a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

So, you love to argue and have the means to own a nice laptop and/or Ipad? Then welcome to the wonderful world of internet forums where anyone with loads of disposable time can congregate with folks with somewhat similar interests.

A few things to consider:

1. A keyboard doth not an expert make.

Your ability to type extremely long posts does not prove that you are more intelligent than everyone else, or even anyone else. Further, increasing the frequency of your posting does not prove the "rightness" of your argument. Readers judge posts according to quality, not quantity. Want to be viewed as an expert? Then perhaps it would be best to post only what you know to be true, with occasional shots of opinion added for flavor, instead of the converse.

2. Internet relationships are poor substitutes for family relationships.

So you've found a few people who admire and respect your prowess at verbal warfare? Who cares? It's not as if they actually care about your spiritual, emotional and/or physical well-being. Internet forums are wonderful connecting tools, but they can't replace the love of a family. Don't neglect real relationships just to stroke your ego. Your posting buddies won't hold your hand when you're in the hospital, or on your deathbed. They won't pay your bills or cook your supper. They won't be present for the major events in your life. Your family will.

3. This is not a church.

So you've found two or three people that agree with your whacked ideas about God and the Bible? Bully for you, I say! However, this is not a church (which is good, because half of the forum hates church). You aren't an internet pastor. Your opinion is as valuable as the poster's you're interacting with. No more, no less.You have no spiritual authority here.

4. AFF is not a pulpit.

Want your message heard? Then be a gatherer. That's marketing 101. Influence comes through respect, not bullying.

Finally, as a former forum addict, I feel qualified to say that it's possible to waste huge chunks of life worrying about winning stupid internet arguments. Life is way too short for that. Enjoy this experience, but control it. Control your keyboard. Don't let it control you.

Selah

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

Whatever

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

Given our close relationship and the spiritual authority I have over you, I prepped a long response to you Chateau, but then I realized I have real people at a real church waiting for my participation.
But thanks for the input

Sorry gotta run!

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

I'm guessing some posters spend more time on the internet than they do with their family.

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

:)

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

I don't like this post. Just seems legalistic and the tone strikes me as self-righteous.

Just because you had a problem doesn't mean everyone struggles with that same sin.

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

It also assumes a LOT. It's full of unsupported assertions

One thing, who says people here are substituting their normal family relations for Internet ones?

BTW a lot of family members separated by several states keep in touch over the internet

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

Chataeu, while you make some good points you are also making a lot of assumptions (as others have pointed out).

Because someone participates in a forum does not mean they are neglecting their family, church or any other part of their life.

Sure a few are unbalanced in the way you mention but I am guessing they are very much a minority. The broad brush you painted with seemed as if you wanted to include pretty much everybody in your condemnation.

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

Please refer to point #3. Legalistic? Self-righteous? :smack

DG, it seems as though your record player keeps skipping back to the same old line of the same old song. After a few years, you'd think you'd realize many things in life have nothing to do with legalism.

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

I must have struck a nerve. Four admins have posted on this thread. :icecream

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

Im guessing you are on crack...see how that works? I'm guessing you....seems to me the bigger issue is with the accuser than the accused

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

Yeah, you struck my "Beware of Pharisaical false accusers" nerve

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

Anytime I see someone paint with as broad a brush as you did in your premise a nerve absolutely has been struck. As I said earlier no doubt what you stated applies to a very small minority.

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

LOL!!!:happydance:thumbsup

I think it is pretty clear this person is going to take any criticism of his broad brush as a validation of it. With that kind of logic you really can't get anywhere with them. They would rather defend the indefensibile than admit they should have qualified their statement.

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

Ya, he actually has a few valid and half valid points but there has been no shortage of people showing up over the years who come on like attack dogs and then claim martyrdom when challenged or pushed back in any ways.

I believe it is part of Apastolica culture. I can think of many many times where people in our church (during the 80's) disrupted other church services and religious groups and then testified Sunday night how they stood up to the devil because these people dared to "attack me!".

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

Chateau,

This is not a church but when a "believer" says things to other Christians admonishing them with a broad brush and absolutely no humility or feeling it really makes me think that I am dealing with a legalist. The legalist will take things that are not a sin and make them a sin for everyone and loves to judge based on their highly developed personal insight. I don't know anything about you and I haven't read any other post but I am not the only person who has had a problem with your post. If you are wise you will listen to your fellow christians and pray that the Holy Spirit will deal with you. God may be using them to work in your life.

I am not sure how know about me saying the same thing over and over. You only have 76 post. Or maybe you are one of those folks who changes their name all the time. I have kept my avatar the same forever. I started out apostolic on this forum years ago and have since left the movement. I still come back and discuss things


I do not frequent this forum in order to find people who believe the same. In fact, I go to one of the largest churches in the united states with a highly influential pastor where the unadulterated gospel is preached consistently. The beliefs of my church are almost the exact opposite of everything that is apostolic. In fact, most people at my church have never even heard of the apostolic movement and do not even believe that churches like this even exist. I still run across legalistic people sometimes even in my church though most are people who grew up in church and it is just their tradition.


My goal is to surround myself with people who in grace and love can offer help and live in gospel community.

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

I really don't see what is so offensive about the opening post.

Some people are way too touchy.

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

I didn't find it offensive. Delusional? Hypocritical? Lacking substance? I found it a lot of things, including a little amusing but not offensive

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

I find it absolutely non-offensive, to be honest...because I don't fall under any of the items he/she listed. So, for those who are in the same boat as I, let's move on to other posts here...

And, BTW, I would hope Admins' presence would be known, which they do quite well. So, for as many of them to chime on on this thread as they have, all the more power... :thumbsup

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

The IP has substance and validity, my suggestion to those that are irritated by it: If the shoe fits, wear it, if not throw it away or give it to Goodwill!!!
LOL

It really is that simple. However, it's the nature of addicts to deny there is a problem.

Thank God for forums! Otherwise some folks wouldn't have a platform and there would be no opportunity to pastor posters.

:;

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

LOL~! My thoughts about this thread concur with yours.

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

:highfive

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

Probably true. *Some* posters. Also, there are people who spend more time playing golf than they spend with their family. That doesn't mean that every golfer has an addiction problem.

Okay...#5. Members of Admin are individuals. I don't see how the fact that the posters on this thread are members of admin has any bearing on the striking of a nerve.

Well, it sort of stifles conversation if you throw out opinions that are based on an assumption about other folks' motives and habits. The first post feels like you're projecting. You seem to be taking things you have struggled with and assuming that other people (maybe in large numbers?) struggle in the same way. I actually don't spend a lot of time on the forum, although I have in the past. Even when I have a high post count, it's usually because I have my computer open at the table while I'm doing something else, and I run back and forth doing this or that. Last year I was laid up in bed with an injured back for 3-4 weeks, and so I posted a LOT during that time. It just depends on what I have to do, how much down time I have, etc. Posting is usually something I do when I'm bored and don't have much else to do.

I do agree that some people are addicted to having a platform, because no one IRL will listen to or pay attention to them, or maybe they don't feel the freedom to express those views IRL for other reasons. That's not something to look down on, though. I'm glad that forums like this give people outlets to vent or sort out their views or having a place to bounce ideas off of [fairly] likeminded individuals. In fact, as I think about it, I would probably fall into that category. Certainly I had never felt the freedom to express dissenting views or ideas about religious topics until I discovered the GNC and FCF. Not even with family. Or maybe especially not with family. I don't suppose I had a platform either, until I found that I could talk anonymously online. Pastors have a platform and by default a "captive audience" by nature of their position; people who aren't in a position of leadership don't really have the freedom or the audience needed to have a platform. Even though I'm a teacher at church, that's still not a "platform" because I have to express the views of the church; not my personal views. What's interesting about being able to express myself online is that I actually DO share my personal views and ideas with people IRL now, where in the past I would have been too intimidated to open my mouth.

Some folks no doubt spend too much time online. It's not my place to determine who does that, or worse, to assume their motives for doing so. I'm a multi-tasker, so even on days when I'm posting a lot, I'm also still: talking to my kids, cooking meals, teaching, taking time slots to go outside and work in my flower beds, reading, etc. I'm not the type of person to just sit and be on a forum and do nothing else for very long. I realize that some people do have to focus all their brain (and possibly body) power in one place, but I don't have to do that. Also, I can kick out a long post in a few minutes. Small comments take about 10 seconds. I really don't spend that much time on here or any other forum. I frequent three forums, and rarely post on the other two.

Regardless...my point is that you should ask people about their habits if you want to have a decent conversation rather than assuming that their habits match yours--or match the habits you had when your priorities were different. :coffee2

Excuses, excuses, excuses.

SOME people need delivered from the forum debbil.

Somebody call an excorcist!

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

HA! Well, I've been awake since 7, and I was TRYING to sleep late, but that didn't happen because my brain is obviously set on waking me up before 10 a.m. I'm still sitting on my bed in my pajamas and Jeff just walked in and said, "Are you planning on getting dressed today?" "No...not until I absolutely have to." :)

This is the first time in about two weeks that I've had a free morning. The kids are all still asleep. We have company, and they're still asleep, too. *Bliss* I'm going to meander into the kitchen and have a cup of coffee and then a shower and then later today I plan to put my yard back together. We've had all the trim repainted, new shutters built, painted and installed, and the front door is now a pretty blue. HS was up a couple of weeks ago and put in a new deck. In the midst of all that, our yard has become a disaster area, so hopefully I can restore some order this evening and take some pictures of the new paint job/deck for fb. Jeff is going to Lowe's to pick up new light fixtures for the patio & porch, and insisted that I email him the SKU#. :rolleyes2 All I could find was the model/item #, so I guess he'll have to make do with that.

You've just expressed the Spirit of Laodecia. This is worse than I originally thought. Call 2 excorcists!

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

Chateau welcome back!

Like the father who comes home from the evil world grumbling for the first hour or two, we know you mean well and really DO love the family! :)

Well, some of them anyway.

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

:highfive Can I get you a drink?

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

I love this post!!! :heeheehee

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

I did spend a lot of time with some of my children and grandchildren yesterday. For those of you with grandchildren, you will understand, there is never enough time spent with them!! :)

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

I don't see the problem with pointing out someone's assumptions are just that, assumptions, false accusations and baseless assertions

His post is logically fallacious

The post is dead on, & you know it.

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

Your post assumes everyone falls under the assertions you made. That is a logical fallacy

For example, you assumed everyone that is here posting is replacing their family relations with internet ones..well..that makes you a hypocrit because here YOU are, just like the rest of us. So tell us why you are blowing off your family?

The point is you assuming that by having internet relations someone is not still having family relations

That is just totally asinine, therefore your later pontifcation "& you know it" sounds like a sophomoric response response from someone that is better suited for making asinine assertions but not supporting them :heeheehee

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

Let's compare this....

to this.

Praxeas, you seem to be the only person screaming and whining about the opening post. :bigbabyPerhaps it's time for you to complete a self-analysis using the handy-dandy four step program I created.

I really am here to help you.:happydance

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

Well first of all, let's just put aside the Drama queen hysterical claims that I've been screaming and whining and not rather just pointing out the flaws in your statement...since as I said this is just an exanple of someone that is better suited to making assertions and not being able to support them....

Could it be that you suffer from each one of these symptions and your fallacy goes "everyone else must be too"?

I mean, do I need to point out that you are still here arguing, pontificating and avoiding your family for internet relations. That was your premise wasn't it? Shouldn't it apply to you just as much as anyone? Did you come to your conclusions because you are personally experiencing them? And if so, why after preaching it are you still here?

The point still remains, all you did was make assertions with no substance and generalizations. Why don't you go do a study and gather statistics, then when you've published your findings, come back and present the evidence :icecream

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

Personally I think too many people have broken their forum addictions lately. ;) Some people need to come back and post more. :D

All I hear you saying is "blah, blah, blah."

Re: a keyboard doth not an expert make...
 

I have been guilty a few times of being caught up in discussions on here at the cost of ignoring my children and wife trying to get my undivided attention.

And I have felt bad for it...
:smack:smack:smack




So....I suppose I can put the shoe on atleast a little while, cracjack....:)