Honesty
Ok, I'm more than a little upset about this, because things like this are wrecking the testimony of Christians on the internet.
Yesterday at about 6:30 pm, a satire piece was posted at Blogcritics. A pretty funny piece about President Bush mobilizing the Salvation Army to fight in Iraq. Clearly marked "Satire" at the top in big letters. Clearly someone else's work. By this morning, the story had been picked up by The Christian Post. Now this isn't normally a big deal -- but the Post apparantly put their writer's name on the story, publishing it as an original work. The fact that they thought the story was true is incredibly funny; the fact that they effectively stole the piece from Blogcritics is far from funny. The story has been removed from their site. No apology has been issued at all. They are pretending that it never happened. Anyone who is familiar with Blogcritics will know exactly how this has been received there. Put it simply -- many of the folks there have no use for Christians at all, and a situation like this adds fuel to the fire. The original author is pointing out the fiasco here, including screen captures. I'm calling on The Christian Post to issue an apology. An email to the original author would be appropriate, I think. A comment at the original posting would also be in order. Some sort of acknowledgement on their site would be appropriate also. This kind of thing happens. But when Christians do it, and then ignore the consequences, it causes problems. The efforts of other Christians are compromised by a poor testemony like this.
Posted by: Warren Kelly at 11:34 AM
Comments
1
I think it is not so much that many of the people at Blogcritics have no use for Christians per se, but rather they have little patience for proselytizing.
Posted by: Dean at August 17, 2005 12:08 PM (FCG++)
2
I think that many (if not most)have no use for proselytizing. But any time a Christian organization messes up like this, and then covers it up and ignores it, it reinforces all the negative stereotypes that they have about Christians.
Posted by: Warren at August 17, 2005 12:13 PM (iJfPJ)
3
As one of the most vitrolic speakers against overbearing Christian dogma at BC, I do disagree with your statement that many folks there 'have no use for Christians at all'.
Christians are not a tool to be used, first.
Secondly, I am a baptized Christian myself (left the Church, still have relationship with God), however it is entirely the proselytizing that gets attacked. When the recent influx of evangelicals first came about, it was done by a sudden proliferation of articles posted that demonized and attacked those of non-Christian ideology, on all fronts. We began to see articles attacking and demonizing pro-choice people, gay people, divorced women, the list goes on. Of course, those so heavily steeped in the Church's ways cannot see it from that point of view. So they cannot understand the response.
Christians are not a tool to be used, first.
Secondly, I am a baptized Christian myself (left the Church, still have relationship with God), however it is entirely the proselytizing that gets attacked. When the recent influx of evangelicals first came about, it was done by a sudden proliferation of articles posted that demonized and attacked those of non-Christian ideology, on all fronts. We began to see articles attacking and demonizing pro-choice people, gay people, divorced women, the list goes on. Of course, those so heavily steeped in the Church's ways cannot see it from that point of view. So they cannot understand the response.
Posted by: Steve S at August 17, 2005 12:22 PM (uqrBB)
4
Steve, I'd have to disagree. My own first experience (my second post) had nothing to do with demonizing anyone. I was reviewing a book. The commentors on the book launched an attack NOT at the review, but at Christian faith in general.
I saw the problems that were there at "the beginning." I also saw people attacked simply because they were reviewing Christian books, music, etc. That's what made it pretty clear to me how many on the site stand.
I agree that there are a LOT of good people at BC of various positions. I enjoy the discussion and debate. I wouldn't have BC any other way -- it's what makes it enjoyable for everyone. But there are extremes on both sides of the issue -- to say it is otherwise is being dishonest.
I saw the problems that were there at "the beginning." I also saw people attacked simply because they were reviewing Christian books, music, etc. That's what made it pretty clear to me how many on the site stand.
I agree that there are a LOT of good people at BC of various positions. I enjoy the discussion and debate. I wouldn't have BC any other way -- it's what makes it enjoyable for everyone. But there are extremes on both sides of the issue -- to say it is otherwise is being dishonest.
Posted by: Warren at August 17, 2005 12:29 PM (iJfPJ)
5
I'll take your word for that perspective, Warren. I don't believe I've ever visited a Christian book review there, I usually stick to the politics/culture sections, which of course, is where the proselytizing comes in.
Yeah, there is a lot of strong sentiment on both sides of the coin.
Yeah, there is a lot of strong sentiment on both sides of the coin.
Posted by: Steve S at August 17, 2005 12:39 PM (uqrBB)
6
And there we can absolutely agree, Steve. That's probably one reason I don't go to the politics section that often -- I have a LOT of opinions, but nothing that would really help the discussion.
And half the time, I disagree with my fellow evangelicals about what the role of the church should be in the political arena. Christians should speak out -- but our first priority should always be to the gospel.
And half the time, I disagree with my fellow evangelicals about what the role of the church should be in the political arena. Christians should speak out -- but our first priority should always be to the gospel.
Posted by: Warren at August 17, 2005 12:44 PM (iJfPJ)
7
Amazing, and reprehensible. Plagiarism is something I have little tolerance for. But this is not the first time I've heard of the Christian Post doing something like this. I've also heard they use other copyrighted material without permission.
Certainly a terrible practice, and a lousy testimony.
Certainly a terrible practice, and a lousy testimony.
Posted by: Tim at August 18, 2005 04:21 PM (RUrE2)
8
I also blogged about this, Warren. Thanks for the alert.
Posted by: Tim at August 18, 2005 04:28 PM (RUrE2)
9
Warren, here is the latest. Not very impressive response from Christian Post.
http://www.thebmrant.com/?p=502
http://www.thebmrant.com/?p=502
Posted by: Matt at August 19, 2005 06:03 PM (tkdsE)
10
here is the direct link. sorry
Posted by: Matt at August 19, 2005 06:03 PM (tkdsE)
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