a keyboard doth not an expert make...

[Chateau d'If]

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

[Cindy]

Whatever

[Hoovie]

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!

[Chateau d'If]

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

[Chateau d'If]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

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.

Sorry gotta run!

[deltaguitar]

Originally Posted by Chateau d'If

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

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.

[Praxeas]

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

[CC1]

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.

[Chateau d'If]

Originally Posted by deltaguitar

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.

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

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.

[Chateau d'If]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

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

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