Post by Pastor Scott on Nov 2, 2007 15:56:55 GMT -5
We have some great discussions going on in this forum. Keep it up!
I am, however, concerned at some of the habits I am seeing. There is beginning to be a trend of creating anonymous accounts (and even email addresses) in order to post deeper, more contraversial, topics. You see this all over the internet today... people remaining anonymous in order to sharply debate and even to point fingers or insult at times. Yeah, you have your reputation on the line - and your life as evidence of your arguments... but that helps to keep us from hypocrisy. We as Christians need to be above this cowardly and impersonal type of interaction. This is an easy place to be bold!
Here are some guidelines for more effective discussion:
1. Don't be anonymous... There are several reasons for being anonymous, most of them are bad. Your peers will respect you more when you are open and real. You'll also make a better case for your point of view by sharing real examples.
2. Don't copy other sources and use them as your own post (if you do, use proper quotation and give credit to the original author)... Share your heart and mind, not someone elses... be authentic. We can all use Google!
3. Be honest and transparent... Nobody is going to hold that against you. Share your personal struggles and ideas on a subject. Don't be afraid to have a different point of view from others.
4. Be bold... Take the time to share your thoughts and viewpoints. Don't worry about what others might think. Everyone has something to contribute - and nobody has all the right answers.
If you break these guidelines, you really won't be very effective in any online discussion, especially a spiritual one.
I am, however, concerned at some of the habits I am seeing. There is beginning to be a trend of creating anonymous accounts (and even email addresses) in order to post deeper, more contraversial, topics. You see this all over the internet today... people remaining anonymous in order to sharply debate and even to point fingers or insult at times. Yeah, you have your reputation on the line - and your life as evidence of your arguments... but that helps to keep us from hypocrisy. We as Christians need to be above this cowardly and impersonal type of interaction. This is an easy place to be bold!
Here are some guidelines for more effective discussion:
1. Don't be anonymous... There are several reasons for being anonymous, most of them are bad. Your peers will respect you more when you are open and real. You'll also make a better case for your point of view by sharing real examples.
2. Don't copy other sources and use them as your own post (if you do, use proper quotation and give credit to the original author)... Share your heart and mind, not someone elses... be authentic. We can all use Google!
3. Be honest and transparent... Nobody is going to hold that against you. Share your personal struggles and ideas on a subject. Don't be afraid to have a different point of view from others.
4. Be bold... Take the time to share your thoughts and viewpoints. Don't worry about what others might think. Everyone has something to contribute - and nobody has all the right answers.
If you break these guidelines, you really won't be very effective in any online discussion, especially a spiritual one.
What if Jesus had remained anonymous?