Online debates.....

Does online rebukes or debate really help?  Do we do more damage than good when we try to confront someone with a different view of the Bible on forums, social medium, blogs, etc?  Sometimes I feel that all this does is cause more division than it does healing.  Are too many of us just "shotgun Christians" who blast people with their vast knowledge of scripture without really taking the time to understand the other person and do so under the guise of "Christian love"?  Is this one of the reasons why Christians are labeled as haters these days?

Those are just some of my thoughts today.

"Listen, listen, love, love" - Kairos Prison Ministry

Bet it works well outside the fence (or online) as well.   

I try to stay out of debates online.
Many others have an other meaning about biblecal things than you have.
I think God wants us to accept each other and not to fight with each other who's right or wrong.

I think that God wants us to do more than just blast someone with a difference of opinion and move on.  Sure, some folks have really twisted theology.  Wouldn't it be better for me to befriend that person and actually be in a place to talk to that person rather than just hit them with a bunch of verses that supposedly prove my side and then act all holy afterward?  I sure showed that heretic!  LOL

I think that, in order to get people to listen, that we need to be willing to invest time in them and earn the right to speak.  I will listen to the rebuke of a godly family member or friend that is close to me long before I will a virtual stranger that I barely even know.

Agreed. I think that folks can be encouraged and edified online to a degree, but when it really comes to debating, I don't think a message board or Facebook is the best avenue to take. So many things are difficult to draw conclusions about in cyberspace, a good example being the ability to detect sarcasm. I think debating in person does more for the iron sharpening rather than to type away all day on a keyboard...like I'm doing right now. (cue sarcasm hint)

I usually stay out of the debates.  I've typed up big responses to things only to just delete it and move on.  Online debates usually turn into a dog pile.  We're better off face to face.

Rarely does much good come from debates online about theological differences.  However, for example, there was a guy on the CMR who made a thread about how he doesn't listen to certain "Christian" bands because of how the members behaved on a different forum.  I found that forum and saw his responses - which were just as offensive.  I called him out on it (via PM).  I did my best to do so lovingly.  Initially he was kinda put off by it (understandably) but he actually took it to heart and we've been able to form a good friendship!  So not quite a "debate" so much as a conversation, though overall I think a lot of good came from it!

One on one conversation keeps the flamers out of the equation.  Very cool!

When Chat Rooms first started in the old AOL days of 1995ish, I used to frequent several religious discussion rooms and do the 1Pet.3:15 thing, debating people with differing ideas - As Walter Martin would say "it generated more heat than light".  Though I spent years in studying doctrine, cults and stuff for the purpose of knowing the answers... I now shy from most debates unless I feel qualified and/or needed. I have one of those non-people personalities just like my dad, so I ended up putting all my studies into readable form as information packets on cults, false leaders, wrong doctrine, etc - guess I'm a better writer than a speaker - course that's to be debated     

I think the words of Chris are the acts God loves to see.
His Holy spirit will guide us in things like this.
Yep, His Holy Spirit showed me that last year when I first talked about Jesus to friends we have for 29 years.

I think it's okay to say what you believe even though you may disagree on something. Debating a little is okay, but it's good to know when to stop if you're gonna do that. You don't want to get heated or anything. Also, don't say stuff in an attacking or arrogant way. That just causes more problems. At times you'll have to agree to disagree. Don't let it ruin a friendship.

Also, what everyone else here said. ^^

I have been involved a few online debates that went on for several days and just ended up with pretty much everybody angry....I don't get involved in them anymore. I think it's one thing to stand up for the truth but a waste to spend too much time on the interweb debating people who have no desire to see the truth.

^Yup.  Gosh, there was this guy on the old Fates Warning board (this is going back probably eight years!) who really had it out for Christians.  I was so patient, logical, and kind - yet firm, though it became apparent that he didn't want a discussion/debate but rather to simply hate on me (i.e. the nearest Christian).  It was pretty sad, though it really affected me.  Ugh.

Samson wrote:

 

That xkcd comic is classic.

The problems with Internet debate are many, of course… Some people are just really bad at expressing themselves and don't re-read what they write before they hit post, which means that sometimes often they will come across wrong. That's why I try to understand a post and think of a reply before typing something.

Of course, some people come across as plain jerks, and it's hard to tell them that because they will reply with something even worse. I try to limit my sarcasm, and if I'm being silly I'll make it clear with an emoticon.

Sadly I get sucked into online debates more than I like to admit.

I've debated theological matters such as Catholicism and Once Saved Always Saved online. A few times it got heated. None of these debates caused me or the other person to change our views.

Mac wrote:

None of these debates caused me or the other person to change our views.

Yep. Always a major factor, and that's what I think distinguishes discussion (sharing ideas) and debate (throwing ideas).

If I want to get into an online debate, I'll just find wherever 5minutes is posting and saying something completely opposite to what he's saying . . . works every time

Yeah, honestly, the debating is pointless. A conversation is one thing. I really find it better to talk to someone privately or in person. Also, if it is someone I don't know very well, they probably aren't going to listen to what I am saying because you have to build relationships & trust first. In my opinion that is......


Now, no one argue with me or disagree on this, or I will get mad and run away stomping 

FREE GRACE!

    

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Grace? She passed away 30 years ago