So....You Don't Like the Blog
"Your blog is evil...blah, blah... if you even are Christian, you are certainly one of the worse Christians in the world...blah blah. Repent in sackloth and ashes for your wicked language and your rotten attitude." My first email of this nature made me laugh. I couldn't believe it. This woman, an associate and friend of my older brothers, had accidentally "stumbeled" across my blog and decided that it was her Christian duty to reveal to me the error of my ways, citing my disgusting utilization of the English language and "attitude" as my most pressing and destructive evil, accusing me of living two different lives: one before my teachers and church and family and another one on the internet, "zipping up my flesh suit and going for a ride"(???). My response was to inform her that she did not know what she was talking about. I was not hiding anything from anyone: my friends, most of my family, and my and teachers know who I am and what I am like. (I don't even know my current pastor.) Everyone, I pointed out, knows me except her. This would indicate that perhaps she was involved in an affair about which she knew nothing with someone she did not know. Unfortunately, she failed to grasp this in my first email and proceeded, not only to keep writing me, but to spread the news to everyone else in this little community. I was approached by an old friend of mine who expressed his concern with my actions, relating his own experiences with that "languages" consequences. I must say, I appreciated - if not his arguments - his conern and respect for me that encouraged me to reconsider my course of action. And then he revisited my site. Revisited. Remember, this is after he came to me and informed me that he dissaproved of what I was doing and what my blog contained, admitting that if I failed to find something problematic or innately wrong with my language, I should not change it!!! So my question is, "Why the heck would he revisit a site that he believed was innately wrong and comment on it, "For what its worth, I'm very dissapointed." With what? With my blog? Yes, he already told me that - and he also told me that he didn't want me to change it if I failed to see something wrong with it. Was it with the fact that I changed the blog's address? Yes, I did because I was disgusted with the fact that it was getting passed around like a hot potato. It amazes me that certain persons would come across my blog, accuse me of being a rebellious or very deceived individual, and then tell others how to find this evil blog and that they should read it. Its even more amazing when you remember that these people are not even part of my life anymore. I never see them or talk to them and they have the audacity to try to fix my life by giving me all their opinons. In truth, that's all they are. They have nothing concrete to back their statments, and that makes them all opinions. For any of you who still haven't got enough of this evil blog and are still checking it with morbid fascination to see what evil I'll create next, Thank you, I appreciate the concern, but honestly, enough is enough. Fuck off.
posted by MattyP @ 3:27 PM
13 Comments:
Yeah my little comment here... why do you think I named my blog such as I did? yet still people read ALL OF IT and comment on how bad it is. And after some of the same experience I've decided that blog = internet, and Kirsti = real life.
Many "Christians" don't understand the difference between "western Christianized culture" and sin. This erks me somewhat that a body of believers gets so hell bent on the destruction of a fellow brother to try and bring them back to a "culture" that is built on a false premise.
Basically the bible is our foundation for living and the bible does not forbid us to get angry, does not forbid us to drink an acoholic beverage and does not forbid us to use colorful language. It does however say, that we are not to use the Lord's name in vain (which the f-bomb is not) and it also tells us not to swear (in not swearing it is talking about taking oathes in the Lord's name, because who are we to make oathes with the Lord our creator?). The one thing that might pertain a little here is how scripture tells us not to offend the weaker brother (or sister).
Now I don't think MattyP would spend time with friends and drop the f-bomb constantly if he knew they would be offended. This is not a double standard! It is scriptural! Don't offend the weaker brother!
Now talking about a blog is a different story, because it is open to the public. Now if the offended person was invited to the blog I would say MattyP would be in the wrong. If the offended person stumbled across the blog they should have realized it wasn't a place for them.
I do think a mistake was made in that the nature of this blog should not have really been able to be traced back to certain individuals. That was the offence and it has caused problems that should not even be there.
The bible does talk about the evil of the tongue and how much damage it can do, but once again it isn't talking about dropping the f-bomb, it is talking about damaging relationships by snide remarks, or gossip. To me it sounds like the "holier than thou" friend went the gossip route, which isn't biblical and will probably cause more hurt than good.
From a Christian man in Christian leadership I say shame on you "friend" for the gossip, love your brother. Share concerns by all means with MattyP, invite with MattyP's permission someone to read the blog. Don't bring family into it. Did you ask the older brother if he had talked to MattyP about the language? Use tact and use the Spirit, not your own "culture" to judge.
Matty to you: keep writing what you feel and what you see. The Lord looks at your heart. If you use the word f*** or freak, it doesn't matter, its the heart. But for the sake of those who you may offend why not say freak :)
I'd love to show my identity, but for the sake that I may ideed have offended someone through my interpretation of scripture, and the very position I hold, I think it wise to be....
Wow, thanks very much. That was a really helpful comment. I would enjoy talking more with you. My email is freshwman@yahoo.com.
hey, "anonymous" preach it! i'm a firm believer of personal convictions (to a certain extent) ...for mattyp, cursing is not one of them...for me, it is. And whenever we talk on AIM, he never swears or uses any harsh language. This is because he respect me, I believe. His blog is his own writing, he's not publishing it to make money or to give advice, so should we tell him how to write?...but I found in Ephesians 4:29, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that is may benefit those who listen." MattyP, take that as you wish, as God guides you to, He is your judge...Paul, to the Corinthians: "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes."
Yes jeannabelle, I think the "unwholesome talk" is a factor here, but I think that "unwholesome talk" is more in line with the subject rather than the words used conveying/expressing it. I can definitely understand someone being offended by some of the content of this blog due both to words used and subject. I still don't think the words used is a sin issue and if the subject is, then there is a place for mattyp to discuss that with people like yourself.
Like you mentioned, God is the judge and he has his Holy Spirit in mattyp to guide him. So MattyP, rely on Him and not you :p (we all are guilty of this :)
I'll get back to you in email soon.
Hi, Y'all. This is Disappointed Dave. Wow! What a stir a cryptic comment has caused. This is my first experience in posting anything on a blog site. I truly had no expectation of a response. Interesting.
I did tell MattyP that as far as I am concerned, if he does not seen anything inherently wrong with either his language or his experessed attitude, I would not want him to alter it or to change it because of my view of it. I am not sure he understands why I would say that. I am not sure the blog respondents understand the why.
My first visit was not an accident. Friends expressed shock (I don't think that is too strong) at what they found (Why or how they initially visited it, I don't know). My modus operandi is to try to understand the person's reasons for taking a different position before I judge or critique that position. (Do I always succeed? No. I too am a falible human.) That was the reason for broaching the subject to MattyP in a direct and personal meeting. His reasons did not satisfy me and my objection did not satisfy him. I still disagree with him and am disappointed. And I still maintain that my disappointment should not be the motive for him to change.
Some comments to my cryptic remark suggest that we only express opinions, and as such they be taken or not. The criterion for accepting an "opinion" seems to be solely at the whim or desire of the person receiving it. It is only an opionion. That works only if there is no such thing as absolute morality, absolute rights and wrongs. (The subject of rightness and wrongness related to language and attitudes may lie outside the parameters of absolutes, I admit. But let's not dismiss it out of hand.) I believe there are absolutes. And even in the area of flexibility, there are guidelines. Those should not be dismissed as irrelevant.
Regarding visiting the site: Initially there is an implied invitation. It's on the web. That's public domain. Why express any opinion on the web if it is not with the expectation that others will read it? Why provide this space for reply if replies are not invited. However, since I obviously object to some things on the site, why revisit it? My return was via a home page which I was specifically invited to visit. Tht home page provided a link which I was invited to visit. So I did, and voila! Well, now I am returning voluntarily and with the same invitation the rest of you have. I kinda find this fascinating. Hopefully there may be some dialogue that has reason and not emotion as its motivator.
These people who are not a part of MattyP's life: Hmmm. I seem to recall that some of they have known him for most of his life. Does it make an difference that they have assisted in the material support of his family, assisted him in the selection of a college to attend, assited in the obtaining of a college scholarship, that these are some of the very people who both prayed for him and visited him when he was hospitalized with a broken back? They do not claim to "own" him, only to care for him. Might some of them use excesses in expressing that care and concern, just as he has. Of course! And for that they should be cautioned and corrected--but not jetisoned.
I do have another question: When is it appropriate for one Christian to approach another with correction he feels is advisable? If the one making the approach is aware of his own weaknesses and recognizes that tomorrow he make need the correcting, how is he to know whether he should offer the assistance?
One respondent suggested I should "get a life." What does that mean? I think it is suppose to be an insult, but I'm not sure. If it is not a euphemism, my life is full and satisfying. My reaction to MattyP's remarks does not make it less so.
Several respondents have identified themselves as being some brand of Christian. May I assume that we can agree that what we should be about is the pursuit of righteousness, as feeble as that pursuit may be? Should we not be focusing our minds on that which is pure, lovely, virtuous, and praisworthy (Phil 4:8)?
I agree wholeheartedly with the anonymous respondent who points out that none of the language that I object to is blasphemous. I do not know that MattyP has ever used that kind of language. However, I think he misses the point by then accepting any other expressions as being acceptable. The fact that the world--culture--accepts or rejects something makes it neither right nor wrong. In fact, In I Cor 5 Paul calls on secular societal standards to underscore just how wrong some behavior is.
Well, if you have read this far, you have proven to have endurance. Thank you. I intend to revisit the site and if you (that includes MattyP and Blog Surfer, as well as others) care to dialogue in this fashion, I think I am I would enjoy that.
DD
fucking chi bai...too bad your head doesn't even work half as much as your mouth does...and tat's probably the only muscle you excercise in your whole damned body...maybe you should shut tat big hole in your face before it gets to big,it forms it's own website...loser...
I'm still a little confused though as to why you keep returning to the site? You told me that you believe there is something inherently wrong with what I am doing? Why, then, do you find it "fascinating"? Aren't we supposed to not even speak about things evil people do, let alone find them fascinating? (Eph 5:12) I am still confused by this addiction you people seem to have with what I am doing. You have all painstakingly expressed your opinions, you have heard my side, and yet you insist on pressing the matter. I agree Sir, you have always been a very good friend of mine, and I don't plan on that changing, but as for the other people: they either have never been a part of my life or are simply not anymore. I'm not ungrateful for past friendships, but things have changed, as you should be aware of. And, if these people know me so well, then I am seriously offended that they would automatically assume that I am purposely doing what I know to be wrong. I would have appreciated the benefit of the doubt: they should realize I am mature enough to have already considered these issues myself. If they felt it necessary to approach me, they should have done so with the attitude of trying to determine why I had come to this new place in life, not immediately condemn my standing as being wrong. Lastly, there are more decorous ways to convey points without resorting to disclosing personal information: I would appreciate it if you kept my private life off the internet.
I still don't know how your brother got involved? Was that true?
My brother started the blog and made me a co-writer.
e-drama is so fucking funny...
as you can see from my past comments, I have shown mattyp different aspects of the situation. This does two things: 1. doesn't make it look like I think I'm smarter or better than him, 2. gives him different aspects of the argument to look at and to pray and seek God about about.
Romans 15:7 "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you in order to bring praise to God." Dave, mattyp says you are a cool guy, I understand that you care about him, but maybe you and everyone else could show him your side of the argument a different way in which he can understand. if one feels like he's being attacked, then he will not be likely to understand.
As Christians, meaning as people...we should just concentrate on living as best as we possibly can. Jesus want it us to be perfect,not like him but like our Father in heaven. Do you realize what this means.
You will never be perfect like God but you can constantly strive to be better.
This blog is perhaphs an outlet to have your voice be heard and not keep it inside. If you have an opinion say it.
It is not what you say but the actions that you take the matters. You will be judge by God based on your actions. It does not matter what you preach. Even a child in Africa or anywhere else in the world that never knew of God will be judged on their actions.
Words are just words and if Matt is insulting some people DON'T READ the blog.
You shouldn't take it personally!!! God knows who and what he is. Let him respond to him directly when the time comes.
Everyone else, you just worry about your own relationship with Him.
Being expresive is not a sin and knowledge is certainly not a sin. But if you are hypocritical and you critize someone for saying what they feel when in fact you might feel the same way....well think about it...that is certainly not right.
No one has a right to condem anyone for their opinion, only God can judge.
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