jm's random thots

[justme]

Would be interesting. But should we consider whether this might be detrimental to their mental health? I can’t help but think that this forum is filling some type of psychological need for them.

i have considered that, Sliceitup.

[temporal1]

Only if I can be included in the $70 offer. The top 8 posters instead of four.

^^Reliably noble and chivalrous. (i’m sure) a blessing where ever you go.

I don't need to be bribed $70 for such an experiment, and would be happy to.

I have proposed a few "truces" in the past, including via PM with Bootstrap and Ken, but never got any traction from Ken on proposing a truce between the two of us arguing. I decided a while ago that I don't think this forum should become his personal mouthpiece, so I've felt at liberty to join in on the many discussions he starts or responds to here.

Money adds an odd aspect, probably not a constructive conduit for such a purpose.

The Honor System, the honor system, was formerly recognized and used much more throughout our culture, in homes, businesses, churches, schools, communities - and even businesses. Even children can grasp the concept.
i’d like to believe it’s alive+well on MN.

In an extreme “honor system” response, i know at least one valuable member left the forum - because he was simply asked to leave by another irritable member (he respected. evidently, the respect was not mutual). i liked both members. a lot. Sad that happened. No hint this request came from admin/mods. Neither member is presently active.

Over years, on MD and MN, lots of members, some now deceased, would offer ideas about “truces,” regulations, administration, etc., some ideas were acted on in different ways, most, not. A very few members have been banned, only after generous warnings and offers of how to “do better” to avoid being banned. Fair warnings. Also, on MD, i believe there was the opportunity to “repent” with admin, with request to return? i’m not sure.

For myself, i have trust+admiration for admin+mods, not easy jobs, and their selfless dedication is .. nothing less than a gift to the forum. i imagine, labors of love, i can’t think of any other motive that would sustain as it has.

Perfect? - no. Subjective? - yes.
Each member must decided “if it’s worth it or not;” also, each member must decide which content they read, initiate, and respond to. [These summaries have been repeated, they’re NOT original to me!] “Things i’ve noticed on forum.”

.. But should we consider whether this might be detrimental to their mental health? I can’t help but think that this forum is filling some type of psychological need for them.

i have considered that, Sliceitup.

It goes without saying, Slice.
Of course mental health goes along with each of us, 24/7. (i believe) you mentioned an identified challenged you have?
Most of us go about our lives without benefit of diagnosis, but that doesn’t mean we’re “untouched.” It’s only in recent decades many ailments have been identified and labeled .. it’s new, a lot is unknown, little is understood very well at all.

ADD-ADHD, OCD, phobias, PTSD/Complex PTSD, BPD, narcissism, “the dark triad,” depression, isolation, dementia, emotional immaturity, and so many more problems, are common burdens carried by everyday people everywhere. Robert has had personal experiences with tough challenges, not just on forum! - but, IRL, in his real life dedication to others. (i’m pretty sure there are others present who experience as much or more, shared even less.)

The labels, and freedom to discuss them is what’s new.
Even in my early life (esp before “talk TV”) - these things, and so much more, were social TABOO. Discussing personal problems in public was social taboo. Cancer was social taboo. For example, individuals, and their families, could risk social rejection, even loss of employment, at the hint of the “C-word.” Today, cancer is not a shame to be hidden, and not the certain death sentence it once was. There was so much fear.

Talk TV opened the floodgates for .. talk.
Social media, including discussion forums, added exponential floods of .. talk. We loonies are present.

These forum discussions come up a few times annually. i rely on admin+mods. i try to learn from criticism, and not reject it.

i try to be sensitive to possible mental health needs of others present, whether situational or chronic, and, i always wonder where i fit on those scales. i don’t think it’s a question of “if?” but “what?” “how much?” “how bad?”

There’s a related aspect of medications. And, blood sugar. And, .. physical pain. The list goes on.

We are complex beings, no doubt about it. [Including admin+mods.] We are to pray for our leaders. And one another.



i’m willing to attempt whatever is decided. (i prefer the honor system, no money “incentives.”)
.

[Valerie]

Would be interesting. But should we consider whether this might be detrimental to their mental health? I can’t help but think that this forum is filling some type of psychological need for them.

i have considered that, Sliceitup.

Trying to determine which fruit of the spirit is conveyed here.

[temporal1]

(i predict) a groundswell of psychiatric problems in our culture, esp as so many migrants, esp child migrants, assimilate into the country. each and every one has been traumatized by their journeys; this doesn’t “just go away” with food, clothing, education.
we deceive ourselves.

i helped one young family with 4 adopted children from S.A. (3 from the streets).
The Herculean effort made by them, counselors, public schools, the legal system, and others, made me realize the enormity involved. For each child. Few children are gifted this level dedication - with no guaranteed results. PRAYERS ARE NECESSARY.

There is no secular answer for it. The world is beyond foolish to turn away from God for guidance.

They may or may not show up on forum, but the resulting aftermath will. Just as today’s “aftermath” of bad decisions shows up here.
We don’t live in vacuums.

[silentreader]

Would be interesting. But should we consider whether this might be detrimental to their mental health? I can’t help but think that this forum is filling some type of psychological need for them.

i have considered that, Sliceitup.

Trying to determine which fruit of the spirit is conveyed here.

Perhaps it is a gift of the Spirit....discernment.

[Valerie]

i have considered that, Sliceitup.

Trying to determine which fruit of the spirit is conveyed here.

Perhaps it is a gift of the Spirit....discernment.

So sounds like you agree that particular people are here but their mental health and couldn't survive a week without this forum that's an interesting gift of the spirit of discernment haven't quite seen it work that way

[Sudsy]

My 2 cents worth

Although, imo, the fighting that goes on here, at times, is a poor testimony of Christian conduct as described in scripture as the fruit of the Spirit, there is a way to ignore the posts of any poster that you do not care to read. It does require that we log on to the forum and just not enter in read only mode.

That is the 'foe' option. I was not in favour of such an option for some time thinking Christians should not need such a tool but then changed my view and have used it to ignore the input of those who get into fights or discussions that are a hindrance to spiritual development. My guess is that I have been put on someone's foe list when my posts were best to ignore.

What I don't like about the foe option is that I can't restrict it to a specific thread(s) and I will miss out when a foe participates in a thread in a Spirit controlled way. However, when someone is on my foe list, I can enter the forum in read mode and check at any time to see if they are still posting in the same manner.

Not a perfect way to do some 'shunning' but one that a person can use if they care to.

Sadly, when we fight, it is a terrible testimony of Christianity and looking at the stats here, many have joined this forum but do not post. It might be quite revealing to know why they didn't join in discussions and how many were just turned off by what goes on.

Perhaps when we put someone on our foe list that we are shunning we should send them a private message that they have been put on this list and again when we take them off. Personally, I would like to know when I am being put on a shunning list and have a look at why I am being shunned. It gives a chance to consider just how my posts are affecting others and make some changes where necessary.

I have especially liked the option added to ignore the 'Politics' section and some days would like the same for 'Current Events' but for that I try to use the thread title to ignore things I have no concern about.

Anyway, I do think shunning being a practise by some Mennonites has some applicable use here to stay away from those who look for fights and/or are giving Christianity a bad example.

[justme]

I've heard from Josh and Temporal1.
I'd like to hear from Ken and Bootstrap.
And then i will decide whether i move forward w the experiment.
I do think that any refused $70.00 will be split among the remaining participants.

Edit, or as an alternative, that participant could designate to me who or where they want their 70.00 to go to.

[silentreader]

Trying to determine which fruit of the spirit is conveyed here.

Perhaps it is a gift of the Spirit....discernment.

So sounds like you agree that particular people are here but their mental health and couldn't survive a week without this forum that's an interesting gift of the spirit of discernment haven't quite seen it work that way

It was just a suggestion, don't forget the full description in the KJV is "discernment of spirits", the ESV and others refer to "The ability to distinguish between spirits.."

[temporal1]

I've heard from Josh and Temporal1.
I'd like to hear from Ken and Bootstrap.
And then i will decide whether i move forward w the experiment.
I do think that any refused $70.00 will be split among the remaining participants.

Edit, or as an alternative, that participant could designate to me who or where they want their 70.00 to go to.

“In the event,” my request would be for Robert’s forum operating costs.