Let's settle this once and for all....

OnTheWayOut

I am not mocking a thread with the same words in the title. I liked that thread question and am imitating it.

Anyway, some people on JWN have decided that words have absolute definitions and others recognize common usage.
Some have decided that everyone must have "beliefs" that go beyond "I don't know." Others feel that it is okay to not know.
Some feel that beliefs fall into generalities such as "Atheists believe in evolution and the big bang" or "Believers in the [God of the] Bible believe in the literal history of the Bible."

Some people feel that they can post their innermost thoughts or very different beliefs here and that anyone questioning them is mocking or ridiculing or persecuting them. I (years ago) posted some information about my wife and a poster commented, "Divorce the bitch." I knew he didn't know much about my situation and feelings but I also knew this is a semi-public forum and that by posting, I am inviting such comments. I overlooked that (possibly callous) comment and still appreciate that poster's straightforwardness to this day.

Okay, so let's settle this once and for all....

Is it okay to post skepticism and disbelief in what people post (without violating posting rules)?
Is it okay to expect only warm, positive, supportive replies to comments on JWN?
Can we actually expect to "settle this once and for all..." by posting authoritative comments?
When posters are pontificating or stating opinions more so than inquiring of others, can we agree that it is okay to disagree, and that such disagreements might get "nasty" but at the end of the thread, we should all put it behind us?

cantleave

Is it okay to post skepticism and disbelief in what people post (without violating posting rules)?

Yes it is called debating.

Is it okay to expect only warm, positive, supportive replies to comments on JWN?

No, that would not constitute a discussion forum.

Can we actually expect to "settle this once and for all..." by posting authoritative comments?

No, because even authorative comments can be wrong!

When posters are pontificating or stating opinions more so than inquiring of others, can we agree that it is okay to disagree, and that such disagreements might get "nasty" but at the end of the thread, we should all put it behind us?

No one is going to die because of what some else has written on an internet discussion forum.

snowbird

Is it okay to post skepticism and disbelief in what people post (without violating posting rules)?

Yes, by all means.

Is it okay to expect only warm, positive, supportive replies to comments on JWN?

No, of course not.

Can we actually expect to "settle this once and for all..." by posting authoritative comments?

Never may that happen!

When posters are pontificating or stating opinions more so than inquiring of others, can we agree that it is okay to disagree, and that such disagreements might get "nasty" but at the end of the thread, we should all put it behind us?

Indeed we can and should.

Kudos to you.

Syl

VoidEater

I think you already know the answers. The only one I feel compelled to respond to is:

Can we actually expect to "settle this once and for all..." by posting authoritative comments?

Nothing on this board will settle anything. It's an ongoing discussion, like the rest of life.

Magwitch

I love a quote from the old WBTS Family book. Paraphrasing ..."Learn to disagree without being disagreeable" Very wise words - must have been a quote from Ray.

undercover

Nothing on this board will settle anything. It's an ongoing discussion, like the rest of life.

True dat. A good debate is nice now and then, but in the end everyone ends up in the corner they came out of and no one is awarded the champions belt.

OnTheWayOut

I am not going to agree or disagree with anyone on this thread. The above posters already get the point.

Thanks. Feel free to add other things that we can (or cannot) settle once and for all here.

serenitynow!

Is it okay to post skepticism and disbelief in what people post (without violating posting rules)?

Yes

Is it okay to expect only warm, positive, supportive replies to comments on JWN?

Is it okay? Sure

Is it realistic? No

Alot of us are exercising our rights to freedom of thought and expression that have been denied us for so long in the org. We don't all have to agree on everything anymore. We can have different beliefs and opinions. Sometimes the things we say are not "seasoned with salt." We must never forget that although we do share a bond due to our cult experience, this is still the internet. You may get your feelings hurt.

Can we actually expect to "settle this once and for all..." by posting authoritative comments?

No.

When posters are pontificating or stating opinions more so than inquiring of others, can we agree that it is okay to disagree, and that such disagreements might get "nasty" but at the end of the thread, we should all put it behind us?

I think that we should be able to agree to disagree. I also think that we need to find a way to interact with others whose views are diametrically opposed to ours without making that person feel stupid or wrong.

undercover

Feel free to add other things that we can (or cannot) settle once and for all here.

Does minimus ask too many damn questions?

JWoods

but in the end everyone ends up in the corner they came out of and no one is awarded the champions belt.

Except for that time a poster revealed a pro-JW troll for having a demonic sexy witch picture for an avatar. That poster RULED and the troll was OWNED!!!

Let's settle this once and for all....

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