Mar 31 2007
Calling Francoise…
Those of you who read this site on a regular basis have read the thought provoking responses of FRANCOISE. Unfortunately Francoise had her feelings hurt by another poster and she said she would no longer post. I never asked her to stop posting. I appreciate her insight. It is important to me to have people who have other ideas post on this site. I think we can all learn from people like Francoise who is an atheist.   I know she is still reading because I see her IP address on my stat counter.
If you would like to see Francoise come back on post her ideas please sign the comment section to let her know we all miss her. Francoise please come back.
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19 responses so far
Francoise,
Not only would I like to invite you to return here, but also to visit my blog and join in those discussions as well.
http://deepintheheart.wordpress.com
Disagreement, yes, disrespect, no.
Francoise,
I’ve never commented in response to one of your comments but I have really enjoyed the dialogue. I’m aware that the Internet does not convey itself well as to emotions and humor, thus, it seems a bit cold and hard to me too. I certainly understand. When I’ve been disrespected [though the one doing it would disagree that it was disrespecful] I have chosen to not continue. Who needs that?
Having said that, I do believe what you have to say is important to all who read Kevin’s blog. He is attempting to hear from a large section of society and has achieved a measure of that. You are a valuable part of that hearing.
I have several blogs to which I go regularly and even dialogue once in a while. One is a blog that is written by a lesbian who uses her sexual orientation as the premise for the blog. She and I , as you might imagine, disagree as to the issue of homosexuality, but respect each other in dialogue. She is very intellegent, teaches in a University, and has a first class blog. I read another blog run by a man who is an atheist with the same results.
All of this to say, it is important for guys like Kevin and me [and others] to hear from you. Of course, we hold different opinions than do you perhaps, but if you can handle that and I’m sure you can, I believe we [maybe not all but I speak for most that I know] can and would count it a privilage to hear from you.
Paul
Francoise,
Congenial dialogue is certainly to be preferred over harsh, critical, and unkind attacks on blogs. I’m sorry that someone failed to live up to that ideal in their comments here on Kevin’s blog and that you were hurt by their actions. I too would love to read your comments once again as I always found them insightful and honest. You might surmise that I wouldn’t share all of your opinions, given that I like Kevin am in the ministry, but I value what you have to say.
Francoise, I’ve always appreciated your perspective on this blog and hope you’ll come back soon!
Francoise,
Please, come back. Your perspective is appreciated by me.
I agree that occasionally people are harsh and even more disturbing to me claim I said something I didn’t or respond in such a way that misrepresents what I said. However, the exposure of vastly different perpectives has been an education for me.
You may not have noticed my rare comments, but I’m generally not in agreement with the majority. I read and comment often just rarely hit the “submit button”. It helps me work through my own thoughts and challenges me to confront my biases.
Francoise, please, hit the “sumit button”!!!
Cathy
Francoise,
I truly miss you, this is one of the VERY VERY few Baptist blogs that welcome true dialog. We not only want you but we NEED you. Your fresh insight and powerful observations force us to jettison some things we don’t need and to cling more tightly to those we do.
Would it help if groveled in mortification of the flesh? We Monks know how to do that…
Please.. come back
I learned early on that one way to get real bored real quick was to hang around folks who agreed with you and thought you were all just swell. So I’m the poorer for your not commenting here.
Plenty of folks gripe about sermons they don’t agree with, etc .. and I always tell them that folks who disagree with you make you affirm what you DO believe. That’s a good thing to have happen even if it does make us uncomfortable .. likely because it can be threatening.
Francoise…
In my best “Alabama tone”
GIT YERSELF back heeeeyur.
Francoise, Yes, do leave comments…don’t just read. Even if you have to gently start again with the silly topics, then do this. We need your perspective and you are learning through the variety of ours. You are so open that sometimes people forget to be aware of feelings. I’d hope you would feel able to be comfortable again. They are right that many of the baptist blogs out there would not allow for your thoughts. Some how this one is different and I do hope that you’ll be able to know how valuable you are for so many of us.
Don’t let a bully keep you from expressing yourself. Help us to understand where you are at.
Francoise,
I hope to hear your perspective. It allows me to hear a perspective most try to hide in in person conversation. You make me think, and reason through my perspectives. Such conversations should always be done in “gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). I’m sorry we don’t always live up to that standard.
Pursuing Answers to Questions of Faith & Life,
Kelly
Francoise, I’m now in England, recovering from jet lag and just getting back to the blogs. I hope you will return because you do add a lot. I suppose my blog was not active enough for you, but I really enjoyed it when you posted over there, too. We had a fun discussion regarding the Holy Spirit for a while. Anyway, you are always welcome here and there.
Paul, I’d be interested in knowing what the blogsites are that you mention above. Is one of them Cheryl’s? I need to reacquaint myself with her blog.
Thanks, folks for those comments.
I chose to leave the blog because Mr Slagle was kind enough to explain to me the devious reason for my being tolerated. To say I was horrified is an understatement. To put it simply- it just isn’t cricket. We Aussies truly value friendship, hence we truly hate our friendship being abused.
As Kevin has observed, I have been reading the blog, but for one reason- Canadian Brian and I had been emailing, but all of a sudden, communication was zapped. I have tried everything I know to get the lines humming once more- to no avail. Where are you, Brian????
Canadian Brian in Toronto- if you are reading this, old man, go to plataf@gmail.com where I can be reached. Miss your emails like oxygen and water!
Francoise,
Thanks for coming back. We need your input. There is no devious reason. I value your insight. Great to hear from you again.
Really? Then why did Rob Slagle say what he said? He used the plural “we”, remember. Delusions of royalty, maybe? Or was he speaking on behalf of you?
I use the royal “we” too much. I also talk in 3rd person about myself. I don’t know his real intentions, but I hope that you can see that we want you to still be around. Whatever was originally said to offended you I was not aware of reading…and that is good.
and Janna wants you to explain “To put it simply- it just isnât cricket.” It just isn’t an annoying bug? It just isn’t a upper class game? It just isn’t what keeps me awake when camping? It just isn’t a sport only viewed on the tele?
Francoise,
The only person who speaks for me is me. I welcome you –no I want you here. Please reconsider. I promise I never wanted you to leave.
Francoise
If you come back, I will throw a cyber party! And remember, I am Episcopal, so there will be cyber booze & a fatted calf!
You may have heard where there are 3 or 4 Episcopals, you will find a Fifth!
(in American lingo, a Fifth refers to a bottle of whiskey)
Francoise, I very often disagree with some of the comments presented here. I’ve never felt like I was just being “tolerated” and certainly that’s never been my impression of you. I think that most of Kevin’s readers (especially those who comment) are genuinely glad to get your perspective.