07.28.05
Posted in christ-haunted life at 4:11 pm by
I’m taking a little break from my christ-haunted life series. I’ll try to be back at it next week. In a somewhat related yet unrelated note, but an interesting aside to the whole escapade of blogging: I’ve come to believe that people are particularly sensitive to dissent when they go about revealing a part of themselves in their writing. Even when the dissent is kindly offered, it can be emotionally difficult to handle some of the words and ideas even the most conscientious objector offers.
So, with all that in mind. I’m taking a step back for the weekend–at least with regard to the series of posts I’ve been pursuing. Hopefully, I’ll gain some perspective, and come back refreshed and renewed.
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Posted in christ-haunted life at 4:11 pm by
I’m taking a little break from my christ-haunted life series. I’ll try to be back at it next week. In a somewhat related yet unrelated note, but an interesting aside to the whole escapade of blogging: I’ve come to believe that people are particularly sensitive to dissent when they go about revealing a part of themselves in their writing. Even when the dissent is kindly offered, it can be emotionally difficult to handle some of the words and ideas even the most conscientious objector offers.
So, with all that in mind. I’m taking a step back for the weekend–at least with regard to the series of posts I’ve been pursuing. Hopefully, I’ll gain some perspective, and come back refreshed and renewed.
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Steve said,
July 29, 2005 at 12:07 am
Amen!
We’re done too for awhile! We’re fading to black for a few days. Props to you Brandon.
Eric said,
July 29, 2005 at 1:31 pm
Enjoy your break Brandon…God bless!
dorsey said,
July 30, 2005 at 9:03 am
I agree with your take on dissent. It’s so natural to take a criticism of my ideas as an indictment of my very value on this earth. We have a need to be correct. The great thing about this forum is that we’re forced to defend ourselves.
I remember growing up in church in a town with a very active group of Jehovah’s Witnesses. There was always someone in church with telling the latest story of a knock at the door, and the most effective strategies for repelling them. Our Pastor encouraged us to ignore them, to not engage them in conversation, to be rid of them as quickly as possible. I see now that this posture was motivated by insecurity. He was afraid that we couldn’t stand up in debate against them. I’ll never forget one old saint’s story about the time the JWs came knocking. She invited them inside to sit, offered them something to eat, listened to their pitch, and then began to ask questions. No one’s opinion was changed that day, but she had an opportunity to “be instant, in season…” and make them have to justify their thinking (in their own minds, if not to her) and share the truth with them as well. I remember being blown away at the notion that hiding from the world (as I’d been raised to do) wasn’t neccesary.
Speaking for myself, the zing that I feel when someone disagrees with me comes from either the feeling that I’ve been misunderstood, or worse, that maybe my position won’t withstand scrutiny. Either way, iron sharpens iron. If I’m misunderstood, I am compelled to improve my communication. If it’s insecurity, then I’m compelled to continually reexamine and refine my beliefs and ideas.
Either way, you’re the better for it.
You have a great site, man. Enjoy your breather.
Peace
Benjamin said,
July 31, 2005 at 12:04 am
Brandon - if someone disagrees with you, it’s because they’re assholes. Unless it’s me, because that’s just constructive critisism. Or your wife, in which case you’re probably wrong.
Anyways, enjoy the brisket, and enjoy the weekend.