Down with Long Posts!!!

[AVBunyan]

Mods - forgive me if I am overstepping here - just trying help/

Folks – Vic touched upon something I’ve been thinking about doing and since this issue has been touched upon I will carry it through.

Yes, I’ve been guilty of this in the past so I’ve earned the right to preach at myself also.

I believe:

1. Nobody really likes to read long posts.
2. Nobody probably reads long posts.
3. Refrain from long “cut and pastes†– edit them – folks want to read what you have to say – use the resources moderately and only then to support your view not to explain your view – there is a difference.

We don’t come here to read novels. Seek to leave out the fluff. Work hard to leave out ramblings. One should not have to quote chapters of verses to get a view across.

Bottom line:
If one cannot get it down in a few short paragraphs then they need to refine their thinking.

I understand some views may require more – OK then…work real hard in fine-tuning your thinking.

Often how one puts down his thoughts reveals flaws in his thinking process.

My old preacher once said, “If you can’t put down in writing what you believe then don’t say you believe it.†This is part of t he purpsoe of forums.

Folks sometimes I read some of your posts and I ‘m still not sure what you believe and why? And you could probably same the same to me.

God bless

 

[MrVersatile48]

Well written, AV: I'm always analysing results & asking God how I can do better :o

Just like my school reports: 'could do better' :roll:

& to think I just clicked the title to crack jokes @ rugby/footie posts :

Good online writer-training linked here:- :

http://www.christianforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=26022 - see post 2 - (it was 2.22pm on the 22nd when I thought that!) :angel:

& here's how I whizzed thru my *222- posts, this foggy day:- :fadein:

http://www.christianforums.net/viewtopi ... highlight=

Ian :-D

 

[francisdesales]

Mods - forgive me if I am overstepping here - just trying help/

Folks – Vic touched upon something I’ve been thinking about doing and since this issue has been touched upon I will carry it through.

Yes, I’ve been guilty of this in the past so I’ve earned the right to preach at myself also.

I believe:

1. Nobody really likes to read long posts.
2. Nobody probably reads long posts.
3. Refrain from long “cut and pastes†– edit them – folks want to read what you have to say – use the resources moderately and only then to support your view not to explain your view – there is a difference.

We don’t come here to read novels. Seek to leave out the fluff. Work hard to leave out ramblings. One should not have to quote chapters of verses to get a view across.

Bottom line:
If one cannot get it down in a few short paragraphs then they need to refine their thinking.

I understand some views may require more – OK then…work real hard in fine-tuning your thinking.

Often how one puts down his thoughts reveals flaws in his thinking process.

My old preacher once said, “If you can’t put down in writing what you believe then don’t say you believe it.†This is part of t he purpsoe of forums.

Folks sometimes I read some of your posts and I ‘m still not sure what you believe and why? And you could probably same the same to me.

God bless

You know what would help? Having people stop listing 10 different verses from Scripture, which forces the other person to try to refute 10 interpretations - which makes the post that much longer.

Regards

 

[MrVersatile48]

Regarding above regards reminds me of the Bible prophecy @ a famine of the Word of God - see search @ http://www.BibleGateway.org

'Horses for courses' comes to mind :

Having experimented with many styles, 'there are different ways of operating, but the same Lord works in them all' - see 1 Corinthians 12

I love being cryptic & conscise, but there are times you just know that more is needed to impart either enough understanding or enough thirst to know more... 8-)

as some folk never click links... :o

then wonder what they are missing... :robot:

which leads neatly into pasting the quick caveat that came to me in my last post, that I realised was also neeeded here:-

& having read today's new thread @ long posts & editting cut/pastes reminds me that many of the daily composite emails I get have no reference link for individual items & it's unwise to post a link that guides folk into your private inboxes :bday:

I case my rest :

Now who's for founding a seasonal ELF?

Emoticon Liberation Front, that is: altogether now...

123...

Set a-spell...

take ya shoes off...

y'all come back now...

y'hear?

steps aside to avoid stampede into Granny Clampett's parlour... :angel:

Ian :-D

 

[Judy]

I am with you on the really loooong posts. But what I find is the reason that most people don't want to read what the other one posted is because they think they know the truth and can't be bother by what the other has posted. So they only pick out a sentence and run with that. And that goes for even the short posts. :-?

 

[TanNinety]

I would rather people post a passage of scripture so the reader can understand the context than plucked out verses that seem to just satisfy an idea being presented without the context. Or if that makes it too long and cumbersome then just link to that passage where the reader can click and read it in its entirety. This board already does a good job at automatically linking scripture to biblegateway which can be utilized better by the posters.

I do not mind long posts especially those which are written with love and are humble and provide a lot of meat of the word to chew on.

On the other hand I say, down with long posts that are copy pastes ..that a poster hasn't read himself to make his own version and put it in his own words. And to top it off doesn't even provide enough credit to the original author by linking or quoting the source.

 

[lovely]

I agree with, Tan.

 

[JM]

That’s why I hardy post anymore. No one reads them. This is a fast food style culture that can only handle itty bits of theology or they'll choke and it has to be fast, loaded with junk that can kill you and always taste good.

“…study to shew thyself approved…†what ever happened to that? Shouldn't we be willing to interact with each other after knowing what the other fully believes?

If I make a post about particular redemption, I can explain it in a few sentences, not a problem, but to show the continuity this doctrine has with other doctrines of scripture, it can’t be done in a few paragraphs, sorry.

Don't worry about my long posts, I won't be making any for a long while.

But I got nothing but lov fur yall.



~JM~ :

 

[AVBunyan]

This is a fast food style culture that can only handle itty bits of theology or they'll choke and it has to be fast, loaded with junk that can kill you and always taste good. ~JM~ :

I agree - some things need to be expounded and these things may need more space. But, still the average saint can't handle it - doesn't mean the poster should not post it anyway. There will be some who can handle and understand it.

Let me clarify -

As a rule, the average saint should keep his posting length down.

God bless

 

[Solo]

The milk of the Word is easy to swallow and little digestion takes place, and one eats what they want, and how much.

The meat of the Word takes some chewing and time to digest, and one eats as one is required.

Those on the meat of the Word eat more than those on the milk of the Word.

This forum should realize that not all people are opposed to long posts. Not all fall into the short post catagory, and those that do not like to read long posts, are not required to.

 

[jgredline]

I am with Solo on this.
I printed the very long post that Judy put up as far as the pre wrath position goes bible study section and thank God for it. I have only read a few pages of it and am already chewing on some cool stuff, I otherwise would not have known about. I know that I am probably one of those who has some rather long post, but as solo said, skip over them if you don't want to read them. When I was doing my thing on Romas I got very few people who posted in it, but I got 1 PM in particular by a fellow who was really encouraged by it. The way I see it is if even one reads my post waether its something I wrote or C&P then its all good...

JM
About three weeks back you posted some rather long post on calvinism....
While you may have got little action on the thread, I printed what you wrote . I have lunch often with a friend of mine who is a theology professor and much of the article that u posted has been a source of debate for us....

As far as my post go. I do not feel comfortable only putting the single verse because I feel like I am placing it out of context. There are few verses in all the bible that will stand on their own....Now this is my own personal conviction....

The posters I pay very little attention to are the ones who try and plead and make a case, but rarely do they use scripture....

 

[mutzrein]

I agree - some things need to be expounded and these things may need more space. But, still the average saint can't handle it - doesn't mean the poster should not post it anyway. There will be some who can handle and understand it.

Let me clarify -

As a rule, the average saint should keep his posting length down.

God bless

Oh OK. What is your profile of the 'average' saint? And does this mean that those who think they are above average can post as much drivel as they like. :

 

[Judy]

I totaly agree with Solo. :

 

[Lewis]

I don't like long post' but sometimes you have to throw one in there.

 

[AVBunyan]

Clarification

Folks it appears I did not make my OP very clear – my bad – I take the hit. I posted rather hastily out of frustration and should have put more thought into as I now see. It appears I lumped all long posts into the same mold. All who have posted included points I should have included. I will seek to briefly clarify.

First – I used the tile “Down with…†for a reason. I used to be in advertising and was trying to grab attention. But the title was the wrong approach. Maybe it should have been, “A Concern for Long Postsâ€Â, or something to that affect for I am not against all long posts.

Second – I apologize if I came across offensive for that was not my intent. I was seeking to get us all to examine our posts – to try to get us too come across more precise and exact. I understand not everyone is a writer, I am not. I believe when a person (whoever they are) takes the time to post they are serious about what they believe and they try to express it in the best manner they can and then I come along and pick at it. It is as though a painter does his best and then people turn up their nose – it hurts. If I hurt anyone here I am truly sorry and again was not my motive here.

Third – The average saint? I consider myself the average saint. I am not a deep thinker or a theologian by any stretch of the imagination. I do not have a command of the English language – my mind wanders too much when I read and cannot take the deep readings and discussions as age creeps in. I wish I could but just too much worldliness and sin over the years. The average saint today does not study or read like saints used to – I believe this – I include myself here and to my shame. This is what I meant. I, for one, am not seeking to reach the intellectual – I do not have the mind or style to do it. I’m after the “common†folk like myself.

Fourth – Regardless of how good and sound the long post is some facts remains:
a. Those that can handle strong meat and like to dig are few in number.
b. Those who cannot handle it won’t read it so you’ve cut your readership/audience by half. Therefore no matter how well written it may have fallen on deaf or spiritually deaf ears. I look back on some of my posts and they went nowhere. Maybe another audience another time or place would have been better for that post. I guess it depends on who you are trying to reach.

Folks – just trying to improve our communication. I trust you understand the kinds of posts I was referring to. I understand the need for occasional long posts but we also have to accept there will be limitations. I was also referring too the number of long posts.

Again – sorry if I lumped all long posts into the same mold.

At any rate – I posted out of frustration and this is a sign I think I need to take a break.

This post was way too long :-D

Have a safe and spiritually-minded holiday.

God bless 8-)

 

[JM]

Folks, I'm not upset or mad at anyone for asking those who post long posts to cut it down, I respect the request. AV, brother, I could never get upset with you, your spiritual awareness is far more keen then mine and I look up to you in many ways.

If I could make short posts with impact as you do, I would.

~JM~

 

[Judy]

I say if you want to make a long post and if anyone one wants to read them go for it. Other wise, if you don't want to read a long post then don't.
If the posts are to long then break it up into a few smaller posts.
I just don't see what the problem is. :roll:
Even if it is a small post you can't force someone to read them.
Keep in mind not everyone posts a response but you have given them food for thought.
I am with Jason, AV I have always appreciated and respected your topics and responses to others here. I don't think you have ever posted something that I have disagreed with. So please don't be offended by the replys people were just giving there opinion.

Just keep in mind you have some that like to devel into the Word of God and then you have some that just like to skim the top. But in all Like the Lord said His Word never return to Him void, but it will accomplish what it was sent to do.

• Isa. 55:11. So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.[/*:m:5cecd]

 

[Dave...]

I don't know why people have such a fear of reading. Pick your spots. Most of the worthless stuff can be spotted as such within the first few paragraphs (honestly testing to God's Word).

I know that too many people (not all) use the "long posts" argument as an excuse to suppress the truth. They simply don't want to be burdened with the truth. They spend all day writing and reading worthless junk and philosophies, but challenge their idols and suddenly reading and writing become a burden.