According to dictionary.com futility is defined as "the quality of being futile; ineffectiveness; uselessness". The definition of "futile": "incapable of producing any result; ineffective; useless; not successful".

I started this article with these definitions because this is how I am starting to feel about the effectiveness of blog discussions, internet email discussions, web site discussion boards and so forth. Just yesterday I said to my wife "why do I bother to frustrate myself engaging in discussions on these various websites?" I am rapidly growing weary and am beginning to question this use of my time. The simple fact is that they are rarely discussions but arguments where one side must posture themselves on their position and state their views about how right they are no matter what.

I have been an avid user of the internet for many years. I still remember when I got my first computer (a beat up old 386 with 16 MB RAM). I installed AOL and thought I had died and gone to technology heaven. The availability of resources on the internet was wonderful and it still is. Yet, I have found that to engage in discussions on the internet has become an exercise in futility most of the time. Of all the years I have used the internet and been a part of various discussions I have rarely seen anyone change their mind as a result of the various discussions. What you usually see, and I guess this is the same as in verbal discussion, is posturing, arrogance, a gross lack of humility and other such sins that should not mark the Christian. Of course, there is always the possibility that the "lurker" (those that read but do not comment) are being influenced by the discssions but that is difficult to measure. Normally the discussions simply end in an "I am right you are wrong" type of attitude and rarely is there progress in the discussion. Rarely do you see someone admit their error in any way.

Certainly there are some discussions that are the exception to what I am saying and have observed. However, the vast majority of internet discussions are marked by pride and arrogance. People rarely care more about what you say than you do. I think, honestly, that people simply love to hear themselves talk. When they talk they come off as arrogant and boastful and rarely do they truly discuss anything. Just this weekend I was reading through a popular blog and found myself grieved at the posturing, arrogance and outright hateful attitude displayed by those that say they are Christians. Well, the Bible has a lot to say about this and perhaps it would be wiser if these people spent less time commenting on blogs and more time reading about God's attitude toward pride. We all struggle with this but in some cases it is so bad (and it always seems to come from the same people) that you almost have to wonder if they have really be changed by the Spirit of God. The hateful comments; the backbiting nastiness; the innuendoes; the rottenness in speech that is used against someone they do not agree with, is aweful. What does the Bible say about our attitude towards our brothers?

Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. (1 John 2.9-11, ESV)

What is the apostle saying? Very simple: if you hate your brother and show this hatred in your conversation (which means it resides in your heart according to Jesus) then you are going to hell. I don't care if you say you are a Christian or that you prayed a prayer or walked an aisle or work full-time in the ministry. I don't care that you have a divinity degree, theological degree or any other kind of degree. God doesn't either. When we engage in discussions with our brothers or about our brothers on the internet or in person we are to do so in love. Yet, what passes for discussion these days, especially on the internet, is far from discussion but a safe (cowardly?) way of throwing darts at those we disagree with. Some of these darts are ugly. Sometimes they are so aweful that when your read them you simply cringe inside wondering how in the world a person who has been changed by the Spirit of God can make such rotten comments. Sure, I understand that people sin and that there is forgiveness for those that repent but these kinds of comments always seem to come from the same people. You really have to start to wonder. What's worse is when you remind people that they have a responsibility as a Christian to season their communication with grace some do somersaults figuring out how to cut that verse right out of their Bible. They rationalize their behavior away as though that is supposed to change something. Well, God is not fooled by any of these antics. His word to those that engage in this kind of action and refuse to repent and see their sin is that they do not belong to Him! We all need to ponder that for a while.

Yes, I am beginning to see that to engage in discussions on the internet is an exercise in futility. Sometimes I think all I am doing is banging my head against a brick wall. It's not because people do not agree with me but it is the way they disagree. The lack of grace and humility is repugnant and it is time we all evaluate our attitudes in this matter. Face it, not everyone is going to agree with you and it is a rare event when someone you are debating changes their mind. However, we all have the responsibility (including this guy) to listen to our brothers and to not throw spears at them when we do not agree. You can disagree but do so with some humility. Fact is, if not for the grace of God you wouldn't know a thing. What's worse, compared to God you don't know anything. So maybe it is time for people to climb down off their high horses and listen more and debate less.