Source: beChurch

Comments: John Griffin writes to Slice in regards to their open letter to ‘anonymous’ bloggers (who aren’t anonymous).  He takes probably a better approach than we have, hoping to engage them in face-to-face discussion.  I don’t know how fruitful it will be, but it is a well-thought-out, well-written article that succinctly boils down the essence of Slice.

Memorable Quotes:

I mentioned that the site is not really a blog. Let me explain: there are two kinds of blogs – those that just post news, and those that allow comments. Either one of those methods are fine. But Slice does not function like that.

They allow comments, but those comments are HEAVILY moderated (read censored). The comments that Ingrid and the other contributors tend to post are either a) supporting their positions or b) rude or easy-to-shoot-down arguments from those they disagree with.

Posts that disagree with them and cite specific reasons, scripture and are respectful and designed to bring peace are simply ignored.

The thing that’s made me most upset is that sometimes, they’ll allow you to post something that 10 people jump on – accusing and ridiculing the post. Then, if you try to respond with clarification or humility, they simply don’t post it. They “spin” posts to continue the vitriolic exchanges and don’t even allow you to defend yourself.

If you complain about it, they ban you. If you try to get around the ban, they ban your whole IP range. They’ve made a lot of people very angry using these tecniques – and then they claim to be “persecuted” for their actions – when their unfair, un-Christian approach to things is often at the root.

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Here’s what Kyrie66 had to say over at pomomusings:

I host a syndicated radio show and have to say your original profane comments on the Lighthouse Trails site pretty much sums up why we now have “emergent” leaders like . . .Posted by: Kyrie66 | 21 February 2005 at 11:21 AM

Yep, Slice readers, you guessed it. Our own Ingrid, incensed at so called anonymous bloggers, uses the same parody anonymity to make her points, even has a blog by the name of http://www.goatees.blogspot.com/.

Goatees? Ingrid, are you trying to disguise yourself as a man? For shame!!

Ingrid,

Welcome to SlicedLaodicea. It’s different from your blog because here we discuss the facts instead of attacking and maligning those who we disagree with. Please, read my article on what was done at the Saddleback Christmas Service. Please, feel free to disagree with my opinion that the historic Gospel message was clearly delivered.

Please, read my post on the “straw man” that Bob DeWaay sets up in trying to prove that Rick Warren has somehow left his evangelical faith for a New Age ideology. Please feel free to disagree with the specifics.

Nobody is hiding here, Ingrid, we’re not even hiding behind your comment to me when you banned me from your site and I quote:

“I have only my site and only a couple of helpers to screen comments. I do not have Rick Warren’s vast resources to spread his message. Surely, I am entitled this one blog without being required to post JohnD’s purpose driven dogma.”

Well, at this site Ingrid, we don’t even have one or two helpers to restrict the commenting so it’s come one come all. I wonder what would happen at your site if you allowed unrestricted comment for a day? You would probably get some garbage, but I’m guessing you would expose yourself to a lot of valid criticism. Who knows, we all might learn something in the dialog process.

By the way, the comment in question that angered you so much was two verses from 1 Peter. Here was the post:

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.
1 Peter 3:8-9 (NLT)

I do like the fact that you called it “Purpose Driven dogma” because I’ve always believed that what we teach at Saddleback is the Bible.

Peace.

John Gilbert Draper

[The following letter was sent to Dr. Frank Page of the SBC, in response to Ken Silva's article on his writing to Dr. Page]

TO: pastor@taylorsfbc.org
FROM: slicedlaodicea@earthlink.net   

Dear Dr. Page,

As you are probably aware, a letter written to you by a Mr. Ken Silva and your reply to him was posted on his website here.

I commend you for your wise reply to Mr. Silva, as his record of ‘discernment’ is rather spotty, to say the least. Might I suggest this site, and this particular ever-growing collection of writing on Mr. Silva and his compadres in smearing Christian brothers and becoming thorns in the side of the church. Also note his continued disdain for the SBC, whose affiliation he seems to continue to hold only for the purposes of maintaining his title of ‘reverend’.

Thank you again for your discernment in declining to give fuel to his heretic-hunting fires.

Grace & peace,

UPDATE:

My cut and paste job wasn’t complete, and Ingrid seems to think I was seeking anonymity.  No conspiracy here, Ingrid, just a mistake in cut and paste.  Also, as an FYI – 1) it isn’t slander if it’s true, 2) this site is primarily a collection of links to articles written about Slice or its writers, all (to my knowledge) with known authors, and 3) I’m not ‘emergent’, but I doubt you’ll correct your error, since they’re your whipping boys right now…

Here is the bottom of the letter:

Thank you again for your discernment in declining to give fuel to his heretic-hunting fires.

Grace & peace,

Chris Lyons

Source: Lone Prairie Art Works

Comments: A minor blogstorm occurred with Ingrid found herself embarrassed by her own expose on a Slice parody run by Patrick Lane. He was using a moniker which was an anagram of Ingrid Schlueter (which he was in no way hiding). The parody site, itself was rather crude, and its coarse content detracted from the parody/satire, but was not really any more offensive than its muse. Ingrid, in normal clueless fashion, missing the humor, assumed Patrick had assumed his moniker to ‘hide’ behind the name of a woman. Hilarity ensued.

Julie, at Lone Prairie Art Works, found her blog being ‘lit up’ by google searches for this parody site, and blogged on the subject, giving us a hat-tip in the process. Thanks, Julie!

Memorable Quotes:

So I headed on over to Slice to see what was sending people to Google and dumping them, with great disappointment I’m sure, on my blog. I discovered a post (UPDATE: the link has since been changed) talking about a parody site, a site making fun of Slice. The comments section on that post is worth a read for its own hilarity.* I wasn’t impressed by posting the contact information of the fellow running the parody site with the suggestion of harassment. Not really funny. The parody site wasn’t actually linked to, however, so I found myself doing the same Google search to find it. Here it is: www.sliceolaodicea.com.

Hmmm.

I like a good parody; I’ve seen some good ones of myself in the past. I can’t say I like this parody, though. Parody – satire is a better word, maybe – is like a fine chocolate cake**. If you slam the door on the oven the cake ceases to be beautiful and the middle caves in.

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