When to Just Walk Away...

Well, I wasn't expecting as much commentary on my previous post as I got. Clearly things have simmered down a bit but there are still opposing views. It was never my intent to mix things up any further or get into lengthy debates, but I have to tell you that I still have an uneasiness about the whole "dispute".

My original intent in writing my last post was primarily to defend Marla. I do not know Marla personally and I had only visited her site once or twice before this controversy, but I felt the need to stand up for her a bit anyway. My understanding of what she had said that started off the whole controversy, which was initially based only on reading other people's posts/comments in response to her posts, was not the same conclusion that I reached when I actually went through and read her posts myself. I felt that some of what she had said was misinterpreted and some of it blown a bit out of proportion so I felt the need to give my point of view on the whole thing.

That said, I still feel like some of the facts are being missed. Do I post again on the subject in hopes to find clarity or do I just walk away? That's what I have been struggling with. There have been times in my life where I have gotten into a debate with someone and finally had to just give up because it was clear that the other person and I were on two different wavelengths. They were arguing about why an orange is orange and I was arguing about why an apple is red. Those are the times it's just better to walk away.

I'm thinking this may be one of those times.

However I am struggling because I feel like in a way that I've backed down. In an attempt to keep peace, I have backed off a bit on my stance so as not to upset others. But sometimes the truth is upsetting.

I did go back and read through Marla's posts again - a print out of all of her posts - and went through it slowly, making notes. I do disagree with a few of her points but I agree with even more. I thought all of her posts were very well-written and well thought-out. Could she have said things in a more neutral manner so as not to upset other people? Sure. Does that then negate everything she said? I don't think so. There were alot of nuggets of truth in her posts and I am glad that she's willing to stand up for what she thinks is important.

So if you read this Marla, I still support you.

Sometimes Christians get stuck on the minutia and miss the big picture - it happens. Sometimes Christians disagree on the non-doctrinal stuff - that's okay. And some Christians duck the hard stuff while other Christians get tired of being politically-correct: I'm not sure which is worse.

But we are still one body and should treat each other with as much if not more dignity than we would treat someone outside the body.

And please, if your knowledge of Marla's stance on this issue is all second-hand, please read through all of her posts before deciding your opinion on what you think she has to say.

And if you think anything I have said thus far is unscriptural, please let me know.