Forum Etiquette
As a moderator, I’ve received several complaints lately. One particularly concerning complaint stated that people are hesitant to post because they feel there’s excessive animosity among members. They seem to believe that unless you’re a linguist or biblical scholar, you won’t be welcomed and will be attacked or criticized.
I would like to remind @all that this is a place to share life. To be the family of God that God wants us to be. He wants us to learn with, laugh with, cry with, and just do life together. We all need to remember that there are many people, from all walks of life, every age group, ethnicity, etc. There are indeed the elders; however, there are also the newborns. Along with those who are seeing the Truth according to God.
There is nothing wrong with debate. It can be healthy, and things can be learned from them. Debate is encouraged. However, it becomes problematic when personalities clash, and people dislike someone’s style, tone, or beliefs. This is natural and normal. However, there is a time and a place for personal debates and rebukes, and that starts with a private message.
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. Matthew 18:15-17
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.” PM’s “But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.” In this case, the Moderators. “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church.” Then I could see something being said as a final warning or rebuke on the site itself. “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church.” Deletion and being banned from the site.
I believe that such actions should be considered with utmost seriousness and should never be employed as a means of personal retribution. May we strive to embody the loving, forgiving, and understanding characteristics that our Lord calls us to cultivate. Let us maintain this space as an environment of openness and civility, where the sharing of our faith is fostered.
Peter C