The truth as I know it:

We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life. But those who make their journey home across time & miles, growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them, are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us by God's very own hands. ~~~ Kristi Larson

Monday, March 15, 2010

Dearest Anonymous

It has to be said, I can't take it anymore.  I have noticed on my blog and many, many others, dissenting opinions are always left anonymously.  I have never once had a positive comment left anonymously.

So here is my question, "If you own your opinion and your belief, why not just sign your name to your thoughts?"  I mean, I sign my name to my beliefs every single day.  I put my thoughts out there for the world to see, agree or not.  And I don't think I have ever given the opinion that if you don't agree with me, I don't welcome your comment.  On the contrary, I am happy to learn something and I don't pre-moderate my comments because I am open to dialogue.  For example, on my post about "Breasts", I had two comments, both left anonymously, who didn't totally agree with me.  The thing is, I disagreed with one of the ladies (the man is so CLEARLY NOT looking at Katie's breasts!), but from the other, I would have liked to ask some questions about what she said.  I really and truly was hoping to learn from her on the Scriptural teaching she referred to.  I really do want to know because Katie or I neither one would want to be going against Scripture in the way we dresses (believe me, my bared chest would not be cause for any man's temptation, but that's a whole other story I'll save for a Not Me! :)

I do understand that men are driven by site. I'm raising three boys, after all.  I understand alot of things about men as the mother of boys that I never knew before!  Sure they notice breasts.  But we don't make a big deal of it, in fact, we tell them that we know they are interesting to men because they are different, but then we teach them the honorable way to respect differences in men and women.  I truly believe that things that remain a mystery are more enticing than things that are not taboo.  There are very few subjects that can be broached with us that would cause a shameful or strong reaction.  Thoughts and curiosities are natural, it's the job of parents to teach their children how to deal with the "things of the world" through a Scriptural filter. My boys have all expressed curiosity, but they move on after being allowed to talk through what they are seeing/experiencing.

And I'm not trying to change America.  I want to say that my friend who wore "revealing" clothing (you all seem to have figured out that it was Katie Davis at The Journey) is very conscientious about men.  In Africa, it's inappropriate for women to show their knees.  She is very careful to always wear long skirts or dresses and keep her knees covered.  But in Africa, breasts aren't that big a deal.  She is being culturally appropriate, which, in my opinion, is the correct action.

I'm going to get off the subject of Katie's boobs because this is not what the post is about.  The post is about the fact that I want to understand the motivation behind posting anonymously.    If you are a friend of mine and are afraid I will think differently of you for your disagreement, please know that I can absolutely respect differing opinions.  I'm not always right and I'm happy to be proven wrong any time, particularly on a misinterpretation of Scripture.  But I do ask that if you don't have a blog id and therefore have no way to claim your beliefs, then just have the courage to at least sign your name to the comment. I am putting my thoughts out there for you to agree or disagree, but I find it hard to respect differing opinions when they are shared in the shadows.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14
"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.  Do everything in love."

5 comments:

Kristi J said...

hilarious...see, i don't allow anonymous comments....just for that reason :) love your heart girly, kj

Heather & Jason said...

Amen Sista! You know, when I was in active ministry within the church, annonymous letters came occasionaly from disagreeing or disgruntled parisioners to both myself and my collegue. We were of the opinion that such annonymous comments were not godly, and in fact a work of the devil who so loves to prowl around in the dark and cloud the truth. As you know, the Triune God loves the light and if his Spirit is behind it, He would willingly sign His name to it for all the world to see. This is my belief and my opinion. Perhaps Kristi J has the right idea about not allowing annonymous comments- something to think about :-)

Carolynn and Steve said...

WHAOOO!
I'm with Heather and Jason---my husband is a pastor, and we are constantly barraged by "someone said they were upset about...." or "a whole lot of people are not happy about...." but they are never willing to say who these people are. There is NO way to resolve or fix the issue in these situations---and people don't want the issue fixed, they only want to snipe and complain, which is NOT Godly at all, and just drags everyone down with them, if we let it. Thank you for your words---I needed to hear them today! Be strong and of good courage

Anonymous said...

My name is Crissy Sorenson, and I posted the way I did because I stink at computers, just learned what a blog was 2 weeks ago, and this was the 1st time I've ever commented on one, and was the only way I could figure out how. Sorry that caused trouble. Didn't mean to- no underlying motive going on. As far as my Biblical references, I was thinknign of Proverbs that speaks to a man being satisfied by his wife's breasts. I believe the Song of Soloman speaks to men getting pleasure from breasts also. I am by no means an expert, but I have done a lot of reading on Biblical sexuality- actually worked for a Crisis Pregnancy Center as the Abstinence Coordinator and spoke on the subject for years. But I by no means am claiming to be an expert. I truly apologize for causing any trouble, it was not my intent. Like I said, my name is Crissy Sorenson, I have 2 boys and a girl and we are in the process of adopting from Ethiopia. I don't have blog because like I said- I would have no clue how to do it, but I totally enjoy and am encouraged by reading others. I'll just probably do it more silently from now on :)

Ian said...

I think I missed a good earlier posts. I am going to have to go back and reread. I am staying a mile away from this conversation though! Hope you are having a good day!