should we KNOW the beliefs of those to whom we communicate?

[Imagican]

I'm curious. Wouldn't it be PRUDENT that we KNOW the beliefs of those to whom we discuss such issues as aplogetics WITH?

I mean, doesn't it put those that are here for the RIGHT reasons to be able to recognize those that AREN'T?

I could end up spending hours of my time attempting to show the truth of scripture and doctrine for someone that could, at the end of the discussion, say, "Surprise, I'm an atheist and was just pullin your chain''.

So, is there AnYTHING WRONG with asking someone in such a discussion IF they BELIEVE in God or Christ?

Otherwise, how ELSE am I going to KNOW until it is UTTERLY revealed?


Blessings,

MEC

 

[dadof10]

I'm curious. Wouldn't it be PRUDENT that we KNOW the beliefs of those to whom we discuss such issues as aplogetics WITH?

I mean, doesn't it put those that are here for the RIGHT reasons to be able to recognize those that AREN'T?

I could end up spending hours of my time attempting to show the truth of scripture and doctrine for someone that could, at the end of the discussion, say, "Surprise, I'm an atheist and was just pullin your chain''.

So, is there AnYTHING WRONG with asking someone in such a discussion IF they BELIEVE in God or Christ?

Otherwise, how ELSE am I going to KNOW until it is UTTERLY revealed?


Blessings,

MEC

I agree. I find myself at a disadvantage being Catholic, because most people I debate with already know at least the basics of my belief system when we start. It takes me a few posts before I figure out where Protestants are coming from on a particular doctrine. I don't know what we, here could do about it, though. Put a basic set of beliefs in our signatures?

 

[JoJo]

Our profiles offer an option to put what denomination we are.

 

[Fembot]

Will we ever truly know what someone believes in their heart?
I don't think it's important to know. As you converse more with someone, it usually comes out-in my experience, at least.

 

[stranger]

I'm curious. Wouldn't it be PRUDENT that we KNOW the beliefs of those to whom we discuss such issues as aplogetics WITH?

I mean, doesn't it put those that are here for the RIGHT reasons to be able to recognize those that AREN'T?

I could end up spending hours of my time attempting to show the truth of scripture and doctrine for someone that could, at the end of the discussion, say, "Surprise, I'm an atheist and was just pullin your chain''.

So, is there AnYTHING WRONG with asking someone in such a discussion IF they BELIEVE in God or Christ?

Otherwise, how ELSE am I going to KNOW until it is UTTERLY revealed?


Blessings,

MEC

MEC,

There would be less barking up the wrong tree . Maybe something in the signature would help.

take care

 

[mutzrein]

MEC - I don't know whether a statement of 'beliefs' is going to do much. I'm wary of even calling myself a Christian sometimes because of the preconceptions folks have as to what a Christian is. I could say that I believe in tongues but many would take that the wrong way, perhaps thinking I'm a particular brand of pentecostal. If I said I believed in predestination, I certainly don't adhere to other calvinist doctrines. And what about believing that Jesus is not God. Suddenly I'm accused of belonging to the JW's or a cult of some description. Likewise, indicating that I don't belong to any church - and on and on it goes.

I reckon a brief exchange, maybe a few questions and answers, can go along way to establishing not only what we believe but also what or in whom our belief is founded.

You know what I think would be interesting though is for the web site owners to set up a questionaire with yes/no answers that members could access to indicate their beliefs and for others to view. What do you think?

Blessings

 

[Guest]

Wouldn't it be PRUDENT that we KNOW the beliefs of those to whom we discuss such issues as aplogetics WITH?

It can be helpful, but not necessary.

I mean, doesn't it put those that are here for the RIGHT reasons to be able to recognize those that AREN'T?

We should be careful in judging the motives of others.

I could end up spending hours of my time attempting to show the truth of scripture and doctrine for someone that could, at the end of the discussion, say, "Surprise, I'm an atheist and was just pullin your chain''.

The audience for these discussions is much larger than those involved, and will linger for a long time to come.

So, is there AnYTHING WRONG with asking someone in such a discussion IF they BELIEVE in God or Christ?

There is nothing inherently wrong, but the appropriateness can vary with context.

Otherwise, how ELSE am I going to KNOW until it is UTTERLY revealed?

Observation. Observation. Observation. Observation. Observation. And so on. Some Christians do not have a need to laden their discourse with Christianese or remind others of their continuance in the faith.

 

[Guest]

You know what I think would be interesting though is for the web site owners to set up a questionaire with yes/no answers that members could access to indicate their beliefs and for others to view. What do you think?

Too simplistic. Faith and belief are too complex to be deduced to simple yes/no questions.

 

[Fembot]

You know what I think would be interesting though is for the web site owners to set up a questionaire with yes/no answers that members could access to indicate their beliefs and for others to view. What do you think?

Blessings

I think that is a great idea.

 

[mutzrein]

You know what I think would be interesting though is for the web site owners to set up a questionaire with yes/no answers that members could access to indicate their beliefs and for others to view. What do you think?

Too simplistic. Faith and belief are too complex to be deduced to simple yes/no questions.

I dunno about that, although in part I agree.

I believe it may be a starting point for some folks. I'm a property manager and was last week visiting a tenant of mine I'd not met before. She was out in the yard and as we walked up the steps to her home she paused, turned around and said, "Do you know Jesus?" Now the question required a yes/no answer and I answered, "Yes I do." What ensued was a wonderful discussion about the Lord - a time of fellowship for both of us.

Now some people may not have that relationship with Jesus, but because they believe in him they think they are a Christian and therefore they also answer 'Yes'. The conversation that follows (and this can also be interspersed with yes/no questions) is very soon going to reveal the true nature of one's relationship with Jesus - and whether or not it is based on faith or 'religion'. It really depends on the question and the discernment of the 'listener'.

 

[Guest]

A singular binary response cannot represented any more than two states. This is insufficient to account for the diversity of perspectives within Christendom, much less when we include others outside the faith. Take the following question, for example.

Q: Are you a Christian?

Consider: How would you answer? How would a Catholic answer? How would a Mormon answer? How would a Jehovah's Witness answer?

Any such survey would need to be open-ended to avoid forcing those with more nuanced beliefs into a pre-fabricated box.

 

[dadof10]

You know what I think would be interesting though is for the web site owners to set up a questionaire with yes/no answers that members could access to indicate their beliefs and for others to view. What do you think?

Blessings

I think that is a great idea.

I don't think it could hurt, at least we would have a baseline. Fembot...That's the best user name EVER...Baby...yeahhhh....

 

[Fembot]

You figured out it was from Austin...Yeah Baby!

 

[Imagican]

Will we ever truly know what someone believes in their heart?
I don't think it's important to know. As you converse more with someone, it usually comes out-in my experience, at least.

How about this? Paul told us not to even sit and EAT with certain people. While there would be NOTHING wrong with testimony and witness offered to such, is it OK to enter into discussion with such as these?

Blessings,

MEC

 

[Imagican]

MEC - I don't know whether a statement of 'beliefs' is going to do much. I'm wary of even calling myself a Christian sometimes because of the preconceptions folks have as to what a Christian is. I could say that I believe in tongues but many would take that the wrong way, perhaps thinking I'm a particular brand of pentecostal. If I said I believed in predestination, I certainly don't adhere to other calvinist doctrines. And what about believing that Jesus is not God. Suddenly I'm accused of belonging to the JW's or a cult of some description. Likewise, indicating that I don't belong to any church - and on and on it goes.

I reckon a brief exchange, maybe a few questions and answers, can go along way to establishing not only what we believe but also what or in whom our belief is founded.

You know what I think would be interesting though is for the web site owners to set up a questionaire with yes/no answers that members could access to indicate their beliefs and for others to view. What do you think?

Blessings

Nice one Mutz. While I am well aware that EACH of us certainly have our OWN particular SET of beliefs, what I was MORE concerned with are the members that we CANNOT even TELL that practice ANY beliefs in God or His Son.

I have found myself on MORE than one occasion entering into debate with someone, only to find out that the REASON for their 'bizaar' offerings is that they AREN'T really offerings, That I had been attempting to discuss doctrinal issues with an ATHEIST or AGNOSTIC or whatever other names they have for themselves.

And I know EXACTLY what you mean concerning the word, "Christian''. I believe that many have heard me say that is one of the LAST things that I would 'choose' to be labeled. I KNOW God and His Son and that is ENOUGH for me. When we begin to label ourselves, we are attempting to 'place ourselves' in a position to DISTINGUISH ourselves as 'something SPECIAL' or 'different'. I believe that we are ALL in this SAME boat together. Those that BELIEVE are simply able to acknowledge the LOVE that we were created in the IMAGE OF.

Yes, a little mandatory questionaire, (not a big deal considering that membership IS free and conditional), so that those that communicate together would at LEAST have an idea of what one SAYS that they believe.

Blessings,

MEC

 

[Imagican]

A singular binary response cannot represented any more than two states. This is insufficient to account for the diversity of perspectives within Christendom, much less when we include others outside the faith. Take the following question, for example.

Q: Are you a Christian?

Consider: How would you answer? How would a Catholic answer? How would a Mormon answer? How would a Jehovah's Witness answer?

Any such survey would need to be open-ended to avoid forcing those with more nuanced beliefs into a pre-fabricated box.

How about this:

Do YOU believe in God?

Do you believe in Jesus Christ His Son?

Are you interested in 'growing' as a believer?

Do you attend a particular church?

These are CERTAINLY yes and no answerable questions that are NOT too personal for ANYONE desiring to join a CHRISTIAN forum to answer. And NO, we CANNOT be assured of truthful answers, but at least it's a STARTING point. THEN, observation, observation, observation.

Blessings,

MEC

 

[Guest]

These are CERTAINLY yes and no answerable questions that are NOT too personal for ANYONE desiring to join a CHRISTIAN forum to answer. And NO, we CANNOT be assured of truthful answers, but at least it's a STARTING point. THEN, observation, observation, observation.

And so you continue to question my faith. Bravo.

 

[dadof10]

A singular binary response cannot represented any more than two states. This is insufficient to account for the diversity of perspectives within Christendom, much less when we include others outside the faith. Take the following question, for example.

Q: Are you a Christian?

Consider: How would you answer? How would a Catholic answer? How would a Mormon answer? How would a Jehovah's Witness answer?

Any such survey would need to be open-ended to avoid forcing those with more nuanced beliefs into a pre-fabricated box.

How about this:

Do YOU believe in God?

Do you believe in Jesus Christ His Son?

Are you interested in 'growing' as a believer?

Do you attend a particular church?

These are CERTAINLY yes and no answerable questions that are NOT too personal for ANYONE desiring to join a CHRISTIAN forum to answer. And NO, we CANNOT be assured of truthful answers, but at least it's a STARTING point. THEN, observation, observation, observation.

Blessings,

MEC

I think it would be nice to have an OPTIONAL survey of some sort, nothing mandatory. Some people prefer to keep their weirdo beliefs to themselves.

 

[dadof10]

You figured out it was from Austin...Yeah Baby!

Love all three of them. I want to know where I can get some sharks with frickin' lazer-beams on their heads.

 

[Sinthesis]

You figured out it was from Austin...Yeah Baby!

Love all three of them. I want to know where I can get some sharks with frickin' lazer-beams on their heads.

Fembot was originally from TV's The Bionic Woman, but now the bionic woman is on TV selling mattresses...Yeah Baby! :eyebrow

Re: should we KNOW the beliefs of those to whom we communicate?

No. Communicating with some chowderhead may seem like a waste of time, but it serves as practice for when you need to communicate with the sincere.