Finding Community in the Comments
I started this blog on December 6, 2002. I really didn’t know much about blogs at the time. I just wanted to write, so I launched Real Live Preacher and got on for the ride.
In the beginning, very few Christians knew about me. Most of my visitors were atheists, agnostics, pagans, seekers, and thoughtful people of every kind. In the early days, the comments reflected that wonderful diversity. We explored our common ground, listened politely to each other, and practiced a gentle touch with our theology, or lack thereof.
In recent months, things have changed a little. With more Christian visitors, the comments have taken on a heavier tone at times. I’ve gotten email from some of the old crowd, telling me they aren’t as comfortable leaving comments these days.
I’m sad about this, but I don’t think anyone should be blamed. People leave comments that reflect their point of view. What else can they do?
I do hope this will continue to be a place where we can celebrate our common ground. I hope this can be a place where we lay down our need to change or convert each other. I’m not saying that change or conversion isn’t good, but change is best experienced in the context of real relationships.
I also think that following some gentle rules of comment etiquette will encourage the kind of diversity we’ve enjoyed here so far. I can’t control the comments and wouldn’t want to if I could. I certainly don’t want to add “Comment Policeman” to my list of responsibilities.
I would simply like to make a few suggestions that I think would help cultivate diversity in the little Comments Community we have created in this place.
One - If someone leaves a comment and you disagree, why not just tell us what you believe and leave it at that? We will hear your wisdom better if you aren't wasting words trying to show that other people are wrong.
Some people don’t put that much thought into their comments. They fire off a quick response that was never intended to be a treatise of belief. Having someone dissect your offhand remark is irritating. Friendly debate and discussion are nice, but it's easy to misunderstand in a forum like this.
If you feel you must speak to something that someone else said, be gentle and courteous with your words. Give them the benefit of every doubt.
Two – Practice the diplomatic art of speaking across worldviews. Use your authority sources carefully. Whether you are quoting Gandhi, Bohr or Jesus, use your scriptures to help us understand YOUR point of view. Don't quote from your scriptures in an attempt to teach or correct someone else.
Three - I think it is polite to limit comments to a paragraph or two. Maybe three if you just can’t help yourself. If you leave long comments, most people just skip you anyway. Ironic, huh?
If you have a lot to say, post it in your own blog and leave us a link to it. That is the courteous thing to do. If you don’t have a blog, start one. The more the merrier.
Go here to find out how to start your own blog - http://www.salon.com/blogs.
As I said, I don’t intend to police the comments. I simply want to suggest that a little etiquette will encourage the kind of diversity that has always been a hallmark of Real Live Preacher.
8:58:06 AM 
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