[andysandmikesmom]

I, for one do appreciate your getting up on your 'soapbox'...you have pointed out something which I have noticed on so many of the 'religious' threads, which usually always prevents me in ever participating in them...namely, the discussion and conversation so often does not remain a 'friendly' discussion, but quickly downward spirals into a barrage of insults, name-calling, nasty remarks and the like...

Now, I will not identify myself as a Mormon, or a Catholic, or a Baptist, or a member of any organized 'church', as I dont belong to one...instead I am a person, who has gone to various different churches, has read the Bible, and most importantly, I am seeking after the truth as well as I can discern it...

It never helps when a Catholic gets on a post, and insinuates that all Protestants are 'snake handlers', because there exist small groups of protestants who use snakes in their religious services, and it never helps when Protestants call Catholics 'cannibals', because of their belief concerning communion, and it never helps when members of mainstream religions call those who belong to what may appear to be outside of mainstream, as 'cults', and it never helps when members of one church decide that members of another church are simply not Christians...and I have seen all these ideas and worse posted on what are supposed to be religious threads...

I try to read all the religious threads, for information, for enlightenment, for perhaps something that will help me better understand...when I see insults, slurs, airs of superiority, namecalling, and nasty, nasty remarks, thats a sure turnoff...How people can engage in such discourse, ,and then call themselves 'Christians', is really way beyond me...

To me, those who try to keep Christ as a role model, would not engage in such behavior...civil discussions, disageements, points of contention, yes...just being plain rude and nasty, no...But thats just me...

[Ragtop]

Thanks, I appreciate your comments and agree whole-heartedly with you. So long as the snake handlers practice their religion outside of my living room, they can do whatever they feel within the boundaries of the law.

[armydoc]

To me, those who try to keep Christ as a role model, would not engage in such behavior...civil discussions, disageements, points of contention, yes...just being plain rude and nasty, no...But thats just me...

Christ was not concerned about appearing "rude" or "nasty". He was concerned about proclaiming the truth. He said things like "You belong to your father, the devil" in John 8:44, referring to the Pharisees. He also told them they would "die in their sins". Being civil in a discussion does not mean witholding such truths. In our PC environment, being civil has come to mean "all paths lead to God", "it doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you are a good person", etc. These are doctrines of the antichrist.

[gamarob1]

a Mormon, or a Catholic, or a Baptist

As you say you are a studier, I hope and pray that your studies reveal to you, why the Baptist and Catholic can be lumped together, but the Mormon never can be, with them. It's a false religion. If that seems like an unfair "attack", well, Jesus Himself was very willing to be "offensive" when it came to the truth, that all would come to the truth and be saved. That is true love, not the liberal-minded "anything goes" mentality

[moog]

"namely, the discussion and conversation so often does not remain a 'friendly' discussion, but quickly downward spirals into a barrage of insults, name-calling, nasty remarks and the like... "

Good observation. Real Christian-like it is I suppose:).