Off the Roll

I have removed several blogs from the blogroll today. I do this after prayerful consideration and regretfully becuase they were all right-leaning sites and at least one of the sites removed tended to be a very good site.

So why are they gone?

Because, although I agree with much of what they said, I cannot agree with their way of saying it. It bothers me that many of the conservative sites on the web really and truly are as hate-filled and closed-minded as the liberals accuse them of being. Do I think anyone who visits the sites is equally horrible? No, but a link in the blogsphere is a way of saying I trust these people enough to send other readers to them. And I can no longer trust these sites because they have become havens of hateful dialouge towards those who disagree, even if they are on the "same side." I am on only one side, and that is God's. And our God is a God of love and kindness. Therefore, they have been removed. Following are some verses that I feel we should all remember when dealing with others on the web. I offer them, not as preaching, but as consideration.

2 Tim 2:22-23
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

James 1:26
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain

Prov 6:16-19
These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren

1 Cor 13:1-2
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity , I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity , I am nothing.

Eph 4:29-32
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Matt 5:22
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, `Raca, ' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, `You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

Rom 2:1-4
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

Col 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

The web is a big place and we are free to roam as we chose. But I would just say that as we travel, we must remember we are members of God's Kingdom first and we must show love and kindness. Likewise, we must be careful with whom we associate with on the web. The links that we follow and support are a reflection of our own understandings and limitations.

We must strive always to love and to pass on love, not hate and ignorance. Because Christ-like love is more important than being "right."