Blogger friend under attack

A good friend of mine, The Turbulent Cleric is under attack for his blogging. Please support him at this time.

The attack started with nasty (and factually incorrect) anonymous comments but has now moved into real life with what seems to me to be a very dirty and underhand campaign against a really good guy.

I want to start by pointing you to some of the outstanding features of the Turbulent Clerics Christian witness for gospel values. Look at these posts (within just one 8 day period) for examples:

• Act to save Makwan.
• Shared values with a regime of terror.
• Urgent human rights call - deportation to Uzbekhistan.
• Don't send Jahongir back to Karimov's torturers.

TC, writes with a great sense of humour that is often used to prick the ego's of those in power or those acting against the poor and vulnerable. Of course that can sometimes get you into trouble.

This particular trouble started at the end of July with A row on my patch, personally I believe TC takes a very sensible line. Not maybe the most popular line to take in a society that loves both pornography and attacking people over sex, however, a considered and well written post in my view. His attitude was polite to all concerned despite attempts to provoke him.

We then heard no more until a post Spice girl video on November 5th. This was written in a humorous way but clearly pointed out the (what seem to be obvious) problems of an extremely sexual video for Children in Need. How anyone could think such a video was a good thing to support a cause which raises money for (among many other things) children who have suffered sexual abuse is beyond me.

Anyway the anonymous commenter really started with some absolutely crazy accusations at this point. They are full of obvious inaccuracies as well as a very aggressive attitude. I have just re-read all the comments and it seems to me that TC is incredibly patient with hateful rubbish aimed at him. In the end he decides that he will need to moderate the comments for a while. You can read about that in A bad mannered commenter where TC clearly and without malice demolishes the arguments of the anonymous commentator.

I think I have may have initially misunderstood a comment on that post by Pixi. It is of course obvious to anyone who reads the sermons that TC posts on the internet that he does stand up in public every week to stand up for those who are suffering, who feel unloved, who do not get justice. I realise now that Pixi was acknowledging that and contrasting it to the cowardice of the anonymous commentator.

After this we get to today's post: This blog is closing. I have been exchanging emails with TC about this and what is being done is hateful and if not illegal it is definitely inappropriate behaviour by a coward.

I urge you all to offer TC some TLC (tender loving care) and if like me you read through what has occurred offer him support against this anonymous, vicious, and unjustified attack.

TC, you and your family are in our prayers. May you be aware of the comfort and strength of the Holy Spirit now. You have prayed and supported others in their fights for justice, now receive our prayers, love and support.

Comments

[BD]

The Mad Priest at Of course I could be wrong has had a very vicious and off balance commenter calling himself Butt Sex Troll popping in to attack and disrupt also.

I've been attacked, (the blog was literally taken down, been flooded with spam attacks) any blogger having to go through this has my empathy.

[DaveW]

BD,

Thanks.

Dave

[Paul Martin]

Thanks for your kind support Dave.

I go through periods of self doubt and this has caused such a period. I have reread all I wrote and feel that I was broadly correct. This afternoon, I deleted a comment that implied someone to be an "undesirable." And as a result of that that moment and a talk with someone which provided elucidation, I realised that what is at stake is not my credibility as a person but what is at stake is an understanding of a God to whom all are precious and to whom none are undesirable.

I intend to offer my critics the chance to make a comment that will become a post as long as it is not anonymous or libellous.

It will take time to get regular about blogging again as my emotions are a mess largely due to this but also due to other factors such as family illness. However, I feel that I must get back in the sadle in time to support the notion of the God who is better than we can dream of as well as promoting other causes such as human rights.

Thanks my friend for all your help. Please keep praying for me in coming days.

Paul

[John]

I missed the whole thing, but Paul is my homeboy and I'll back him up.

[Paul Martin]

You are sweet John!

Some of links have been moved to draft as a peace gesture. Any more problems and they come back!