If I may... :) I dont mind other peoples opinions when they conflict with mine. I mind other people opinions when they conflict with the facts sitting on their nose, and they willfully ignore the facts to attack me personally. Before you criticize someone for the way they do their job, you should have a body of work in that field, or a genuine frame of reference, and maybe some major experience for perspective. Otherwise, you will always end up looking prideful and egotistical as you continue your uninformed critique. Im a terrible writer but I still blog occasionally - that doesnt make me a professional blogger. Imagine if I started a flamewar with JT Eberhard or Dan Arel telling them how they should change their writing styles and assert their activism isnt working, even though theres mountains of evidence sitting on my nose that shows otherwise. Or imagine me telling Neil Carter that his writing is only to make a name for himself knowing full well the risks he takes, what he personally has sacrificed, and continues to sacrifice, to educate people within his reach. JTs only reached tens of thousands with his writing, speeches, and workshops. Dan Arel only wrote a book, Parenting Without God, and saved the Kentucky taxpayers $18 mill by exposing a religious fraud. Neil Carter is having verifiable success in the Bible Belt with his eloquent (but not smug) writing. But then here some internet warrior who hasnt accomplished anything of value in the movement (or not) comes along and throws his 300 words of wisdom their way. I see it all of the time. Some of you armchair secularists should take notice: Some of us, whether we parity our styles or not, actually get things done. We have a body of work and results to prove it. We need firebrands, humanists, Pastafarians, Hitchens, Dawkins, Nate Phelps, Ryan Bell, Bill Nye, NdTy, lawyers, teachers, comedy, documentaries, Mr. Nice Guys, assholes, and progressive Christians to get things done! The only thing we can do without is violence (unless its self defense). We are all important - including you and me. The difference is Im not going to find Matt Dillahunty and tell him how to debate theists. Im going to STFU and learn from the master, capisce? Im not going to Apostacon to tell Sarah Morehead how to run an awesome event. Im going to ask her if I can be a part of her event and learn from the master, capisce? Thanks for reading! Ramen :)
Posted on: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 02:36:39 +0000