I have been engaged in several exchanges lately with friends about the comments that are occasionally left on this blog. Some of the most insightful observations to be found here have come from those who have offered comments. I think it is very healthy and informative to allow for wide-ranging ideas to be exchanged in this forum. Because of that, I allow a great deal of latitude to those who wish to post comments here. I don’t allow profanity or comments that are too personal. I am the determiner of what constitutes “too personal.” It is subjective, I know, but in order to allow as much leeway as I can, this is the course I am following.

This approach allows for rambunctious debate. It even allows for heated and offensive comments to be posted. I choose to leave such comments up because I think that by doing so a more accurate picture is portrayed about current thoughts on an issue than would otherwise be the case. One thing a blog does is provide opportunity for almost immediate feedback. Within the parameters stated above, I want that feedback to be an honest assessment of what readers of this blog are thinking–even when I may disagree strongly with the content, perspective or tone of those thoughts. What this necessitates, then, is allowing certain things to be said or to be said in ways that I personally do not condone.

Therefore, though I do not recommend it, unkindness and stupidity are not automatically censored. Neither are harshness or mean-spiritedness. Neither is ignorance. You can read back in the archives and find numerous examples from each category. There they stand, for good or ill, as a testimony to what some people think and feel.

I do not try to address every comment that I find offensive. There are several reasons for this, not the least of which is that the folks who read this blog do an excellent job of calling each other to account on matters of biblical understanding, historical accuracy and Christian demeanor. There tends to be a healthy dose of self-policing that takes place when things start getting out of hand.

Though most seem to have no difficulty distinguishing between what I write and what others write in the comments section, let me reiterate that the mere fact that a comment is allowed to be posted on this blog does not mean that I personally endorse it. I must, of course, take full responsibility for whatever I write. But I do not take responsibility for what others write.

So, if you want to join the conversation at any time, jump right in. If you stay on task and avoid getting personal or profane, your comment will be allowed no matter how much I may disagree with it.