Status or picture is posted. A comment is made. A conversation is started. Soon, it becomes a full-blown debate, mostly just becoming an argument. And both sides are trying to convince the other that they are right. The problem is, when's the last time that actually worked?
Normally, it just provides with one or both with anger, even resentment. Not necessarily permanent, though that can happen.
What about Jesus though? He argued too.
Only when He had a bit of wisdom that would shut the people who wanted to argue up. Unless He had a bit of wisdom to share that genuinely left the Sadducees and Pharisees speechless, He hardly said a word to them when they wanted to argue.
Another look at it would be when Jesus stayed with people who weren't exactly known for being totally devoted to Judaism, like Zacchaeus (the short guy who climbed a tree to see Jesus- you probably sing a song about him in Sunday school). When Jesus talked to him (or anyone He was with), He didn't argue or debate at all. In fact, He never gave them any reason to be angry or frustrated with Him.
Now, there may be a right way to argue and debate, but I would think it's better to just steer clear from it. All I really see people doing, even in theological arguments, is like slap, slap back, slap again, slap back again, and more and more anger or frustration building up as it goes on. And, when one returns evil for evil in a tennis ball-like fashion, it just compiles and grows more and more.
I would imagine if Christians stopped trying to make a case for Christianity to every non-Christian they came across and to every Christian who doesn't believe exactly the same way, Christians would be more unified and have a better reputation. (Now don't start getting over-spiritual and say we shouldn't care about the Christian reputation- if someone has a rep for being a liar, are you liable to trust that person? Likewise, if a religion has a rep for nonstop arguing with everyone who disagrees with you and causing hate, fights, and wars, are people going to want to be part of it? Not if they truly want peace and love.) Rather than bouncing the ball back, get the person to slap on the other cheek as well. When person A tries to argue and person B avoids the argument entirely and refuses to let frustration or anger make him slap person A back, person A loses the reason to even argue with B. If one person will not fight or argue, the other person becomes disarmed. And that is probably the best time to share a bit of wisdom God would lay on one's heart, if He does (don't think He will every time- He won't. Not every time.)
The biggest problem is lack of love. I mean, I imagine there's some love between friends and family and others even when arguing, but that love tends to be at least partially forgotten when attacking with arguments. If Christians would love one another rather than stand proudly on their rock of knowledge and gun down those who would oppose them, more people might would be drawn to it. Otherwise, we get hatred, fights, and wars (if you don't believe me, look through history- a lot of wars were fought over religious beliefs- many being Christian ones. The non-Christians aren't wrong when they say that Christianity has caused many wars. While it is not necessarily Christianity that does it, it is the pride of believing one's self to be right and others wrong about whatever issues that causes wars.)
So, in closing, if anyone at all reads this and is a Christian, start loving. If you already do so, continue in His love. Resist the temptation to fight back, and see what a difference it makes in people's opinion of you.
As time goes on and you grow closer to God in love, the more His nature becomes your own, the more natural it will become for you to resist that which He wouldn't say to do. So again, the emphasis is on unconditional love. Show it, and people will be drawn. It's a proven fact- when God showed His full love for the world on the cross, many were drawn.
J-Lindo
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