I've been blogging for about a month now. I've invited several hundred people to view my blog and submit feedback and I appreciate each and every response that I have received. Of course as I expected I have received a few negative comments that I wish to address here.
1) I can't spell.
I write everything in Microsoft word first before posting it, run a spelling and grammar check and proof read everything several times. Occationally I miss the odd word or phrase. Big deal. I've seen typos in the New York Times too. Get over it!
2) I quote the Bible too much.
Like over 60% of North Americans I am a Christian. My dad was a Baptist minister. I quote the Bible because I know it and because it is the most widely read ancient text in the world. Especially when you add to that the fact that Muslims and Jews both share more than half of the same scriptures with Christians. I use the scriptures as a starting point in an attempt to show that the ideas I'm presenting are not new and can be appreciated by people of all faiths.
If you don't have any faith that's okay too because then they're just words to you. My challenge to anyone who takes offense to my use of the scriptures is to just read the words and leave it at that.
3) I'm too opinionated.
It's a Blog people! That's what it's for, to express my opinion. I don't force you to read it, if you don't like it, delete it.
I had one reader say to me that he was a "truth seeker" and didn't appreciate my forcing my opinion on him. ???
Truth Seekers beware! Sooner or later you will find find what you are looking for and then have to take a stand or become a hypocrite.
I applaud your efforts to promoe peacemaking. However, I see a great pardox between religion and peace. This can. Be confirmed by picking up any newspaper. Respectfully, I believe the first step toward true peace is the eradication of religion.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback.
ReplyDeleteAs I said - if you have no faith, that's okay too. Simply read the words for words, if you take religion out of it the words can be very powerful peace statements.
I couldn't agree with you more about your wish to eradicate religion. When I advocate for a scholarly reading of ancient texts like the Bible, I'm not advocating for religion. In fact a lot of scholars (not enough mind you but a growing number) are starting to read the Bible as in increadibly subversive text.
Religion is made by man, for man. When you really look at it, even Jesus was fighting against the religious establishment for his day.
My friend Bruxy Cavey wrote a book on the subject, check it out - http://www.theendofreligion.org/
I hope you keep coming back and I am able to help you see that.
Hey, I'm a huge fan of Chris Mortenson too. You are definitely an alright person! Your blog is first class - thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou have a nice blog...KUDOS!However,its good to have critics,be it negative or positive.It shows you are doing a great job out there.Keep on.
ReplyDeleteInteresting comments Lauren, I like your blog, it's quite substantial in its breadth of topics.
ReplyDeleteI found myself wondering though, it may be possible that the Quran is most widely read of the ancient scriptures. Not that it matters, but I just thought I'd throw it out there. It can be divisive to claim the bible is the most seminal text - particularly if you're trying to engage in a cross-religious dialogue. But I completely get that you quote it because you know it. I tend to do the same thing with Buddhism -i.e. - I have an opinion because it's what I read the most about.
Great blog though, and I agree, don't stop having an opinion... Your blog would be very boring otherwise.
AnOceanofJOy
http://oceanofjoy.blogspot.com/