This was at Technorati. It’s one of the reasons I’m leaving blogging over the next week or so.
I don’t get the joke.
Published 3 years, 1 month agoBUSHFISH Filed under: General — Dr.AJ @ 5:59 pm Oh ya, all you liberal Christians will really like this site. Just to make it clear to Eric Williams, Bene Diction, and Dean Peters, this was NOT the official logo of GodBlogCon. Click here and visit SmartChristian.com containing Bible resources
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I don’t get it either. Have a restful break, but be sure to come back - you’ll be missed.
Thanks Darryl, I’m not coming back. I’ve asked Rachel to take the blog down when it’s time to renew. It’s been amazing, but it’s time to say goodbye.
Well, apparently he took the post down. I have a feeling he was referring to this (http://www.bushfish.org/), which is pretty cringeworthy (and I say this as an unabashed Christian and Republican).
While I sometimes don’t agree with you on certain things, I have always been a regular reader here. I hope you will reconsider your decision to quit blogging.
Susan, you have been a joy, I hope you know that.
We didn’t need to agree.
I think you’ve done a great deal to teach others how to disagree with grace.
You pull off purple better than anyone out there!
Thank you, Bene.
I’m very sorry to see you leave. May God bless you.
I’ll miss reading your blog. You’ve had some wonderful posts with excellent insights and some perspectives not found elsewhere. I wish you all the best with the new free time you will have that was once devoted to blogging.
I’ve enjoyed my interactions with you and I greatly appreciate the times you have come to my defense.
As far as the idea of never coming back to the blogosphere, my advice would be, “never say never” but instead simply stop thinking about blogging and let whatever will be, be.
Oh man, I’m gonna miss this space and you in it!!! Sorry to see you go….
Thanks Michelle, you’ve travelled your road with courage. Thanks for being an inspiration.
I’m with Joel — never say never.
Christian blogging without Bene Diction? It wouldn’t be the same.
NO! NO! NO! Please, Bene, don’t do this!
Please!
Thank you Richard, I didn’t say never.
Rachel Cunliffe of Cre8d-design has offered her skills and is more than prepared fix all the tech problems.
Burnout doesn’t fix so easy.
I love blogging, enough to know when I’m not helping others, and in not doing so I’m not meeting the goal and the purpose of BDBO.
Thanks for your great contribution to the blogosphere.
I hope you still drop in at a few blogs now and then with your comments.
Oh…no…
I’m sorry, I am speechless.
You’ve been an inspiration, an example, an encourager, a cyber neighbour and a blog friend to so many of us.
I’m just sorry to see you go.
Bene, resolving to quit is just the next stage in the blogging addiction. I fully expect to see you back when the urge gets too strong to resist.
Seriously, though, you’ll be missed. If you ever want to write a post without resurrecting BDBO, my blog is open to you. I’d be honored to have you as guest blogger, however infrequently.
Numbers 6:24-27
Well Bene, I am not good at goodbyes either…so…go on, beat it!! Get outa here! What are ya waitin for?
Just kidding around. I’ll miss you. I just couldn’t resist the Old Yeller line. Take care blogging friend. Til we meet in paradise.
Bene,
I’m sorry to hear this.
I hope you’re able to take some time off and do things you enjoy.
Dave
Here’s hoping that your quitting lasts as long as Jordon’s…
I am also sorry you’re leaving. When blogs disappear, there is no name, no forwarding address for future contact.
All the best to you. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog. Peace.
I have to admit that I don’t come to your blog very often, but I do enjoy reading it.
I don’t understand though, why you would one little post that’s a bad joke by someone that has even be taken down would be a reason to quit blogging (even if it only one among others).
Just take a break, but come back!
To all concerned:
I have posted my email explanation to BD concerning her post at http://www.SmartChristian.com/blog
It is unfortunate that she decided to prematurely go public with this without first receiving an personal email explanation from me.
Oh, Bene, I’m so sorry to get this news. You’ll be sorely missed from my quarter. Please keep in touch.
SHE?! Wow, I really feel like a sexist ass now. I always assumed Bene was a guy! It doesn’t matter to me what gender BD is, but it’s still jarring to have an expectation turned on it’s head like that.
Bene
I am really sorry to see you go. Is there nothing we can do to persuade you to stay?
“It is unfortunate that she decided to prematurely go public with this without first receiving an personal email explanation from me.”
Well Dr Andy, no matter how much your post contributed to Bene’s decision, even if not at all, you certainly went public with your post. And it is unfortunate, that you prematurely decided that you deserved a right of response *in private* without thinking first: I posted in the public domain, I directed it to another person posting in the public domain, it could be read by anyone in the public domain from any sort of perspective, and hec I may get challenged, misinterpreted, chastised, applauded, corrected, or laughed at in the public domain. Can I wear the consequences?
Almost smells like blame the victim. But probably more likely a case of hit ‘publish’, think later. And no self examination necessary.
Sorry to hear that you’re leaving. Maybe there’s a way to have an archive of BDBO.
Going to miss the Official Canuck.
Please take care of yourself and feel free to keep in touch!
Yes. I was messing around yesterday morning and came across this bizarre and repulsive http://www.bushfish.com site, and so in response to all the emphasis by you and Eric and others that GodBlogCon was a God/Republican event, I wrote up an admittedly stupid post in haste and fun.
WELL, very soon after publishing it on SC I realized that it could be taken wrongly, so I immediately took it down. But it was apparently too late. As the internet turns.
I actually meant the post to support the voice of those saying that the God/Republican marriage is not healthily, and was using this BushFish site as an example of those that do go way to far.
This is my explanation, it is unfortunate that you decided to post it without first hearing back from me.
We’ve all said stupid things and many of us have had to apologize.
None of us need a degree north of the 49th, south of it, or anywhere else in the world to recognize a cheap shot when we see it. I don’t see anyone here laughing. He/she/it, I don’t care. Quit channelling Claybourn and be your own man. I’m making my intent very clear, as for yours, it is between you and our Heavenly Father.
That was very smart.
A Canadian, a Catholic, a US Protestant minister, and Dean Peters (he may classify himself!) in one sentence about a convention that wasn’t political.
You spoke badly about my guest Dr. Jackson, and no amount of justification or rationalization will change that. From where I sit, what you did was unacceptable. I will not meet your rudeness with more rudeness.
I understand you took it down and had a change of heart, those pesky aggregators don’t pay attention. Yes sir, you are spot on. It was taken wrongly.
Y’know Dr. Jackson, you have a bad habit of posting things and then retracting them.
Perhaps that’s a byproduct of making assumptions about the motivations and/or political persuasions of people you don’t know.
My suggestion? Humor is a tricky thing - you should leave it to the professionals.
I pretty much read your blog daily. I often disagreed. I often left frustrated. But for some reason kept coming back.
I’ll miss dropping by.
Bene,
I know I have been pretty quiet lately, but I will miss you if you go permanently.
I’ve always appreciated your blog and the insights I have gained from it.
You and I have a history for which I am still grateful as I remember that time when you first emailed me some years ago.
God speed,
Shalom,
Jan
Bene,
I hope you’ll return. I pray that your time away will allow you to rest and recover. Heck, Elijah had burnout big time after an awe inspiring experience, so I’m not surprised you’re feeling it after some of the slings and arrows you’ve taken.
Eat, drink and rest. Find a place where you can hear the still, small voice after the wind, fire and earthquake of the web has died away.
Once again, I hope you’ll come back.
God speed,
Roy
Sad to see you go Bene… You will be missed!
But wait. That was actually kinda funny. I’m not even sure why anyone would feel the need to remove it.
Yeah, funny how things get taken down when there is no intent to harm.
I still don’t get the joke, sailed right over my burned out Canuck brain. The Canadian sense of humour is just another cliche.:^)
I’m going to miss you The Dane. You have an old soul, and that is a rare and wonderful gift these days.
Thank you sir. You are always welcome to visit - via my blog or email. It’s been a pleasure. And if you ever need a hand on any of your other endeavors, just ask.
By the way, old topic but I went to a day of the GodBlogCon and didn’t experience a single political conversation. Maybe I got lucky or maybe it wasn’t quite as political as some of the press (e.g. FoxNews, Wired, etc.) implied. In any case, I had a good time
Imagine!:^)
BD,
Here’s the punchline to Dr.AJ’s joke:
http://tinyurl.com/7fjj5
Seeing as it was this was produced by this Limbaugh-demographic conservative living in a red state, I suggest you and others use it liberally!-)
“This is my explanation, it is unfortunate that you decided to post it without first hearing back from me.”
Just out of curiosity, Doctor, why do you think you deserved a private hearing first given you made a public statement in the first place? Why can’t it be challenged in the public domain? Why didn’t you even put a note up on your blog after you removed the post explaining that you removed it because after thinking about it you thought the joke might get misconstrued in such a way that you weren’t prepared to take the heat? Haven’t been on the net long enough to know that Google is an elephant?
Nope, from this observor’s perspective, it’s still unfortunate you think this is about the god of republicanism or GodBlogCon (like most netizens really care). Rather, it’s unfortunate you are still blaming the victim.
View from Oz: SmartChristians just don’t get it. Because SmartChristians aren’t necessarily wise.
Come back any time Bene.
I emailed Dr. Jackson,and asked him if he had put up his post and why.
I think Dr. Jackson may have believed he was being asked for a private explanation, our correspondence has been private to this point.
When I found it online from more than one source within five minutes and saw he gave, and he took away, I posted.
I would have anyway, this crossed countries, denominations, people, cultures and perceptions.
Isn’t technology wonderful?
Even not-smart people can find things.
I still don’t get the joke.
Bene, before you bow out, would you be so kind as to post a list of blogs you recommend your readers frequent in your absense? My blogroll needs a little more diversity, and think you might be just the guy/gal to look to for help in that department.
I found out about your departure from a Mark Byron post, and I just thought I’d send along some blessings as an old voice from the past. We may not see things quite the same, but it’s always good to have different viewpoints from civilized sources on this blogosphere “thang”.
As others have said, take some time off and recharge those Canuck synapses. You don’t have to spend a bunch of money on a blog, as you well know, so consider re-inventing yourself if/when you feel the urge to blog again. (And you know you will.)
On blog!
Bene, Joel:
I posted this at Dr. Jackson’s blog. I won’t retract it.
You have a doctorate. That means your IQ is at or about genuis level.
I read blogs from all over the world. Not everyone agrees, but for the most part they “agree to disagree”. Occasionally things get out of hand. My observations show that the issues are usually resolved because the parties admit their mistakes, apologize and move on.
There are a small number of bloggers whose EQ doesn’t match their IQ. They are unable to recognize the broader picture, that there are other countries than their own and that cultures and ideologies are different. If an opinion is expressed it is ‘offensive’, ’slanderous’ etc.
I am sorry that you cannot see past your specific values. You have a right to believe and defend your views. Some of us don’t think that you have the right to it at anothers expense. Joel, BD and others have the opinion that God works outside the Bush administration too.
I did not want to post my real email address because I live outside the US and did not want to receive any “private” emails from you. You posted in the public domain, retracted and blamed everyone else but yourself.
You have a doctorate. I am not impressed. As for your post and ‘retraction’ I wasn’t amused. Leave God out of it. He probably isn’t amused either.
Joel, BD:
There, I said my piece. Actually I wanted to say it differently, a bit stronger, but my personal dislike of individuals who ‘blame the victim’ or others for their shortcomings is a result of my belief that all are equal in God’s eyes. My “liberal” theology would not be welcome in some parts of the world.
BD: You are a voice in the wilderness. Prophets are without honour in their own country. It would appear that applies to other countries as well!
Your recent illness has taken it’s toll. You have been attacked before and stood firm. You did so with grace and humility and understanding. God has been honoured at BDBO. All nations and individuals have been welcome and respected. Well done. You have been a good and faithful servant and will be missed.
Saint, Cricket, et al:
I am amazed that you could be offended by the little joke referenced here. It was actually funny. It was not hurtful. It was not mean. And it was relevant in that it referenced a sentiment expressed by Bene and others recently, that GodBlogCon looked too Republican.
To explain: Jackson linked to a ridiculous site, a site taking the Christ and Republicans angle waaaaay too far (and this by his own admission). He points it out specifically to Christians of a liberal politic, as they are the ones who *should* get the biggest kick out of it. Then, recognizing the recent debate over the evident theme and makeup of the GodBlogCon, he remarks that certain bloggers should not imagine that the BushFish logo was not (insert nudge, nudge, wink, wink here) the real logo of GodBlogCon. That’s the joke. That’s all. Just some simple irony.
I’m sorry that you were so busy being offended that you missed the humour involved. Not being an interested party, seeing valuable points in the perspectives of both sides (e.g., Bene and Joe Carter), perhaps this gave me the rare ability to find an honest chuckle here.
And Cricket, I think it ill-advised to boast that you would not reconsider the comment you posted on Jackson’s site. It was rather reactionary and the reference to EQ was wholly inappropriate - as for one to become upset over something so trivial as Jackson’s joke demonstrates a deficit in the area of one’s own EQ. Now it’s fine not to be an emotional genius, but better not to parade the fact with boasting.
Yours, sincerely,
The Dane
I agree with the Dane to the degree that the joke was lame - which is why I chose to make parody of it instead with the graphic in question.
That said, understand that BD has been down this road with some similar individuals who feel the Christian blogosphere is theirs - and therefore feel they have the right to say, do and then retract anything they want.
I also think part of this is just plain-old-burnout and this was the final straw.
All that said, it is inexcusable and somewhat dysfunctional for anyone to publicly post a joke and/or taunt (of which said article was both) - expect others to respond in private - retract the original post and then publicly beef about not being contacted in private.
We cannot expect to be taken serious as leaders we ‘tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on bloggers’s shoulders, that we ourselves are not willing to bear.’
Hi Dane -
If I didn’t make it clear in my previous two comments: the issue for me is not the ridiculous site. It’s Dr Jackson’s dysfunctional insistence - twice now - on “how unfortunate” it was that Bene didn’t wait til hearing back from him in private.
Dean said it better:
“All that said, it is inexcusable and somewhat dysfunctional for anyone to publicly post a joke and/or taunt (of which said article was both) - expect others to respond in private - retract the original post and then publicly beef about not being contacted in private.”
Or once more with feeling:
So you posted it in public, you therefore wear the consequences in public.
Moot point.
The posts are down.
I want to address what I saw in the comment section at Smart Christian before the posts disappeared today.
New bloggers.
They need kindness and some of us to reach back in.
They would be (are) understandably confused by Jackson’s assumptions, many don’t have a clue Hewitt linked to a US guest posting in Canada.
They are new bloggers, they haven’t got a history yet.
Navigating this convention conversation would be very difficult; they went to Biola U. like The Dane, met people and had a great time.
And that is how it should be. The rest will come. And we’re here online to welcome the ones that are ready to try.
We were all new once.
And it was exciting!
Some really don’t know yet there is a thriving, active and healthy community talking to each other all over the world. I went through every blog registered for this past conference.
Trust me. Most don’t know.
arr arrrr arrrr.
All they have to do is click on some of the names in this thread.
Philippines. Click! You’re there! Australia. Click! UK, Canada, US, New Zealand. Click!
Click! Click! Click!
And cross-posting with guests? Wow! No way! Awesome!
You mean a Canadian would guest blog at a US blog? Or a US guest would show up in the UK?
Someone from the UK guest posted in Australia?
But, but..:^)
Hey, thats how I started, and it was amazing and humbling, it always will be.
Dr. Jackson really didn’t help his new friends see, but that isn’t my problem.
I contacted newbies I could underneath his posts, I wanted them know they are welcome, needed and there is lot’s of room.
My hope is some will find the courage to venture out into these vibrant conversations going on around the world, they will learn to see we disagree.
I hope they can come to see where we can agree.
That’s going to take the experience we’ve gained -and our kindness and patience to show newbies as we were shown.
That’s always been my hope.
And if out of this Smart Christian foolishness a few more new bloggers find they want to participate in a world wide discussion with the Church, it’s been worth it.
Since I didn’t introduce myself as an American guest blogging at a blog owned by a Canadian, I think it was something of a natural assumption on Hugh Hewitt’s part that I was Canadian. To his credit, Hugh was interested in advancing the participation of more evangelical liberals at GodBlogCon06.
On Monday, October 17, Hugh e-mailed me an apology about the incorrect identification and promised to correct his post when he returned from vacation. I was flattered that he linked me via “Bene Diction Blogs On.”
As to other matters, it is perhaps time to take a deep breath on all sides, be still, and listen to God.
Dane:
You are absolutely correct - it was inappropriate for me to go after Dr. Jackson’s EQ. Frankly, my EQ isn’t all that great either. Thank you for pointing that out. I am glad you had a good day with your blogging buddies.
Dr. Jackson’s personal attacks on bloggers is what upset me. I couldn’t care less about blog conferences or lame jokes.
I grew up in a legalistic fundamental evangelical church. 35 years ago one dear old saint (who has since gone Home) told me that often individuals who can’t have power in the outside world in their jobs or personal life will seek it in the church. Certainly that holds true for social service workers, health care workers and volunteer groups in the outside world as well. There will will always be individuals who, when challenged, become defensive and offensive. The only difference is that many of those ouside the church have yet to experience God’s love, forgiveness and grace. For some reason, I tolerate them. I had a viscera response to Dr. Jackson’s critcisms. I cringe when I think that I was once part of that fundamentalist elitist culture.
In spite of Dr. Jackson’s nasty personal remarks about bloggers who disagree with him, I didn’t need to slander his EQ. I stand corrected. Thank you Dane.
Joel:
I’m pleased to hear Mr. Hewitt committed to you in regards to making the distinction. Your work was very well done, I think World Mag or Christian Today should pick it up, instead of having fluff picces, help you with an edit and pay you.
Update: Joel. When I gave you a log in, I thought I’d done it so you would be credited for your posts, as in posted by: Rev. Joel Thomas. I obviously screwed up.
I’m going to get hold of cre8d-design immediately and see if she can fix my error, you deserve every credit for your work. I am sorry, I don’t know how I messed that up, this is a bit embarrassing and no ones fault by my own.
I’m not planning in backing up this blog, so please make a copy of your posts for yourself eh?
You’re a liberal? Funny I never noticed. I’ve enjoyed and been challenged by your blog. I trust you will return in time.
Bene,
You have been a kind soul to me. Blessings on your head.
Stephen Shields
Well, kind of mixed, spent the last half hour reading blog pages…
Almost immediately saddened,funny loss feeling,
some changing, ending, before I wanted it to…
some grateful feelings, to have known and respected you from the beginning, grown with you, yet not reaching your depths of feelings, yet respecting your mind and word power.
You gave it a great go, gained global recognition.
Please do not set me adrift, I have lots to learn…
with affection and affliction,
Bene, you’ll be missed in the blogosphere. I’ve had to take down a cuopla blogs in my days, too, so I can sympathize and grieve through it with you. Would you consider a few personal recommendations of voices in the blogosphere in your transition and sign off?
For example, see how I did that when I had to shut down eQuip blog at http://www.forministry.com/equip/blog.dsp a while back. Just an idea, no joke here.
bene, your site has always been an encouragement to me and i have learned much from it and from you. may God continue to guide you and bless you as you move on from this space. you will be missed.
Take care Bene - you have been an example of gracious writing in the blogosphere and you will be sorely missed. God bless!
You can find the ‘joke’ in question via the miracle of the Google Cache:
http://tinyurl.com/d4ph6