[Toby Beau]

I wonder about people here, especially the hard-core right wing Christians, if they really are as arrogant and rude in real life. Does the semi-anonymous nature of internet forums allow you to let out some of your rudeness and crazy tendencies? Or are you just jerks all the time?

I guess in day to day life such as at work, school or at the bars, the same types of topics don't really come up. But, when someone disagrees with you in person, do you call them a stupid moron or an evil, disgusting liar to their face?

I try to act exactly as I would in personal conversations as I do on this forum. Slightly sarcastic, but mostly respectful. I speak my mind and don't pull any punches, but I try not to be a jerk.

[Silk Queen]

I haven't ever ran into anyone that will tell you you are going to hell, maybe go to hell but never met this type. Only on the internet Perhaps.

[Ktoyou]

Hey Kid,
Are you talking about me?

[Prolifeguyswife]

Originally Posted by Toby Beau

I wonder about people here, especially the hard-core right wing Christians, if they really are as arrogant and rude in real life. Does the semi-anonymous nature of internet forums allow you to let out some of your rudeness and crazy tendencies? Or are you just jerks all the time?

I guess in day to day life such as at work, school or at the bars, the same types of topics don't really come up. But, when someone disagrees with you in person, do you call them a stupid moron or an evil, disgusting liar to their face?

I try to act exactly as I would in personal conversations as I do on this forum. Slightly sarcastic, but mostly respectful. I speak my mind and don't pull any punches, but I try not to be a jerk.

I will tell someone if their post is stupid, but very rarely. I am pretty polite generally, but in real life, I don't walk up to a guy at the grocery store and call him a moron. I do a lot of street activism, and if someone gets in my face (which happens a lot), I'll answer him back according to the way he talks to me (the Bible says to answer a fool according to his folly).

That said, I've been hit and spit on and had garbage thrown on me for holding a Bible or a sign, and I've never responded in kind.

You have to realize that lots of people on TOL are speaking the truth consistently. When someone continually rejects the truth and is acting like an idiot, what's wrong with telling them that? Before I walked with God, I had some people tell me "Prolifeguyswife - you're acting like an idiot. Stop being so stupid." I realized I was being stupid and changed. Sometimes it's a good thing to have people be so blunt with you.

[Toby Beau]

Originally Posted by Prolifeguyswife

I will tell someone if their post is stupid, but very rarely. I am pretty polite generally, but in real life, I don't walk up to a guy at the grocery store and call him a moron. I do a lot of street activism, and if someone gets in my face (which happens a lot), I'll answer him back according to the way he talks to me (the Bible says to answer a fool according to his folly).

Wrong! It says DON'T answer a fool according to his folly! http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/...4;&version=31;

er... wait... no, you're right it says DO
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/...5;&version=31;

er... wait..

[Frank Ernest]

Originally Posted by Toby Beau

Wrong! It says DON'T answer a fool according to his folly! http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/...4;&version=31;

er... wait... no, you're right it says DO
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/...5;&version=31;

er... wait..

From Matthew Henry's "Commentary on the Whole Bible":

Pro 26:4-5 KJV
See here the noble security of the scripture-style, which seems to contradict itself, but really does not. Wise men have need to be directed how to deal with fools; and they have never more need of wisdom than in dealing with such, to know when to keep silence and when to speak, for there may be a time for both. 1. In some cases a wise man will not set his wit to that of a fool so far as to answer him according to his folly “If he boast of himself, do not answer him by boasting of thyself. If he rail and talk passionately, do not thou rail and talk passionately too. If he tell one great lie, do not thou tell another to match it. If he calumniate thy friends, do not thou calumniate his. If he banter, do not answer him in his own language, lest thou be like him, even thou, who knowest better things, who hast more sense, and hast been better taught.” 2. Yet, in other cases, a wise man will use his wisdom for the conviction of a fool, when, by taking notice of what he says, there may be hopes of doing good, or at least preventing further, mischief, either to himself or others. “If thou have reason to think that thy silence will be deemed an evidence of the weakness of thy cause, or of thy own weakness, in such a case answer him, and let it be an answer ad hominem - to the man, beat him at his own weapons, and that will be an answer ad rem - to the point, or as good as one. If he offer any thing that looks like an argument, an answer that, and suit thy answer to his case. If he think, because thou dost not answer him, that what he says is unanswerable, then give him an answer, lest he be wise in his own conceit and boast of a victory.” For (Luke 7:35 KJV) Wisdom's children must justify her.

[MaryContrary]

I am.
Are you?

[Ktoyou]

Hey partner,

I might call you a clown when you act like one. Or a goofball if you are being goofy. Now this is a participatory board, therefore I am mild mannered most of the time, but if you were to call me up and try to sell me something, I might get a little rude. When I was healthy I did not take well to being called any dirty words, I’d slap the cuffs on ya!

Draw you own conclusions.

[Four O'Clock]

Originally Posted by Prolifeguyswife

You have to realize that lots of people on TOL are speaking the truth consistently.

Yes, and many here at TOL that think they are speaking the truth are not.

[Town Heretic]

Originally Posted by Prolifeguyswife
You have to realize that lots of people on TOL are speaking the truth consistently.

Originally Posted by Four O'Clock

Yes, and many here at TOL that think they are speaking the truth are not.

Are we supposed to take your word for that?



Look Toby, some Christians can have an off moment or twenty and act like emotionally stunted third graders. Some atheists routinely exhibit the social graces one normally finds only in the severly brain damaged or Miami Hurricane fans. And some people can let their presumptions run away with them---generalize without warrant and convert what any rational human being would understand as anecdotal experience into the rule.

Why do you ask?

Originally Posted by cattyfan
Tell me, Toby..Do you walk up to Muslims and offer them a pork chop? Ask Jews if they would like help decorating their house for Christmas?

Nothing to add. It's just really funny...

[Stripe]

This isn't real life?

[Prolifeguyswife]

I take it from your response that you are at least this rude in real life, if not worse.

[The Berean]

Originally Posted by Toby Beau

I wonder about people here, especially the hard-core right wing Christians, if they really are as arrogant and rude in real life. Does the semi-anonymous nature of internet forums allow you to let out some of your rudeness and crazy tendencies? Or are you just jerks all the time?

This applies to everyone not just "hardcore right wing Christians". Given the the nature of TOL where strong personailites with opposing views clash rudness will be common.

I guess in day to day life such as at work, school or at the bars, the same types of topics don't really come up. But, when someone disagrees with you in person, do you call them a stupid moron or an evil, disgusting liar to their face?

Some people that do this (Christians ans non-Christians) are really serious but I suspect that many are simply yanking a person's chain. When I first came to TOL I'd jump into every debate I could and hammer on godless heathen and Christians. But I eventually got most of that out of my system. Frankly, there are only some many times we can debate about homos, abortion, evolution, Ron Paul, etc. These topics don't really interest me much these days. I will jump into the fray once in a while if an interesting topic comes up.

I try to act exactly as I would in personal conversations as I do on this forum. Slightly sarcastic, but mostly respectful. I speak my mind and don't pull any punches, but I try not to be a jerk.

Evidently, you are not trying hard enough.

[Ktoyou]

simply yanking a person's change

Ya, good idea, yank that change! some people need a good ticket!

[The Berean]

Originally Posted by Ktoyou

Ya, good idea, yank that change! some people need a good ticket!