So, I really, really want to write about something that happened
to me in the blogosphere last week. And I want to name names and I'm dying for others to come to my side and say, “Yes,
Christy, that man is a coward for editing your comments and deleting other
comments that disagreed with him! What a bad man!”
I really, really want to do that. But doing that puts me
on his level. And that is not a level to which I am prepared to stoop.
Instead, know this: if you comment on my blog, I will
NEVER edit your comments. If you disagree with me, you are more than welcomed
to say so. I hope you’ll be sweet about it, but if not, know that I will let
your words stand.
And know this: I will never write about something I know
nothing about. Anything I write about is researched. Obviously, this is not a
scholarly blog (welcome to posts about stuffed animals in the washing machine)
and most of what I chronicle here is personal. But if I write about anything I
don’t have first-hand knowledge of, I will do the research that must be done in
order to present the subject truthfully. And if I can’t, then I won’t
write about it.
And lastly, know this: there are bad blogs out there.
They may look pretty and sound smart, but behind that façade is an author who
does not write out of love. Oh, he’ll say he’s trying to shepherd his flock.
But if your shepherd spews snark, you need to look for
another shepherd. Allow me to point you in the direction of a pastor with an excellent blog, one that never stoops so low as to lie or edit comments that disagree
with his posts.
So peruse the blogosphere, but do so carefully. There are
lots of great bloggers out there. But for everyone one of us who wants to
entertain you or teach you, there are others who want to convince you their way
is right, even if they have to stretch the truth to do so.
Dear Sister, please take this down.
ReplyDeleteBrother, you are a dear friend. I appreciate you. But I will not take this down. There are young people who read blogs who need to know not everyone is presenting things well or honestly. I am sorry you object to this. I wish you objected to your comment being dropped from the other blog. Maybe you did - we both know that author deletes and edits comments. I will soften the "lie" remark in the last paragraph, but other than that, I will let this stand.
ReplyDeleteHey Christy, I only have an inkling of what you are referring to, but I can imagine your frustration and your desire to warn others. I read feminagirls this morning right after your post. It happened to be on forgiveness. (I am in no way saying that your heart is unforgiving!) I only thought that it may be edifying for your readers to spell that part out as well.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.feminagirls.com/2013/03/03/march-2-forgiveness/
For anyone to dump comments that disagree with the blogger certainly is an act of cowardice. I guess they feel the need for that much control.
ReplyDeleteBut to *edit* comments?? To *change* what someone else writes? That goes further. Truly dishonest.
Why anyone would think you should take down this very general and perfectly right-on caution that some bloggers are not about honest, fact-based and researched assertions, I cannot fathom. Who could deny the truth of it?
Such assumptions, Nostalgic. There are many valid reasons why someone would edit a comment: Profanity, protection of the commenter or other people involved in a particularly sticky situation, or wisdom outside the purview of the commenter. I would hope that the writer of this blog would also take such protections. It never hurts to ask the blogger why they took down a comment either - you may actually find it edifying.
ReplyDeleteHi dse - We probably agree on the need to have control over inappropriate comment content. That's necessary for any blogger.
ReplyDeleteMy take is that the comment should be either accepted or taken down, but not reworded. A note to its author that the language or other inappropriate content was the reason, and that she/he could reword it him/herself would let them have their say. It seems to me a better way of achieving the same end - without substituting my words for the commenter's words.
Danielle, thanks for the link. I often find that site helpful.
ReplyDeletePlease understand that I posted this in large part because a teenager from our church shared one of the blog posts I'm concerned about with his friends on Facebook. The post he shared fundamentally changed excerpts of content that was being judged. I want people to be aware that just because a pastor is blogging doesn't mean it's inherently truthful.
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ReplyDeleteThat's true... I know of plenty of bad pastors. But this isn't the case here.
ReplyDeletedse, my experience is that Christy is a truth-teller. She would know if her comment had been edited without her consent - and if later finds she was mistaken, she would be first to admit it on here!
ReplyDeleteIt greatly disturbs me when pastors (especially) edit (dare I say twist?) words without publicly stating so... one wonders where else they may be changing things - perhaps even for their own benefit. It's very poor form, if nothing else. I am all for having grace and forgiveness when someone makes a mistake... but that doesn't seem to fit here.
Mrs. Stuart, that is also my experience of Mrs, Duffy. Now that this thread has morphed into comments about comments, I would like to know how much and exactly what editing was done. I would also like to know if the offending person was contacted on the side to resolve this matter. If there really is agregious sin involved, let's handle it through the official channels of church elders.
ReplyDeleteI would like to restate that the purpose of this blog post was to alert people to the fact that some bloggers edit and delete comments. I want readers of my blog to know that I will not do that. I also wanted to let people know that some bloggers do not perform due diligence when presenting an idea or story. I want readers of my blog to understand that I will research when necessary. And I wanted to make readers aware that some bloggers are willing to do anything to make their point, even if manipulating comments is required. I want readers of my blog to know that I will not do that.
ReplyDeleteI certainly appreciate all the comments. Feedback, whether positive or negative, is helpful.
Ok, sis. It does sound like you may have a legitimate concern. I would strongly encourage you to go to that person. If you would like me to mediate, I would be more than willing to do that.
ReplyDeletedse, I greatly appreciate your last comment. I do not post things on my blog simply to stir the pot - like you said, I have a legitimate concern. And I wrote about it.
ReplyDeleteI wish you'd done whatever you did to come to this conclusion before asking me to take down my post.
I do not have any interest in communicating with the other blogger. But thanks for the offer.
This is not the biblical model though. You aren't allowed to do this until you have gone to that person, right? I mean it would be the nice thing to do. And my original post still stands - I think this was out of order and I worry for the ramifications. Now, granted you didn't name names, but there are at least a few of us out here who know of whom you speak. Your interest aside, it isn't right.
ReplyDeleteYou're kidding me, right? I named no names. It would have been unbiblical had I said John Doe is a liar! But that's not what I did. It's not my fault this man's reputation preceded him. And boy, does it.
ReplyDeleteHaving had some interaction with him prior to this, I have no interest in having any more. As someone said to me yesterday, “Every word I spoke to him was misquoted and twisted.” And this person went to him for reconciliation. That is the general consensus of the private messages I received yesterday. Private messages from people who *KNEW* who I was talking about even though I never referenced his name or blog. His reputation is well known in the homeschooling community. So no, I have no desire to ever speak to him. Pearls and swine and all that.
Dave, I know you love him, but even through your love and respect surely you can see that he is regarded as mean. Not because of what he says - theologically, I agree with him. The problem is his presentation. He seems to take joy in yelling at people and being short and sarcastic. You mentioned on your blog today that you are thankful for that kind of interaction in your life. Most people aren't.
Being winsome is not being weak. You do not have to scream at someone to get your point across. You do not have to be snarky or sarcastic to be heard. At what point do we trust the Lord to take the message where it needs to go?
You can comment all you want, but I'm done. So, so done.