Can we make MN less hostile?

[temporal1]

I noticed there are a couple who are working at their tone and way they are posting. This is what will help bring down the hostility. Talking to each other as allies instead of adversaries. I hope it gets noticed by others and it catches on.

Just remember we treat others because of who we are and Who is in us, not as a response to how they are treating us.

I cannot consider pro-abortion people allies. That's just a line too far for me.

“allies” is not a great word for this, “enemies” isn’t, either. “unequally yoked” might be useful. there are several references to allies/alliances in the OT, mostly of warning nature.

direct rebuke has its worthwhile place.

Proverbs 17:10
A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding
Than a hundred blows into a fool.

Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Rebuking

you write mostly from first person experience, without resorting to “perhaps,” speculation, conjecture, google searches. gotcha.
those 2 approaches are likely to “mix like oil+water.”

there might be better words to describe than allies/adversaries. i’m not sure which ones at the moment.

how do Catholics respond to biden, pelosi, durbin? it’s a problem.

[Valerie]

Then we treat them with extra respect.

Is this true? Extra "respect"? Would that be authentic snd/or Scriptural? I suppose i don't draw that conclusion as examples of treatment of heretics eas anything but respect?

Love your non-allies. Bless those who persecute you. Live peaceably with all men. Make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. Are those things scriptural?

I realize those passages but I'm talking about respect? Can't that lead people to a false sense of understanding doctrine? As I be the early church writer's father's theologians they address these things with syrong protection over truth as did Jesus, I'm talking about people professing to be Christians

[MaxPC]

Pelosi, et al. were mentioned which brings up a salient aspect: audience, (to whom the comments are addressed). With the continued defiance of Church teaching on the part of Pelosi and other politicians who claim to be Catholic, the admonishment has been increasingly terse and less diplomatic from other Catholics. Remember, these politicians have been using their status for decades to be elected while causing scandal to other Catholics. These politicians refuse to listen because their political ambitions take a greater priority in their personal lives than their faith walk. In summary, these are words from Catholics to Catholics in sin refusing to repent.

I would hazard to observe I have seen a parallel here on MN and previously on MD. Mennonites speak to other Mennonites in a similar pattern as it involves the individual's faith walk.

Then there are the conversations between nonMennonites who may have been raised Mennonite but no longer believe; and nonMennonites from other faith traditions; etc.

Another variable: those who bang the same political tambourine with very nearly every topic; posting dubious graphs incessantly; lashing out at others who have provided facts that disprove the claims of their favorite political party; etc. With those who refuse to listen and who are consistently hostile, Jesus tells us to "shake the dust from your feet" and walk away (Luke 9:5, Matthew 10:14). Hence I block the posts of those who engage in these hostile and perseverative behaviors.

As always, YMMV.

[temporal1]

I noticed there are a couple who are working at their tone and way they are posting. This is what will help bring down the hostility. Talking to each other as allies instead of adversaries. I hope it gets noticed by others and it catches on.

Just remember we treat others because of who we are and Who is in us, not as a response to how they are treating us.

I cannot consider pro-abortion people allies. That's just a line too far for me.

i “hearted” Robert’s post (wondering if he was thinking of me?) i don’t know. but, i’ve been present, i hope i have a heart for Robert’s intent/goals! i wasn’t thinking so much about specific words, but about his general direction, civil and Christian forum discourse.

nett, being newer, reacted to the word, “allies,” and, i think, reasonably so. good question. causing more thought.
nett often inspires thought.

what do scriptures say? what’s the intent? the intent in scriptures is never to “give a pass to sin,” but, what else?
one common complaint today, across denoms, is .. refusal/reluctance to address sins, trading for “getting along.”

it’s a hard problem.
it makes me think of the Putin poll: what are Christians to do? (with enemies) versus with other Christians? with the world?
Jesus is profound and specific about loving enemies.
but, what about others, brothers+sisters in Christ? and, others, not believers, also, not enemies?

Re: Poll: Loving Putin
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4642

nett’s response has caused (me) to think more about how all this (living out faith as Jesus wants) works.
Paul and Barnabas.

maybe joey could next begin a Bible study of Paul and Barnabas?
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=4810

well. anyway. as Hopeanafuture might say: my 2 cents.

[barnhart]

Is this true? Extra "respect"? Would that be authentic snd/or Scriptural? I suppose i don't draw that conclusion as examples of treatment of heretics eas anything but respect?

Love your non-allies. Bless those who persecute you. Live peaceably with all men. Make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. Are those things scriptural?

I realize those passages but I'm talking about respect? Can't that lead people to a false sense of understanding doctrine? As I be the early church writer's father's theologians they address these things with syrong protection over truth as did Jesus, I'm talking about people professing to be Christians

Valerie, you have posted some things that seem like error if not heresy to me. How would you prefer I respond going forward.

[temporal1]

Remembering Hope .. not present since 2020! -

For those who've been around a while, how do you think these age demographics have changed since the days of MennoDiscuss.

Pretty sure those of us who were around in the early days of Mennodiscuss (2005) are right about 14 years older.

I was in Japan at the time and recently forbidden to discuss anything remotely controversial with the native English speaking team.
I distinctly remember that MD filled a felt need for a place to discuss (argue) and learn.

I have since married, and had 5 children. They will argue with me anytime I want to argue.

i miss her.

[temporal1]

Love your non-allies. Bless those who persecute you. Live peaceably with all men. Make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. Are those things scriptural?

I realize those passages but I'm talking about respect? Can't that lead people to a false sense of understanding doctrine? As I be the early church writer's father's theologians they address these things with syrong protection over truth as did Jesus, I'm talking about people professing to be Christians

Valerie, you have posted some things that seem like error if not heresy to me. How would you prefer I respond going forward.

i’m not sure about you, specifically, barnhart, but, Valerie is not treated “with kid gloves” on forum. possibly her response is more gentle than some others, defiantly convinced of themselves?

my mother used to counsel (6 of us) -
“be cautious about those who just tell you what you want to hear! - they may not care for you anywhere as sincerely as those who are willing to tell you what you don’t want to hear.” criticism can be important and valuable. so, while it pinches, try to learn from it. that criticizer may turn out to be your best friend. the person willing to take the risk.

i have one adult child i (still) repeat this to. saying, the easiest way for a person to “get rid of you” is to agree. flatterers.
be cautious not to presume anything. the person who is willing to invest in you may not choose the easy path.

[Sudsy]

Is this true? Extra "respect"? Would that be authentic snd/or Scriptural? I suppose i don't draw that conclusion as examples of treatment of heretics eas anything but respect?

Love your non-allies. Bless those who persecute you. Live peaceably with all men. Make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. Are those things scriptural?

I realize those passages but I'm talking about respect? Can't that lead people to a false sense of understanding doctrine? As I be the early church writer's father's theologians they address these things with syrong protection over truth as did Jesus, I'm talking about people professing to be Christians

If I regard respect more as admiration then I think a better word might be to be courteous to people with beliefs I disagree with. I believe it possible to explain what we believe is truth and do it in a gentle and peaceful way. As Paul asked the Corinthians - 'What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness ?' I think we all want the latter.

I disagree with how the 'church fathers' used the word 'anathema' as a curse to those who didn't agree with their beliefs/doctrines. Perhaps if they were without sin themselves they could respond as Jesus did to the Pharisees at times but none of us are without sin. Additionally, none of us 'see through a glass clearly' and we have differing convictions regarding different topics.

When I think of the characteristic of the Spirit's fruit called 'gentleness' I think of being courteous. We can express strong convictions on our beliefs but try to do it in a gentle way that promotes peace and understanding.

If I take the time to review a post before I submit it considering if it is courteous, then I believe the chance of it being considered goes up. With that said, I fail to do that too often and offend in my sharing. I will keep working on it. None of us are or will know perfect truth about everything. Humbleness is also a big part in how we respond to beliefs we disagree with.

Anyway, if anyone feels offended in any of my posts, please PM me and we can work it out and I can learn how to improve.

[Robert]

my mother used to counsel (6 of us) -
“be cautious about those who just tell you what you want to hear! - they may not care for you anywhere as sincerely as those who are willing to tell you what you don’t want to hear.” criticism can be important and valuable. so, while it pinches, try to learn from it. that criticizer may turn out to be your best friend. the person willing to take the risk.

It is often not what one says, but the WAY one says it. I have seen several working at saying things better. As a parent, I often correct my children (not saying people here are children, though some may act that way at times) and I have to make a conscious choice to affirm their good actions. I was just trying to do that here.

"What you focus on, you get more of."

If we focus on the negative, we will see it more and be part of it. If we focus on the positive, it does not mean the negative goes away, but we can see it in a balanced light. It is also much more mentally and emotionally healthy for us.

Validating the positive does not hide or ignore the negative, but it does help the one we converse with to hear our words more openly and not always take what we say in the most negative way. We all must remember to remove the log before we worry about another's splinter.

If my use of words did not convey this concept well enough, I apologize. I see other followers of Jesus as allies, even though I may disagree with them on issues. I see others who do not follow Jesus as potential allies. I was speaking from my perspective. If that word does not fit, please understand the principle I was trying to express and find the word that fits better for you.

[Sudsy]

my mother used to counsel (6 of us) -
“be cautious about those who just tell you what you want to hear! - they may not care for you anywhere as sincerely as those who are willing to tell you what you don’t want to hear.” criticism can be important and valuable. so, while it pinches, try to learn from it. that criticizer may turn out to be your best friend. the person willing to take the risk.

It is often not what one says, but the WAY one says it. I have seen several working at saying things better. As a parent, I often correct my children (not saying people here are children, though some may act that way at times) and I have to make a conscious choice to affirm their good actions. I was just trying to do that here.

"What you focus on, you get more of."

If we focus on the negative, we will see it more and be part of it. If we focus on the positive, it does not mean the negative goes away, but we can see it in a balanced light. It is also much more mentally and emotionally healthy for us.

Validating the positive does not hide or ignore the negative, but it does help the one we converse with to hear our words more openly and not always take what we say in the most negative way. We all must remember to remove the log before we worry about another's splinter.

If my use of words did not convey this concept well enough, I apologize. I see other followers of Jesus as allies, even though I may disagree with them on issues. I see others who do not follow Jesus as potential allies. I was speaking from my perspective. If that word does not fit, please understand the principle I was trying to express and find the word that fits better for you.

Amen ! The underlined above reminds me of our Philippians study and the verse we haven't got to yet - Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

One of the biggest challenges, I find, is that the media is primarily caught up in what is negative in this world and for a Christian to keep away from what it pushes us to think about is quite a challenge. I believe when we keep giving ear to all this negative stuff it adversely affects us spiritually also and causes us to be negative in various other ways. Well, I better wait til we get to this verse in the Philippians study to comment more.