Lots of anger on this forum

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pentecostbaby

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Not sure if this is the right place for this post, but it’s where I see this most often, so …
There seems to be A LOT of anger on this forum. A lot of judgmental statements - about both “liberals” and “conservatives” - a lot of hysterical “how could you POSSIBLY think that”, a lot of statements that demean others and fail to see the human suffering and hurt behind the abstract questions we’re debating.
Is this really the way Jesus would want us to talk to each other? Yes, admonishing the sinner is corporal work of mercy. But I think that all of us here are trying sincerely to understand very complicated moral issues. We’re groping toward God the best we know how.
Jesus, please help us to see You in all the people we meet - both in person and in the virtual world.
 
I’ve noticed that too. People get irate if someone expresses an opinion they disagree with in a debating type thread. Or, they take an opinion totally personally, even though they’ve never met the person face to face and never will.
 
I could not agree more. It is so sad that a few on this forum do not accept the Church’s truth or the charity of those on CAF.
 
I’m not sure if all this could be considered “anger.” Yes we disagree, but that’s normal. Even if we are all christians there will be misunderstandings. I think this is good for our spiritual education. Or however you want to call it. The bible is quoted as much as possible. Or, at least, referred to.
 
I have noted that when discussing a subject there are those who cannot address the subject without attacking the person.

For instance, if the weather was being discussed and someone said that rain is needed right now.
Instead of a reply of, right now rain would not be good because the farmer is trying to harvest the reply by some would be you idiot you are so ultra conservative of course we don’t need any more rain the farmers are trying to harvest.

In other words there are a lot of you statements instead of sticking with facts or your own opinion devoid of attacks.

I try not to make personnel attacks. It is hard when you are being attacked. BTW sometimes I think such attacks are used because the person wishes to take attention away from his week argument.
 
I’d say that more than a few CAForumites let their passions get a hold of them.

Furthermore, I would look at it as healthy heated debate, as long as there is respect for another’s opinon…but that’s often the problem…opinion is being put forth as fact all too often.

What did Jesus disciples do?..they frequently argued. 😉
 
pentecostbaby said:
Not sure if this is the right place for this post, but it’s where I see this most often, so …
There seems to be A LOT of anger on this forum. A lot of judgmental statements - about both “liberals” and “conservatives” - a lot of hysterical “how could you POSSIBLY think that”, a lot of statements that demean others and fail to see the human suffering and hurt behind the abstract questions we’re debating.
Is this really the way Jesus would want us to talk to each other? Yes, admonishing the sinner is corporal work of mercy. But I think that all of us here are trying sincerely to understand very complicated moral issues. We’re groping toward God the best we know how.
Jesus, please help us to see You in all the people we meet - both in person and in the virtual world.
Click to expand...
This forum, like all such forums, has a fatal flaw: it is in “sola scriptura” format. Each post is the written word only, and can easily be mis-interpreted, as can be all written word. There is no human element, no vocal inflection, no emotion, no passion. Just the printed word.

Jesus used live teaching, since He knew that the written word was mis-interpreted and misused by the Pharisees to completely distort its meaning. Such a limitation on human communication naturally leads to disagreement, and the resultant anger. Were we all on a conference call, or live chatting, much of this would not occur.

The flaw is the limitation of the format. Oh, go visit certain Fundamentalist forums and see the “warm” reception you’ll get.

Christ’s peace.
 
po18guy said:
This forum, like all such forums, has a fatal flaw: it is in “sola scriptura” format. Each post is the written word only, and can easily be mis-interpreted, as can be all written word. There is no human element, no vocal inflection, no emotion, no passion. Just the printed word.

Jesus used live teaching, since He knew that the written word was mis-interpreted and misused by the Pharisees to completely distort its meaning. Such a limitation on human communication naturally leads to disagreement, and the resultant anger. Were we all on a conference call, or live chatting, much of this would not occur.

The flaw is the limitation of the format. Oh, go visit certain Fundamentalist forums and see the “warm” reception you’ll get.

Christ’s peace.
Click to expand...
I had to smile (sadly) at this post. I am Protestant and participate on a Protestant Board. You are right. I’m a newcomer here but I already find this Board relatively refreshing (and sincerely appreciate the warm welcome and respect I’ve been afforded here with a somewhat different view - a respect really not receiprocated (from Protestants to Catholics), to a large degree when Catholics participate in discussions on the other Board.).

Blessings,

Brian
 
Robbinson said:
I had to smile (sadly) at this post. I am Protestant and participate on a Protestant Board. You are right. I’m a newcomer here but I already find this Board relatively refreshing (and sincerely appreciate the warm welcome and respect I’ve been afforded here with a somewhat different view - a respect really not receiprocated (from Protestants to Catholics), to a large degree when Catholics participate in discussions on the other Board.).

Blessings,

Brian
Click to expand...
Brian, Welcome! You are precisely the type of brother Christian that I enjoy conversing with. We can both learn. Understanding is the goal of communication, and we would have not nearly as many “attacks” if our faith were only understood better, or at all, in some cases.

Christ’s peace, brother.
 
pentecostbaby said:
Not sure if this is the right place for this post, but it’s where I see this most often, so …
There seems to be A LOT of anger on this forum. A lot of judgmental statements - about both “liberals” and “conservatives” - a lot of hysterical “how could you POSSIBLY think that”, a lot of statements that demean others and fail to see the human suffering and hurt behind the abstract questions we’re debating.
Is this really the way Jesus would want us to talk to each other? Yes, admonishing the sinner is corporal work of mercy. But I think that all of us here are trying sincerely to understand very complicated moral issues. We’re groping toward God the best we know how.
Jesus, please help us to see You in all the people we meet - both in person and in the virtual world.
Click to expand...
How could you possibly think that? What you said makes my blood boil. :mad:

Just kidding. Wanted to add a little humor. 😃

I don’t think it’s that bad, but it is also not that great with regard to anger. When getting into a heated discussion on a topic some are better than others at not resorting to anger. If anything, go look at a spanking thread. Given that it seems the main purpose of this forum is apologetics, it would be well to remember ideas and principles are important, but you ought to control your anger when a person disagrees while being well meaning.
 
Thanks for starting this thread, pentecostbaby - hope it makes all of us us more aware both of what we say on this site and how we say it.

How much anger seems to depend both on the topic of the thread and who takes part.

Sometimes there is very little anger and a good discussion ensues because people feel that not only are their views being respected but those posting genuinely believe that others have the right to both hold and express different views and really want to hear and discuss them. In some threads the care that posters have for each other and their situations shines through.

Sometimes I think the discussion on some threads would be less heated if some writers considered their first response to be a draft and held off posting it until they had calmed down and re-read and edited their posts if that was needed. Often it isn’t the view we react to but how it is said. We can’t see the twinkle in the eye when someone is having us on or someone is exaggerating to make their point.

I now have a file where I draft my replies which means I can’t accidentally push the “send” button prematurely.

I know I do not react well to be told “if you knew as much as I do about this you would agree with me” and “you must believe this because this is what someone or some group believes.” I’m much more open to someone telling the reasons they believe something and how the group they belong to came to a particular idea.
 
I would hope those who come to CAF would want to get answers and discuss the Church’s teachings and once you get a document like the Bible, Canon Law, CCC or other Vatican Documents it would be pretty clear cut what the Catholic teachings are. It just seems like some come to try and convince others of their views and get angry about it.

The Church’s teachings are, what they are.🤷
 
pentecostbaby said:
Not sure if this is the right place for this post, but it’s where I see this most often, so …
There seems to be A LOT of anger on this forum. A lot of judgmental statements - about both “liberals” and “conservatives” - a lot of hysterical “how could you POSSIBLY think that”, a lot of statements that demean others and fail to see the human suffering and hurt behind the abstract questions we’re debating.
Is this really the way Jesus would want us to talk to each other? Yes, admonishing the sinner is corporal work of mercy. But I think that all of us here are trying sincerely to understand very complicated moral issues. We’re groping toward God the best we know how.
Jesus, please help us to see You in all the people we meet - both in person and in the virtual world.
Click to expand...
I think you’re right, we need to be careful to always practice charity. I’ve participated in such ‘discussions’ too and gotten carried away 😦
 
Personally I have not seen what I would call rabid “anger” from any Catholics here - just some occasional intense, impassioned and deliberately measured/constrained defense against those committed against Catholics. Sometimes it takes emotion to wake a person up from the sterility arising from false and rote teachings or ingrained ignorance. And some here on CAF are without a doubt quite talented with being able to push the envelope in this area to make a point without actually being abusive or exceeding the rules.

One thing is for certain. Those who come to CAF looking not to learn Catholic Teaching and the faith but instead are looking to pick a fight or to evangelize others away from the Catholic faith or to spout anti-catholic rhetoric will find themselves frustrated and often sent on their way angry. There are many here who can within the norms of civility and forum rules force these insincere individuals to cry “uncle” or made to withdraw in humility.

So anyone looking for a fight who comes to CAF with a delicate disposition and expects a powder-puff sort of arm wrestling match and an artificial love-n-lolly-pops sort of gentility are going to be in for a surprise. Anywhere else they would be banned. But here some of us use them for sparring partners and as a means to learn more at the first instant they start revealing smug arrogance, superior attitudes or mock the faith. Its win-win if both learn something even if it’s a lesson in humility.

Sometimes the best charity is showing tough-love. Knowing when to defend the faith and when to take slaps is the very art of apologetics. Apologists are in a constant tension between protecting The Church from losing numbers from false teachings and adding to the church through converting her enemies and evangelizing those who are inclined to be her friends.

James
 
What you allude to is certainly true. Unfortunately, CAF is no different than any other forum that I have seen. The only minor difference is that if you complain, you can stifle one side somewhat done mainly by calling people uncharitable in their comments. Of course, people who don’t complain can be called all sorts of names and get away with it. Only the squeeky wheel gets greased as it were.

The problem with forums, is that they tend to attract people with opinions, and a few who actually wish to learn something. Those who have opinions seldom are willing to change their mind even when presented with evidence they are wrong. Much of course comes down to different interpretations, but a time or 10, I’ve seen undisputed evidence simply ignored or refused simply on the basis that the opponent "couldn’t find a copy of the book on the internet ( in full transcript no less) so couldn’t look up the quote, so didn’t have to accept it.! This type of behavior puts everyone off their feed eventually, and you realize that this place is not a place to have honest dialogue. It’s a place to make fun of those who don’t agree with you. Both sides are equally guilty.

I have learned a few things, but they have been few and far between. Often what I have learned is that my instincts were correct and after doing the research I was able to satisfy myself that I understood the issue. So I always thank everyone for that. Many here have forced me to research a lot of things I had always assumed were true, and things I had been taught by religious leaders. Happily in most every instance I was reassured by my research. I am a hugely better debater now than before, thanks to the rigors I’ve been put through here. But still it is frustrating to have your evidence simply ignored because it is not convenient.

I feel that I have a better understanding of all this now, and tend not to get angry at anything much. I simply avoid certain people who have become masters at obfuscation. Some, though they disagree with me on most everything, are at least intellectually honest, and I appreciate that, and can appreciate that two people can see the same thing from very different points of view. Those who are too lazy to research anything but simply mouth trite remarks, I simply ignore.

I certainly am of the opinion that making fun of people by agreeing with other posters against them is childish. One liners are seldom helpful, and ignoring posts that you can’t satisfactorally answer continue to annoy, but by and large, I think the tenor here is at least way better than most forums.
 
I am offended by people who don’t get angry at the amount of abortion supporters there are.
 
Yes it is true, some are quite uncharitable.

That is why my signature line is what it is. Both as a reminder to myself as well as others.

I have noticed that this seems to come and go in phases. Yet the source for most of it seems to be the same. Trolls. People who come here intentionally to stir the pot.

They post in just a few classic subjects, masturbation, homosexual acts, other sexual issues, artificial birth control, and praying to saints. Yes there are other issues, but these seem to be ones that get people’s goat. That is why I generally avoid threads on those topics. Especially if the member who posted the OP has fewer than 100 or so posts.

Of course there are also long term members who “target” other member and try to intentionally provoke them, skating on the edge of forum rules. For such people, the “Ignore List” is a very important tool. If you are unfamiliar with with do this, click on the member name at the top of the post. A little menu appear and choose “View Profile”. When the profile appear, just under the member name you will see two links. One says “Add [member name] to you Buddy List” the other says "Add [member name] to your Ignore List. Click the Ignore List button then click “Save List” to confirm. Once you do this, you will not see their posts nor will they be able to send you PMs.

May God grant us all peace of mind and the grace of a calm spirit.
 
I get angry at very arrogant and condascending people who think they are bigger, better and smarter than everyone else. Some right here on this very thread.
 
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