by Admin, or if any Admin have the extra time for this themselves. Personally, I wouldn't care if the proposed link button said, "Meet a Christian," but AFF does imply something a little more specific. But do these "ready-for-salvation innocents" really come by here?



Yep, good call.

:usa

Re: Why you shouldn't take this (place) too seriou
 

Zig Ziglar uses this example with sales techniques...the seven messages that can be sent when saying, "I didn't say he beat his wife."

Word emphasis...it changes a lot of things, huh?

Re: Why you shouldn't take this (place) too seriou
 

I agree


Not many innocents, and any that there are wouldn't be innocent for long. Do people God is dealing with happen by here? I'm sure. But it would take some good searching to get to a place like this I think. They'd already have hit the cult alerts and the UPCI website and several churches before finding this forum unless they were specifically looking for this or for a forum.