Where are all the Acts 2:38 folks (3-steppers)??

[berkeley]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Haha Berk!

Of course, some of the *ahem* discussion that has taken place on these forums has been much worse than the example you give above.

But we've survived and developed thick hides and straighter spines as a result and even learned some things in the process.

Hehe.

I couldn't type what I really wanted to...

[Ron]

Respect. It comes down to Respect.

JMHO

[nahkoe]

Originally Posted by Ron

Respect. It comes down to Respect.

JMHO

Yep. That's exactly what it comes down to.

If I respect you, your thoughts, your beliefs, I just might have a lot to learn from you. EVEN if your beliefs are completely opposite, even opposed, to my own. I *can* learn from someone who believes an untruth, or completely differently than I do. I can't get this to sound like what I mean so hopefully it reads better than it types. lol

I'll put this out here, I learned more about God while practicing witchcraft than I ever learned sitting in a church. Doesn't make much sense, but it's my reality.

**Disclaimer** There really are better ways to learn about God. Don't go out practicing witchcraft just to see what you could learn. heh

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Raven

Amen Felicity! You are exactly right. One must also beware of those so convinced of their own "rightness" that they alone speak the "truth" while everyone else's is merely a "version". Blindness isn't always physical.

Raven

Why are people so afraid to look within? What is so threatening about that? I've always loved discussion and listening to other people's ideas and views. Do I accept them all? No!! But does 'listening" and thinking, observing and considering mean that I lose sight of truth? No!

Why are people, if they're convinced of truth, so afraid to hold views, opinions and mindsets about that up to the "light", scrutinize and examine them and see if there's a possibility of error?

Having said that, I do believe that this kind of forum is probably NOT the place for new believers or for those who are immature in their faith and walk with God.

Some of the craziest things are put forward here as truth.

[nahkoe]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Why are people so afraid to look within? What is so threatening about that? I've always loved discussion and listening to other people's ideas and views. Do I accept them all? No!! But does 'listening" and thinking, observing and considering mean that I lose sight of truth? No!

Why are people, if they're convinced of truth, so afraid to hold views, opinions and mindsets about that up to the "light", scrutinize and examine them and see if there's a possibility of error?

Having said that, I do believe that this kind of forum is probably NOT the place for new believers or for those who are immature in their faith and walk with God.

Some of the craziest things are put forward here as truth.

YES YES YES! To every point. lol

I am not so attached to my beliefs that I won't examine them and critically look at them, and compare them to Scripture and ask questions and stomp all over them to see if they hold up. I want to follow the Truth, and nothing less. If something I've believed has to change in order to be closer to that, then I want to change it.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Ron

Respect. It comes down to Respect.

JMHO

I don't know that respect is necessary. I can listen to what a person says and consider it even if I don't respect them. And of course reject what I feel doesn't line up with Scripture and/or practical experience in the real world.

[rgcraig]

I don't believe anyone is interested in a cookie-cutter forum. Hopefully, we can come to an agreement to have good discussion without all the mud-slinging.

Maybe we've become like a bunch of brothers and sisters around here and have let a few folks get on our nerves and are focusing on those instead of all the awesome other posters that offer so much!

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Why are people so afraid to look within? What is so threatening about that? I've always loved discussion and listening to other people's ideas and views. Do I accept them all? No!! But does 'listening" and thinking, observing and considering mean that I lose sight of truth? No!

Why are people, if they're convinced of truth, so afraid to hold views, opinions and mindsets about that up to the "light", scrutinize and examine them and see if there's a possibility of error?

Having said that, I do believe that this kind of forum is probably NOT the place for new believers or for those who are immature in their faith and walk with God.

Some of the craziest things are put forward here as truth.

Felicity, I agree with this wholeheartedly. I've often asked the question "If we know what we believe why are we afraid to entertain opposing viewpoints"?

But, the answer I get from some is, "That's exactly why - I KNOW what I believe, so why should I waste my time arguing?"

I guess it's all in how you look at it...........in my experience, the people who usually don't want to discuss things are the ones who are struggling with their own beliefs and don't want to be faced with their insecurites - myself included!

[berkeley]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

I don't believe anyone is interested in a cookie-cutter forum.

I beg to differ...

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Berkeley

I beg to differ...

Well, some would probably like it, but most here are not interested in a cookie cutter forum.

I would really hate to see anything happen to this forum - for whatever one negative thing some might think, I believe there are five good things. It's just a different type place.