Author Topic: Sin of the day: Inciting others to anger (Read 1935 times)

Matthew · « **on:** December 12, 2009, 08:58:52 AM »

As we all know, there is more than one way to fall into sin.

Even for a particular sin.

You can actually COMMIT that sin yourself, or you can advise or encourage someone else to do so.

So let's take anger for an example.

Does everyone realize that inciting someone else to anger is a sin? Because you don't know what they'll do when they're angry -- they might sin. Stoking the passions of another person for no good reason is being the opposite of a "peacemaker", and is sinful.

Therefore, being a "button-pusher", a teaser, troll, etc. on a forum would also be sinful. You're inciting HUMAN BEINGS to anger. As a far-from-perfect men said in the past,
"There are actual human beings behind the screen names. The screen names on here aren't items of artificial intelligence. This isn't a video game."

I think we all need to keep this in mind. Each screen name you read on here represents a real, living, breathing person. Someone God created for the sole purpose of loving and glorifying Him forever in Heaven. An immortal soul for whom Christ shed His Blood and died on the cross.

Matthew

Tedeum · « **Reply #1 on:** December 13, 2009, 11:38:12 PM »

The way I look at it... if somebody says something that I can't kindly respond to... it is best not to respond.

If you have a weakness to anger, this is an important lesson to learn. You can't just rely on everyone not triggering you to anger. You must learn to control your anger and force yourself to think kindly of other people. Be charitable.

Or at the least shrug off the trolls as people who probably don't (a) have a life or (b) know any better, or (c) they are just nudging you and reminding you to lighten up.

About here the most important thing I had to learn re/forums - it isn't personal unless you view it that way. And this could be God's way of teaching you humility. <- Definitely that was a difficult lesson for me to learn when I used to get into these arguments all the time with these unreasonable people who refused to back down and let me win the argument because I was right and they were wrong. It took me ages to realize it didn't matter anyway. :turban:

Tedeum · « **Reply #2 on:** December 13, 2009, 11:58:03 PM »

I should say though - I have encountered people on other forums who deliberately say things because they intend to hurt and draw people into arguments.

I know how they can make a forum uncomfortable or too vexing to linger in. Not because people (like me) were drawn into arguments, but because it seemed like every thread was a continuation of the same argument.

At which point I do agree, people should try to imagine they are talking face to face with the other person, with children, priests, and nice little old ladies possibly listening in to the conversation.

CM · « **Reply #3 on:** December 14, 2009, 12:33:11 AM »

Quote from: Tedeum

people should try to imagine they are talking face to face with the other person, with children, priests, and nice little old ladies possibly listening in to the conversation.

Pretty good advice, for the most part.

Alex · « **Reply #4 on:** December 14, 2009, 06:19:36 AM »

What about playful teasing?