Have you ever been on one of the -ish (Xanga partner) sites and had someone respond to a comment you wrote with
Why are you here anyways if you don't agree with this site? Go away.or something to that extent? It's only happened to me once, but I've seen this happening a LOT lately on several -ish sites, usually on Revelife.
I have a problem with this. First of all, when comments come up such as "Why are you on Revelife if you're not Christian?", it annoys me because it seems to indicate a lack of intelligence.
Do you seriously not realize that on the Xanga main page, your post is coming up for
all Xanga readers to see, which is why you're getting a huge amount of comments? If you weren't aware, now you know.
And for your information, there isn't some big sign on Revelife that says "CHRISTIANS ONLY, ALL OTHERS: KEEP OUT." Not to mention that people can subscribe to ish sites; I am subscribed to Revelife, and I didn't have to sign some waiver promising I was Christian before they let me view their posts.
I'm sorry, but this doesn't seem very Christian of you. And I realize this is sort of judgmental since why should I tell a Christian how to behave? But seriously, you want to get the word out about Jesus. Here is a site bringing you a huge amount of traffic of people who don't believe. People you could potentially enlighten about the word of God. And you're telling them to GTFO?
I realize that there are people who go to Revelife just to put people down. But I feel like for the most part, it's just people that are honestly curious or have questions about particular points. The Christians that write the blogs are getting too defensive. If people are completely rude to you, realize that anything negative you say ("You're a dumb troll so just leave, no one wants you here") completely validates everything they've ever heard about Christianity.
A kind word can go a long way, and sometimes can help to resolve what could become an ugly argument. Treating people with respect when they don't give you any can make them reconsider how they're treating you.
As Jesus once said: "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also...Do to others as you would have them do to you."
I concentrate on Revelife for that reason, because I feel like part of being a Christian is treating others as Jesus would treat them, so I tend to hold them to a higher standard of conduct. If what someone is saying is utterly ridiculous, then just laugh it off and don't let it get to you. But if they raise an honestly good question, don't just tell them to take their atheist crap and stick it where the sun don't shine. Give them a good answer. Criticize when necessary, praise when necessary – in all aspects of life.
Comments (120)
because this is America. & i can do that.
tell them to STFU because those ppl are obviously hypocrites.
we all have our different beliefs but putting someone else down won't make you right...and it won't make you a good Christian either.
everyone is entitled to his/her opinion anyways.
Good points. I'm not Christian, but I read Revelife all the time because it interests me to see others opinions.
That's terrible that people are like that. Yeah... sometimes the problem with Christians is that they don't welcome other views. How are you supposed to testify to people that aren't Christian of the goodness of Jesus if you don't want to hear what they have to say? I am a Christian, and I have to say that this behavior embarrasses me. It's okay to really believe what you believe, but I think some Christians (not all, now...) don't have compassion for other people, including and especially the ones that don't believe in Jesus... like they've been perfect all their little saved lives. Sometimes the ones that have been "saved" forever are the worst ones! If you don't have compassion for folks and don't accept people that are truly curious, I have to wonder if you really are saved.
I didn't mean to say all of that, but that really angers me. I've been guilty of it too. I've since repented of it and am making great efforts to be more accepting... but at the time I was like that, I was young and just didn't know any better. Other people though... they're just mean, and that's unacceptable. I almost want to tell those people that they better not DARE name the name of Jesus, ignorant, belligerent, and judgmental as they are!
okay. I'm done for real.
I think the point is not to drive away non-christians, but rather it is to people who attempt to attack the beliefs of those who this site was obviously intended for. It's like when No On 8 supporters join a yes on 8 facebook group just to butt heads. Open discussion is always appreciated, but if you are only here to bash, move along. (This is not to say this is what you were doing by any stretch, as I have no idea. I use "you" in the "any reader" sense)
lol, did this Revelife entry just say GTFO? That's gotta be the most vulgar thing that's ever been posted here!
Interesting, I didn't know that this (and the other branches) were posted on some other main page. I am not that familiar with all of the workings of "xanga" thought.
Here is my problem. Revelife does have a tagline that says "A Christian Blogging Community- is an online community about God, Love,and the Christian Lifestyle".
So I get on, and post an opinion- which i recognize as my opinion- and then get verbally attacked by people who openly claim not to be Christians.
So like @Endersig@xanga - said, if you join on revelife thinking it is about Christian views, and you get attacked for being a Christian, it is bound to cause some problems.
So basically revelife should be a universal love hippie colony.
You have a flawed understanding of Christianity then. Here is what Jesus said, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."
But Christians would do well to put their wisdom into action.There are many wolves who do come hunting. I think there are many who do visit the site visit to berate christians. If you approach someone to attack, obviously they will attack back - christian or not, its a human tendency. We respect others as people first before you categorize them into christian, muslim, jew, or whatever else.
And like the person above noted, it does say a Christian Blogging Community. If thats the case and force yourself into a discussion where you only want to mock and berate, then indeed "GTFO". Christ was quite willing to knock over a few tables and give a few witty responses to those who wanted to attack him.
You bring up some good points. I hope they're not lost on the people who need to hear them most...
Also, there is nowhere else on Xanga for non-Christians to go (spiritually speaking). I'm sure there are many people who would rather have an intelligent debate about other spiritual issues (in a group setting), but revelife only offers them the opportunity to be reactive, debating against certain principles rather than openly discussing other ones.
I have a feeling that there might not be so much conflict here if there were such a place. Until then, however, Christians should maybe try to practice a little bit of the "love" they're always preaching.
I don't identify as Christian but I have my beliefs. I love learning about other people's beliefs and opinions and telling my own.
There just needs to be more understanding of multiple views and more of an open mind. I know I try to be as open as I can when I read blogs on Revelife.
@moritheil@xanga - i've thought the same thing
@DailyConstruct - i reeeeally don't think responding that way is helping matters.
I think why some people get angry is because people will post something to encourage other Christians, something that God did in their lives. What do I see a majority of the time? I see people bashing the post. I have no problem with people starting good conversations, but that's not what has been happening. It's been people coming on here just to be mean. Not all people are like that, I see your point, but a majority of I see is people bashing Christians...not stating their opinion. If you don't like Christians and what we believe, then dont read Revlife.
If you have questions that great. If you believe something different, you are entitled to that. Please just dont come on here just for the sake of being down right mean.
Great post though!
If people are completely rude to you, realize that anything negative you say ("You're a dumb troll so just leave, no one wants you here") completely validates everything they've ever heard about Christianity.
A kind word can go a long way, and sometimes can help to resolve what could become an ugly argument.
I understand that Revelife is a business and it operates like a business instead of a Church or a Christian society but I think the correct question to be asked is "If you are just here to ridicule or debate then what are you here for?"
Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
As salt, I'm going to say when people aren't telling the truth because salt burns if it gets in a wound or if it gets in a cut.
Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them].
As a Christian, I'm allowed to reprove people which means expose.
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
I'm allowed to reprove, rebuke, etc.
Your definition of love doesn't match my definition of love. We are to love our enemies but when love allows others to teach error then that kind of love doesn't protect which ceases to be love. At the end of our lives, it does matter that I told you the truth and sometimes we have to contend (which means fight) for the faith because I've corrected lies on other forums which would send you to hell if you were to believe them and plenty of people allow other people to do the thinking for them instead of read what God's words say for themselves and while we try to be gentile, we sometimes have to fight just to get the truth out just to give you information because what we have to say isn't welcome. If they did the research themselves, they would find that there are a lot of liars on a lot of forums with false doctrine not worth paying for.
Another user says,"When we pull the teeth of the Gospel by soft-peddling it, we have to masticate people into the kingdom with toothless gums. It won't work!!!"
@quiet_strength - Not here to help, as I think think there is not a problem.. other than what's already been foretold to us. The Gospel is an offense to the world. @Sosthenes - Good response.
@DailyConstruct - just because the gospel is offensive, doesn't mean you need to be. and telling someone "gtfo" in return just proves their point that you're being a jerk.
I already commented on this before. But it's just because some of them don't want to hear what they don't want to hear. And the best way to do it is to tell those who will say what they don't want to hear to get out.
I come onto Revelife to offer a non-Christian viewpoint because, hey, we have a privilege to. Besides, if everyone gave the same answer, it would be a boring place anyways, right? Sometimes, you need someone from outside to open your insight.
i find it strange when people get on here & object to it being a christian post. because...this is a christian site. not to be unwelcoming, at all... but you need to make an actual point to your comment... or, perhaps not comment.
course, that has more to do with conversation skills than whether the person is christian or not.
If someone offends you, just ignore them. What a concept.
As for the people who are just here because Christians annoy them and they want to bash Christians, if you try to correct or defend the gospel, as Sosthenes seems to be suggesting, this can go on forever with no real benefit. I've seen this happen many times in blog/comment threads and discussion boards. Atheists who have a bone to pick with Christians are relentless in their zeal to prove how they are right and Christians are morons. If you're dealing with this kind of person, it's best to just let them be.
But if someone honestly has interest or curiosity or even a negative opinion but is not an argue-to-the-bitter-end kind of person, then a thoughtful and respectful response is warranted, I think.
@quiet_strength - Excellent point! The content of a Christian's position may be offensive, but that is something far different from behaving viciously.
I have found myself wondering sometimes why certain people (Christian and non) are on revelife when all they seem to want to do is insult others, but, as pointed out by the post's author, this does not give those who claim the name of Christ the right to be insulting in return.
"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven..." (Matthew 5:44-45a - NIV)
"But I tell you who hear me: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27-28)
Hi all,
I post on this site because I really enjoy the posts shared, as well as the comments.
I love the fact that those who don't agree with "christianity" post here, in truth (this might hurt some" It's usually not the Creator of this earth, our Heavenly Father, that folks have a problem with, nor His Son, it's usually Their fan club who falsely misrepresent Them.
I love this passage and it's a good reminder to all:
Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Mat 5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
Mat 5:47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Hope
Wow :) GMTA J0EL@xanga
Consider the posts double confirmation ;)
Hope
I like to play devil's advocate
@GodZchiK@xanga - ditto
trust me, i'd much rather discuss religion in a more accepting forum (one not biased toward a single religion). until xanga comes up with one, i'll take what i can get.