** Updated 1/4/2008
When I first created this blog, I believe in August 2007, I had no idea that it would draw so much attention, as it has in the last few days (1/2008), especially from a non Christian audience. I surely did not expect it to show up at RichardDawkins.net.
I believe if readers would take a moment to consider the About and Concept pages, there would be less assumptions and claims regarding what this blog is really all about.
The first sentence of the About page declares, “CHRISTIAN OUT is currently more of an idea or concept than an organization or campaign.” The OUT simply stands for “Observable Underlying Testimony” in that, “My desire is that we, as Christians, may each have a personal, individual, Observable Underlying Testimony of Christianity that can be seen by the world around us, without even a word having to be spoken at all. Not that we should not speak of the things of God, but that our inward spirit and outward walk should match our words.”
It has been seemingly demanded that, “Richard Dawkins is a Professor at Oxford University, give him the respect he deserves and acknowledge him as Prof. Richard Dawkins on your site.”
As concerning the outcry of why I simply chose the use of “Mr.” instead of “Dr.” or “Professor” was not intended to diminish Richard Dawkins in any way. The term mister (Mr.), as defined by the dictionary, means “a title of respect prefixed to a man's name.”
I highly doubt that he is offended or feels disrespected by me calling him Mr. Richard Dawkins instead of Dr. Richard Dawkins or Professor Richard Dawkins. Calling him Mr. makes him no less of a man, than calling him Dr. or Professor makes him more of one. Neither my blog nor my simple choice to use Mr. takes away any of his accomplishments, nor any respect his peers may have for him. Not to mention that some of the emails I received simple use Richard Dawkins without the use of Mr., Dr., or Professor. Again, I highly doubt that he is really concerned or offended by my use of Mr. in front of his name on this small blog in the scheme of the entire Internet.
As written in the About page, “Although the idea originated from the initial view of Mr. Dawkins’ campaign site, CHRISTIAN OUT has little to do with atheism and more to do with a deeper more personal relationship with Jesus Christ concerning our Christian walk in our daily lives as Believers.”
If one should see a limit in comments, especially recently, it is because this blog is not meant as a place to debate Atheists or non Christians, but as a place to help those that profess to have Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior to act as such.
Thank you all for visiting.
I believe if readers would take a moment to consider the About and Concept pages, there would be less assumptions and claims regarding what this blog is really all about.
The first sentence of the About page declares, “CHRISTIAN OUT is currently more of an idea or concept than an organization or campaign.” The OUT simply stands for “Observable Underlying Testimony” in that, “My desire is that we, as Christians, may each have a personal, individual, Observable Underlying Testimony of Christianity that can be seen by the world around us, without even a word having to be spoken at all. Not that we should not speak of the things of God, but that our inward spirit and outward walk should match our words.”
It has been seemingly demanded that, “Richard Dawkins is a Professor at Oxford University, give him the respect he deserves and acknowledge him as Prof. Richard Dawkins on your site.”
As concerning the outcry of why I simply chose the use of “Mr.” instead of “Dr.” or “Professor” was not intended to diminish Richard Dawkins in any way. The term mister (Mr.), as defined by the dictionary, means “a title of respect prefixed to a man's name.”
I highly doubt that he is offended or feels disrespected by me calling him Mr. Richard Dawkins instead of Dr. Richard Dawkins or Professor Richard Dawkins. Calling him Mr. makes him no less of a man, than calling him Dr. or Professor makes him more of one. Neither my blog nor my simple choice to use Mr. takes away any of his accomplishments, nor any respect his peers may have for him. Not to mention that some of the emails I received simple use Richard Dawkins without the use of Mr., Dr., or Professor. Again, I highly doubt that he is really concerned or offended by my use of Mr. in front of his name on this small blog in the scheme of the entire Internet.
As written in the About page, “Although the idea originated from the initial view of Mr. Dawkins’ campaign site, CHRISTIAN OUT has little to do with atheism and more to do with a deeper more personal relationship with Jesus Christ concerning our Christian walk in our daily lives as Believers.”
If one should see a limit in comments, especially recently, it is because this blog is not meant as a place to debate Atheists or non Christians, but as a place to help those that profess to have Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior to act as such.
Thank you all for visiting.
** UPDATE: 1/4/2008
I have received a good number of emails, some more lively than others, but it still appears that many are so fixated on the concept of Richard Dawkins’ OUT Campaign that they fail to see what this simple blog is about.
I would like to note two things, as concerning the comments I have been given.
1. I have been called all sorts of names, claiming I am just a thief that cannot come up with an original idea, but we must remember The Scarlet Letter ‘A’, now used for Atheism, is not original either. Does this mean that the originator of the OUT Campaign is a thief and unoriginal also, for Nathaniel Hawthorne did not write of Atheists, did he? I am not saying they are, but ask those, which have wished to label me as such, if one be a thief and unoriginal, is not the other also? I was also emailed the “Atheist "out" campaign, which was based off of the homosexual coming "out" of the closet campaign.” If this be true, does this make the OUT Campaign any less original?
2. I have received various emails concerning this blog and the idea of homosexuals. One has said, “Way to stick it to the homos and gays,” claiming “The whole reason the original Out Campaign was called the OUT CAMPAIGN was a coorelation of homosexuals/gays who were too afraid to "come out of the closet."” Interestingly, I notice the taking of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter ‘A’ (originally for Adultery) for use in the OUT Campaign, but the sight itself claims “Atheists are far more numerous than most people realize. COME OUT of the closet!” Neither The Scarlet Letter nor the OUT Campaign seems to say anything about homosexuals (thought granted, some homosexuals may be Atheists or adulterers, just as some heterosexuals may be).
Again, if one would honestly take a moment to read through this blog, I do not believe they will find any writings directly against Atheists or homosexuals, but writings that are written toward Christians. As stated above, this site is/was not intended to argue with Atheists or homosexuals; therefore, I have limited the comments that seem to have not really been intended for discussion, but merely ridicule or rant.
The reason for moderation at this blog is because for quite sometime I have had an Atheist at my other blog which visits everyday, commenting on every topic presented. Knowing good and well it is a Christian blog, they regularly posted cursing, blasphemy, and even pornographic links, just out of spite. I was unable to keep up with all of the comments throughout my entire blog, so I decided to enforce moderation to allow the good discussion I have shared with many Atheists, but to weed out the comments which serve no purpose but for personal attack or those which bring no productivity to discussion. I am most surprised they have not revisited this blog and left a comment as of yet.
Feel free to check out my other blog (http://www.splintersofsilver.com/) which is where I do most of my writing, but I ask that your comments be in good taste if there is to be genuine discussions.
I have received a good number of emails, some more lively than others, but it still appears that many are so fixated on the concept of Richard Dawkins’ OUT Campaign that they fail to see what this simple blog is about.
I would like to note two things, as concerning the comments I have been given.
1. I have been called all sorts of names, claiming I am just a thief that cannot come up with an original idea, but we must remember The Scarlet Letter ‘A’, now used for Atheism, is not original either. Does this mean that the originator of the OUT Campaign is a thief and unoriginal also, for Nathaniel Hawthorne did not write of Atheists, did he? I am not saying they are, but ask those, which have wished to label me as such, if one be a thief and unoriginal, is not the other also? I was also emailed the “Atheist "out" campaign, which was based off of the homosexual coming "out" of the closet campaign.” If this be true, does this make the OUT Campaign any less original?
2. I have received various emails concerning this blog and the idea of homosexuals. One has said, “Way to stick it to the homos and gays,” claiming “The whole reason the original Out Campaign was called the OUT CAMPAIGN was a coorelation of homosexuals/gays who were too afraid to "come out of the closet."” Interestingly, I notice the taking of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter ‘A’ (originally for Adultery) for use in the OUT Campaign, but the sight itself claims “Atheists are far more numerous than most people realize. COME OUT of the closet!” Neither The Scarlet Letter nor the OUT Campaign seems to say anything about homosexuals (thought granted, some homosexuals may be Atheists or adulterers, just as some heterosexuals may be).
Again, if one would honestly take a moment to read through this blog, I do not believe they will find any writings directly against Atheists or homosexuals, but writings that are written toward Christians. As stated above, this site is/was not intended to argue with Atheists or homosexuals; therefore, I have limited the comments that seem to have not really been intended for discussion, but merely ridicule or rant.
The reason for moderation at this blog is because for quite sometime I have had an Atheist at my other blog which visits everyday, commenting on every topic presented. Knowing good and well it is a Christian blog, they regularly posted cursing, blasphemy, and even pornographic links, just out of spite. I was unable to keep up with all of the comments throughout my entire blog, so I decided to enforce moderation to allow the good discussion I have shared with many Atheists, but to weed out the comments which serve no purpose but for personal attack or those which bring no productivity to discussion. I am most surprised they have not revisited this blog and left a comment as of yet.
Feel free to check out my other blog (http://www.splintersofsilver.com/) which is where I do most of my writing, but I ask that your comments be in good taste if there is to be genuine discussions.
Thanks again for visiting.
** UPDATE #2: 1/4/2008
Question: If I stole the idea from Richard Dawkins, did he steal the idea from Hawthorne (the ‘A’) or the homosexuals, which many have claimed had an OUT campaign even before him?
un·der·ly·ing:
–adjective
2. fundamental; basic
3. implicit; discoverable only by close scrutiny or analysis
un·der·lie
–verb (used with object) -lay, -lain, -ly·ing.
2. to be at the basis of; form the foundation of.
That which lies within us will make its way to the surface without a word being spoken. If that be Christ, His light shall shine forth, but if it be darkness, how great is the darkness within us?
The symbol means nothing, but the man Christ Jesus means everything. It is He, the very Son of God, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and the only means to forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
I realize that the opposition is not to this simple site, but to the very God who formed the universe and all that is.
