Write Lightning is a blog from writer Deb Thompson.
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Mon, Jan 24 2005
Name Calling At Its Best
Mystic Cowboy grabbed my attention by posting God by any other name. Part of the fun of getting to know someone we would worship is realizing that there's always more to learn about that being. We can't fit one who we would worship into a box or a mold. Even all our collected human glimpses and insights together don't begin to cover the magnificence and true essence of the one we are approaching. Luckily, that doesn't stop us from seeking, which is a great thing, as long as we don't assume that no one else is catching great glimpses and gaining insights of their own.
posted at: 09:20 | category: /Religious and Spiritual | link to this entry
Mystic Cowboy grabbed my attention by posting God by any other name. Part of the fun of getting to know someone we would worship is realizing that there's always more to learn about that being. We can't fit one who we would worship into a box or a mold. Even all our collected human glimpses and insights together don't begin to cover the magnificence and true essence of the one we are approaching. Luckily, that doesn't stop us from seeking, which is a great thing, as long as we don't assume that no one else is catching great glimpses and gaining insights of their own.
posted at: 09:20 | category: /Religious and Spiritual | link to this entry
Blogging Like We Mean It
While bloggers are notorious for complaining, and while some have gotten into trouble for protecting sources, and have been told our material might result in a lawsuit, most of us would have to admit that we haven't been treated this badly. I suppose it might be tempting for bloggers to develop some sort of persecution complex over all the negative attention that sometimes comes with our online activities. And It would be easy to lose focus on the true merits of maintaining a blog. Would you go risk going to prison or being tortured for your writings? If you thought it was dangerous for you, or your loved ones, for you to blog, would you keep blogging? Would you keep blogging in the same fashion you do now? Would you change what you say, or how you say it?
If we strive to write with integrity, whether we write about local issues or global ones, we should present blogs without embarrassment. After that, if someone gets testy about our writings, we can be fairly certain the issue needed to be aired out and a light shown on it for futher discussion. When people who perceive themselves as powerful get frightened of being discovered they get very angry. They'll try to control and sometimes even eliminate anyone who looks like a barrier to their kingdom building. I'm hoping that honorable bloggers will keep writing, in spite of any threats that come along. Fair, reasonable discussion on any topic is vital if we value the freedom to write. If we just shut up and go away we'll be sorry. And someday a lot of other people might be sorry too.
posted at: 05:44 | category: /Writing Life | link to this entry
While bloggers are notorious for complaining, and while some have gotten into trouble for protecting sources, and have been told our material might result in a lawsuit, most of us would have to admit that we haven't been treated this badly. I suppose it might be tempting for bloggers to develop some sort of persecution complex over all the negative attention that sometimes comes with our online activities. And It would be easy to lose focus on the true merits of maintaining a blog. Would you go risk going to prison or being tortured for your writings? If you thought it was dangerous for you, or your loved ones, for you to blog, would you keep blogging? Would you keep blogging in the same fashion you do now? Would you change what you say, or how you say it?
If we strive to write with integrity, whether we write about local issues or global ones, we should present blogs without embarrassment. After that, if someone gets testy about our writings, we can be fairly certain the issue needed to be aired out and a light shown on it for futher discussion. When people who perceive themselves as powerful get frightened of being discovered they get very angry. They'll try to control and sometimes even eliminate anyone who looks like a barrier to their kingdom building. I'm hoping that honorable bloggers will keep writing, in spite of any threats that come along. Fair, reasonable discussion on any topic is vital if we value the freedom to write. If we just shut up and go away we'll be sorry. And someday a lot of other people might be sorry too.
posted at: 05:44 | category: /Writing Life | link to this entry