In the last three years, blogging has become a cultural phenomenon. Not only within SBC culture, but within the various patches of our American quilt. I saw a California Democratic Congresswoman thanking a group of bloggers after they had gotten involved and helped her toward an important victory. She was ecstatic.
It has been said numerous times that blogging is a form of media and is morally neutral. It is what you do with it that counts. Over the next few years I think that there will be a general acceptance of bloggers and blogging as we adjust to the new climate. As always, there will be exceptions, but they are just that.
Baptist Press writer, David Roach, has produced an article dealing with the medium and I think he has some very valid points. The one with which I am most struck is the call to responsible journalism by bloggers.
I remember when Marty Duren posted the ruling that bloggers were covered under our Constitution’s protections of the press. I thought to myself that I had some freedoms, but also a great deal of responsibility to go along with the voice I was gaining through my blog. I have had to deal with protecting anonymous sources and the need to be absolutely accurate in what I write. I have been embarrassed to have to edit my words and own a mistake on occasion. I am mortified when that occurs.
What still amazes me, especially within the realm of Southern Baptist life, is the anonymous bomb. Mostly, anonymity is something with which we must deal in the blogosphere. It is what it is. I can not stomach, though, when people anonymously assault the character of others. I have removed such comments from my blog whether or not I agreed with someone’s position. Mostly, the comments I remove come from people who agree with me and find some “freedom” in their words that they would not have if they were standing in front of their church, if you will. I suppose they perceive me to be sympathetic to their convictions and assume that they can “get away with it.” Not so. Not here.
It is this kind of thing that has, among more established journalism venues, earned blogging the reputation of “internet graffiti.” I suppose that is better than the reputation of “internet porn,” that was floated by one uninformed IMB Trustee this year.
I do not hesitate to use strong words nor will I withhold the support of them in others. Don’t think that my resolve has been weakened in speaking the truth. It has not.
My concern here is that everyone own their words and that we write things of which we will not be ashamed later. I know some anonymous commentors that should be ashamed of what they are writing as they abuse the character of others. I have a personal boycott of blogs that allow this to go on. I just don’t read or engage them. I think it is beneath all of us and it disqualifies the blogger who hosts such things from participating in the conversation.
As the venue of blogging becomes more and more accepted, I see the anonymous bomb as the thing that is weighing us down. It will be hard for us to change our reputation if we fail to address this issue.
In the meantime, I found this t-shirt that I am considering: bloggers are people, too.
Maybe if we all wear this to the Convention next year… ;)
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Kevin Bussey
on Oct 10th, 2006
@ 2:57 pm:
I always enjoy your insights. It is a responsibility I don’t take lightly. I think people need to understand you can be passionate about something without being ugly to an individual.
Alan Cross
on Oct 10th, 2006
@ 3:10 pm:
Thanks, Art. Good words, as usual. I have been highly influenced in my blogging by Andrew Jones (although my skill and readership pale in comparison to his). He deals with contraversy and issues with great grace, and he always encourages others to use their blog as a forum to give God praise. While it is necessary to deal with difficult issues, we should always remember that Jesus has the victory and that we can trust Him. My hope, is that the Baptist Blogosphere will reflect the character of Christ as we disagree, and that we will all be passionate about moving the SBC closer to the Lord and to the nations. Thanks for your work in this Art.
CB Scott
on Oct 10th, 2006
@ 3:58 pm:
Art,
I know this may seem very hypocritical coming from a person of my reputation, but I want to say I agree with Alan. I have been thinking about this and as I read the comments of flamers on Brad’s blog I have become convicted that I need to curb the desire to scramble the vital organs of those that disagree with me in Blog Town.
I am going to seek to do so. Naturally, it will be a challenge, but I must make the effort.
cb
Dorcas Hawker
on Oct 10th, 2006
@ 7:33 pm:
Art -
Thanks for the good word.
Now if you could do something about the burnt orange hyperlink color that has been showing up lately for links in your posts … I thought you were an A&M fan. Have you converted? ;)
Dorcas
Jim Champion
on Oct 10th, 2006
@ 9:07 pm:
Art
You host a fine blog – in the spirit of this one I have a proposal. I think that we need to get Wade Burleson and Brad Reynolds together on a neutral blog for the purpose of asking and answering each others questions. The issues that seem to crop up on each blog is that snippets of conversations get taken out of context and then blown up.
I am hoping that you could moderate a conversation between the two of them over the course of a few days or a week – a question would be asked by one and a complete answer could be given.
Perhaps it is just a pipedream, but I think the SBC blogging world would be better with a frank discussion of the issues – and we would be able to move beyond the innuendo.
thanks
JIm
art rogers
on Oct 10th, 2006
@ 10:25 pm:
Jim,
Thank you so much for the confidence.
I am sure that my blog would not be seen as neutral, and rightfully so. I have stood behind Wade numerous times.
Moreover, after reading some of the things allowed to stand on Brad’s blog, both claimed and anonymous, one visit was enough for me. I haven’t been back and don’t plan to be.
That also means that I have no idea what has evolved there. That’s not to say that I haven’t heard about it. Just to say I haven’t read it and certainly haven’t been involved in it.
I think that might make me a less than an ideal moderator. I do like the idea, though. A comments closed post that only allows two parties and a moderator to post would be good.
Matt Snowden
on Oct 11th, 2006
@ 10:46 am:
Good post. Thanks for the helpful words.