A Comment About Comments
The Rob Bell groupies are coming out of the woodwork to defend their hero, and consequently, and predictably, they are doing so anonymously, hiding behind fake names and e-mail addresses. Here again is my comment policy, which, well, you can like it, or you can lump it. I say that with all the warm and cozy feelings in my heart that I can muster!
COMMENT POLICY: READ THIS CAREFULLY
I don’t mean to sound harsh, but please understand that you have no “right” to make a comment on my blog. I welcome them. I appreciate them, and I thank you for them, but every once in a while along comes a particularly crabby person who demands that I post their comment. Sorry, it doesn’t work that way. If you have a comment to share, feel free to post it. I do moderate comments and reserve the right to reject and/or edit comments, entirely at my discretion. I think of comments as letters to the editor of a newspaper: those that are signed, short, to the point, and make a positive and/or interesting contribution to the post’s topic are much more likely to be be approved. I highly discourage anonymous comments. If you have something to say, be willing to identify yourself and be held accountable for your remarks. If you are looking for a place to engage in extended debate, also known as “comment wars,” this blog won’t be your cup of tea, or coffee. I don’t apologize for the fact that I use comments on this blog to facilitate the purpose of the blog. Finally, if you don’t like my comment policy, I invite you to start your own blog and rant, rave, argue and otherwise pontificate to your heart’s content, just like I do here. That’s what’s fun about blogging!
I like what they say over on the CSPP blog: “If readers find our notions offensive, they are more than welcome to quit offending themselves by visiting here.”
Well said, Pr. McCain.
I’ve had to resort to censoring and moderation due to such as you’ve described above.
I never thought it would come to this, but they leave us with no choice in the end.
I personally find it odd in light your theological orientation, Pr. McCain that you have so many readers who are Rob Bell fans.
Lutherans should no bother with Rob Bell’s books and focus instead on Gerhard! I direct all Rob Bell fans to the post below regarding subscription to the Gerhard Loci Communes series!
The anonymous comments are, I’m sure, not coming from Lutherans, but Bell fans, perhaps members of Mars Hill who are obviously scouring the Internet for any negative comments about Bell and attacking them.
Aaaah. That is why this is perhaps the only blog I am following about this issue that isn’t going crazy with debates. Hmmm. I was seriously perplexed but it all makes sense now.
Can I ask what the nature of the comments were? Were they just simple anonymous digs or seriously angry and hateful? I have seen both.
What about when your 13 year old son recognizes Rob Bell over your shoulder as you watch to video of the interview of Rob Bell? Sure, I had never heard of him, but my son had. A little concerning doncha think?
Why would you defend someone and not be willing to put your own name? I understand why they would, but I wouldn’t defend someone when I couldn’t put my name there.
You and I don’t always agree 100%, (probably over 95%, however), and still I’ll put my name.
It’s sad, and for all those claiming Mt 18, it is certainly a violation of such when they don’t put their name.
Blessings,
Randy