I know this will probably get me in a lot of trouble, but I think that this is wrong depending on the reasoning. If someone is insulting members on here with careless consistency, that is definitely a good reason to delete. People come here in hopes that the Lord will show them their one and only, not to be tormented.
However, one member has just been deleted, I think, for his views about abortion. I did not agree with this man. In fact, I am probably one of the strictest females concerning it, having only just found another woman with the same belief that, if the baby can survive regardless of whether or not the mother can, the mother should continue with the pregnancy. Not only that, but he insulted her--our--belief as worldly, which, to be fair, everyone, including myself, had said the same about his.
My point is that unless we are willing to suffer another view, how can we expect them to, let alone accept it as truth?
One of the biggest things I have wanting, since becoming a Christian and learning of church ways, was to have a place under the authority of Christians, but yet still allow for free speech and discussion, as long as each person is treated with respect, even if their beliefs are not.
Deleting this person, despite his unbiblical beliefs (I'll add in my opinion even though, if I truly believe something, I don't consider it my opinion), I think was wrong. Maybe I missed a part of the site stating what he did wrong that we didn't or maybe he did something somewhere else in the forum that was against the rules and had nothing to do with his abortion/alien beliefs. It's always a possibility that I missed something concerning this, but it feels like we pushed him away instead of helping to correct so that he may be closer to the truth. I know he ticked people off and touched nerves, but the Lord is slow to anger and winks at sin.
There is another aspect to this though, Phoenyx. Unfortunately, you can get people on here with other motives. In other words, a troll. Such people are not even remotely interested in the truth, they are simply trying to be argumentative. i.e., atheists can sign up under a bogus name, stating bogus intentions, with a bogus profile, simply to come on here and rail on people.
Sadly, there is no hope in instructing such people, because they are only here for one reason: To cause trouble.
I'm a very patient guy when it comes to accepting people where they are at. I've worked with the drug addicts, the friendless, the homeless, and the hopeless. I am, by nature, a real softy at heart - I hate hurting people.
But the Lord brought me through a time in my life where he brought two wonderful people into my life to harden me. They were unbelievably manipulative, and one of the things I learned was that manipulation is one of the most wicked, evil, destructive things a person can do. They destroy all their relationships, and they WILL destroy all of your relationships if you let them touch you.
Take a look at the words of Christ - some of the things he said the Pharisees; they were not nice - calling them vipers and such. He held out no hope for them - "How can ye escape the damnation of hell?" Yes, even Jesus Christ himself could not save some people.
The Lord hardened me - but it was a good thing; I likened it to hardening steel. It's hardening with a purpose. I still do not like to hurt people - in fact, if you like to hurt people, there's a problem. But if hurting someone with the truth accomplishes a goal, then hurt them I must. It just hurts me at the same time.
And even then, sometimes there is no hope - and all you can do is hurt them with the truth - if they respond, then well, if not, then the truth should be spoken anyway.
And sometimes, asking a person to leave is the only solution.
Well we will never know what his motives were, as we do not know his heart. My thoughts as I read his profile were that he is very troubled and needs our prayers. So lets all continue to pray for him.
I was the bad guy. I reported him and asked that the moderators keep an eye on his posts. I don't know if he was a troll or just someone WAY misled, but I thought he was dangerous. It's one thing to have a differing opinion on something, but it's completely another to possibly lead people astray. There are MANY that are new in the Lord here, and the thought of someone believing some of his borderline blasphemous remarks led me to - after praying about it - report him.
Pro 6:16-19 These six things the LORD hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.
I have been and will continue to pray for him. However, I thought he was just too "far out there."
Second, Linnie, I don't think you are a bad person. In fact, your strength concerning your blessed pregnancy always brings me to tears when I tell people about you, and people I know call me the Ice Queen to say how touching your story was.
Lydia, agreed that he as much as anyone needs prayers and I really hope that the comments here made him at least think that there was a possibility he had missed something concerning an unborn child. I appreciate that someone can come in even when things are bad and offer something positive.
Ian, I have to say first that Christ can save anyone. He controls the hearts of men. I am a God-Sovereignist/Reformed Theologian/Calvinist, whatever clears up how I believe on that matter.
Anyway, it's a good point about trolls, but I also think that the Lord provides us with strength, patience and kindness. Remember with Him, His will always succeed.
I am very sorry for your experiences with manipulative people, but at the same time we should be thankful for them as the Lord breaks us down to build us up. I don't think we were given those experiences to harden us, because the Bible speaks ill of hard hearts, but to strengthen and purify us. The fire only burns out the imperfections of metals and gems, and teaches us what to look out for and to not do the same.
I actually thought everyone was doing great at countering his comments. It's better to have such a discussion dominated by His where a new believer can come in and see the different points. If the Lord gives that believer understanding, which hopefully He will, then it's a blessing to be used for that. And not just for new believers. I think it's a chance for older believers to test their steel against another's, sharpening it for when the true battles start. He may or may not have been a Christian, I'll leave that up to the Lord, but he did provide an opportunity for some real biblical debate.
Thank you all for your thoughts and many blessings to you all.
And Phoenyx, please understand also that I did not ask that his profile be deleted. I was just concerned and wanted any future posts from him to be monitored. If I did the wrong thing by reporting him, I am truly sorry. It wasn't my intention to throw anyone "back into the world."
It wasn't so much the abortion topic he spoke about, but the life on other planets ideas he had. To say that God was hiding the truth from everyone but he figured it out...saying that basically God created life only to later destroy it....that was too much for me. I was a little worried about what he might produce next.
Again, please know that I didn't report him out of anger, but out of concern from my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Miss Phoenyx and everyone, I also am guilty for blowing the whistle, requesting ElCapitan be watched, being concerned with his off beat opinions. Did not intend to have him deleted.
I also can understand and agree to some of all viewpoints here for having him with us , the man sure got us talking didn't he?
But tend to agree more with Lynn, this guy's views are a danger, and also Ian, Ole Charles Barkley could pick this guy up and Rag Doll him to the point of silly, shouting the truth in scripture all the while and not get through to him.
But yes we can all agree that God is the one who changes hearts and nothing is impossible for him, so as Lydia has suggested we should remember him in our prayers that the Lord soften his heart for life and not :devil:
