As you may have read, there is someone posting to this blog under the pseudonym John Brown. Though I have little doubt this is a caring, sincere person, I have declined to engage in dialogue with this person and with anyone who posts under a false name and e-mail. I want to let you know why.
Electronic communication seems sometimes to naturally foster confrontational speech. People who would never feel free or able to use such language face to face can hide behind the anonymity of the computer screen. I’m tired of that kind of communication. I want to engage in real, person to person dialogue around important issues. Honesty is required for positive, productive communication.
As well, I know that I have an abrupt style of communication when I’m passionate about an issue. An anonymous post allows me to be more abrupt than I would probably be if I knew the identity of the person posting. I’m trying hard to tailor my own speech to be more caring and uplifting. I’m currently in Clinical Pastoral Education at a local hospital, and it has been pointed out to me that I need to work on this. I’m trying. This is one vehicle for that effort.
So, any of you may feel free to respond to Brown and other anonymous posters, but I will not do so until Brown sends me an e-mail with her/his identity. Thanks for your understanding.
I am sorry to hear that you are not responding to anonymous posts.
Question, how can you ensure that a person is who they say they are are unless you know their email address and name personally? This policy would seem to limit the number of people you would engage in conversation to your immediate circle and not the greater community.
It is always nice to know who you are communicating with on the internet. Unfortunately there are circumstances where a person needs to keep their identity secret. This is either because of their living or work situation or they have a personal issue that prevents them from opening up and being forthcoming about their identity.
The internet is all about fostering communication and we are lucky enough to live in a country that allows a person to say and communicate what they think without persecution. Who a person is or how they portray themselves should not discount their message.
I hope in the future you will reach out to all people no matter who they are and what they believe. Let them communicate in their own way and do not shun them for reaching out to you.
Hey John Brown/Joe/whoever,
It might help if this thing you call “reaching out” didn’t take such a critical and mocking tone.
You obviously know us, at least a little. I’m guessing you’re one of our Nazarene friends, and that you have been following this blog for a long time. I would love to know what has happened in your life that has made you suddenly feel the need to make yourself visible (sort of) with all of the commentary and questions. Maybe someone you know recently came out of the closet???
I have no idea what your motive is. It seems to me, though, that if you really wanted to “know Andy’s heart” that you would just personally email him. “Hey, this is blahblah, remember me? I really want to talk to you about something, but this has to stay between the two of us….” It’s not like he’s going to post your deep dark secrets for all of his readership to see. You are not being shunned or discounted, you are being asked to communicate in an honest and forthright manner. There is a difference, but you certainly do have a knack for making a situation dramatic.
Good luck in your quest.
Critical…mocking…not the intent.
Just to clarify, a person is required to list her/his e-mail address with any post. I can then check on that as the blog administrator. I can also figure out about where people are by some IPS addresses attached to their posts.
A final thought…By now the host of this blogger believes he knows my identity. I have cowardly offered my opinions on a few subjects. I spent the past few hours dissecting my thoughts by reviewing the host’s blogs for the last few years. I suppose a change in a person’s religious framework makes him/her more aware of the neccessity for honesty in this world we live in. As I purused the pages of blog and comments, I have come to realize that the most refreshing aspect or facet of this blog is the openness and the honesty that rolls from the many pages of text. I have been raised to have offer limited honesty to limited ears. As the thought has been passed on to me, the walls have ears. So I offer dribble here and there as a way to keep those limitations from bursting in my sight (hymnic lyric?) When I first started to spew forth letters that made words that made little sense, I was venting. Venting for some reasons noted in private email and for some reasons noted on the blog.
Back to my point, honesty is more a neccesity for those reading than for those writing. I just re-read the blog entry at Cracker Barrel. Three years of innocence said the most profound and honest statement that I have read in recent years. The heart of the host is clear and genuine. My musings and prejudicial thoughts against the host were unjust. If I am to make another thought it must first be centered on an apology. The host is gracious. In private emails he showed more than a drop of mercy (another hymnic lyric?). For that he showed me that he has better understand the ethos of that which is right. That which is right mustn’t be pointed out as right…that which is right is simply right. For not saying that you were right but being right makes you the one who has truly put on the new self by honestly realizing who you are. I should take your example and the model of your 3 year old son and put on the new self as well. I wish it were possible to live long enough to learn what exactly the new self is that I must put on.
Farewell and my deepest apologies to the readers of this blog for my attempt at belittling a man of great mercy and justice. What NT writer said compassion, gentlness, mercy, etc. are great; but the greatest of all of these is that we remain in love. Not being well-versed in the bible I believe it comes from somwhere in one of Paul’s letters, but I can’t say for sure.
Thanks, Andy, for showing that your love remains regardless of the lack of love that was offered to you.
So if I post and mention that you have a girl’s motorcycle and generally make fun of you, will you respond to that?
How have you been? My month has been full.
Chad
Actually, I would simply reply that I seem to remember YOU being the one who painted his tank using fishnet panty hose. You entirely sanctified people have such short memories!
My month has been full, too. I’m doing CPE at a local hospital, and it’s kind of kicking my butt. It’s helpful, though. Miss talking to you, Chad.
Give me a call whenever you get a chance. I have your number, also. Apparently we are loser friends.
I forgot, check out my 1-story Blog.
Andy if I ever choose to argue with you I will unabashedly use my name and leave a good e-mail address.
BTW – I had some good friends from the Nazarene group in Bedford/Bloomington area and seeing the name Chad on your blog reminded me I have been wanting to ask you if you know them or have their contact info. Chad Gosney or Christ Deckard we were Chick-fil-A buddies back in the late 1900’s. You could call me if you had Chad Gosney’s info, either Jeremy has my number. RLR
I did know Chris Deckard. He was a friend through high school, but I don’t have his contact info. Good to hear from you, Richie.