Originally Posted by Aquila
One has to become good at duck and cover if others are constantly taking shots at them. Especially when quite a bit is basely accusations made by people taking things out of context for the sheer purpose and enjoyment of attacking.
I just share my thoughts and experiences. I'm perfectly willing to agree to disagree. And, I have no reason to go personal when I do. However, certain individuals can't help but go personal because they can't bring themselves to simply agree to disagree and to respect the other individual regardless.
EB, sadly, the love of Christ isn't present in your posts to me. It's only you threatening Hell to someone you find disagreement with. Also, if you seriously cared about my soul, you'd spend far more time praying for me and befriending me than you do berating me, insulting me, and trying to run me off. So, I know everything you're saying is a bunch of malarkey.
Besides... I thought that this was a "discussion" forum? It isn't a pastoral support forum, pastoral counseling forum, or even a pastoral Q&A forum. I've never inquired of you to counsel, advise, or direct me. I've only wished to share my perspective of the various subjects being discussed here. For example, on this forum I've tried to stay on the topic, "worship". I've shared some thoughts on how I don't believe a brother should be berated for the kind of worship he prefers. I even mentioned something that I knew would be "red meat" for those who can't help but gnash against individuals they disagree with, just because I was tired of seeing them brow beat a brother over a music style he preferred and an idiom he chose to use. I knew they'd jump to conclusions before asking the important questions. The spirit they are of is all too predictable. And... it took the heat off Michael, who I felt didn't deserve the attack.
If you'd like to give pastoral advice, offer pastoral counsel, or participate in a pastoral Q&A, I'm sure I can find a link to such a forum for you, because you're way out of line when you go down this road. I know you don't see it this way, people such as yourself never do, but such is a form of spiritual abuse. You're not my pastor. Share your thoughts on the topics at hand. Share your agreement or disagreement with my thoughts. If I want your pastoral support, admonition, counsel, or advice, I'll ask it. Otherwise, keep it to yourself.
I imagine it like this. Let's say that this forum is a coffee shop. Many people are seated, having coffee, and various tables are discussing various topics. I join a table and listen. I decide to contribute to the conversation by sharing my thoughts, experiences, opinions, or whatever. Then suddenly, there you are, standing up and screaming at me about how I'm going to Hell, how I'm this and how I'm that. I ask you to settle down and relax, we're all just people sharing our opinions. But you just keep interrupting the flow of the conversation trying to counsel me instead of staying on topic. Other people begin leaving the table because as you shout at me, I'm trying to ask you to just be respectful and stick to the topic. A couple of your buddies sit there popping insults and calling names. They are goofily smiling and snickering, enjoying the opportunity to berate another. You give each other high fives and inside jokes along with the insults. Then, between the insults, you try to warn me of Hell and how I need to part my hair like yours or else. In the past, I've decided to changed tables. But, you find your way to that table and start pounding on the table and demanding I part my hair like yours or else. Then you even drag disagreements from other unrelated topics to the table until you've ruined the conversation yet again.
EB... I'm sure you don't see it. But you're being spiritually abusive. If you're not being spiritually abusive... cease trying to be my pastor. This is only a discussion forum. You don't have to agree with me. I don't expect everyone to agree all the time. But I would appreciate it if we had enough Holy Ghost to respect one another as individuals even though we have some disagreements. If I need or want YOUR spiritual counsel, advice, or direction... I'll ask. Until then, you're out of line. And... I really wish the admins would do something to help you understand that this a forum that has always supported free and open discussion. It isn't a pastoral forum. And unsolicited pastoring is crass and tasteless.
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