Is “infestation” Biblical language?

[Judas Maccabeus]

So why do you call them that? It implies that they are different than other sins.

When did I say it was different from other sins? I took my list of sins straight from the NT.

And it seems to open the door for the dehumanizing language such as “infestation “ which should only be used of the like of rodents and insects. Using that sort of terminology will certainly create confusion. And using a category of excommunicateable sins for unbelievers makes zero sense. How can a sin be excommunicateable for someone who is not in communion to begin with?

JM, you brought up the topic of death sins in my particular church. All plain Anabaptists make such distinctions.

There is no rule you can’t call sin an “infestation”. Sounds like you have an extra-biblical rule about it.

It would be much simpler to cut and past the COGICM version of the 1963 or maybe a point to a book like Kauffman’s “doctrines of the Bible “ so it could be clear what your group believes. Otherwise, we try to figure it out.

This isn’t a thread about Holdemans, but the right places to look would be the 33 Articles of Faith (in the Martyrs’ Mirror) or “Bible Doctrines and Practice”, available from Gospel Publishers. If you can’t afford a copy, I’d be glad to mail one to you.

Already on order. It is out of print, so I got a used copy on EBay. Let's see what it says.

[justme]

Thank you JM.
I don't think infestation is an ok word to describe a group of people.


To the rest of you, how does this statement make you feel? Valerie told us it feels insulting. I can imagine it does feel insulting.

So since it seems to be the consensus that infestation is an ok word to use to describe a group of people, i guess i am allowed to say this:

MennoNet is infested with JohnH and his supporters.

I hope I've made my point.

[seinetsodumm]

So since it seems to be the consensus that infestation is an ok word to use to describe a group of people, i guess i am allowed to say this:

MennoNet is infested with JohnH and his supporters.

Lord have mercy Justme, why don’t you say how you really feel?

Seems lately your main contributions are insults. Why?

I too have noticed that.

[Valerie]

Thank you JM.
I don't think infestation is an ok word to describe a group of people.


To the rest of you, how does this statement make you feel? Valerie told us it feels insulting. I can imagine it does feel insulting.

So since it seems to be the consensus that infestation is an ok word to use to describe a group of people, i guess i am allowed to say this:

MennoNet is infested with JohnH and his supporters.

I hope I've made my point.

No, you “used” this topic to make another point and slip it in creatively.

[justme]

]Seems lately your main contributions are insults. Why?

I too have noticed that.

Thanks for letting me know that is how you preceive my contributions to MN.

[temporal1]

So since it seems to be the consensus that infestation is an ok word to use to describe a group of people, i guess i am allowed to say this:

MennoNet is infested with JohnH and his supporters.

I don't see a consensus that it is OK, and if so I am not part of it.

i didn’t see a consensus either.

[Valerie]

]Seems lately your main contributions are insults. Why?

I too have noticed that.

Thanks for letting me know that is how you preceive my contributions to MN.

Lately. Usually targeted at one person.
Not sure how an admin would best deal with this internally since admins have to read the posts that must be hard to stomach at times, but years ago I really enjoyed your posts and I’m sorry you’re seemingly fed up?
It really had changed a lot through the years-
Wonder if non-Mennos quit posting it would be more beneficial?

[JohnH]

Wonder if non-Mennos quit posting it would be more beneficial?

It would be very, very sad if the legacy of this forum was that non-Mennonites (or people who aren't of ethnic Mennonite background) no longer felt welcome to post or talk here, and this instead just became some sort of ethnic club.

[ken_sylvania]

So since it seems to be the consensus that infestation is an ok word to use to describe a group of people, i guess i am allowed to say this:

MennoNet is infested with JohnH and his supporters.

If John's position is immoral then I suppose that response would be in line with what John is saying.
Or you could just say that he and anyone who defend him are like a den of copperheads. Wouldn't that be just as insulting?

I think the Bible uses language similar to "infestation" sometimes but I don't feel comfortable using such language just because it is used in the Bible.

[JohnH]

I don't have a biblical basis for this, but I have preferred to reserve strong language like "infested" for the elite and powerful who also commit grievous sins. Just seems like the right thing to do, even though the Bible doesn't have any qualms about using harsh language to describe entire groups of people, including ethnic groups; Paul said he is "all things to all men", so sometimes it's important to accept cultural strictures around our speech even if the Bible doesn't teach us to require them.