Cite? Links? I don’t remember seeing any instructions to the effect “don’t post that you’re reporting a post to the moderator”. I remember seeing instructions not to post simply “this OP is trolling” or “this post is hate speech”, but I don’t remember seeing instructions not to post “I’m reporting this post to a moderator”.
I would have thought that posting “this post is problematic and I am reporting it to a moderator” would have the desirable effect of preventing the next 6 posters from also reporting the post to a moderator–the message would be received by subsequent posters that “yes, somebody has dealt with the problem, so no need to bother”, thus hopefully preventing the next 6 posters from simply yelling “WTF?” in desperation at a troll with a problematic OP.
In other words, we shouldn’t notify other posters of the fact that yes, something has already been done towards tidying up that particular mess?
Excuse you? This isn’t a debate. That was a moderator warning. A nice one, but a warning nonetheless. You want to argue with it? You don’t do it in the thread.
I have posted numerous times to leave the moderating to the moderator and simply report the post to us rather than talk about it in the thread itself. Other moderators have said similar things. You’ve been here long enough that I find it difficult to believe you’ve never seen such a post.
More likely it will cause the person you are reporting to start an argument/discussion about whether or not it was a rule violation. We really don’t mind if we get multiple reports of the same message being a violation, but thanks for thinking of us.
If you have anything more to say on this matter, take it to e-mail.
Wow, I have never seen so much venom for Oswald Chambers, or such a keen knack for taking things in exactly the wrong way. Simply amazing.
Just wanted to say thank you , His4ever! Don’t let these people discourage you from doing what you believe is right. Unknown to some, this board is for everybody, not just them.
Aw, c’mon, Joe. Surely you’ve seen such venom on this board before. Or do you mean that you’ve just never seen it directed towards Chambers’ twisted interpretation of Scripture?
And I know full well we’re not supposed to do “me too” posts, but…wow. I must second **Monty ** here in regard to NCB’s wisdom and depth. NCB, you clearly have one of the most ironic usernames around.
Hi, lel . I had to respond to this. I’ve been in your shoes and I know how it feels. For years I lost faith and tried to find my way. Unfortunately, until recently, all I encountered were people like H4E who drove me further and further away. I have a close friend whom I love dearly who talks just like H4E, and she also drove me further away with her smug Christianity and scripture quoting to justify her own behaviors and attitudes and put down those of other people. As others have stated before me in this thread, H4E probably means really well, but she appears misguided.
I am finding my faith again, gratefully, and I am happy that I can say that. I still love my friend and she still has her “preachy moments,” just like H4E. But I pray for them, and accept that they are flawed, just like I am. And I have to accept that they are trying to work on their relationship with God as they see fit to do. However, I don’t have to buy their brand of Christianity or spirituality.
One more thing… H4E, when you said that you just wanted to post something interesting for the other Christians in this group, give me a break. You have been here much longer than I have and you KNEW you would get a rise out of many people on this board. You have the right to post as we all do. But please stop the innocent act. It’s really phony.
Joe Cool, with all due respect, being called “a traitor to Christ” does tend to produce strong reactions. Also, the version of this devotional that His4Ever posted was somewhat altered from what’s on the website which David B. linked to. I don’t recall exactly what she wrote, but I do know the line "If you can help others by your sympathy or understanding, you are a traitor to Jesus Christ. " stood on its own as a separate paragraph. As you can see by the times others quote it, it also omitted the word “Jesus.” I’ve looked at the devotional on the website and it’s nowhere near as objectionable as what His4Ever posted. In fact, I’m not sure I find it any more problematical than some of the essays in the book of daily devotionals which I use.
I think people were objecting to several things. First of all, this thread’s original posting in MPSIMS, which is not the appopriate forum for it. Second, it’s harsh, condemnatory tone which is contrary to what even most Christians consider to be the tone of the season. As I said, the amended version she posted was far harsher than what Mr. Chambers wrote. Third, that she posted it without any commentary of her own, which made it appear, at least to me, that she was only interested in condemning people. Fourth, His4Ever’s habit of not responding when people question her further about scripture.
We’re caught in a vicious circle here. Since people routinely see harshness and condemnation coming from her, I think we tend to respond with harshness and condemnation in kind. If I say, “that’s not supposed to be the Christian way,” her actions contradict that. I realize an arguement could be made that she’s trying to instruct us, but some of us, in turn are trying to instruct her. I admit I could be wrong in my form and style of instruction, but I’m doing the best I can, and, more important, I’m doing what I believe to be right and I’m willing to accept the consequences if I’m wrong.
There are times when surgery is appropriate, vital, and necessary. There are also times when surgery which would normally save a person’s like would kill that person. I’m not a doctor, but I do realize people are routinely stabilized before performing surgery. The people I minister in real life are in the spiritual equivalent of a state of shock. Their souls rebel against Christianity, in part because of the way Christians have treated them. I’m trying to stabilize them enough so they can accept the Word rather than fight it. Essays like the one His4Ever open fresh wounds in such people.
I know I’m regarded by some as a liberal, wishy-washy Christian, but I still prefer the words of the last paragraph of my devotional for Friday, December 20th, based on Matthew 11:2-15 to those His4Ever gave us:
There are certain posters here from whom criticism regarding my tone is meaningful. You are most definitely not one of them, no matter how clever you think you are.
As everyone here is so fond of repeating, take the plank out of your own eye before you try to tend mine.
Which was obviously Chambers’s goal when he wrote it.
Far be it from me to disagree with the moderators’ opinion regarding which forum a thread belongs in, but IMO what she wrote is fully appropriate for MPSIMS. She was not witnessing, and was not opening a debate. She simply shared a devotional with people she thought would appreciate it. And I honestly don’t believe that it would have been moved if the name on the thread had been Polycarp, Libertarian, or Triskadecamus, rather than His4ever.
But that aside, posting something in the wrong forum does not seem like an acceptable excuse for attacking somebody. That is B.S. and you know it as well as I do.
As she wasn’t debating, but only sharing, she is not obligated to answer challenges regarding scripture, or to play commentator. I thought “here’s a devotional you might like” was plenty of commentary for the purpose she intended (though I agree she probably should have linked instead of quoting). Not to mention that this is a freaking message board, not court.
And I think if you look at it honestly, you’ll see that the majority of people have no interest in instructing her (nor are in any position to do so) and are in it only to attack and harass her. The whole “release the lions” routine is getting really boring.
Additionally, since you folks are inclined to perceive (an exaggerated sense of) harshness and condemnation, even when none exists, you tend to attack, rather than instruct. Allow me, a fellow Christian, to step on the podium and instruct just for a moment:
In other words, we judge our own, we don’t offer them up to be judged by the masses and dogpiled. I wasn’t aware that publicly belittling your sister in Christ is the “tone of the season,” as you put it – even if you do dress it up in the trappings of “instruction”.
Again, by example: John the Baptist didn’t take that approach. And Jesus said “Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.”
Keep in mind that your complaint doesn’t appear to be with H4e - it’s with either Oswald Chambers, who (regardless of monty’s remarks) was a greatly respected Christian author and teacher, or whoever made the modifications you say were made (I didn’t see the thread before the text was replaced with a link).
A devotional that was guaranteed to start a debate because it was, effectively, witnessing.
You can believe anything you like. You’re wrong, but you are still free to believe it. Oh, and the other thing is that all of those you listed would have known better than to post it in MPSIMS to begin with, I suspect.
If you want to continue discussing the “devotional,” go ahead. But the issue of its being moved was already decided. If you have a problem with the moderators’ decision, take it to e-mail or the Pit.
Why, thank you Joe_Cool. It may seem to some that I’m being harsh and not talking about love enough but many won’t accept the other parts of God’s nature so I feel I must say something. I don’t believe in lying and telling people something is okay when it isn’t, making them feel all comfy cozy in what they’re doing, as in all our debating on the subject of X.
As imperfect a Christian as I am I still feel God compelling me to say something when error is being taught, especially if I’m directly asked my opinion on something. I ask God’s forgiveness and determine to do better with His help. I’d appreciate your prayers, Joe_Cool, and thanks for the words of encouragement.
His4ever, imagine that you are a teacher in a classroom. One of your students has made an error, and you correct the student and she/he learns from you. Now imagine that you, the teacher, are out at the shopping mall. You see children that should be in school but have decided to drop out. One of these kids makes the same factual error that your student did. Do you:
Correct the kid the same way you corrected your student, or
Realize that it might be a good idea to first convince the kid to come back to school, where your authority in the subject matter is valid.
Would you get him by to school by telling him he’s stupid and going to end up in jail if he doesn’t or by telling him the benefits of an education such as generally higher earnings potential, better job prospects and higher respect?
Others already described to you the vicious unchristian attack you made on others. That requires no cleverness to remind you of it and as there’s already a lenghthy thread concerning that attack, and in which you’ve posted, I’d venture to say that you’re aware of it.
And I have exactly zero concern about how you consider me or what I post. Don’t like what I say? Take your comments to the Pit or e-mail a mod/admin.
Good advice. Try taking it yourself for once and then maybe people will quit telling you that.
Don’t let these people discourage you from doing what you believe is right. Unknown to some, this board is for everybody, not just them.