Bashing Christians and Teens

What did we do?

from JoeUser Forums
Ok, so I bet you've all read Capt. Cornbread's article titled, Gay WHAT?? Things are really starting to heat up over there. I bet half you people wouldn't have read it if it was titled somthing else. People over there are bashing us Christians like crazy! Me and Capt. inpeticular. Why are they bashing us for what we believe in? We aren't bashing them for what they believe in. Well not yet at least. If it continues......well.....i think you're getting where that's going. I mean, what's wrong with someone having their choices, their beliefs, and their opinions?? The answer......absolutly nothing!

Ok there have come to be three sides to this whole gay thing. Side one believes that gay marriage is wrong in Christian churches and courtrooms. Side two believes that being gay and getting married gay is completly fine in churches and courtrooms. And then you have side three which is undecied. It shouldn't matter what you believe is right or wrong. I mean who cares if it's a fact or opinion?? Well obviously some of us on here care so much that we all have to argue about it.

This is so childish like of us. I mean most of the "adults" on here are the ones acting childish. They're going around bashing people for their beliefs. Us "teens" are not going around doing that to others. I think the teens on here being myself, Capt. Cornbread, deathbybeebles, zoologist03, apdelong, and blondelife are all being mature about this situation about the gays. I don't think I've bashed anyone yet over there at Capt.'s. Or really even anywhere. But if I have I probably didnt mean it. But you guys are turning this into a really big deal!! Get over what people think!! It's their opinion and you should respect that as I do with al your guys's opinoins.

Ok this topic of the gays and arguing over what's right and wrong leads me to talk about something else. The bashing of all the teens on JU. I have come to believe that us teen christians are only getting bashed for being christians because the simple fact that we are teens. All the adults(well most if not) are seemingly against us. And some of them are Christians!! They all simply think that we're a bunch of liers or what ever you wanna call us. Ok so there are a few adults on here that are agreeing with us teen christians over on Capt.'s article, but for the majority most of them are not.

This thought makes me sick. To think you're only putting us down because we're teens. Because our opinion doesn't matter? Or we're not mature enough to talk about these things with all the adults on here. I'm sorry but I think that we are. And you shouldn't be bashing us for what we have to say.

I know the whole Ashlee Ryder thing has to do with the adults of JU thinking that all the teens on here are lying. Well from what I've read, I've come to believe that people think that it was Ashlee who made up me and Capt. Just so she could get attention or something. Yeah she lied about the baby and a lot of other things as well. But she didn't make me up and she didn't make up Capt. either. We're real people. We're not some liars that like to mess with people's minds in a bad way. We do like to voice our opinoins and not get bashed by what we have to say. Ashlee may have set a bad example for us teens, but we're not going to let that stop us from voicing our selves. Well at least I'm not and I know Capt. won't either.

So next time you get ready to bash us for our opinions, maybe you should think. Think about if we've been bashing you or not. Think about how it's going to make some of us feel. You never know. You could say something really mean. Just because we don't really know you it still hurts when you put us down and bash us like this. You have no idea how close I've come to a mental break down because of all of this. I'm sick and tired of it. I'd like to see all the bashing stopped. Is that too much to ask of you?

And when somebody makes a joke on a seriouse article, maybe it's because they're trying to lighten things up so that it doesn't get down right dirty with mean comments. Maybe they're trying to cheer things up so we all don't get into a fight. Because I don't want to see everyone against each other. The would not be the same JU family I know. I know we're better than this.

~carebear~
2,677 views 24 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Great post. I remember as a teen how hard it was to get 'adults' to listen to me. It's kinda natural sadly that they look down on teens.

IMO, It's mainly because the longer you live the more you learn about life.. and from their perspective the teen doesn't have the 'worldly' view that they do therefore their opinion should mean less. This obviously isn't always right... Teen's have a fresh perspective on life and are normally a lot more optimistic about things than older generations. (Yes, I do generalize~)

I also think their's a 4th view on the gay marriage thing... (I didn't want to talk about this much since it wasn't the main focus of the article but decided I'd put this perspective out for your knowledge ) Some of us believe that gay's should have their rights, and be allowed to wed, yet also that the churches should be allowed to not host them if they dont' want to. Each is entitled to their own rights. Gay's can't expect a institution that's base teachings 'normally' go against their way of life to accept them and allow them something against their own doctrine, just like churches can't expect everyone to be of their religion and follow their beliefs.

Ok, really hope I don't derail the main perspective of your article by saying that.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

I'm with you. I'm tired of the anti-Christian mentality. You're also right about teenagers and adults. Adults are no more "mature" than teenagers. The only difference tends to be experience (which is often wasted) and number of years lived.


As for Christians, I think people bash Christians because it's the popular thing to do. Sure, there are bad Christians, but I have yet to meet one group of people consisting entirely of angels. The problem is that people refuse to think of others as human beings with human emotions, human thoughts, and human instincts.

Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Carebear,

There are two sides to every story. The only comments that you have responded to on that thread are the ones were people are taking a shot at Christianity. I know I took a lot of time to construct two comments, both of which were holy ignored. You can't flame fires and then cry foul when you get burned.

Second, Capt's "joke" was made in leiu of actually responding to a well-thought out post by citahellion. If you put time and effort into engaging someone in a debate, into thoughtfully putting forth positions in a respectful manner and the other person responds with a barely laughable one-liner, don't you think you'd be annoyed?

All that said, welcome to the world of joeuser. It's not just the "teens" that are getting bashed. Click on the poliltical link every now and again and you will see some of the most childish debates in the history of mankind. It doesn't make it right, but you can take some heart in knowing it's not directed solely at you

Anyway, chin up, you and Capt are valued members of this community. Just remember that next time someone gives you a hard time!
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

Carebear:


I think that the time has come to let the Ashlee issue drop.  To be honest, that never even entered my mind when I was reading and responding to that article.  You seem you have a bigger hang up with that than the rest of the 'adults' do.


Shades hit the nail on the head with her comment about Capt.'s joke. 


Christian bashing is to be expected, unfortunately.  Especially when your response to a situation is 'it's wrong because my pastor/church/the bible says it's wrong'.  I want you to think things through for yourself, Carebear.  You're smart, you can figure out things...it just irks me that you would not question someone else's viewpoint.  You did a good job questioning the viewpoint of those that opposed you - see if you can turn that around and question what you're being told in church.  If you come up with the same answer, that's wonderful - because you will have thought it out for yourself, and you will be able to stand on your OWN beliefs, not those that have been spoon fed to you by another.


As for Joseph's assertion that: Adults are no more "mature" than teenagers. The only difference tends to be experience (which is often wasted) and number of years lived.  Can it not be said that maturity comes from experience?  Or at least, wisdom? 


 

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
I also think their's a 4th view on the gay marriage thing... (I didn't want to talk about this much since it wasn't the main focus of the article but decided I'd put this perspective out for your knowledge ) Some of us believe that gay's should have their rights, and be allowed to wed, yet also that the churches should be allowed to not host them if they dont' want to. Each is entitled to their own rights. Gay's can't expect a institution that's base teachings 'normally' go against their way of life to accept them and allow them something against their own doctrine, just like churches can't expect everyone to be of their religion and follow their beliefs.Ok, really hope I don't derail the main perspective of your article by saying that.


Well I really never thought of a fourth point of view. But good point. And don't worry, it may not be the main focus of my article, but it all realates somehow.

I'm with you. I'm tired of the anti-Christian mentality. You're also right about teenagers and adults. Adults are no more "mature" than teenagers. The only difference tends to be experience (which is often wasted) and number of years lived.


Well some of them are more mature. And I do think it might have something to do with years lived. But then on the other hand you have the adults acting so childish it's not even funny. Not to be mean, but some of them don't even makes sense when they say something.

Shades~ Yeah, I've taken a look at some of the political articles. And yes there are some really childish fights on there as well. But it's like all of a sudden people have taking a liking to bashing teens and blaming us for things that we didn't do. And with the one-liner, it had nothing to do with the long thought out comment. I think it had to do with one of Cs-guys comments that was simply joking around too. I'm pretty sure someone took the time to take the long look over the serious comment.

Anyway, chin up, you and Capt are valued members of this community. Just remember that next time someone gives you a hard time!

Maybe I'll think of that next time!!

I think that the time has come to let the Ashlee issue drop. To be honest, that never even entered my mind when I was reading and responding to that article. You seem you have a bigger hang up with that than the rest of the 'adults' do.


Yeah, but still, i think it might have had something to do with the teen bashing. I forget who brought up the subject in one of my earlier articles, but it made me think about that. I thought maybe that was why. And I have been trying to question myself, but still have came up with no answer.

~carebear~
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
I think it had to do with one of Cs-guys comments that was simply joking around too.

Nope. Absolutely not. The only comment I had within a reasonable distance prior to that remark was a breakdown of how the decalogue is not the basis for our laws.

I did have a comment AFTER captain's remark asking citahellion if he was advocating removing our organs that generate hormones because of his response to captain's comment.


Yeah, but still, i think it might have had something to do with the teen bashing.

It has about as much to do with teen bashing as my disagreement with a black man about abortion has to do with racism. You can't just assume that people are bashing teens just because they disagree with you. Well, you can assume that, but I would not suggest it because it is a very bad assumption.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
And when somebody makes a joke on a seriouse article, maybe it's because they're trying to lighten things up so that it doesn't get down right dirty with mean comments. Maybe they're trying to cheer things up so we all don't get into a fight.

I think Captain threw that defense out the window when he chose his title and the content of his article. Starting with the title this article was designed to draw conflicting comments.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
shadesofgrey said:
comments that you have responded to on that thread are the ones were people are taking a shot at Christianity. I know I took a lot of time to construct two comments, both of which were holy ignored.


Nice pun, shades.

Carebear said:
And when somebody makes a joke on a serious article, maybe it's because they're trying to lighten things up


It's one thing to make a joke in the course of a discussion, to make it clear that you're not getting too serious or becoming offended. It's rather different when you make a joke that is dismissive of the argument presented and then completely fail to continue the debate in any way; that is being disrespectful to the person with whom you are conversing.

Speaking of becoming offended, Carebear, I think you're reading a little too much into some of the things that were said over there. Yes, there is some denigrating of stereotypical Christian/religious behaviour going on. For the most part, though, I'd say that things have remained very civil. Just remember that we are not trying to make you feel that you are bad or evil or selfish or whatever, we are only trying to explain to you why we believe that your opinion is incorrect. Since Cpt. Cornbread posted the article and asked for comments, I'd say we are well within the bounds of reasonability to do so. If you're not interested in hearing that sort of thing, stop reading the thread.
For myself, I will say that nothing I have written over there was intended to be taken as a slap at Christianity in general or to your belief in it.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top

As for Joseph's assertion that: Adults are no more "mature" than teenagers. The only difference tends to be experience (which is often wasted) and number of years lived. Can it not be said that maturity comes from experience? Or at least, wisdom?


True, maturity and wisdom definitely can come from experience, but there are plenty of adults that act as though they haven't learned anything. I guess what I really meant was that there are as many immature adults as there are immature teenagers.

Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
I guess what I really meant was that there are as many immature adults as there are immature teenagers.

I really have to disagree here. Your experience may be different, but I do think that age brings a measure of wisdom and maturity. If that is the case then the math doesn't support your statement, since the adult population would be made up of people who were mature as teenagers, plus those who grew into maturity. Or maybe you are saying that the number of people gaining wisdom with age is balanced by an equal number of wise teenagers that lose that trait.
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
Well, I guess I would be one of those people whom you accuse of "bashing Christians." After one of my posts, you responded saying that I shouldn't call your or your family "stupid." I then responded pointing out that I didn't call anyone stupid, and that the word "bigot" would be a better choice.

Again though, I didn't call ALL Christians bigots. I said that many are though, so discussions about this type of things are wasted on them, since they're only going to believe what they were told by their pastor, what they believe the Bible says, or what they or their group of friends have decided upon as religious dogma.

Not to harp on the word "bigot" though, but I think that word has gotten a bad rap. Let say you believe something having to do with your faith, and no amount of discussion is ever going to change your view of that certain something. This would make you a bigot in regards to that belief. This doesn't have to be viewed as a bad thing though. You could easily just say that you have strong convictions

I just skimmed through the posts again, and couldn't find anyone 'bashing teens' though. As was previously mentioned, don't assume just because somebody disagrees with you that it's just because of the certain demographic you fall under. This same reaction happens a lot when certain people pull the 'race card' too quickly.

I also believe you're a little off when it comes to the battle-lines that have been drawn on the gay marriage thing. True, one group believes that gay marriage is completely wrong and shouldn't be done in the church or courtroom, but I believe most of the others, myself included, believe that nobody is trying to force gay marriages into people's churches. If a specific church decides to allow for it, then so be it. I believe most people are just talking about allowing gay marriages in courtrooms.

I'm already rambling, but I feel like rambling a little more about something I just mentioned. I made a reference to people who pull the 'race card' a little too quickly. I'd like to share a quick story about something like that:

So, my wife and I were driving to lunch one fine afternoon when the traffic in our lane completely stopped very suddenly. The car in front of us barely stopped before hitting the car in front of him. I slammed on my brakes, and my Tacoma's ABS stuttered me to a stop almost touching the car in front of me. Well, the lady behind me barely hit the brakes before wedging her car under the bed of my truck and shoving me into the car in front of me. The car behind her obviously could stop in time, and it turn into a 4 car accident.

Well, all the cars were able to still be driven except one... the lady who hit me. So, we all pull the side of the road, and rush out to make sure that she was okay. She was a little shaken up, and her car was completely smashed, but she was basically alright.

The police showed up pretty quickly, and started trying to figure out what happened. After everyone told their story of incident, he started handing out little pieces of paper that we all filled out with contact information, and insurance information. These were then handled to those people who you were ‘responsible’ for the damages to their cars.

The officer, who was very nice to everyone, explained that the lady behind me was responsible for the damage to the back of my truck, and the damage to the back of the car in front of me… because she pushed me INTO him. There was barely any damage to the car in front of me though, since I was almost touching him before I was hit.

She went into a rant about how there was no way she could have stopped in time and such, and that it wasn’t fair… and then BOOM, “It’s because I’m black isn’t it?!?” “you racist bastard!!” she starts yelling all of this to the cop.

Okay, I’ll now take a little time to point out everyone’s race. I’m white, and so was the cop and the guy in front of me. The last guy in the accident line was black, and obviously the lady who hit me was black. So, you’ve got a white cop, tell the black lady that she’s responsible for the two white peoples’ cars.

The lady’s husband finally shows up, and trys to figure out what’s going on, and why his wife is acting like a lunatic. After hearing the situation he was SO embarrassed because of his wife’s behavior. He basically just shuffled her away, and apologized as much as he could for her behavior.

I felt so sorry for the cop. It’s a hot afternoon in Alabama, and he standing around on hot highway trying to make sure everything gets taken care of. He was very professional. …and then BOOM having someone accuse you of being a racist. I would have been REALLY pissed off.

Anyway, I don’t know why I felt like sharing a story that has NOTHING to do with what we’re talking about here… but I guess that’s what blogs are for.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
Nice pun, shades.


I wish it was a case of me being clever rather than a case of thinking faster than my little fingers can type! Oh well!
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
I wish it was a case of me being clever rather than a case of thinking faster than my little fingers can type! Oh well!


To be honest, I thought that might have been the case, but I figured I'd give you the benefit of the doubt. It was still amusing anyway.
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
Bashing everyone goes through it. I go through it with my friends all the time and of course you will have it with people you don't know. They really don't think before they type. I do most of the time but sometimes i don't. I know we get bashed on a lot for being teens but we know how it feels and we won't do it when we get older. If you do do it then you are doing the same thing they are. So be bigger and fight through it powerfully. I know all of us me you and capt. and the rest can get through this. Well i am here to talk if you need to carebear.

~blondelife~
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
carebear,

First off, bashing happens regularly on this site. I do not know of a single regular poster that doesn't get bashed with regularity.

Secondly, Captain brought a lot of it on himself by using a controversial title with nothing to do with the blog subject, and then expecting everyone to bring it around to the subject he wanted to discuss. You might say he hijacked his own thread, in a roundabout way.

As was said before, you are valued as contributors on the site. YOU, not a single one of us, have been the one using the term "teen bloggers"; to us, you are bloggers, your age is irrelevant.

And as poetmom said, the thing you might want to look at is your defense for your position on the gay issue. I'm not saying you're wrong, but I AM saying your answer should come through study and not blindly through someone else's words. Remember, "someone else's words" led a bunch of people to Guyana to their deaths in the 70's.
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top

Remember, "someone else's words" led a bunch of people to Guyana to their deaths in the 70's.


I think she might be a bit too young for that, Gid.....Carebear, it was the Rev Jim Jones and he had his followers drink cyanide laced Koolaide and commit mass suicide.


You can read about it here:Link


 

Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
I did have a comment AFTER captain's remark asking citahellion if he was advocating removing our organs that generate hormones because of his response to captain's comment.


Ok, sorry about that. From my understanding that's what was going on.

Well, I guess I would be one of those people whom you accuse of "bashing Christians." After one of my posts, you responded saying that I shouldn't call your or your family "stupid." I then responded pointing out that I didn't call anyone stupid, and that the word "bigot" would be a better choice.


I never said that you called any of us stupid.


First off, bashing happens regularly on this site. I do not know of a single regular poster that doesn't get bashed with regularity.


Yeah I've come to realize that bashing happens regularly. But it seems that all of it has been towards us teens lately. I'm not saying that you're necesarilly doing it on purpose or anything, but it just seems that we're getting bashed all of a sudden. And from the looks of it on Capt.'s article the only christians over there getting bashed are teens. Maybe, maybe not.

~carebear~
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top

I really have to disagree here. Your experience may be different, but I do think that age brings a measure of wisdom and maturity. If that is the case then the math doesn't support your statement, since the adult population would be made up of people who were mature as teenagers, plus those who grew into maturity. Or maybe you are saying that the number of people gaining wisdom with age is balanced by an equal number of wise teenagers that lose that trait


The ratio of immaturity to maturity is probably higher for teenagers, but an adult who is immature is infinitely worse. Teenagers have lack of experience and hormones to justify their immaturity.


This is why I feel that it goes something like this:


Mature Adults => Mature Teens > Immature Teens > Immature Adults

Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top
And from the looks of it on Capt.'s article the only christians over there getting bashed are teens.


I am Christian, and the reason I am not getting bashed is, I agree to disagree. I feel it is a fruitless endeavour to try to legislate morality, and believe that responsible adults have the right to make decisions governing their lives...even if I feel they are stupid decisions.

Carebear, you have a right to your beliefs, and you SHOULD stand firm for them. But standing firm does not necessarily mean engaging in a confrontational setting...you can stand just as firm and be silent...in fact, it's a much more effective rebuttal, I have found.
Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top
...you can stand just as firm and be silent


i agree with that. I have said somethings on my article and on other peoples i should have kept to myself, but i didn't and i learned from it.

~blondelife~
Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top
Carebear, you have a right to your beliefs, and you SHOULD stand firm for them. But standing firm does not necessarily mean engaging in a confrontational setting...you can stand just as firm and be silent...in fact, it's a much more effective rebuttal, I have found


Well when one of my friends posted an article on here. All I heard was that some people were going around bashing me for me and my beliefs. So I decided to question with this article.

i agree with that. I have said somethings on my article and on other peoples i should have kept to myself, but i didn't and i learned from it


Yes, but when you're a very curious person.....well you get the jist.

~carebear~
Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top
I sorta remember being a teen and people making fun of me but then again I was hurrled into adult hood and quick learning with almost being a father and the death of two children and a myraid of other shit... so to say one gains wisdom as they get old I presonally think is crap, I think its the person whom is gaining the wisdom... no amount of age nor the direct lack thereof can disqualify someone for it but this is just me..
Reply #23 from JoeUser Forums Top
I totally agree Cann1bal!!

~carebear~
Reply #24 from JoeUser Forums Top
I agree with you too Cann1bal about the whole wisdom thingy.

~blondelife~