I see the issue here. You arent buttering people up and tip toeing around them when you address your direct truth in an assertive manner. Internet-assertiveness is a bit harder because it takes more explaining and
it seems like you are buttering people but in actuality, you are respecting people, who they are, and what they value.
For example, it would be internet-harsh for me to say "The spirits exist and god does not." Yes, I can beat around the bush and say "
Ooh, Im sorry. I believe spirits exist and the god I understand does not."
or I can be assertive and say
"Yes, I know the spirits exist and god does not." this is why....
You are taking the focus from other people--no you or your, but me and mine.
It is a
conversational equittque has nothing to do with scripture.
If Jesus said to the Pharacese, "You are a #@#" does that give you the right to say that too? Or was Jesus saying it in a different context than how you would given the culture, time, and situation?
That, and assumptions can be really harmful; that is why assertiveness is good.
Jesus said to the Pharacesses "You are a ____ fool ____"
It's not just about scripture-verbatum. Its context. Knowing street smarts. And really understanding where people come from and why they believe they do so you can address your assertive and direct debates in an appropriate and well thoughtout manner.
How can you have communion with your brothers and sisters in Christ when you (now Im direct) contantly tell them they are wrong without understanding why they are wrong from
their perspective
not your own: not JW and not JW perspective of how Christ spoke.
Maybe you feel weakened if you given into someone? I hoestly (and seriously) would like to know. However, even though Im interested in psychology, Im far from a psychologist. I just know that you are not weakened by being assertive unless you are apologizing for your assertiveness then I see your point.
You know, having to tip toe around people is not really an Aussie way to communicate. Sorry if that directness is taken the wrong way. Jesus also presented his truth without tip toeing around people. If they were easily offended, then that was their problem. He did not withhold the truth because he though he might offend someone. So "etiquette" is something I am not terribly concerned with. The truth moves the right hearts and some people don't like the truth because it means they have to do something about it ...and they don't want to.They will justify their way out of anything they don't like.
That is their choice.
The truth cant move hearts if the representative doesnt think of the peoples understanding just trying to share it from his own understanding.
If Christians arent thinking and doing for tohers, they are not doing for Christ. Hate to be blunt if you do not do for another (nor gather in his name) then you are not doing for christ (nor are the body of Christ)
Humbleness
Submission
Obedience
Servitude
Is all about Christ. Maybe its your opinion (I know not all JW are like that, fortunately), but most Christians I met JW, Catholic, to Joe on the block, and home-churches (people not organization gathering), try to be assertive when they spread Christ teachings. Ministries from all denominations have training for that.
If JW organization (I hate to say it that way, but it doesnt have to have gold and statues for it to be an organization; its not a nasty word) are assertive about their teachings when the talk to people as part of their teachings,
then it sounds like its some of the people that have an ill way of expressing the truth. Once that is reconciled, then they may see the humbleness of Christ.
Kind of like how some christians think Catholics are only looking at sacrifice. It is not true.
I am sure JW isnt always seeing other religions in a negative light even though they disagree. If they do, well.... it reminds me of the Church. If they dont, like many other christians, their words and behavior dont represent the person they worship and follow.
There is no method because it isn't up to us. The truth is the truth...it doesn't come in shades or versions...it is one truth and we all have the same opportunity to accept it or reject it.
It IS up to you. If you are an ambassador of Christ as the Apostles and the rest of the Christians who gather in his name, you have the mission to evangalize and bring others to Christ as Christ brought people to His Father.
Its not that people dont hear your truth. They hear it well. If you want to help Christ and spread the word, the manner in which you do so tells if people will
listen.
Many of us hear what others say or gloss over words because of how the are expresssed. If we expressed our words in a clear, crisp (trying), and coherent manner, maybe our essage would
be understood first then accepted or rejected out of knowledge rather than unwilling ignorance.
No common ground means we have nothing to share. So be it. Neither of us can do much about that.
I talk to you because I learn a lot from how you see things being that you are not mainstream christian and I live in an environment that is. I learned a couple of years ago why you so distaste the Church (after hundreds of posts) and I still remember that conclusion. I rarely get that on RF in regards to debates. I learned that you are passionate about your faith. I also learned what your denomination teaches and I can anaylze, listen, and assertain what I agree with, disagree with, and continue talking about because I
listened/actively read what you said.
I am hoping that a common foundation would be as simple as respect for others in regards to faith.
I cant make you smile at the beauty of hundreds of people being confirmed in their relationship with Christ, but hopefully, you understand it from their perspective not your own.
Thats not being weak. Its being nice.