Lately, I have had several commentators leave very nasty comments – which have not be published. Many are spouting off on various topics, including their idea that the President is the False Prophet/Antichrist, that every Christian since the Apostles are fighting against them, and that I am hellbound because I do not believe that Socialism is of the devil. Yes, that’s right, Capitalism is God’s given economic system and can be found in Holy Writ as such (never mind Acts 5).
So the question is this – should I allow these comments to be published?
August 20th, 2009 9:13 am
Hmmm…Socialism is of the devil. That’s right. I think in 4th John it says something like that.
Anyway, I’d say that you should keep those comments saved in a word document or something and then pull them out when you have enough for a ‘best of’ post. That’d be good for laughs.
August 20th, 2009 9:43 am
Opinions vary, you are going to always find opposition to what you believe, I don’t want to become a “socialist” country, but it appears that we are headed that way, and one thing I believe is that “Out Abba God is bringing down His Wrath on America! Brothers and Sisters in Christ,Look up for our redemption draws near……
August 20th, 2009 10:10 am
Absolutely not! If someone wants to be an idiot on their own dime, that’s perfectly legit; but, when they want you to pay for their stupidity to be broadcast… dump ‘em! There is a strong possibility that it will make you come off as a bit whacko yourself and run potential readers away.
They want to be nasty? I’m guessing you don’t have time or desire to engage them in something that will achieve nothing. Again, dump ‘em, and if necessary, block ‘em.
You have things that are worthwhile to publish. They want to sit back and take potshots because it costs them nothing. My experience says that they use the veil of anonymity as a means of growing “big ones” to belittle you; something they wouldn’t dare to do personally.
Hmmm… I wonder if my opinion was very clear?
August 20th, 2009 10:57 am
Tough call. I usually publish all comments that aren’t spam, even on the rare event when a writer disagrees, but I’ve never had anything too horribly bad. Maybe I should be a little more controversial.
August 20th, 2009 1:47 pm
My general rule is that I allow all comments, but will remove them if they’re too far off-topic, too full of name-calling, or just badly written or badly thought out … unless they’re SO stupid that I think they’re self-rebutting, in which case I might leave them.
As for the comment that you posted on Facebook, I probably wouldn’t let it go online. Your blog is more for informed discussion and not for vitriol. That comment was nothing but vitriol. The guy had no interest in informing us or learning himself, but rather berating you. Such comments don’t add anything to conversation, and so they just take up space in the thread.
August 20th, 2009 2:14 pm
Hi Polycarp…you too?
I receive a lot of those type of comments also. Disagreeing won’t keep me from posting a comment, but downright nastiness will.
Look at your blog the same way you look at your ’home/house’… ask yourself if these same people, if invited to enter your home would immediately come in, kick back, and begin spouting off about these things; telling you you are “hellbound because you do not believe that Socialism is of the devil”, etc etc..
Most, if not all wouldn’t think of doing such a thing!
Anyway, many of these folks are just looking for a soapbox. Its up to you to decide if you want to give them one. LOL
August 20th, 2009 5:27 pm
Speaking as your northern ’socialist’ blog buddy, I agree with PJ.
I think of my blog as my front porch. I have no problem with disagreement and difference of opinion, I thrive on it. I don’t thrive on rudeness, ignorance or people who cross boundaries and stress me out.
Disagreement isn’t your issue is it?
It’s willful rudeness and intent to harm, isn’t it?
I have a very simple site policy.
Raison d’etre, link credits, post mistakes, transparency, and play nice. I’ve bumped the ban up to two weeks because people seem a bit unhinged lately. ;^)
“We are adults, and know how to show self-respect and other respect. Abusive language or behaviour is not necessary to communicate. Commenter’s who are uncivil to others will get a ‘play nice’ warning. If the commenter is unable or unwilling to comply, they will be blocked for a week. Threats will be taken seriously and the ISP provider will be notified.”
I’ve handed out 4 play nice warnings, and banned 3 people for two weeks in 6 years. One threat was submitted to Canadian authories which was passed to counterparts in the US.
It’s your front porch, you pay the bill.
Blog on!
August 20th, 2009 7:45 pm
No, if there is one universal truth on the internet, it is “Don’t feed the trolls.”
August 20th, 2009 7:51 pm
I like to read the whole thing – post and comments that agree and disagree. BUT as others have said, if discussion is not going to go forward because the comments are so bizarre, mean, or derailing, then you might as well delete them.
January 1st, 2010 4:38 pm
Comments are a matter of what you want to leave. I do not heavily moderate comments personally. Yet, my blog is a quiet little one with no where near the readership of yours. Ultimately it is about respect and how you deal with those being disrespectful. Threats, insults I think need to be disregarded. Disagreements, even pointed ones are worth while because it can even show the differences in response.
As to socialism. It is of the devil as are all man made economic and political structures. THere is none righteous, not one…
January 1st, 2010 6:23 pm
I would agree with you about the first paragraph, and the second, I’ll keep to my self
August 20th, 2009 9:35 am
August 20th, 2009 10:30 am
I personally agree 100% with this last post! This kind of BS needs no light of print! But only you Joel (your blog) know what you consider real debate or dialogue.
Fr. R.
August 20th, 2009 10:35 am
Joe, your opinion is quite clear. Thanks!
August 20th, 2009 10:37 am
Deb, what did John say?
Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly!
August 20th, 2009 10:38 am
Fr. Robert, that’s the problem – I love dialogue, even with those which disagree with me – especially those – but this stuff that I am getting is over the top!
August 20th, 2009 11:12 am
I am trying not to be controversial, Peter, just clear up some miscommunication, such as Death Panels. Suddenly, because I called the blogger out on the idea of Death Panels (no such thing), I and John Calvin were attacking the one True Church of Yeshua something or another. Then I get another email about the President being the False Prophet – in Christian love of course.
Ugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 20th, 2009 2:21 pm
Thanks, Wickle.
August 20th, 2009 2:23 pm
You got that right, PJ. I want this blog to be inviting to all, even those, especially those, that disagree. I like disagreements, because I feel I can learn and grow from them, but sometimes, people treat it like it’s their own little soapbox and then run away.
August 20th, 2009 7:35 pm
Now, that’s a way to go.
I actually had one commentator threaten to report me to the site owner (which is me) for my conduct!
August 20th, 2009 7:53 pm
Thinks, Bitsy. I think that it will be my policy!
August 20th, 2009 7:53 pm
Like it!