"I could never tell everyone to say whatever they want to in their publicly-shared blog. Not in a million years. That would be like telling people that God thinks it's just fine and dandy to say out loud anything that pops into our heads.
And I cannot believe that."
There were eight or so comments agreeing with the writer, so when my contrarian nature kicked in, I posted a comment of disagreement with her and how refreshing it is for me to see such honesty in the Christian blogsphere. I agreed with her that we need to be careful about how we present our ideas, but that I believe it is much better to have ideas expressed and challenged than it is to tell people to “shut up”.
Her response to my comment was that I was the type of blogger she was writing about. I left another comment about how ideas are more important than words and then she deleted all of my comments and her responses.
Now, I’m left wondering, “What would Hammer do”?
10 comments:
David,
Funny that you would ask that!
There is actually one of the blogs listed here who deleted one of my posts, much in the same fashion that happened to you. I wasn't told that I was 'that kind of blogger' - after all,it wasn't the subject of the post. I was basically told that my opinion, or anyone else's, didn't matter, because that blogger was only interested in people agreeing with them. My response to that was deleted. What did I do?
I simply stopped visiting for a while. I came back a couple of weeks later, and commented once or twice, but I remain fairly disguted with the experience. I no longer make comments that are remotely confrontational to that blogger.
Why make your thoughts public and 'commentable' if you will just kill alternate viewpoints? It is still beyond my understanding. I have seen blogs with no comments - but one that seeks only cheerleaders is beyond my ability to comprehend.
Hammer,
Did someone on my blogrole delete one of your comments? Can you let me know which one?
Maybe I’m different; OK, of course I’m a LITTLE different, but I want to be challenged by those who disagree with me. Where is the purpose in writing for people who only agree with the writer?
It is someone on your blogroll, but I am hesitant to "dime them out" for two reasons.
The first, and most important, is that if you don't already know, then it isn't a standard procedure...or they simply aren't challenged much by commenters. Either way I'm not sure my experience should be shared with others.
The second, while less important, is still relevant. I have no proof! Their response could simply be, "I have no idea what Hammertime is talking about." That's actually the response I would expect.
Perhaps they'll come clean on their own. If you are stil interested, I'll email you the answer. I'm at TeamHammer2005@hotmail.com
Hey all! I'm back; well sort of! I agree although I deleted one comment from a Christian (or professed to be a Christian) who I felt was just plain RUDE and was trying to get others to come to his blog. I checked out his blog and understood that his obnoxious behavior was who he was and I felt that a response would only feed it. I feel that discussion, good and bad, is part of what Christ has called us to as well as what blogging is all about. Can I get an AMEN!
Yes Teresa, you can get an Amen from me. I like having my minority opinions affirmed sometimes, but I need to know when I have written something that is arguable. Iron can't sharpen iron without friction.
IT WAS ME and I'm not afraid to admit it. Would have done so sooner but I just now had the time to read through all of David's recent posts.
Hammertime, I didn't delete your comment because you disagreed with me. I have read several posts on which you have made comments, both before then and since then, in which your tone implies that you are looking to pick a fight, not get to the bottom of an issue. And I recognized your MO on my post. It is clear to me that you are not interested in having a civil conversation with someone who thinks outside the box, but rather you apparently have a very big axe to grind. And, as you can see from my response to your comment today on my blog, you are exactly the type of person who continues to build walls and tear down bridges between believers and those who are investigating Christianity from a viewpoint that differs from your narrow-minded one.
I have absolutely no qualms in telling the world that I deleted your comment, or why I deleted it. I am, after all, a woman. And we do not like to be mocked.
I apologize, David, for having to write this on your blog, which I love even though we disagree sometimes.
AMEN, Teresa!
Let's be forward, shall we?
No one has ever deleted a comment by me - except Jennifer.
No one has ever claimed I have an axe to grind/am looking to pick a fight/am not interested in intelligent discourse - except Jennifer.
No ne has ever claimed that I am attempting to "build walls and burn bridges", except Jennifer.
Mind you, I have some lefty sites I visit, which while seldom, if ever, agreeing with my position, recognize the respect and logic I bring with them.
Be truthful, Jennifer. You posted on this subject a couple of times in the above posts. You only admitted it after I made it public on my blog.
David, Teresa, Jeremy Pierce, D.Mobley, and others I visit and comment on look at Christianity in ways other than I do, and we somehow manage to have respectuful discourse while disagreeing at times. It's just Jennifer that thinks I'm so terrible.
Why? Because she takes every challenge to any position (abortion is better than an "unwanted" baby, Americans destroy native peoples' environments, etc) as a personal attack and an attack on her faith.
Jennifer, if you want cheerleaders, put it in your blog header. The other alternative is actually engage those who have differing opinions. If they get vulgar or something beyond "offensive" (since you find anything challenging offensive), then you tell everyone what the aggregious offense was and ignore them, then ban them if they can't comply.
None of that was true in my case. I basically pointed out that you had not standing for claiming to know the issue better and that you can't say you have the monopoly on the mind of Christ.
Finally, if what you posted at my blog is the gbest you can do, then you have proven my point.
Finally, no one mocked you. Stop saying that.
(David, I remove my further input on this from this post, and ask Jennifer to cast dispersions at my blog or hers. Hope you don't mind this comment too much...)
OK all, as Rodney King said, "Can't we all just get along"! Back off of Jennifer guys! You know, I have had many hurt feelings over words that do not edify, so I will not entertain them. We can ALL disagree without tearing down one another. Jennifer, I love you dearly, but your words were a little bit harsh (that's just how they came across probably because you were hurt). HAMMER, your words were MUCH worse! I will leave you ALL with these words from the LORD: "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" (Col. 4:6) & "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. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom...And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thatks to God the Father through him! (Col. 3:12-17). Lastly to David, we should not speak against one-another and this conversation should've never been started, but I commend you GREATLY for cutting off as it should be!!!
Agreed, Teresa. The power of the Word, untarnished and unsullied by our own "interpretations" is truly sharper than any two-edged sword. I am struck down by it, and withdraw from this line of discussion, never to return to it.
Thank you, sister.
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