Bloggers all!

[Peter]

After having been on the forum for just over a month, it seems we have about 15-20 regular bloggers but another 30-40 who simply read blogs without writing.
Would that be a fair assessment?

[glimmer]

Originally Posted by Peter

After having been on the forum for just over a month, it seems we have about 15-20 regular bloggers

That number seems too high to me.

but another 30-40 who simply read blogs without writing.
Would that be a fair assessment?

Again, I think that's too high. There are currently only 35 active members on the site (last time I checked). I'm not sure how long someone is considered "active", but my guess is it's probably someone who has posted at least once in the past year.

I'm sure Nat could answer this question.

[Peter]

Dear Glimmer
There were said to be 52 people on the forum on Jan 1st. Who would they be?

Is it common for people to suddenly stop writing on the forum?

There's virtually been nothing this past week after a hive of activity around Xmas.

[Rose Hardy]

Some of the 52 could be guests.

[glimmer]

Originally Posted by Peter

Dear Glimmer
There were said to be 52 people on the forum on Jan 1st. Who would they be?

No, I believe that was a sudden "spam attack". There weren't 52 people actually on the site. Unless, people were leaving their "New Years" parties to check out what was going on with us Christadelphians!

Nat said he filters spam but every once in a while some gets through, and if there was a spam attack the site would register it as if there were actually that many people on the site at the same time.

Correct me if I'm wrong Nat.

[Insearchof]

The Member's list show 214.

[Evangelion]

Peter, all forums ebb and flow. The level of activity varies tremendously and you will often find that the number of members who post regularly is as little as 20%.

[Peter]

It is strange some people who seemed right into it disappear altogether,

[Insearchof]

Peter, I have been on a number of CDN Forums ( at least 7), over the past 4 years, and
find that many come, searchers, ex -cdn with Questions, only to find on the forum, many
with an high opinion of their own knowlege, ie always right. The ones that do come with
questions, get or feel they get Browbeaten, and leave often feeling broken.
There are many other that come, again full of their own knowledge, on the Trinity and
other subjects, which they feel they have something to teach CDN's about, they post
receive a few, sometimes harsh remarks, and leave feeling well at least we gave them
a chance to accept what we know to be true (wrongly).
These are two of the reasons that bring about your thought that they appear to disappear altogether.

[Peter]

Dea Insearchof
Do you think then that these fora actually achieve anything? Or do they just have potential to offend people? Are they just arguing for the sake of arguing?

[Evangelion]

Peter, the forum that I help to run has been instrumental in the conversion and subsequent baptism of at least a dozen people (possibly more). It also provides valuable support to brethren and sisters in isolation.

Forums are no subsitute for reality but they can and do serve a noble purpose.

[Insearchof]

Peter, I agree with EV., that some can receive what they seek from forums, as I said in
my last Post, some do not seek, but wish to contend, however as I also noted, some do
come with a sincere hope of help, which sadly they do not get on the forums.

[Peter]

Dear Insearchof
Why is that?
Why do you have a different opinion to that of Evangelion?

[Insearchof]

Peter, I said I agreed with EV angelion.
On the matter of Treatment over Posts, if you go to my Membership Page,
you will see that I have left twice and the reason.

[dkiversen]

Originally Posted by Insearchof

Peter, I agree with EV., that some can receive what they seek from forums, as I said in
my last Post, some do not seek, but wish to contend, however as I also noted, some do
come with a sincere hope of help, which sadly they do not get on the forums.

I find this the best forum for discussion with mutual respect.

God's rules of engagement for discussion are:

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Our disagreement isn't with people but with unscriptural ideas. We love the Trinitarian and want to bring them closer to God but oppose Trinitariasm. We oppose the philosophy of Communism or Capitalism but want to help Communists and Capitalists to be saved.

2 Timothy 2:23-25
But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,

Again stressing that our aim is to humbly help people to come closer to God. I think a large part of this is listening to the other forum member and acknowledging when they're right rather than assuming everything they're saying must be wrong. I also find that I learn a lot more by going back to the Bible when challenged than by having comments that affirm what I already believe, so I'm always appreciative of the impetus that another forum member has given to my study.

It also stresses that we should be wary of going beyond what is written (1 Cor 4:6).

A very good example of the application of these passages is the Apostle Paul. In Ephesus he made it clear that "gods made with hands are not gods", but in such a way that the authorities judged that he and the other Christians were "neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess" (Acts 19:26,37). He was also willing to acknowledge that "'For we also are His children" (Acts 17:28) was an important facet of our relationship with God despite it coming from hymns to Zeus.

[David]

I've simply had a lot on my mind recently and haven't been on for a while

D

[Peter]

Sorry I misread what you wrote.

[Peter]

Dear Insearchof,
Sorry I misread what you wrote.
I think I started using the forum to get some interaction while at home when alone