Contraversy

[IJW]

I hope this thread doesn't get me kicked off this site for good, but I feel the need to ask this question. I'm knew to this web site so forgive me if I'm over coming some ignorance as to how it works(the site that is). Why is it that when a subject becomes controversal the thread is closed? I understand that the people that designed and maintain this site are looking for unity in the body (or at least claim to be) and don't want to create strife and division, but some of the threads that I've seen close don't seem to be doing that. Some of the threads I've seen close seem to have closed simply because they have topics that most people aren't particularly comfortable talking about. And mabey that's an adiquet reason to close them sometimes. But if the topic is a common struggle among beleavers why close it? If the topic is something that is dealt with at some time durring most every person who accepts Jesus and is pressing towards the mark, why should it not be adressed? Fellowship is ministry within the body, and I would hate to think that someone who is asking for help, would be dienied that help, because the question they ask is a difficult one, or because I'm less than comfortable talking about it. I'm not sugesting that this forum should replace the professional help that some people need, and I'm not saying that in person counseling shouldn't be sought by those who continualy struggle with something. I would like to point out that there are some topics that people are more likely to seek answers for here than they would be in person. The reason being that they may be to emberassed to talk about them face to face with some one. They may be afraid of disapointing others around them, and they may just need to get over that. But perhaps if they start by talking about it here, they will be more likely to seek out other help. I don't want to give the impression that I'm harboring bad fealings towards the makers of this site. I'm gratefull to them for creating it and if there is something I'm missing I hope it will be brought to my attention.

Galations 6:1-10
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you may also be temted. Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especialy to those who belong to the family of believers. (NIV)

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerfull and effective.

Philippians 2:12&13
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but how much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. (NIV)

Paul is writing here in this last reference to people who have already become Christians. I' believe their salvation was secure when they received Jesus. The idea of working out your own salvation with fear and trembling refers to life choises. It's about carefully seeking God about personal issues that there may be a difference of opinion on. It's about deciding for yourself through the guidence of the Holy Spirit. I'll give an example and then I'll shut up. There are sometimes certain behaviors that are looked down on by certain churches that aren't a sin persay. I'll use dancing as an example (AND DON'T BE MISLED TO BELIEVE THAT I'M BASHING A PARTICULAR DENOMINATION WITH THIS EXAMPLE. I USE IT BECAUSE IT HELPS COMUNICATE MY POINT, NOT BECAUSE I'M AGAINST THESE PEOPLE, WE ARE PART OF THE SAME BODY AND I LOVE THEM) Some people say it's sinfull to dance, but I find dancing to be scriptual in the proper context. They say this not because the act itself is sinfull, but because they are afraid it will lead to sin. I say that if you can dance in a secular environment ( a wedding for example) and it does not lead you into sin, then go for it. But if for whatever reason this will lead you into sin, then you should refrain from it. Ultimately you know you better than I do, and sometimes decisions I make for myself, may not be apropriate for you.

[Wisdom's Child]

There are numerous topics that do divide us.
One problem is that there are those out there who can't discuss some topics without letting emotions get in the way. There are also those who truely believe that they are the difinitive answer and get offended when someone else comes along and disagrees with them.
Sadly, the spirit of the pharisee got into the church early on and continues to thrive.
We should all seek to find unity in those essentials that directly involve Salvation, and also seek to find the grace to allow others to have Liberty in those things which are non-essential.
Using your example, It would be very difficult to argue that you are saved by dancing, therefore that issue should be considered non-essential. Allow those that don't feel the need to dance to simply sit in the corner. just don't be throwing criticism at those who are on the dance floor while you sit there.

[ChurchofChrist]

I hope this thread doesn't get me kicked off this site for good, but I feel the need to ask this question. I'm knew to this web site so forgive me if I'm over coming some ignorance as to how it works(the site that is). Why is it that when a subject becomes controversal the thread is closed? I understand that the people that designed and maintain this site are looking for unity in the body (or at least claim to be) and don't want to create strife and division, but some of the threads that I've seen close don't seem to be doing that. Some of the threads I've seen close seem to have closed simply because they have topics that most people aren't particularly comfortable talking about. And mabey that's an adiquet reason to close them sometimes. But if the topic is a common struggle among beleavers why close it? If the topic is something that is dealt with at some time durring most every person who accepts Jesus and is pressing towards the mark, why should it not be adressed? Fellowship is ministry within the body, and I would hate to think that someone who is asking for help, would be dienied that help, because the question they ask is a difficult one, or because I'm less than comfortable talking about it. I'm not sugesting that this forum should replace the professional help that some people need, and I'm not saying that in person counseling shouldn't be sought by those who continualy struggle with something. I would like to point out that there are some topics that people are more likely to seek answers for here than they would be in person. The reason being that they may be to emberassed to talk about them face to face with some one. They may be afraid of disapointing others around them, and they may just need to get over that. But perhaps if they start by talking about it here, they will be more likely to seek out other help. I don't want to give the impression that I'm harboring bad fealings towards the makers of this site. I'm gratefull to them for creating it and if there is something I'm missing I hope it will be brought to my attention.

Galations 6:1-10
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you may also be temted. Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especialy to those who belong to the family of believers. (NIV)

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerfull and effective.

Philippians 2:12&13
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but how much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. (NIV)

Paul is writing here in this last reference to people who have already become Christians. I' believe their salvation was secure when they received Jesus. The idea of working out your own salvation with fear and trembling refers to life choises. It's about carefully seeking God about personal issues that there may be a difference of opinion on. It's about deciding for yourself through the guidence of the Holy Spirit. I'll give an example and then I'll shut up. There are sometimes certain behaviors that are looked down on by certain churches that aren't a sin persay. I'll use dancing as an example (AND DON'T BE MISLED TO BELIEVE THAT I'M BASHING A PARTICULAR DENOMINATION WITH THIS EXAMPLE. I USE IT BECAUSE IT HELPS COMUNICATE MY POINT, NOT BECAUSE I'M AGAINST THESE PEOPLE, WE ARE PART OF THE SAME BODY AND I LOVE THEM) Some people say it's sinfull to dance, but I find dancing to be scriptual in the proper context. They say this not because the act itself is sinfull, but because they are afraid it will lead to sin. I say that if you can dance in a secular environment ( a wedding for example) and it does not lead you into sin, then go for it. But if for whatever reason this will lead you into sin, then you should refrain from it. Ultimately you know you better than I do, and sometimes decisions I make for myself, may not be apropriate for you.
i agree with your dance analolgy. The Bible never forbides dancing but that act of sex that it can lead to makes people steer away from it. However, like you said it is not wrong to dance at like a wedding or anything like that.

[IJW]

Thank you for your feedback. Please understand that dancing is not the underlying theme of this post, and only used as an example. If you want to talk about dancing here thats OK and I'm not critisizing you. I'm also not saying you missed the point. I just want to make sure that other readers don't get to distracted by the illistration given. Thanks again.

[TankGirl]

Most threads get closed for breaking the rules of the forum (posted at the start of each board). Each forum (eg Non-Denominational, General Theology etc) has it's own rules of what can and cannot be discussed there. For example, there are forums for Women only, Men only, Teens etc; forums for Catholics, Baptists, Liberals etc; for those who are married, parents, retired. There are also ethics & debate forums where more heated discussion is allowed. Most times when something gets closed, it's less of a case of the topic being open for discussion, more that it's happening in the wrong place. It's all about keeping things ordered.

[GK]

I'll answer the question as a moderator who has had to close threads down.

We write about things we are passionate about. That makes sense. If we don't care, we don't bother to write. Unfortunately, passion can sometimes bubble over in unhealthy ways. In order to keep this forum a safe place for discussion and conversation, we have had to create certain rules.

The more general rule is that discussion sticks to the topic and not to attacking the person. If a thread degenerates, we (moderators) try to clean up individual posts and alert individual members of their shift in subject. Most of the time, this works and the thread continues. Sometimes, we get too caught up in the emotion and our only choice is to close the thread.

Additionally, we have found over time there are certain subjects that lead to problem threads more often than they don't. These issues (mostly questions of morality of highly-controversial subjects in the church today) may only be discussed in a few specific forums, which allows the moderators to keep a closer eye on the threads.

In a perfect world, we wouldn't need any of this. But, we aren't perfect. Boundaries have to be set to keep the forums safe and healthy.

[ForumGuy]

Sometimes topics get closed simply because they degenearate into unconstructive flamewars (the Harry Potter thread). Imho the mods should do all they can to keep a thread on course and constructive, but failing that, I think its better to kill such a thread off

[Mrs. Enigma]

Sometimes a thread is started in a section where argueing is not allowed, and then it gets closed.

Sometimes people start to belittle eachother, call namers, or they are the same people having the same old arguements over and over.

[HisLilyWhitePrincess]

There are many reasons a thread might be closed, there are lots of rules, and many times the mods will just delete a posting and not the whole thread, but if there are to many problems they close down the thread. Many controversial threads turn into major arguements, and a heated battle and that is not the point of this site, and they do their best to avoid it.