Comments on: You never know who’s reading

By: Renee

Renee — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 16:26:00 +0000

Great insight, I’ve had my own patience and compassion tested when someone posts an overwhelmingly frustrated post of name calling (or whatever)in my own blog.

By: Dave Armstrong

Dave Armstrong — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 07:05:00 +0000

Testing my new photo.

By: Dave Armstrong

Dave Armstrong — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 06:37:00 +0000

Superb observations. Thanks for sage advice that we all need to constantly heed (and please pray for me as I am currently involved in four exchanges with atheists: the most recent posts at my blog).

Dave

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 18:09:00 +0000

"Of Courtesy it is much less
Than courage of heart or holiness.
But, in my roads, it seems to me
That the Grace of God is in Courtesy".

I have this note taped to my pc. Sorry I don't know who wrote it but its a much needed reminder for me!

By: Skyminder

Skyminder — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 00:53:00 +0000

Amen to that, Jen.

I myself have experienced the urge to EXULTANTLY TRIUMPH over my error-darkened foes, but there's basically never an ok time to do so. No matter how right I happen to be, it's only really because SOMEONE ELSE has shown me the way. Even Jesus, when He expelled the moneychangers out of the temple, didn't go "Oh yeah?! What's up now, foolios?" He chastised them and left.

Keep it up, and welcome Home!

By: Suzanne Temple

Suzanne Temple — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:58:00 +0000

You make a very good point, here.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 17:49:00 +0000

Unfortunately, sometimes we Christians are the most un-Christ-like of all, but I have found that in general people can forgive a lot of our faults if we admit to them and are humble about them. It's when Christians are prideful and arrogant that we really do the worst damage to those who have not been given the gift of faith.

It wouldn't surprise me if the hateful messages left by such posters as the Anon you mentioned are the result of either having seen a lot of hypocrisy (a huge turn-off to just about every human being)or having been personally hurt by people claiming to be Christian. Just a thought.

I think it's really important to realize that looking up to a person is one thing, but turning them into an idol is another. We are all faulty human beings, and we are bound to be disappointed if we turn other Catholics into heros. I've seem some very public Catholic "heros" later exposed to be something very unhero-like, and those who idolized them are totally disillusioned, sometimes to the point of questioning their faith.

I guess the bottom line is that charity, kindness, and humility go a long way in impressing non-believers. Arrogance, pride, and hypocrisy do just the opposite.

By: Elena

Elena — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 12:14:00 +0000

Three of the commentors in the debate maintained a calm, charitable tone despite the fact that every response they gave was met with hostility and ad hominem attacks.

This is an important observation, and I'm glad you made it. As an example, a few years ago I had a big debate on my blog about EIFWAIL (early induction of fetus with anomalies incompatible with life) and I made a deliberate effort to be calm, rational, and logical - and it simply did not matter. The slings and arrows from that discussion still hurt. Last summer I stepped in to protect a priest who was being viciously maligned on another blog, and the offending commenter threatened to call CPS on me, simply because we disagreed. I had never met thisperson. She lived many states way from me. It has definitely changed my blogging practices.

I don'tknow if it's part of being on the internet, or the type of personalities blogs attract, but I have found that simply speaking the truth how you see it, leaves you vulnerable to those types of attacks.

I'm really impressed and pleased that you picked up on that trend Jen!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 07:52:00 +0000

Courtesy also stands out when it is practised by the “commentariat”. I have gone to look at more than a few blogs when I have been impressed by the courteous way a blogger addresses the issues in comment boxes.

By: Faith

Faith — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 00:41:00 +0000

I really like Mark Shea because he refuses to be politically correct, for either the right or the left. I like that independence. When I reverted back to the faith, I was so intimidated by lots of orthodox Catholics who I felt were constantly judging others on how Catholic they were. Do you receive the Eucharist in the hand, gasp, you aren't as Catholic as I, who receive it on the tongue, etc. I don't know if you've run into this type. Anyway, Mark Shea made me realize I can think for myself AND be Catholic. I owe my obedience to the Church, not reactionaries. He made me braver.

But I agree that the snarkiness gets so ugly. What about "They'll know we are Christians by our Love?" You know the hymn? There is often very little love going on in those blog posts and comments.

I just discovered your blog and I love it! Sorry, to go on so long.