I just figured out why I hate the nit-picking that goes on in the comment section of so many blogs.
If I respond, which I have done in the past, I’m answering someone else’s questions, not mine. I’m not writing what I think; I’m writing as a reaction to what others want said.
Enough of that.
**
The actual purpose of asking so many questions is to fool the answerer into inconsistency and, thereby, proving himself/herself wrong, which is often something the questioner cannot do.
Well, inconsistency is nothing but inconsistency. It actually proves nothing. All human beings are inconsistent. And whenever one attempts to grow, rather than to stay put and spin wheels, he/she will grow at uneven rates in different aspects of life.
I used to be a conservative Christian (and a Republican) but due to a mystical experience decided I had to change. I’ve been doing that about fifteen years now. Reading and questioning and “growing in grace.”
Yes, I believe what I now believe (and actaually what I left behind) because I am a Christian. There are many things I don’t know and a few that I do. I do know the goal is to live so that I can stand before God and hear the words, “Well done.” Of that much, I am certain. . . . And that how we treat others has a great deal to do with just Who we think God is.
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June 26, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Mike Lovell
Well Said!!!!!
June 26, 2008 at 2:57 pm
helenl
Thanks Mike.
June 26, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Jay Burns
I think that can be true in some cases. Others are asking questions sincerely to get answers to the questions around them. Although in the political world I agree things are often said in order to paint you into a corner. Thanks for sharing.
June 26, 2008 at 3:48 pm
helenl
Jay, This comment isn’t the “be all” and “end all” of anything. I will answer questions. I’m just not going to feel guilty, if I don’t. A question of clarification is one thing. If you want to know if I’m stupid, just ask.
June 26, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Mike Lovell
Just for the record, I don’t think anyone here thinks that of you. I, on the otherhand, there is often little doubt. BTW, I wanted to thank you again for your most recent comment on Jay’s blog ;P
June 26, 2008 at 4:16 pm
helenl
Thanks Mike. I actually began this comment on Bookworm’s blog, then embellished it a bit here. You and Jay and RG, etc. are all sensible thinking people. People don’t have to agree with me. Why should they? But when your purpose is to destroy, you don’t add much. Humanity matters more than my little opinion.
I had to look back to see what I said on Jay’s blog. I’m a blabbermouth. That’s why I blog.
June 26, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Jay Burns
You a blabbermouth? I don’t believe it.
June 26, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Jay Burns
… and really you felt guilty if you didn’t answer questions? I’ve never felt guilty. I don’t mean at all.. ever, but certainly about not answering a question on a blog. Helen, are you stupid?
) Just kidding.
June 26, 2008 at 5:48 pm
helenl
Yep, Jay, a blabbermouth. That’s why I became a teacher.
I used to tell my students, “Be quiet, and let me earn my money.” LOL
And stupid. I used to let Ymarsaker jerk my chain. But this afternoon, I ate the chain. LOL
June 27, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Tomas
Dear Helen, I like this your post. It helped me a lot. I checked my vocabulary for the meaning of nit-picking and fall in to thinking. What does that mean? In some sense, I recognized myself in your post, though It was hard to apply all your statements. I never wrote anything what I didnt thought, and while answering someone else’s questions I always discovered my own though prior unrecognized.
Sorry for the above may look like boasting, that would be untrue. I never boasted though offenly looked not polite against my wish.
To say the truth, I envy you. Yes, I envy. While reading your posts, no one doubts you are the Christian meanwhile my Christianity lookslike the gueswork. Thus coming to your blog always becomes the challenge to me – in good sense of a word of course.
Thank you for the help to grow – to define my emotions better for the precious word of our Lord will not be missed.
June 27, 2008 at 9:22 pm
helenl
Dear Tomas, I don’t think you know how much joy you have given others through both you words and your art work. And God knows your heart. You are a dear brother. Love, Helen
June 28, 2008 at 4:19 am
renaissanceguy
Helen: The actual purpose of asking so many questions is to fool the answerer into inconsistency and, thereby, proving himself/herself wrong, which is often something the questioner cannot do.
RG: Yes, I’m sure that’s true, especially very pointed rhetorical questions. Of course, sometimes the questions are there simply to make the other person think and to question his or her own ideas. Sometimes when I’ve been questioned by somebody else, I realize that I haven’t actually given my position enough thought or enough research. Other times, a good question has made me realize that my thinking was flawed or even completely wrong. Just my two cents.
Helen: Well, inconsistency is nothing but inconsistency. It actually proves nothing.
RG: Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It definitely could prove that one is a hypocrite or possibly that one is flat-out wrong. It could prove that one just hasn’t thought enough about a particular issue. Or, as you say, it could prove nothing but, as I recently wrote, people are people. As you say. . .
Helen: All human beings are inconsistent. And whenever one attempts to grow, rather than to stay put and spin wheels, he/she will grow at uneven rates in different aspects of life.
RG: TRUE!
Helen: There are many things I don’t know and a few that I do. I do know the goal is to live so that I can stand before God and hear the words, “Well done.” Of that much, I am certain. . . . And that how we treat others has a great deal to do with just Who we think God is.
RG: True, again! Of course, the fact that we are hoping to hear “Well done!” should make us willing to pay attention to others’ questions, to return to your first point. At least that’s how I see it.
June 28, 2008 at 10:17 am
helenl
Hi RG,
Thanks for your comments.
You are, of course, right in that questions have different purposes. And yes, the questions of others can make one think, re-evaluate, and even change one’s position. And then there is the gray area of degree rather than a simple yes or no – that “sometimes” answer than is often closer to the one’s actual position in a given situation.
I realize that I should have been more specific about this post. It wasn’t really for a general audience. Don’t worry, the person against whom it was aimed figured it out.
I plan to fight racism the rest of my life not just in one or two posts. But there are other things in life, and I plan to do them in due time also.
But as King said, “The time is always ripe to do right.”