To InSupportOfTruth, you are a little vague on what the Christly Mr. Black did that was so misunderstood or misinterpreted. So apparently it's ok to poke "innocent" fun at Mrs. Eddy or make light of her travails? Why would a Board member with even a particle of love and respect for Mrs. Eddy or Christian Science even contemplate such questionable shenanigans? The word ingrate comes to mind--along with some others.
To the assertion that Ms. Asher "freely admits" the whole Planet Waves thingy was just a "bad joke", I say hogwash. When and where exactly did she freely admit it--in pantomime in the solitude of her Planet Waves office? Ms. Asher's laughable claim that it was all a parody came a good two months after her web site posting. As I said then, parody of what, that Ms. Trammell had a sweet tooth for horoscopes and eriscopes and accompanied Ms. Asher to Meow Mix, a lesbian bar? Then maybe a month after that Ms. Asher claimed in apparent desperation that it was all made up. I'm afraid the aspic had jelled long before that Hail Mary.
The claim that Ms. Trammell was interested in the Planet Waves "business model" is too specific to be made up and, anyway, Ms. Asher must have had a fairly intimate knowledge of Ms. Trammell to write what she did whether fact or fiction. And what about Ms. Asher's quoting of the also still silent John Yemma that "spaciness is next to godliness" or something like that? Quotes like Ms. Asher's don't just drop from the sky like bird poop.
The revelation that Ms. Trammell was hurt by the Planet Waves expose almost had me heading for the Kleenex. Good heavens, woman, if it was so painfully untrue why didn't you speak up? Did that naughty cat get your tongue? Boiled down, the undeniable residue is this: Neither Ms. Trammell nor Mr. Black has ever denied (publicly at any rate) one jot or tittle of either story. And it doesn't take a syllogism to deduce the meaning of either's silence.
Finally, it is unfortunate that this blog is being preempted by some interlopers who gallop about therein prolixly on their self-serving hobbyhorses. It may be necessary to eliminate comments for a while if this continues. To Whom This May Concern: Please set up your own blogs and have at it to your wordy hearts' content.
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27 comments:
Bravo on all fronts, Christian--especially our last paragraph. Some commenters' abuse of your blog had to be addressed and I say, thank goodness you did it!
Good,good, good for you! At least those few who just run on and run loving their own comments and unwilling to get their own blog have been warned. Let's see if they get the message. This is YOUR blog, for heaven's sake!
It troubles me that Christian only wants comments that agree with him and not any that don't. I think that is dangerous to getting down to the truth of what is going on in our beloved church. Needless to say, all is not well, but I'm not convinced that all the accusations are true. I want to know and like hearing both sides.
Thank you, Christian for all your hard work for our casue.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who's saying, hip-hip-hooray to you, Christian. Both for your plain-spokenness about Black and Trammell, but also your addressing that near taking over of your blog.
All the above needed saying.
Very well said, I must say. You've shown how in charge of your own thinking (and of your blog) you are.
Not to defend the thoughtless behavior of some of your recent commenters, but they were trying to hitch their wagon to a much-read blog I would guess. And if they started their own, might not take off for some time (if it ever did.)
Well done, Christian -
I just love the love you obviously feel for our Cause, and the deep respect you have for its Leader, Mary Baker Eddy.
Keep right on speaking up for what's right!
You are one sharp tack, Christian. This essay should lay to rest not only those like InSupportOfTruth et al, but those "bores" who have tried to use your website instead of setting up their own.
All said so vividly to boot.
To the poster who thinks Christian wants only comments that agree with his position; I don't think that's the case. Rather, the problem, if you will, is the people who run on and on and on, etc. If someone has so much to say on a topic, Christian is correct, s/he should start their own blog. Thanks Christian for what you are doing for the Cause of Christian Science.
A friend near Tucson....
Thank you for another well-written essay, and one containing things that were important to air, in my estimation. God does not expect us to cover over wrongdoing, since His Son our Leader tells us "hated iniquity."
You express your thoughts with such clarity and intelligence and talent. A joy to read your blog!
Really enjoy reading your essays, and now that you've got those comments stopped (let us hope!), will get to enjoy the comments more as well.
What a blog post this is! Terrific job of demolishing the apologist for Black and Trammell. What is there left for that sycohant to say now? And you certainly took care of the wordy interlopers. Good advice to them, blogs are not hard to set up.
I say thank God that we have someone as alert as you are, thinking and writing what needs to be communicated to the Field. Far too many CS's are in such an apathetic state, willing to believe anything they are told, who are too lazy to make any effort to get the facts about things that vitally concern the religion we love.
How interesting that there would be gremlins on your blog this morning! I posted a comment earlier and did not go through. Just trying this one to see if it works. Who knows how many others are out there somewhere?
A masterful job of replying--all the way round. And so sparkingly written on top of it.
I would say you've taken care of things with this excellent blog post and can now move on to more important issues.
Really well done, Christian!
The readers of The Broken Net might be edified by seeing Rachel Asher's comment on all of this on her own blog:
http://planetwaves.net/pagetwo/2009/01/12/christian-science-monitor-planet-wave/
Yes, excellent job on all points as always, Christian. You might want to go to a "moderated" blog with review/approval privileges if this doesn't do the trick. That said, except for the length--and occasional vituperation--of some of the comments, I frankly enjoy reading most of them. Reading nothing more than "Wonderful job..." etc. gets a little old after a while.
As one who added a couple of comments on the Helen Wright and estoppel clause issues, just want to say, Christian, you are indeed keeping the field on its toes about problems in Boston. My only interest has been to provide a thought or two about the cause of those problems, and if seriously questioned, what are those in the field supposed to do about it, unless only to complain and listen to others' complain.
Is there an underlying cause to the present problems the CS Movement faces in Boston?
If so, then is there a solution to that problem?
Hartsook's support of the Novus etc. Foundation shows a desire to solve the issues you have raised on The Broken Net.
My comments were made with the same interest and intent.
But, lest any and all assume this is interloping, I will withdraw from further comments.
Best wishes to your continuing success(?) with The Broken Net.
"The revelation that Ms. Trammell was hurt by the Planet Waves expose almost had me heading for the Kleenex."
Look onto the heart of this eloquent person dubbed 'Christian' who shares our discontent about church, but tell me you don't see seething anger and astonishing hatred. Not my idea of a leader. Careful who you follow, guys.
FRIEND IN AZ
I'm happy that at least one of Christian's readers understands that a lively commentariat is part and parcel of the blogging medium.
The geriatric reaction of Christian's readers who think that any comment less than adulation for the host is interloping is highly amusing. Especially considering the fact that blogs in general are public venues, and this blog in particular is hosted by a free service.
Once the comments are shut down this blog will go the way of the dodo. Most blog hosts are grateful for their substantial commentors.
Whatever happened to "thoughts, observations, and aperçus on the study and daily living of Christian Science"? (c cedille is Alt0231) This is the announced subtitle of The Broken Net. The posts of Christian that adhered to this criterion are the ones that I have enjoyed most and really gained from. The harshness of the recent political shouting pains me--even as I realize I may have contributed to it. We Christian Scientists are always right, no? Then how dare anyone contradict ME? (Better put in an emoticon here so that even the most solemnly literal-minded among us will know that I'm exaggerating and this is a joke: ;-) .) In my long experience I've found that CStists are seldom able to discuss controversial subjects rationally and impersonally but prefer to pontificate or be pontificated to. (And where does "pontiff" come from?)
I shall visit this blog less often and be silent until I perceive a return to its original intent. Meanwhile, I shall rev up my own blog, and y'all are welcome to visit there, where debate is welcomed so long as it is collegial, cordial in tone, and adheres to the topic(s).
First, I have appreciated all that Christian Blogger has done here, and I have agreed with 98 percent of it. Now:
Let's see --
- Will not admit to mistakes in judgment (Trammel/Waves)
- Basks in adulation from followers (yes, followers)
TMC/BOD? Nope. Guess who?
(Short enough for you?)
Upon reading the Rachel Asher rebuttal cum apology at Planet Waves, thoughtfully provided by "Concerned" I come away honestly torn between two opinions. 1) Rachel Asher is a naive gay/liberal twit who had/has no idea that she can't libel/slander/bash a religious organization and its' members without stirring up a controversy and potential consequences or 2)She's lieing about the piece being "satire." It would seem hard to believe that anyone brought up in this climate of "political correctness" could actually be as naive as (1). And her overall tone of gay/liberal haughtiness non-apology makes her hard to believe on that score. I can only recommend anyone interested in the matter to follow the link to her rebuttal and decide for themselves.
Well, one more time....
I've just read the blog in question--planetwaves.net, and am reminded of a pertinent article by Mrs. Eddy that Christian Scientists, particularly in light of the massive political lies being dumped on the American people these days, should give heed to. The article in thought, in Mis., p. 226, is entitled Perfidy and Slander. In it Mrs. Eddy quotes Shakespeare:
"To thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man."
I'll not quote anything else from the article, but recommend it to all to read. It speaks for itself.
As Christian Scientists we are held to a particularly high standard when it comes to truth-telling. This applies to what we accept and believe to be true. Mrs. Eddy was emphatic, that "The time for thinkers has come." Well, now is a good time for the thinkers to come forth.
Best wishes,
If Christian Scientists are united in their understanding of divine Truth why is there so much variance when it comes to interpreting God's will as it applies to human life?
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