A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life

A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life
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I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this also I believe, –that unless I believed, I should not understand.-- St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

For Better, For Worse: 5 Ways Blogging Changed My Life

Ted Gossard has tagged me from a meme created by L.L. Barkat. Here are the rules should you decide to keep them:

1. Write about 5 specific ways blogging has affected you, either positively or negatively.

2. Link back to the person who tagged you

3. Link back to this parent post (L.L. Barkat is not so much interested in generating links, but rather in tracking the meme so she can perhaps do a summary post later on that looks at patterns and interesting discoveries.)

4. Tag a few friends or five, or none at all

5. Post these rules— or just have fun breaking them

How blogging has changed me:

1. Blogging has connected me with many faithful and thoughtful people I would not have otherwise known. They have enriched my life even though I have never personally met most of them.

2. Even though my experience in the blogosphere has been mostly positive, I have been quite stunned to discover the vitriol out there on the Web. What has really shocked me is the nastiness, the name calling, and even the profanity posted by Christians, some of them pastors. This is truly unfortunate. There is a difference between passionate and lively debate, and demagoguery.

3. When I started my blog, it was simply a way of engaging my parishioners and students in discussion on faith and life. I never dreamed that it would have grown in the way that it has.

4. Blogging has made me more sensitive to how something is said. Once something is posted it is out there for anyone and everyone to see. Lack of tactful and considerate style reflects in an embarrassing way on the person who has written the post.

5. I have learned much from so many other bloggers. I consider all of them to be a precious gift.

I now tag the following individuals:

Jim Parsons
Keith McIlwain
Tony Mitchell
Andrew Stoddard
Anyone else who would like to participate

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this honest posting of blogging and its role in your life (both good and bad). I have to agree that I'm so enriched by the exposure to other ideas and also by finding out that my thinking is not as far afield as I sometimes fear.

I also must admit that I'm disheartened by the belittling tone and demeanor of the small minority of folks here who use the keyboard and the anonymity it permits to behave to other Christians (heck, anybody) in ways that I find it difficult to believe they'd behave face to face.

For me, it's about remembering that behind every blog there's a person who really does feel. A real person.

Thanks for the insights.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Allan, Your blog has really taken off. I love the variety in it, and your clear concise teaching, as well. Good work on political issues, too. Nice variety. And it's been a privilege and honor to get to know you this way.

Yes, without Scot McKnight and "Jesus Creed" coming to my attention, some three years ago, I may have simply stopped blogging. I was disgusted with the lack of grace on the part of professing Christian bloggers, even in the name of truth. Scot heartened me, and was a good role model for me, and still is. And I've benefited from your spirit and gift as well.

May your blog continue to grow and be a blessing to many.

L.L. Barkat said...

I loved the kind of Mission Impossible language here, regarding the rules. : )

Number 4 is a really good one. Articulating our thoughts, seeing how those thoughts affect others... great social exercise!

Keith H. McIlwain said...

I like your list; mine will no doubt be similar. I'll try and respond early next week; I have a busy 3 days ahead.

revjimparsons said...

Thanks for the tag! It was a meme worth doing I thought! I appreciate your inspiration and your honesty within your posts.