Is this group healthy Christian conversation?

I want you to know that I do appreciate your willingness to step outside of the usual thought process. I should have clarified where I was coming from a bit better.

You are right in your statement that because we are online, we can not see each other, nor are we likely to meet each other, this gives permission to some to speak what they would not in front of a group of faces.

My original response was more for all of us to remember who we represent, who might be listening/reading and how we should be addressing each other. There are some here on Christian singles(not on this thread) that choose to use the site to admonish, condemn, and demean others. That is upsetting.

Even Jesus directed us to admonish one other by
"go and show him his fault, just between the two of you.... But if he will not listen, take one or two other along, so that every matter might be established by testimony." (Matthew 18:15) That direction is not possible here; everyone gets to read what is read. If insults are directed to one, there is no proper recourse. I don't believe this is the proper place for admonishment and condemnation is not our job.

I see this site as a place for support, encouragement, to ask questions and offer responses for the purpose of learning. We have all been given a measure of intelligence to process information and each of us processes and walks the journey according ot his/her needs.

Thank you for speaking up.

to answer the OP...

this group is indeed Christian Singles. but all are welcome to post on relevant christian dating subjects. just remember that Christ himself had some fairly harsh critics. He also had some very harsh things to say at times. and at no time did he silence his detractors- even if he did rebutt/rebuke them forcefully.

i'd rather have the open dialogue here with the occasional bruised ego than the censorship (self-imposed or otherwise) of other groups/sites.

but if it all becomes a little much- do what i do- if something seems too over-the-top, ignore it and move on. there is plenty to explore on this site. if you find that a specific member continually offends- there is a setting wherein you can ignore all of that member's posts. not everyone is going to post as considerately or as thoughtfully as we all would like.

and lastly, welcome to eha (e-harmony advice). i look forward to reading your posts and exchanging in the back and forth that hopefully spurs us all on toward godliness.

Tumbleweed ... you crazy mother trucker!

I appreciate your capacity to think outside of the the box (or perhaps, I should say 8 x 5 semi cab), and the fresh air you bring to the group (I must not be downwind of your diesel fumes).

Blessings,

rix

In fact, it's been a pleasure seeing the response from everyone. Nice to meet you all, my name is Paul.

obviously whoever sang "where have all the cowboys gone" missed at least one. advice well taken. I can imagine when you're busy driving cattle and earning your keep you learn how to move on and leave it behind.... any tussle in town will be done by the time you make it back anyhow....

I shouldn't be so quick to anger, I just got into this town (this group) after all.... forgive me for making a ruckus so fast.

CL, Thank you for your willingness to voice your concerns. What I found in this group that enticed me to both stay and later accept my part in this group is the reality that, here, in this microcosm of church, those with questions and those with the beliefs that they have the answers can come together, can differ in opinion, can challenge each other. And in that process, all of us become more reliant on the one truth which is God to help us come to terms with the variations of belief brough by cultural and religious influences.

Some are afraid of doubt, of sharing needs, of disagreement as if we lessen God by not being perfect people. To me this strengthend the image of God. God has taken such a diversity of people and, somehow, over lengths of years and a cacophony of dessenting voices, has not changed from being God but continues to live in relationship to humans. This is the God I am coming to know and I am not willing to close a box in such a way that it becomes my blinders so that I lose that next thing God has for me to learn in my life.

Does this answers your concern? I don't know. All I know is that all of your voices here are helping me to come closer to my God. For that I give thanks.

The community standards are no personal attacks, but there are personal attacks at the top of this group ever since I joined it. And if there's not attacking there's judging, and if they're not judging there is divisive conversation. And if not divisive conversation there is accusations of wrongdoing.

Please tell me, is this a group that follows Christ? The one about whom it is written in Matthew 12:

(18)"Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
(19)He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear his voice in the streets.
(20)A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he leads justice to victory.
(21)In his name the nations will put their hope."

Are we helping those who need help or feeding our own self-righteousness? Are people coming her with needs or do they see all the back-and-forth debate over words and find another home? What exactly is going on in this group?

Hey Paul,

I don't know if the group follows Christ ... but I feel very sure that there are individuals here who most certainly do.

I find the threads to be a pretty good representation of how Christians interact in real life. We are very diverse in our thoughts and opinions and also our approach; and I think it shows really clearly here at times.

Meri.