New comment on an earlier article and my reply. If you have questions or comments, make them here.
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
4 comments:
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I have to endorse Rachael's comment. There is a time and a place for everything and this is not the place for any religious debate. (I have my religious views, Rachael has her religious views - they are not the same - and we can discuss them back-channel if we wish, or not at all. Certainly not on a blog that concentrates on history from 100 years or more ago.) I might also just point out one factual point since the comment was made on an article I wrote a long time ago - the Watchtower Society does not give away Diaglotts now. They used to, but their inventory ran out as did the copyright. That is why others including a Church of God/Christadelphian conglomerate have re-published it in recent years. You can get a reprinted copy from several sources, only obviously now you have to pay for it.
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October 23, 2018 at 11:58 AM
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I agree, Jerome.
Sad, but "Unknown" could simply have stated a few facts (e.g., WT now does not charge for literature, provide a current statistic of annual printing, etc.), and LEAVE THE READERS TO DRAW THEIR OWN CONCLUSIONS!
And if you are reading this, Unknown, I immediately thought of another organization that gives Bibles away for free. Have you ever heard of Gideons International? I do not agree with their theology, but facts are facts, and the fact is, since 1908, the Gideons have distributed, free of charge, millions of Bibles, concentrating on hotels, hospitals, schools (that's where I got one back in 1966), and jails.
Unknown, Rachael characterized a later message from you as a "temper tantrum". I didn't see it, but if she is correct (and I'm confident that she is), shame on you,. Where is the quiet and mild spirit that all Christians should manifest?
If you were mistaken as to the purpose of this blog, you should have apologized when you learned that it was exclusively for historical research.
And what's worse, Unknown: You have brought reproach upon your belief system, and the many thousands who share those beliefs and ARE trying to engage others in a spirit of mildness. Some of them participate in discussion here, without sermonizing other readers.
My suggestion is, if you came here to "count your time" - GO KNOCK ON SOME DOORS INSTEAD! -
October 23, 2018 at 4:24 PM
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I did see Unknown's several comments described as a "temper tantrum" and in fact tweeted Rachael to advise her. The comments were rude and insulting and were rightly taken down. They do not represent ME and I am sure do not represent any other regular blog readers and commentators. They are only a distractions from the job at hand - doing and sharing historical research, with the prime focus on seeing volume two of Separate Identity completed and published.
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October 23, 2018 at 9:18 PM
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Rachael:
Thank you for using this as an example for all who post here.
Don't let people like this get you down. The work of you and your team is marvelous and inspiring. Any Witness who posts here should, like most do, praise you and your colleagues for your unwavering dedication to accurate and verifiable research.
I agree with Andrew Martin. Shame on that person for their nasty comments and their inability to engage in a constructive dialogue. As you yourself pointed out, it is one reason why many find it difficult to engage constructively with Witnesses. As a Witness myself, I am embarrassed to see someone who know should better being reprimanded for not acting as a Christian.
I applaud you for your straightforward comments and once again, thank you and your entire team for your hard work, even in the face of such inappropriate criticism.
Andrew Grzadzielewski -
October 24, 2018 at 10:04 AM
This is a history blog. It does not exist for any other purpose. Your comment may be your sincere belief, but it is out of place here. And in point of fact there are a number of organizations that give away free copies of the Bible.
Ordinarily, I'd take your comment down as a violation of our rules. Instead, I'm using it as an occasion to restate our prime rule: This is a history blog. Comments should be relevant to Watchtower history. People of many faiths, academics, and other writers visit this site. All are welcome to post comments relevant to the history articles we post. None are welcome to advertise their faith or engage in a polemic. This blog exists only to present our research and articles by others that represent well-documented historical exposition. Polemical comments are never welcome.
addenda:
Dear Unknown,
I took down your temper tantrum, and I will not allow any further comments from you. I think you represent your religion accurately, and it is people such as yourself that convinced me it could not possibly be 'truth.' You do not act as a Christian should; you do not know your own religion; and you're factually incorrect in your statements.
I've informed the blog admins to delete any comment from yourself.