I pruned comments....

[crysthewolf]

On "My Long-Ass Deconversion Story".  I realize that it's my blog and I don't HAVE to explain myself, but I wanted to.

That story was just that, a story.  It wasn't open for prostelytizing or criticism or accusations or petty insults.  It wasn't written as an argument, and it got treated like one.  

I DO still have all of the rest of the comments from the thread in question for anyone who was involved in it and might want to see them.  I left the comments that weren't a part of it.  I thank Stephen and Harley for your defense and Anon-troll and my brother Will for your points of view, correct or incorrect, whether I might disagree with them or not.

I thank everyone else who read and responded (and those who DIDN'T respond) for your respect and consideration and I appreciate your involvement in my life via this blog (again, whether you respond or not.)  

For anyone who might have a problem with me deleting discussions you are welcome to your opinion, but I will warn you that my most likely response will be "tough cookies, it's my blog."

Sometimes, a story is just a story.  You can either appreciate it or not bother with it.

Love,
Crystal 

Comments

[ardent-firesong.livejournal.com]

Posted openly or not, this is your space for self expression. It isn't anyone's right or business to be telling you what you can and cannot put here (except for certain things that are actually illegal, but--you know what I mean).

The fact that people behaved in such a repugnant manner is just appalling to me. But then I know everyone isn't an adovcate of free speech and self expression.

[crysthewolf.livejournal.com]

I think that people just get worked up about religion, any religion. When they feel like their faith is being challenged, they react, even if it's not directed at them personally.

[ardent-firesong.livejournal.com]

I know--I've been the recipient of that reaction more times than I can count. But it just really galls me that they couldn't have the tact to let you express yourself in your own friggin' journal. Sheesh.

[crysthewolf.livejournal.com]

I kindof look at my blog this way -- if I post something openly, and leave it open for comments, I've opened up the floor for people to say whatever they want about it... even trolls. Now, I ALWAYS have the ability to prune the comment threads and toss their comments in the trash, or screen their comments beforehand and never let them get posted in the first place... and I reserve the right to do that on my blog. However, if I leave it open, that kinda gives them the freedom (and the right), to say whatever they want.

It doesn't make them not assholes for saying stupid things, but it does mean that they have the right to say them. Essentially, as long as I can post my thoughts on my space, I give everyone else the right to post their thoughts on whatever space they might find... be it my comment section, or on their own blogs, or wherever.

To be honest, netiquette aside, I kindof like the libertarian aspect of the internet, even if I DO run the risk of getting flamed when I post something that someone doesn't like. It means that if someone ELSE posts something that I don't like, I won't be accountable for following arbitrary rules and regulations and risk my own freedoms. Now granted, when we make web-communities like message boards or even our LJ friends lists and singular posts, we make our own rules. That's why I call this my little world: I rule it. I want it to GENERALLY be a place where people feel open to express themselves and post anything that they want, but if it takes away from the spirit of the post itself, I might delete their comments. On that post in particular, I did just that. If, however, trolly were to come to THIS thread and post the SAME comments, I might not necessarily delete them. If I posted an LJ entry that was taking a definite stance against certain aspects of Christianity and doctrine and trolly posted the comments THERE that he posted on that thread? Then I DEFINITELY wouldn't delete them, because they would in fact ADD to the spirit of the post.

But that story, wasn't a stance, an argument, or a criticism on anything, and thus, the comments ruined the context.

It's actually more of a literary issue than a person one.

[ardent-firesong.livejournal.com]

*shrugs* It just seems to me that, even if a post is left open for discussion, that people should at least be polite to you on your journal. Doing otherwise is like having an open-invite BBQ and then the people whom you are so graciously hosting coming over and insulting everything from your cooking to the lack of landscaping in your backyard. Again, that's just how I feel about it. But I do also see where you're coming from.

And in other news... PANCAKES!