Taking a break, potentially for good from here in 2024

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SanderB

Guest
I don't get the point of posting a thread saying you're leaving the site in a couple months.
A few days before, sure. But months ahead? Seems a ploy for attention more than anything.
Well, I had to bring up that we are living in a very divisive time.
 

SimonG

New member
Aug 5, 2023
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Hello SanderB, I totally get where you're coming from. I'm currently on Quora and it has become so infiltrated with trolls and atheists looking to bate Christians into a never-ending debate. They generally have no foundation or facts to back up any of their arguments, yet they continue through anger and crude remarks when they can't cage you.

I receive about 20 plus questions a day and it's to the point now that I will pass on about 75% of them. Complete garbage. Yes there are some who are sincere, truly looking for understanding in scripture. But my problem is I may have become a little jaded. So how I overcome that is I look at their bio before responding and it clearly tells me which direction to go.

I'm new on here, and was hoping that this isn't such a place.
 

SimonG

New member
Aug 5, 2023
3
5
3
Something else I noticed about this site that's giving me caution. Is the usernames, some of them very dark, many others have a very worldly sense to them. I'm already becoming disappointed in finding this site note to be Christian dominated.
 

Underwhosewings

Well-known member
Jan 19, 2023
1,318
670
113
Australia
Something else I noticed about this site that's giving me caution. Is the usernames, some of them very dark, many others have a very worldly sense to them. I'm already becoming disappointed in finding this site note to be Christian dominated.
This website is what we make it to be.

Ephesians 6:12-18 KJV
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
[14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
[15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
[16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
[17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
[18] Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
 

PennEd

Senior Member
Apr 22, 2013
13,581
9,099
113
there is bickering on this site.
You mean there are actual humans, with emotions and differing opinions, that sometimes get's overly passionate?

Yep.

Can you please direct us to the PERFECT site, that has NONE of that?
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
42,582
17,050
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69
Tennessee
Something else I noticed about this site that's giving me caution. Is the usernames, some of them very dark, many others have a very worldly sense to them. I'm already becoming disappointed in finding this site note to be Christian dominated.
To understand how a username came about you would have to spend considerable time to learn who the members are and what they are about. This will go a long way towards giving you an understanding in this regard. Sounds like you are already giving up on this site without even giving it a chance. I find this to be, as you have stated, disappointing.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
42,582
17,050
113
69
Tennessee
I don't get the point of posting a thread saying you're leaving the site in a couple months.
A few days before, sure. But months ahead? Seems a ploy for attention more than anything.
Yeah, we have seen this same ploy many times in the past.
 
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SanderB

Guest
You mean there are actual humans, with emotions and differing opinions, that sometimes get's overly passionate?

Yep.

Can you please direct us to the PERFECT site, that has NONE of that?
Yeah, there is no such thing as a perfect site, but it was a lot better back in 2018.
 
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SanderB

Guest
Hello SanderB, I totally get where you're coming from. I'm currently on Quora and it has become so infiltrated with trolls and atheists looking to bate Christians into a never-ending debate. They generally have no foundation or facts to back up any of their arguments, yet they continue through anger and crude remarks when they can't cage you.

I receive about 20 plus questions a day and it's to the point now that I will pass on about 75% of them. Complete garbage. Yes there are some who are sincere, truly looking for understanding in scripture. But my problem is I may have become a little jaded. So how I overcome that is I look at their bio before responding and it clearly tells me which direction to go.

I'm new on here, and was hoping that this isn't such a place.
Amen brother. That is why I stay off of Quora. We must be careful before we post as Christians, or else we feed the trolls. :)
 

Moses_Young

Well-known member
Sep 15, 2019
9,982
5,542
113
Yeah, there is no such thing as a perfect site, but it was a lot better back in 2018.
Ha, ha. No, time has simply showed all the lying Communist sympathisers what we so-called "conspiracy theorists" had been claiming all along was correct. Now we have the added advantage of demonstrating to any shills left and their listeners that they bet the farm on the covid hoax, or the vaxx hoax, or some other Communist-inspired plot, and lost, so it's not like they should be trusted ever again.
 
Sep 19, 2023
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Actually, the constitution simply describes and protects the rights that God has given us. That is the premise behind our system, natural law.
Honestly Communism is the closest form of government to the Christian ideal, based on all the early Christians in the book of Acts selling all their property and putting all the proceeds into one central pot for the Apostles to administer. I don't believe in it, but objectively, it is clearly what the Bible describes. I apologize in advance for the havoc this comment is going to cause. It's just weird how a lot of what we practice today is pretty far removed from things in the Bible.
 
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SanderB

Guest
Honestly Communism is the closest form of government to the Christian ideal, based on all the early Christians in the book of Acts selling all their property and putting all the proceeds into one central pot for the Apostles to administer. I don't believe in it, but objectively, it is clearly what the Bible describes. I apologize in advance for the havoc this comment is going to cause. It's just weird how a lot of what we practice today is pretty far removed from things in the Bible.
Amen brother. That is exactly what the Bible describes. :) Just not the modern 20th-21st century communism with a dictator though, but a form of communism for the greater good of the community.
 
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Gojira

Guest
Honestly Communism is the closest form of government to the Christian ideal, based on all the early Christians in the book of Acts selling all their property and putting all the proceeds into one central pot for the Apostles to administer. I don't believe in it, but objectively, it is clearly what the Bible describes. I apologize in advance for the havoc this comment is going to cause. It's just weird how a lot of what we practice today is pretty far removed from things in the Bible.
Actually, here's where you're wrong -- and no, I'm not going to flame you. Your comment does not deserve that.

Communism is the enforcement of economic equality. Harder work does not earn higher profit. The government gets to steal all that you've worked for and do with it what it pleases. That is not Biblical. And, under that system, there is no one-on-one charity from one person to another.

Even the idea of economic equality is not in the Bible. Equal and fair treatment under the law arguably is. But, God gives different gifts to different people, and harder work under His economy deserves a higher profit. If you do not work, you do not eat. Plain and simple. Job was generous, and yet he still had tons more than most -- if not all -- of his generation. Different blessings for different folks.

As for wealth redistribution, that goes back to the one-on-one thing.
 
Sep 19, 2023
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Actually, here's where you're wrong -- and no, I'm not going to flame you. Your comment does not deserve that.

Communism is the enforcement of economic equality. Harder work does not earn higher profit. The government gets to steal all that you've worked for and do with it what it pleases. That is not Biblical. And, under that system, there is no one-on-one charity from one person to another.

Even the idea of economic equality is not in the Bible. Equal and fair treatment under the law arguably is. But, God gives different gifts to different people, and harder work under His economy deserves a higher profit. If you do not work, you do not eat. Plain and simple. Job was generous, and yet he still had tons more than most -- if not all -- of his generation. Different blessings for different folks.

As for wealth redistribution, that goes back to the one-on-one thing.
Are you sure I'm wrong? You said it so certainly. When I partially agree with someone or find a measure of value in what they say, I never start my reply by telling them where they are wrong. It's rude. Plus, in the wealth redistribution among Christians in the book of Acts, it was definitely enforced. God struck Ananias and Sapphira dead, remember? Furthermore, you mentioned Job, but I could mention the Rich Young Ruler, who was specifically told by Jesus Himself to sell all that he has, give to the poor, and follow Him. And the New Testament model NEVER suggests that harder work merits greater pay. Instead, a bunch of really hard working people gave all they had and didn't keep anything for themselves. Dude, I don't see how I was wrong at all, after considering carefully all you wrote. And I am feeling a little bit irritated with you for flat out calling me wrong the way you did.
 
Sep 19, 2023
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Actually, here's where you're wrong -- and no, I'm not going to flame you. Your comment does not deserve that.

Communism is the enforcement of economic equality. Harder work does not earn higher profit. The government gets to steal all that you've worked for and do with it what it pleases. That is not Biblical. And, under that system, there is no one-on-one charity from one person to another.

Even the idea of economic equality is not in the Bible. Equal and fair treatment under the law arguably is. But, God gives different gifts to different people, and harder work under His economy deserves a higher profit. If you do not work, you do not eat. Plain and simple. Job was generous, and yet he still had tons more than most -- if not all -- of his generation. Different blessings for different folks.

As for wealth redistribution, that goes back to the one-on-one thing.
I'm sorry, Gojira, I overreacted. You were clearly trying to be kind. I am sorry. -Brian
 
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Gojira

Guest
I'm sorry, Gojira, I overreacted. You were clearly trying to be kind. I am sorry. -Brian
Not a problem. May I address your examples and explain why YOU'RE WRONG?? (I'm sorry, I'm messing with you now :D)

But, seriously, I would like to address those examples.

The couple killed by God were killed because they lied, not because they wouldn't give up their wealth. They were told that they could have kept what they wished, but they chose to lie instead. That was their sin.

The rich young ruler was told to give up his wealth specifically because Jesus knew that that was his weakness ... his idol. If wealth was bad, Solomon and Job would have been described as wicked. Even business transactions and making money is not condemned in the NT... James criticized those who were engaging in business transactions for different reasons.

Wealth is not a sin. The LOVE of it, as in its idolatrous worship, is sin, and that applies to anything else that may not be bad in and of itself, like wanting a career, sex, a home, etc.

Does this make sense?
 
Sep 19, 2023
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Not a problem. May I address your examples and explain why YOU'RE WRONG?? (I'm sorry, I'm messing with you now :D)

But, seriously, I would like to address those examples.

The couple killed by God were killed because they lied, not because they wouldn't give up their wealth. They were told that they could have kept what they wished, but they chose to lie instead. That was their sin.

The rich young ruler was told to give up his wealth specifically because Jesus knew that that was his weakness ... his idol. If wealth was bad, Solomon and Job would have been described as wicked. Even business transactions and making money is not condemned in the NT... James criticized those who were engaging in business transactions for different reasons.

Wealth is not a sin. The LOVE of it, as in its idolatrous worship, is sin, and that applies to anything else that may not be bad in and of itself, like wanting a career, sex, a home, etc.

Does this make sense?
Yeah, it makes sense. But as Jesus said, where your treasure is, there your heart will be also, meaning simply, if you have to manage wealth, it will occupy a place in your heart that it wouldn't if you were to just let go of it completely. I know that when I was more conscientious with money I felt guilty about the care that I put into it. Overall I think you're right; we do have to manage our finances, our careers, our relationship with our spouse, and all these blessings to be successful, and Jesus does tell us to be good stewards. I ultimately agree with you when it comes to living a modern life, but I think that as an ideal, living in a communal Christian system like a kibbutz or something could theoretically work if the people were united in their hearts and genuinely led by the Lord. It worked for the modern country of Israel since it was still called Palestine before 1948, and if they could do it without Jesus then we should be able to do it with Jesus. I grew up hearing the instruction that capitalism is the only system that works because it uses people's inherent selfishness as checks and balances against tyranny. I know that capitalism works relatively well. Some people think a more socialist form of government, like what they have in Scandinavia, is better. I just think that based on the pure Biblical teaching alone, it most closely describes communism, take it or leave it. And just because it's in the Bible doesn't mean it makes sense, either. Another example of this is kosher law. We say kosher is best because it protects people from pathogens, but that isn't really consistent. There's a lot of kosher law that really makes no sense. Similarly, it is not really wise to entrust all your money to church leadership and give them complete responsibility to take care of you and everyone else, but that's what the early church did. By the way, Ananias didn't lie. He didn't say anything. He just held back some of the proceeds, silently. It seems to me that it wasn't just dishonesty that got him in trouble, but at least to a partial extent, not giving everything. Also by the way, when I graduated from college, I was well positioned to get a good job, but I was very conflicted about how I ought to live my life, with regard to working for a living and taking care of my needs. I did not handle the pressure well and I put myself in a mental hospital. Then they gave me medication that destroyed my mind and body, and I never recovered. I never got the career, or sex, or much money. I have been disabled for 16 years, all stemming from not being able to deal with how to follow the Word of God as an independent adult. It is actually very sad because I was only 21 and I very quickly threw away the rest of my life. But that's what happened.
 
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Gojira

Guest
Yeah, it makes sense. But as Jesus said, where your treasure is, there your heart will be also, meaning simply, if you have to manage wealth, it will occupy a place in your heart that it wouldn't if you were to just let go of it completely. I know that when I was more conscientious with money I felt guilty about the care that I put into it. Overall I think you're right; we do have to manage our finances, our careers, our relationship with our spouse, and all these blessings to be successful, and Jesus does tell us to be good stewards. I ultimately agree with you when it comes to living a modern life, but I think that as an ideal, living in a communal Christian system like a kibbutz or something could theoretically work if the people were united in their hearts and genuinely led by the Lord. It worked for the modern country of Israel since it was still called Palestine before 1948, and if they could do it without Jesus then we should be able to do it with Jesus. I grew up hearing the instruction that capitalism is the only system that works because it uses people's inherent selfishness as checks and balances against tyranny. I know that capitalism works relatively well. Some people think a more socialist form of government, like what they have in Scandinavia, is better. I just think that based on the pure Biblical teaching alone, it most closely describes communism, take it or leave it. And just because it's in the Bible doesn't mean it makes sense, either. Another example of this is kosher law. We say kosher is best because it protects people from pathogens, but that isn't really consistent. There's a lot of kosher law that really makes no sense. Similarly, it is not really wise to entrust all your money to church leadership and give them complete responsibility to take care of you and everyone else, but that's what the early church did. By the way, Ananias didn't lie. He didn't say anything. He just held back some of the proceeds, silently. It seems to me that it wasn't just dishonesty that got him in trouble, but at least to a partial extent, not giving everything. Also by the way, when I graduated from college, I was well positioned to get a good job, but I was very conflicted about how I ought to live my life, with regard to working for a living and taking care of my needs. I did not handle the pressure well and I put myself in a mental hospital. Then they gave me medication that destroyed my mind and body, and I never recovered. I never got the career, or sex, or much money. I have been disabled for 16 years, all stemming from not being able to deal with how to follow the Word of God as an independent adult. It is actually very sad because I was only 21 and I very quickly threw away the rest of my life. But that's what happened.
I can keep discussing this and making my points, but really, I already have. It'll be up to the readers to decide what they think. As for you...

I am unsure what to say. Something is wrong somewhere, but I am not a psychological expert and don't want to offer uninformed opinions. I am sorry that things became so overwhelming for you, and that those pharmaceuticals did so much damage to you. Goodness... we all know it gets better on the other side, and we have to use that as our source of encouragement and hope. But, I do wish for people to have good earthly lives. I hope -- and I will pray tonight -- that yours gets better.
 

Moses_Young

Well-known member
Sep 15, 2019
9,982
5,542
113
Honestly Communism is the closest form of government to the Christian ideal, based on all the early Christians in the book of Acts selling all their property and putting all the proceeds into one central pot for the Apostles to administer. I don't believe in it, but objectively, it is clearly what the Bible describes. I apologize in advance for the havoc this comment is going to cause. It's just weird how a lot of what we practice today is pretty far removed from things in the Bible.
Saying Communism is the closest form of government to the Christian ideal is the same as claiming that rape is the closest thing to love. Christianity is diametrically opposed to Communism, just as love is diametrically opposed to rape.

Communism requires theft from and murder of ordinary people, in order to benefit the Communists - the epitomy of a selfish and greedy society - a satanic government, despite them claiming they don't believe in gods. Christianity is being a disciple of Christ, who, though He had everything, laid it all down - including His life - of His own free volition, in order to save sinful man.