There is a lot to be said for novel ideas about blogging in general, and SBC blogging, in specifics. One thing is certain; "semantics" is relative, just as perception is subjective. In other words:
Not all words are defined the same. Not all phrases carry the same weight for all folks, nor are all things practiced equally.
Not all people believe all means all. So, since "all" does not mean "all", rules and regulations fluctuate in application according to how some determine their application. Guidelines are subject to change. Understanding this, makes it harder to decide what is appropriate, acceptable, permissible and, yes, even "Christian" within the blogging community. People do what they think is right in their own eyes.
Other voices say: "Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things." Proverbs 8:7
If what we speak is worthy to be heard, and it is a right thing, then the only one who deems it unworthy or wrong is one who disagrees with it. Does that make it so?
"All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them." Proverbs 8:8
Since we are made righteous in Christ, and if words we say are not vulgar, hate-filled, or angry, then there is nothing "froward or perverse" in them. Shouldn't they be allowed audience? Not always.
"They are plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge." Proverbs 8:9
To the one who clearly understands the words used, the motive behind them, the intent in offering them, the words are "plain", their meaning clear. When one chooses to use certain words which are based on "knowledge" they possess, then the words should be right and therefore "acceptable" in the sight of those who read them or hear them. Correct? Not so fast. Those who read, or hear, do so through a sieve of their own system of belief through which they decipher, analyze, and compare to past experiences, knowledge and sometimes emotions and insecurities.
"Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it." Proverbs 8:10-11
Just because a person's words do not bring the reward one seeks, does not mean the instruction is a failure. It means the receiver has failed to heed instruction. The receiver chooses not to receive knowledge which is far more acceptable and valuable than gold. Wisdom is priceless. "All the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it." When one offers a Word of wisdom to folks, and it is not received, the foolish continue in their foolishness and the ignorant in their ignorance. Therefore, if you will, a word from Wisdom:
"I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth do I hate." Proverbs 8:12-13
Wisdom dwells with prudence. Prudence is wisdom's help-meet. Prudence is ones counselor and self-control button. Prudence shows wisdom when and where and to whom to speak and how. When others fail to recognize wisdom and discount prudence as ill-timed or unacceptable, then pride gives way to arrogance, and arrogance gives a foothold to evil and an undisciplined gossip-laden tongue.
Evaluation takes a measure of time. Introspection takes a precision sharp scalpel handed over to the King of Kings to help one discern that which is a knowledgeable truth or vicious gossip. A froward and evil tongue is not something one should be proud of exercising. Nor should it be something anyone tolerates. It is willful contrariness, unmanageable, difficult to deal with; and is born of an evil disposition.
The beauty in knowing this is an immeasurable amount of control exercised over one who comments. The difficulty in that is the stifling and oppression of dissent. For instance, a forum is open to discussion, however, if you disagree you are only able to disagree within the confines of anothers standard of disagreement. Even if you are honest, forthright, and have a reputation of consistent "niceness", your words can be interpreted as "unacceptable" for public consumption based upon the readers opinion at the moment. Nothing you have said in the past is relevant to the present unless your words today are said with an agreeable way consistent with a past nature. Even then they are subject to re-evaluating based upon one moderators viewpoint, mood, or emotional bent.
Should you want to disagree in an open forum, recognize that in some cases, depending upon what you say, you do not have the liberty or freedom to say it. You only have the liberty and freedom to NOT say it. It's a tricky world.
I find this a rather hypocritical position for an open-forum format to offer an unsuspecting public. In one guideline and ruling, they are told they are allowed to debate, discuss, and disagree. Yet, when a dissenting comment is made, another is told that if you do not agree with a particular post, "you are free to not comment". But you are not free to disagree with the premise of the post or the author of the post on its face. You must detail, in 5-pt fashion (I exaggerate, use as many points as you want), what it is you find objectionable in the post. After you spend several minutes detailing your dissent, you are still subject to having it slapped down and sent to Siberia. You are labeled a "froward" writer. Froward writers have a penchant for being disagreeable. Forward writers advance the conversation of a subject matter. However, in some cases, the froward writer creates a greater catalyst to the subject matter than one who is a forward writer.
My problem in all this is that I tend to be a bit backward in my approach. So, for me? I find it's easier to not give an opinion and avoid hassles and confrontation. I find great wisdom in the latter portion of "speak now or forever hold your piece". Few can delete what is not written, or argue with the truth or untruth of it. It can make for a rather boring and lonely existence and blog-experience, though; don't you think? selahV
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