Time for reflection

[1over137]

Well, what do you think? Are we forum that welcomes people with warm heart? Are we all brothers and sisters strengthening each other, loving each other, supporting each other? Are we forum that people enjoy and profit from, learning about Bible, spiritually growing? Are we all spiritually growing? Are we? Are we not? Could we do much better? Is this a place where Christ would like to be?

Please, do not turn this to fun. Do not turn this to anger. Do not turn this to quarrels. Turn this to self-reflection. I will.

[RickD]

I've grown more in the last few years than I ever have as a Christian, in my entire life. And this forum and its members has been a huge part of that.

I've learned to listen more to what people are saying, than the way they are saying it. I've especially grown from disagreements I've had here. The disagreements have forced me to reevaluate my beliefs, to see if my beliefs are really worth believing. Many times I've made adjustments to what I believe, because of someone who I've disagreed with.

I'm thankful for every member who I've interacted with on this forum.

In some ways I think of the members here as a family. And just like a family, there are heated disagreements.

I don't think disagreements hurt our relationships. And the way we deal with disagreements, helps us grow.

And for all the people who have passed through this forum complaining of how we attack each other, I can think of more people who have said they were impressed with how we show our love for each other despite our disagreements.

But of course all of us can always do better. There's always room for improvement.

[1over137]

Rick, I am not saying we are not to disagree. But sometimes we can disagree in a more respectful, loving, honorable way. Maybe it's an art. To disagree in a way Christ would like us to see.

This forum meant and means a lot to me. And I also view you all as my family. There is great diversity of personalities and I like you all. But one thing we have in common and that is Christ. So we are family. Family under Christ.

[RickD]

Yes Hana. We can show our love for one another, especially in the way we disagree.

I think we all would do well to heed this:

In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.

Some hippo guy said that...I think.

[SeekingSanctuary]

I think this forum is great, when I first came here I was having a lot of issues with my faith, spirituality, etc. Now I have a far less issues and people I've talked to here have helped me out a lot. I've only ever had one problem here and it was minor. I am very thankful for this place being here.

However, 2 thoughts:

1: Do we really need to call an entire section "Aberrant" Christianity? It feels wrong to me. It isn't out of being politically correct, but if you want to warm and welcoming it seems like an choice to use an adjective with negative connotations. I don't think anyone has complained from any of those groups, they may never because it is pretty minor, but it seems odd if that is one of our goals.

2. Could we put a sticky thread in Bible and Scripture for simple questions? Occasionally I'll come up with a question that isn't worth an entire thread to answer, usually could be solved in a single sentence (thinks like not getting a metaphor or reference, or tripping over clumsy wording). I doubt I'm the only one, and since I was so hesitant starting threads when I first joined I can't help but think it may stop people from asking their questions.

[1over137]

1: Do we really need to call an entire section "Aberrant" Christianity? It feels wrong to me. It isn't out of being politically correct, but if you want to warm and welcoming it seems like an choice to use an adjective with negative connotations. I don't think anyone has complained from any of those groups, they may never because it is pretty minor, but it seems odd if that is one of our goals.

2. Could we put a sticky thread in Bible and Scripture for simple questions? Occasionally I'll come up with a question that isn't worth an entire thread to answer, usually could be solved in a single sentence (thinks like not getting a metaphor or reference, or tripping over clumsy wording). I doubt I'm the only one, and since I was so hesitant starting threads when I first joined I can't help but think it may stop people from asking their questions.

1. How would you call it?
2. Maybe we can give it a try. What others think?

[PaulSacramento]

Aberrant:
ab·er·rant
ˈabərənt,əˈber-/Submit
adjective
departing from an accepted standard.

[B. W.]

As I wrote on the Bully Forum and locked it...

Yes Bullies can ruin forums and friendships even here. Bullies can have long terms effects on adults. Bullies are a part of life. Such is the sin nature in humanity. There is nothing that can be done in this life over than forgive and move on.

...Where there division and strife on this scale you can rest assured this forum and its members are being hit by a spiritual attack and it would be best to pray against this and toss it back where ever it came from. The Devil and his demons are bullies and their long term effect upon all humanity is well documented and now here.

Two good moderators have been insulted by several folks here and elsewhere on this tforum as well as a few members so much so that they feel the need to exit. What happened to christian forgiveness and compassion? Well, bullying that the devil dishes out has its course....

I am going to lock this thread (The Thread on Bullying which is now locked) and ask all parties to consider their words and how they offended, ask for forgiveness and become Christian brothers and sisters again. The real bully is the real devil and he is loosing strife and division upon the members here. So in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth I pray, the devils dividing power be bound and be loosed off this forum, now and forever. And Lord, let the folks take the proverbial chill pill and cool down and have them come to their senses and seek to reconcile with those they offended, either by accident, or purpose. I ask this according to Jesus Name and power of imparting love and a sound mind to his people no enemy can steal. Amen.

Those were parts of from what I wrote on the bully thread... now on to this.

I ask folks not to give up and resign. Do the bible and go to your brothers and sisters that offended.

Several weeks ago I lost my temper with Jac and did not realize at the time I was being played to act rudely. I took time off the forum and cooled down, then deleted the offending posts and asked for forgiveness and let it go. I have come to the conclusions that Eph 6:10-18 is true and this forum is under spiritual attack, so it is best to fight the real enemy, not ourselves. Who brought this here and loosed it is unimportant - strife is rampant and friendships are being broken. To me, this is serious stuff. The Lord is big enough to handle this through our prayers. So take a few days off and cool down - and please in the name of Jesus do the word and live like a believer and turn your back on the deceiver:

Luke 17:3-5, "Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 "And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' forgive him." 5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" NASB

Mat 18:21 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?"
Mat 18:22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Mat 18:23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
Mat 18:24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
Mat 18:25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.
Mat 18:26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'
Mat 18:27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
Mat 18:28 "But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!'
Mat 18:29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'
Mat 18:30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
Mat 18:31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
Mat 18:32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
Mat 18:33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?'
Mat 18:34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
Mat 18:35 "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."
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[SeekingSanctuary]

Aberrant:
ab·er·rant
ˈabərənt,əˈber-/Submit
adjective
departing from an accepted standard.

I'm not saying the definition isn't accurate. 1Over said one of our goals was to inviting, since "Aberrant" is also used to describe eldritch abominations in different medias here in the US (especially video games), it may be worth considering a word with less cultural baggage. Compare calling someone 'light-skinned' vs 'pale', 'skinny' vs 'scrawny', etc. No one is arguing accuracy, only negative connotations. If that isn't our goal, it isn't worth considering.

Another word with same meaning would be "Atypical".

[RickD]

Aberrant:
ab·er·rant
ˈabərənt,əˈber-/Submit
adjective
departing from an accepted standard.

I'm not saying the definition isn't accurate. 1Over said one of our goals was to inviting, since "Aberrant" is also used to describe eldritch abominations in different medias here in the US (especially video games), it may be worth considering a word with less cultural baggage. Compare calling someone 'light-skinned' vs 'pale', 'skinny' vs 'scrawny', etc. No one is arguing accuracy, only negative connotations. If that isn't our goal, it isn't worth considering.

Another word with same meaning would be "Atypical".

Aberrant is more accurate for the purpose of that forum. We're talking about cults like JWs and LDS that aren't Christian denominations. I really don't see a problem calling a spade a spade.

[PaulSacramento]

Aberrant:
ab·er·rant
ˈabərənt,əˈber-/Submit
adjective
departing from an accepted standard.

I'm not saying the definition isn't accurate. 1Over said one of our goals was to inviting, since "Aberrant" is also used to describe eldritch abominations in different medias here in the US (especially video games), it may be worth considering a word with less cultural baggage. Compare calling someone 'light-skinned' vs 'pale', 'skinny' vs 'scrawny', etc. No one is arguing accuracy, only negative connotations. If that isn't our goal, it isn't worth considering.

Another word with same meaning would be "Atypical".

Aberrant does NOT mean abominable, it means "departing form the standard".
I understand that sometimes words take on a meaning of their own because people decide to put emotions on them outside of what they truly mean BUT that is not the fault of the word.
Perhaps people don't know what the word means and a more "popular" term is needed? Perhaps.
Unorthodox perhaps?
Nonstandard?

[1over137]

I created sticky thread for questions on the Bible.

[SeekingSanctuary]

I created sticky thread for questions on the Bible.

Cool. That's the one I felt was actually important. The other thing is minor (okay, both are minor, but that one is "minor-er")

RickD, can you please define how you are using cult? We may have different definitions. Are you using it to mean it actively harms its members?

Paul, I can't tell if there was sarcasm in that post or not. A word is never at fault, and their definitions do change over time. While I don't want to put more meaning into the word then it already has (and if you honestly feel that I am you may be right, I may well be being overly sensitive here), we should be aware of these changes as they are happening.

[PaulSacramento]

I created sticky thread for questions on the Bible.

Cool. That's the one I felt was actually important. The other thing is minor (okay, both are minor, but that one is "minor-er")

RickD, can you please define how you are using cult? We may have different definitions. Are you using it to mean it actively harms its members?

Paul, I can't tell if there was sarcasm in that post or not. A word is never at fault, and their definitions do change over time. While I don't want to put more meaning into the word then it already has (and if you honestly feel that I am you may be right, I may well be being overly sensitive here), we should be aware of these changes as they are happening.

No sarcasm.
Look words are what they are regardless of what we want them to be.

EX:
A birth defect is anything that a person is born with that is NOT beneficial to their well being OR to their ability to pass on their genes to the next generation.
No one denies or has a problem with that definition, right?

Well, lets just say that if being homosexual is something that a person is born as, that a person is porn homosexual, that it i a genetic trait then, by the definition above, it is a birth defect since the person can't procreate UNLESS they go against their genetic impulse to have homosexual relations.
BUT if anyone was to suggest that homosexuality is a birth defect the crap would his the fan BIG TIME.

See what I mean?

[RickD]

SeekingSanctuary wrote:
RickD, can you please define how you are using cult? We may have different definitions. Are you using it to mean it actively harms its members?

Christian cults preach a different gospel or a different Christ. So I'll answer your question with a question. If a cult is preaching a false gospel and a false Christ that can't save, is that causing harm?