Here is what happened to me a couple months ago. I was giving out hearts, thumbs up, green checks, and medals to a certain member and this member gave me a 'boring' reaction icon. I almost started to give that member red X's but thought the better of it. It probably would've felt good at the time though.
I hear what you are saying, my beloved friend.
The Purpose of the 2ndTimothyGroup is to be a positive, supportive light, especially towards those who are struggling and suffering. If a person, or family, is in deep need of anything at all, the goal of 2TG is to give. I should clarify: 2TG is a concept group of people that never got lifted off the ground. This concept group was not supported by the church I attended for 7 months. Eventually, the "group", as small as it was, completely disbanded . . . no one wanted to participate in giving their time, money, and physical effort to anyone that was in need. Needless to say, it was shocking to see that the "best" people in a community were uninterested in helping others.
One of the greatest aspects of this group of people was that it could have been operated by youth. For example, children could have held the title of "Bookkeeper," "President," "Manager," "Marketing Specialist," "Accountant," or, whatever title someone thought would be a good idea. The idea is to support not only the community in general, but to support our children as well. Of course, we would have found child who had parents that we already Accountants to ensure that the position would be handled properly, but the credit would have been accredited to the child themselves. The purpose? When it came time for that child to apply for his or her first job, they could literally place "President," "Marketing Manager", etc, on their resume and cover letter.
What I am getting at is this: 2TG is a group that is intended to support people. How can we be a supportive group of people if members were running around and handing out Red X's, Thumbs down, Zzzzz's to indicate that a person is boring, Sad faces, Red Angry faces, or Time Clocks that indicate that something is "Old" (whatever that means)? Would that reflect well on a person if they're out and in this forum acting like the "Post Quality Control" Police?
Lynne has offered 31 posts and given 15 negative reactions to posts. That is a 48% negative reaction to posts in relationship to her actual posts. Let's do some math. When Lynn offers 1000 posts, "she" will have given 480 negative reactions. Is that someone that you want around your children . . . grandchildren? Or, how would that go over in a church? How would you feel about someone in your church running around and putting negative stickers on your shoulder 48% of the time when you spoke? Would you appreciate that? Do you see what I'm getting at? To be in disagreement with someone is one thing, but how would you feel if a person in your church not only disagreed 48% of the time, but literally placed a sticker on you that indicated they were angry, upset, disagreed, found you to be boring, sad, or a time clock to indicate that you're old in some way? Can you honestly say that this kind of person would be a positive impact in your church? No, that person would eventually be kicked out . . . I guarantee it.
Now, Christian Chat can run their site however they want. I, however, do not appreciate these emojis at all, which is why if you look at the reactions that I have given, not one is negative in any way, shape or form. I find it enough to simply agree without placing attention upon myself by issuing the "stickers," or, emojis upon people's threads. I think that it's childish and damaging at the same time. That is my opinion. And so if a person is supported by having this kind of presence, my simple opinion shouldn't be a problem either. Therefore, we can choose to support and defend a person who has this kind of presence, or we can come at and continue to attack me. Either way, I will end up being the one that has the fingers pointed at me . . . so be it. Even though I seek to defend others, (and have actually been kicked out of a site for doing so) it does not affect how I feel about myself.
In conclusion: Do you think your time would be better spent questioning a person who is negative or question a person like me who is trying to stop it?
