I am getting harassing emails

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Pergamum

Ordinary Guy (TM)
I am getting some weird emails from a guy wanting to push a certain theological point.

I keep requesting that he no longer email me, but this spurs on further forwards and comments.

"sorry, you give the Gospel such a sad 'name' "

"I think Dr Peter Masters addresses the pop culture Calvinism you represent! But, hey would would you expect from someone from MO. right!"

"...what's the website for your church... i enjoy looking at website -- ea church wanting to write it's own confession or catechism... which... think about it the USA Presb re write the Westminister Confession..... did those Saints give them permission? to re write. Christianity in the USA is have it your way... just look at the FIRE Churches."


"...and you claim to represent Christ.... then go begging for money to support your 'self' redeeming self.... then try to play on emotions like these new Calvinist by including your wife....... shame shame shame--- no wonder the state of the visble church is as it is in the U.S. when folk like U claim to be ordained........... sad sad sad, but it was such with Israel where only 7000 of 3.5 million... get begging or get a job... go back to farming do something useful..."


I am looking for this guy's elders and home church, but he won't give me that info (of course).

What are my other recourses (besides passively take abuse)?



P.s. - I have never met the guy before. I am not sure why I am in the cross-hairs.
 
Set up a filter in your email to automatically delete anything from that address.

Report each email as spam.

And most important, stop answering - trolls thrive on being fed.
 
I wonder if the person is from the United States, the visible church is bad here, but it's far worse in most of the West.

I'll be praying.
 
Tell him that if he were a true Calvinist, he'd have better grammar. He's obviously reprobate if he can't spell out "you"...

Otherwise, filter and ignore.
 
Ditto to Ruben. Anything more active simply feeds his need to engage. You're never going to convince him of anything, not even that you're a nice guy. Focus on those willing to hear God's word.
 
Let 'em go. This person isn't worth two cents in the Kingdom of God, so why "honor" him with your thoughts and times? This kind of person wants you to take action against him so they can cause you more problems. You might as well use gasoline to put out an electrical fire.

Psalm 101:3 - I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.
 
Look at the "full headers" in his emails. It should give you his IP address as well as his ISP name.

That depends on his email host, usually. If it's the ISP, then maybe--I'm not so sure about online email accounts like GMail or Yahoo.
 
So, there is no recourse that is more active than ignore it?

Reporting them as spam is a little more aggressive than just ignoring it - but ignoring it accomplishes the main goal, which is that you no longer spend any time on it.
 
Set up a filter in your email to automatically delete anything from that address.

Report each email as spam.

And most important, stop answering - trolls thrive on being fed.

:ditto:

I wouldn't recommend tracking him down unless you really need a hobby. You might mention it in your prayer letters under 'what missionaries have to put up with' in case he escalates.

But remember that old adage:

"Don't wrestle with a pig - you'll both end up muddy, but he'll enjoy it.
 
First, give absolutely no credence to the voice of the Accuser, even if he speaks through someone claiming to be a believer. You have no need to defend yourself. You belong to the Defender.

Second, remember that the best way to torture a troll is to ignore him. :)
 
It's quite possible (and perhaps quite likely) that this type doesn't have a home church. If he does have one, his church is probably either extremist or he's not man enough to confront his elders with this kind of stuff, preferring the anonymity of the internet.

If he uses the same email for FB or some other social networking site, you may be able to identify him. If he can't be identified I'd just route it to the spam folder and I would probably do that even if he could be identified.
 
Why not... block sender?

---------- Post added at 11:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:27 PM ----------

Second, remember that the best way to torture a troll is to ignore him. :)
This is appropriate too.

Though I think torture might involve responding with short answers that could never satisfy the reader.

Like, "You're sarcastic, right?" or "That's interesting." or "You must be bored." or "But you don't even hold to the confessions!" Or even, "Your post will merit response in the order it was received provided e-mail contains appropriate grammar and spelling." ...Maybe, "How's the temperature in your basement? I imagine you don't get outside much."
 
Set up a filter in your email to automatically delete anything from that address.

Report each email as spam.

And most important, stop answering - trolls thrive on being fed.

I think Rubens advice is the best given, ignore him but also say a prayer for the poor wretch!
 
Ok, So no feeding trolls and no wrestling with pigs.

That's a lesson that bloggers quickly learn if their site has decent SEO and gets any traffic at all. I once made the mistake of feeding a house church fanatic.
 
Block his e-mails or simply delete without opening. There is a Biblical teaching about casting pearls before swine, well not casting pearls before swine now that I come to think about it. There is always the temptation to believe that our explanations will bring reason and understanding.

To a certain point this is true but after Paul had preached in a town he either moved on or staid to instruct the converts. I think it is a particular Arminian trait to believe we can argue folks into the kingdom. Sometimes Calvinists can be prone to it too either through being too polite or raising the power of reason a little too high. Sanctified reason is very different from pagan/G_dless reasoning.

Harsh I know which is probably why we shrink from being so blunt. I have a colleague at work who has become a "professing christian" who could take up vast amounts of time in theological debates but I just have to let it go. We are not on the same sheet and the god he believes in is not my God.
 
And you're back to dealing with him, instead of having his stuff automatically hit your trash.
 
Yeah, I see your point Ruben. It's best not to answer him period. Besides, it's not very Christ-like to rub it in his face. I was wrong on that one. Thanks for helping me see my error.
 
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