I have a couple things I would like to communicate to you, the readers.
The first thing is that we are planning some changes for the blog for our quickly approaching “One Year Anniversary” which is on June 10th. Please bear with us as we work out some kinks, and don’t worry if comments disappear for a little bit, or if the site looks a little distorted. I’m not going to ruin the total surprise of what Dr. K and I are working out, but I will say that, as of now, it looks like we will be a pure “dot com” site, without needing to be tethered to Holy Mother Blogspot.
The second thing is more involved. Lately, we have had a string of angry, bitter, dissenting, argumentative comments left on the site. You are guests here. If you cannot behave yourselves, we will simply remove commenting. If you want to single out Dr. K, Choir Loft, or me, that’s when you send an email to us. Do not post a comment unless it thoughtfully adds to the perpetual discussion we are having. I don’t mind having comments questioning things. That’s perfectly fine. However, I will not tolerate people “calling us out” or only commenting to draw out emotional responses from us and our readers.
I really don’t get it. We put up facts and funnies, and without fail, we get angry comments. Why? Are people really that immature that they feel the need to have temper tantrums in public? I am a very tolerant person, but when you push, I’ll push back. Do not do this.
You may be interested to know that the strings of anonymous and hate-filled comments come from just two or three people. Keep in mind that we have an average of 250-300 people reading each day. Why should I tolerate a couple bleating goats just so that I can sleep easy, knowing that I have celebrated diversity? From this time forth, if your tone is rude, angry, bitter, hateful, or argumentative, do not expect to see it up for long. How would you like it if your guests started arguing with you when you invited them into your home?
I am sorry for the vast majority of you who have read this, and have not contributed to my annoyance. These few commenters hide themselves behind anonymity, not to protect themselves as Dr. K and I do, but because they are cowards who are unable actually to discuss things civilly, relying instead on provoking the people of God to anger. Really folks, enough is enough.
Tags: Orthodoxy at Work
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Excellent post, I look forward to Cleansing Fire 2.0
A couple of thoughts I had while reading your post:
I completely agree that the tone of some posts has been anything but civil. They are from a diminishing breed of Liberal Catholics that are trying to hold on to their view of the church before it becomes obsolete. It is fine to make arguments for your viewpoints, but most of the comments arguing for these viewpoints are rather hateful. Liberal Catholics love to profess their own version of "love" as the most important part of the church, although it seems as though they only seem to "love" those who agree with them.
Now i will not get into any theological arguments about what true love is, just making a comment here.
However, I do not think the angry and bitter posts come from only one side of the aisle. There have been many hateful posts directed at Liberal Catholics themselves, rather than their beliefs. What they believe is heretical and we should try to convert them (as well as try to continually convert ourselves), but not be hateful towards the people themselves. Love the sinner, hate the sin.
To build on Nate's comment, we must also remember we are not in management when it comes to the church, we are in sales. Converting non-believers, re-educating Catholics getting them back in church, and educating people of other faiths (in love of course) is our common mission whether your orthodox or progressive.
"we are not in management when it comes to the church"
Speak for yourself, Christopher. Some of us are in management. 😉
Fr. Anon.,
As Fr. Mitch Pacwa likes to say, we're all in sales down here, even the pope. To be in management one needs to be divine.
BTW Gen, love the cat!
Fr. Anon, obviously I'm speaking on behalf of lay persons when I say "we". And I have no problem understanding the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14.
I saw that cat, Mike, and thought it was apt for this kind of post. lol
I visit this site from time to time but do not leave angry comments. I use anonymous because I really don't want to sign up with a Google account. It is much easier to use
anonymous. Hope I haven't offended anyone with that.