Does this forum make you a better disciple of Jesus Christ

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almost2

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Does this forum make you a better deciple of Jesus Christ

In what way has it improved your personal testimony? and witness?
 
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It teaches me about the faith and how to respond to arguments against it.
 
Honestly? Partly, maybe. I have learned quite a bit about the meaty questions of my faith. I have learned to develop charity for those with whom I disagree. But I have also been thoroughly depressed by the petty complaints and sometimes the dissenting nonsense promulgated by some. It’s a mixed bag.
 
*disciple

dis·ci·ple
dəˈsīpəl/Submit
noun
a personal follower of Jesus during his life, especially one of the twelve Apostles.
 
No.
There is much to learn, and I have learned a lot by researching answers to questions. That has helped in some catechetical situations at home.
But the forum brings out the worst in me and many others personally. It’s bad for my soul to come here.
A forum like this treats all opinions as if they are equal, and they are not. Much of the opinion on here should be mentioned once or twice, responded to in a correct way, and then stopped. Circular discussions are not productive. Attacks on the Church should not be allowed to go on and on. It’s good to hear them out, then these threads should be closed.
Glad you asked this question. I have real work to do.
 
I think so. When I respond to someone that reaches out for prayers or someone who has a question pertaining to the Catholic faith, I always ask Jesus to please guide me with the answer I give. I am getting to know some of the people who are becoming friends.,they are helpful in the responses they give to others for I learn something new everyday. I also like the light hearted way you can kid with someone who disagrees with you. I love being a member of CAF. GOD BLESS
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I learn some stuff here and have a place to ask questions.
Some of the posters are consistently smart and helpful.
I also learn patience…A LOT
 
It has helped me to be more discerning and thoughtful in my responses.
 
On a good day yes, on a bad day no.

The best thing is that it allows a wide variety of views to be expressed and exchanged, particularly within the Catholic Church, but also Christianity in general. In our secular social environment, this is essential. Also in terms of what direction the Catholic Church takes. The laity have a part to play, a responsibility even. Good threads impart awareness, knowledge of the Church - accurate information.

Bad side. Like much of the Internet commentary, it attracts superficiality and malice because it is anonymous. Even in sincere posters. People post impulsively. It is important to remain humble, charitable, self-disciplined. None of us really succeed at that all the time. The higher ideal of all this easily deteriorates into name-calling, cliques, tribal warfare, political and/or religious. Lack of quality and consistency in content. It can reflect quite badly on “Catholicism.” I am glad CAF has the disclaimer.
 
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In general, yes. One of my callings is to invite people to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and these forums allow me to do that.

Also, like @JoyToTheWhirled, these challenge me to be more charitable towards others. I know that with most responses, I should be able to comfortably sign off with “be at peace.” If I cannot do that I need to re-think my response and sometimes I have to change what I have written.

Be at peace.
 
I don’t really have any Catholics to talk to in real life and it’s good for me to read Catholic viewpoints on things. Visiting here does sometimes help keep my focus on spiritual things.

Other than that it obviously has all the problems of any internet forum, words can be misunderstood, you always get trolls and I think people are harsher to strangers over the internet than they perhaps would be face to face.
 
almost2, not in any way,shape or form.

for me this is just another internet forum to hang out on when I am bored. I don’t buy into the drama that is constantly festering on here but it is entertaining.
 
I am sorry that you are bored and that you look to this as a form of entertainment Have you ever thought of adding some (name removed by moderator)ut? God bless.
 
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almost2 said:
Does this forum make you a better deciple of Jesus Christ

In what way has it improved your personal testimony? and witness?
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Practice makes perfect. After many years of being on this forum and others, I believe I have refined my witness and testimony. Especially with answers to objections and arguments.
 
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It’s hard to tell. I have once replied sternly to someone, though not uncharitably, and had my post flagged by people who clearly disagreed with my position.

I have also taken great joy in helping others in whatever situation they are in.

I might do better without the forums because debating tends to do more harm than good.
 
Inasmuch as it is a constant challenge, yes. As to it being a constant test of charity, not so much.
 
No not really, except in that it does require us to kindness and helpfulness to others, where possible, otherwise I’d not come here.
The angst of technical arguments would drive me away. Most advance my spirituality not at all. Some questions seem to be asked almost just for the sake of asking questions, while others do require responses for another person’s peace of mind.

I really don’t need the angst of arguments that arise. Alienating, wearing, not inspiring
If it wasn’t the case that sometimes my responses appear to be of some use regarding prayer and positive responses to troubled people, or in giving a perspective that may seem to be lacking in a thread, I would not come here. In that coming here alone, I guess there is some discipleship.

There have been some really nice contacts with individuals, and if it weren’t for CAF a son wouldn’t have his fine wife.
 
I’m surprised how seriously some people take their faith and how earnestly people want to follow the will of the Lord. I’m not saying this to be flippant in any way. It is uplifting there are people who genuinely care and want to do the right thing.
 
Yes and no for me. I find a lot of good information here, and a lot of good conversation. On the flip side, I also see a lot of posters who seem to by holier than thou in oh so many ways. I particularly like when they no more than my priest, bishop and the pope combined.
 
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