Do you like a good argument?

[Davies]

Yes, we all need to be made to think carefully from time to time. I find that consideration of other people's views helps to keep my mind 'open'. I feel that an 'open' mind is healthy and a closed mind is deplorable.

The fact that we can find clearly conflicting scripture is indeed a very good reason to keep an open mind. Sadly, many of us decide which words we will accept and which we will ignore and never review those decisions again. A few well chosen words from someone else help now and again even if we don't agree with them.

Hi Aardverk,

"The fact that we can find clearly conflicting scripture" is an indication we don't understand what the Bible says, and if we are closed minded when we see a conflict, then a person may never come to the truth until its too late. I appreciate your two cents, because it allows me to evaluate what I believe and to either confirm it or to drop it based on what the Bible says.

- Davies

 

[for_his_glory]

I do not like to argue the word of God and when we argue, especially when it comes to heated debates, I believe that grieves the Holy Spirit. I would rather have an intelligent discussion seeing each side and then dig even deeper into Gods word as I also love a good challenge when it presents itself.

 

[elijah23]

The more controversial a thread is, the more popular it appears to be. :fullauto:fencing

Why is that?

As far as whether or not I like a good argument, it depends on who you are arguing with. Some people are trying to learn and some aren't.

 

[Aardverk]

As far as whether or not I like a good argument, it depends on who you are arguing with. Some people are trying to learn and some aren't.

Those with no intention of learning can, despite themselves, be dramatically changed by the right words at the right time. In that respect the pen truly is mightier than the sword. :yes

 

[WIP]

Discussion and argument are two different things. Normally, I am all for a good argument and I have been accused of being obstinate a time or two....okay maybe three or four or .... But, when it comes to matters of faith I find I am less prone to argue. I rarely feel scripturally versed enough to speak with enough intelligence. As I get older I also find that I am less prone to argue like I was when younger. Maybe I'm getting soft and complacent in my old age.

 

[Aardverk]

Discussion and argument are two different things. Normally, I am all for a good argument and I have been accused of being obstinate a time or two....okay maybe three or four or .... But, when it comes to matters of faith I find I am less prone to argue. I rarely feel scripturally versed enough to speak with enough intelligence. As I get older I also find that I am less prone to argue like I was when younger. Maybe I'm getting soft and complacent in my old age.

It sounds more like you are getting wiser with age ;)

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

heated arguments are bad. but i've been on this site for only a week and some people have made statements that sound somewhat degrading. to me and to others i have read. yet sometimes i feel people go out of their way to be polite at all times regardless of how a conversation is going. i think we need to take a good look at ourselves and speak in such a way that would be pleasing to our king, the Lord Jesus.

 

[WIP]

heated arguments are bad. but i've been on this site for only a week and some people have made statements that sound somewhat degrading. to me and to others i have read. yet sometimes i feel people go out of their way to be polite at all times regardless of how a conversation is going. i think we need to take a good look at ourselves and speak in such a way that would be pleasing to our king, the Lord Jesus.

I can agree with this. The problem with arguments is, and I am guilty as charged, that we lose sight of the argument and no longer care about learning or being objective but are bent on winning at all cost, whether we are in the right or not. The discussion thread then becomes a test of wills rather than a fruitful discussion. Discerning the point when this happens is a real challenge.

 

[taikina]

i've argued here a couple of times and it always ends in "well thats just like your opinion man" and we agree to disagree. it feels exciting to go into it and humour you all but it never reaches any catharsis. i dont even get anything out of it, you have failed to present me new ideas on the side. i just fall into deep despair for humanity and i start hating you all deeply.

WHAT... don't you shake your head at me patronizingly, stop thinking i need jesus. go away! yes, you! back off from this text and dont look at it! this text and you will go their separate ways and never meet again.

 

[Aardverk]

i've argued here a couple of times and it always ends in "well thats just like your opinion man" and we agree to disagree. it feels exciting to go into it and humour you all but it never reaches any catharsis. i dont even get anything out of it, you have failed to present me new ideas on the side. i just fall into deep despair for humanity and i start hating you all deeply.

WHAT... don't you shake your head at me patronizingly, stop thinking i need jesus. go away! yes, you! back off from this text and dont look at it! this text and you will go their separate ways and never meet again.

Is this a depressed Finnish reaction or a Finnish joke?

"Finland has finally shed a bleak record as one of the world’s suicide capitals after the number of people taking their own lives in this Nordic state has dropped by 40 percent in the past 15 years. Nowadays around 18 out of 100,000 people commit suicide each year in Finland, about the same level as in France and Austria. In 1990, the number was 30 per 100,000.

The decline is attributed largely to better treatment for depression, but even experts cannot really explain why the drop has been so dramatic, admits psychiatrist Jouko Loennqvist, the head of the mental health department of Finland’s National Public Health Institute. “Depression is more often properly recognised, prevented and treated. We have had special projects and campaigns about depression, which is now better recognised and treated. Psychological support and social support are nowadays in better condition,” he said"​

I've never been there and don't know the reason for so much depression and drunkenness. Lack of sunshine?

 

[taikina]

that was a depressed reaction with a side serving of humour. i am depressed, also right now really moody, i want to forgive everyone everything. and cry and hug.

by asking about sunshine, you just reminded me of the fact that i have been sleeping past noon for a couple of weeks. this means that i have not seen sunlight at all. one of the cool things about finland is that sometimes winter feels like an eternal night, it is a bit surreal. and in the fall the sky is often full of mist, so its white like god took an eraser and wiped it away leaving blankness behind. i think its pretty cool.

 

[Nick]

[video=youtube;hnTmBjk-M0c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnTmBjk-M0c[/video]

 

[Aardverk]

..... i think its pretty cool.

:christmas And you've got Santa Claus too :xmas

 

[Aardverk]

[video=youtube;hnTmBjk-M0c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnTmBjk-M0c[/video]

Thanks, that's brilliant Nick. It's probably the best of the Monty Python sketches. I haven't seen it for years.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

Yes, it can be funny to watch an argument but I hate being in one.
I see arguments as being when 2 people display anger.
There should not be anger on this forum.
We should be doing our best to represent Jesus Christ at all times.
What bothers me most on these forums is when I ask a direct question and I get a round-about answer.
That can certainly start an argument.

 

[Aardverk]

We should be doing our best to represent Jesus Christ at all times.
What bothers me most on these forums is when I ask a direct question and I get a round-about answer.
That can certainly start an argument.

Maybe life is more complicated that you currently think it is. Remember too that Jesus almost always answered in a round-about way! Do you think that He was being evasive or did He have a good reason?

What you may regard as a 'round-about' answer, another person may regard as a carefully considered answer. For example, if you ask someone if they believe in God, you may expect a simple yes/no answer as it seems to you to be a simple question. Their understanding or perception of God may be totally outside your experience and a simple yes/no answer could be grossly misleading to you. If they simply said, 'yes' and later you found that their belief was quite different from yours, you may then, incorrectly, accuse them of lying. Therefore, some of us sometimes avoid yes/no answers (Have you stopped beating your wife? Yes or No!).

Most people here no longer think and speak as children and they may therefore give you an accurate but complex answer. You can choose to dismiss or disbelieve their answer, perhaps because you didn't understand it or politely try to understand. It is entirely your choice but if you choose to be rude to them, you must be ready to be humiliated for your foolishness. :halo

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

Are you trying to start an argument?
It sounds like you are taking that you tube video to heart.
But I say in Jesus name, don't argue!