I am writing to appeal to the moderators here at the Defending the Truth forums.
Now it is likely that from day one, these forums were set up and named Defending the Truth, with the foreknowledge that in time, many would come to join in the discussions and that from that many, there would be many "truths" held up in the posts made.
I am sure it is impossible to truly believe something and yet conclude it is false, so whenever someone is posting here, that post represents one person's defense of the truth, the truth as they perceive it.
That said, though this forum board seems mostly to be represented by the political conservative, there are a number who have made it a place to learn, grow and socialize that hold to another worldview founded on a more moderate to liberal political ideology.
So there will be disagreement, and there will be attacks on one's political views. I would trust that we all, by bearing in mind, we are attempting to represent the truth as we believe it, would want to put forth our thoughts in a way that is both engaging and sincere, persuasive, and respectful of others and at times with the ability to laugh at one's self.
I am all for laughing at myself, let me tell ya. And it is never very emotionally healthy to take one's self too seriously.
But I must say that Alias posting a song "for me" that has such an awful and despicable use of language, does a disservice to all the members here. Afterall, if I were to find merit in the political stance he takes, I would have to be persuaded that it was being articulated from the high caliber of a thinking, concerned citizen. And to post a trash-talking song is only a discredit to all who share his political views, even though he posted the song "to me"...
The thread in question (An Aikido Master)
And as a special note to Alias, you, Sir have been most unkind to me. You need not agree with me, but your flagrant display of disrespect is without excuse. Initially, I felt that you mocked me, but now I see clearly that you are mocking your God and the book you claim to be His Word. You spout Bible verses to label certain people as hellbound and yet, I dare say that you are ignoring the whole of its message. His law is love and his gospel is peace. Again, where were you when the Sunday School teacher was teaching the verses about keeping your tongue from evil and about not coarse jesting and about how revilers don't make it through the pearly gates?
I am very sorry that you have wasted so much energy fearful of those you don't understand. Whether they be of another race, religion, or sexual orientation.
But again, even in that, if you want to turn to your Bible for your own good, you would see that there is a peace that passes understanding. Peace with those who are different than you, peace that is generated by concern and love for fellow man may well mean sacrificing the understanding that you do not have, in order to achieve the peace that God desires we know here and now.
I give you this song, a song of peace. And with it, the hope that we too can make peace.
Take your Candle
Sincerely,
Oh Dear

In about a week or so the TeamSpeak voicechat will be up and running once again. At my school they blocked all the ports that allow me to host a voicechat.

When we had voice chat running about a year ago, we really became close as members. Everyone was friendly, we laughed, we joked, and we had a very civilized debate with no fights. I think the voicechat is a great way for all of us to get together in one room and get to know eachother much better.

In response to the song Alias has posted to you, I would like to see his response here..

Thank you for your post OhDear. It was very thoughtful and we do encourage friendly debate in order to find and defend the truth. Sometimes some people really put up a big fuss to defend their truth.

Well, I took a look at that song Alias posted to Oh Dear, and though I don't have speakers, I put the title into a search engine and for anyone interested this is what I got.. but I must warn you, the lyrics are exceedingly graphic.. they make gangsta rap look like Mary Had a Little Lamb.. DICK-IN-DIXIE Lyrics

I for one, cannot imagine why something like this filth could be tolerated on a site purporting to be Defending the Truth. Then again, maybe the moderators are all card carrying ACLU members. If that were the case though, it seems to me they might just pull the posting credentials of Alias on the fact of virulent homophobia alone! Of course, Alias could be a moderator.. food for thought in my opinion!

I'm not a card carrying ACLU member, but I do support the expression of free-speech. But is there such thing as stuff that just shouldn't be said? Of course...

What would you like me to do? No one has reported the post yet...the symbol is this:

Post received a "report" and it was deleted because it was found to be offensive by many of the members of DTT.

I just want to let you know that we moderators try our best to encourage a civilized debate. However, we are not on here 24/7 to moderate every single post. By reporting a post, you can help us out because it automatically sends an e-mail out to all of us informing us to take action.

I try to get caught up everyday, but I usually find myself behind a couple of pages of posts.

Does this make sense?? I want the best experience for all of you.

Oh Dear, it looks like I have created quite a fuss. I apologize to you Miss Oh Dear. I guess we are not going to go out on a date are we!
I really would suggest that if you do not like my posts to follow my earlier suggestion to ignore me. That's what I do when I watch TV and see a show I don't like. I change the channel. You have the power to do that.

After a lot of soul searching, I offer this little video to make amends. I hope you find this more appealing.

jesus will survive.. - Google Video

Good night and good luck.

Quote:

Oh Dear, it looks like I have created quite a fuss. I apologize to you Miss Oh Dear. I guess we are not going to go out on a date are we!

Written by an unrepentant Alias.




1. Your apology is not sincere. So whereas I forgive you, I do NOT accept your apology.


2. I am not going to be told who to ignore or not ignore. That is your impotent attempt to control me. You, Sir, have the choice to ignore me too, but I am not going to advise you to do so. In fact, I believe that you ought to read me. I come in peace.


3. You confirmed with your latest video, what I said in the OP here:

That said, I offer you a video too, and with it the prayer that you know you are loved...

And that with a Holy Love


OD

That was Clay Aikin Singing. Did you know he's a homo?

Believe me Miss Oh Dear, I do not wish to control you. Please speak freely and often. I'm just trying to help you adjust and get your focus off of alias. I do not wish to shut anyone up. I am here to have fun and debate. Let's get off your personal rehabilitation of alias. Okay?

I bet you would have been happier if I said something like Bush is a nazi or something about Cheney and Haliburton. Take your homophobia crap and shove it. Is that okay? Can I say "shove it"? Mrs. Kerry told a reporter to "shove it". Would it be okay to say what Keith Olberman said about breaking your ankle? He said he'd like to break Bill O'Reilly's ankle. You damn liberals can take your holier than thou moral authority and stick it you know where. I'm not going to talk or do what you want. Shove it. You all want to tell people how to speak, what to speak, when to speak and then have us shut up while you punks get up and interrupt invited speakers and shout them down because you don't agree with them. You're all a bunch of weasels and skunks. If you don't like what I say, then change the damn channel.

chill out man