The Psychological Dynamics of Message Boards

[aron]

I think it is important for us as believers in Christ to acknowledge one another. At one point we were separated from God, struggling without hope in the world; then by God's grace we acknowledged God's salvation in the person of His Son Jesus Christ. Soon we realized there were others, too, and we began to allow the Great Shepherd to aggregate us, to "assemble" us together into a collective representation expressing to some degree His Wonderful Son.

Remember the words of Paul in the 15th chapter of his epistle to the Roman believers, about receiving one another as God has received us in Christ Jesus. This board is about acknowledging one another's spiritual journey in Christ. At least that is what it is about to me. I am willing to discuss macrame if need be. (Don't have much to say on that one, but I will attempt to listen, anyway.) As long as others are not in sin and heresy, we are, I think, duly bound to receive each other.

There are some self-appointed Big Shots who think that if we are "different" from each other we must be kept apart, kept quiet, kept scattered. But the Shepherd gathers; He assembles His body together as He sees fit. So when we acknowledge one another we say "amen" to His assembly, His gathering. We don't have to agree, or even "like" one another. We simply recognize that God so loved these people that He called them into His dear Son. And that is, to me, important.

[blessD]

Originally Posted by aron

I think it is important for us as believers in Christ to acknowledge one another...

This board is about acknowledging one another's spiritual journey in Christ. At least that is what it is about to me... As long as others are not in sin and heresy, we are, I think, duly bound to receive each other...

Well spoken... I second that

[finallyprettyokay]

Hey Everyone.

I remembered this thread --- I really liked it then (in August) and I read it again and I still really like it. So -- I am bringing it forward, for your consideration. There are so many points in it that I like so much.

What does everyone think?

fpo

[OBW]

Interesting to see this thread brought back to the forefront. I read back through it and agree that there is more to be said, and considered.

One thing about boards that stands out to me is that it is typically a place with a somewhat singular focus. That brings together people who generally have little to do with each other. I realize that this one is somewhat unique because there are primarily two groups which have strongly opposing views, but generally all have some history with the LC. Despite the apparent exception of DJ, I would say that he actually reflects the issues of another with a history in the LC.

But outside of that, we are generally quite different and many do not actually know the others, or very few of them. That sense of anonymity frees us in various ways. First, we are freer to speak of somewhat personal issues without being that revealing. But we are also freer to misbehave without more that a virtual reprimand.

If we were face-to-face, we could do much of the same discussions, and we might not misunderstand each other as much because we could see expressions (even emoticons can lie), read body language, and quickly point out areas of confusion or ask for clarification.

But on the negative side, in face-to-face meetings we would tend to be guarded concerning personal issues. We would also feel less free to defer answering until some consideration or research was undertaken. Instead we might be more prone to simply “shoot from the hip,” as they say, or more accurately “shoot first and ask questions later.” The latter is too common and results in significant delays in meaningful dialog. Metaphorically, dead people don’t talk; they just stink up the room. (It may have been the rising stench that cleared the “LCS Factor” a few months ago. Great topic, but lots of indiscriminate shooting.)

As to Igzy’s reason #4 (the first #4), for those of us that still visit the Berean forum, you can see how many times Steward has promised that she is leaving. But there is always a post to one of her pet topics that she feels obligated to answer and so she manages only a few minutes. I know that when I have been away, I do visit occasionally to see what is going on. I was successful at staying out for a couple of months (time well spent). But eventually there was a post that just screamed for comment.

It is addictive. I have determined that I will only give it the time I decide on in advance. While I may not stay completely within the limit, it keeps me from becoming a forum hermit/junkie.