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respectful commenting

Having watched nasty, ad hominem, caustic comments become seriously destructive on websites and in some cases result in the site closing down, I was very wary about opening this site up for comments. But I was constantly urged to do so. And finally gave in, setting up a quite strong comment policy. In the event, I believe a wonderful culture has been developed by the community that meets around here. I recently received this email:

Having stumbled across your website/blog during Lent, I continue to enjoy your posts and the kind and respectful tone of commentators. I’m frequently moved, challenged and amused. Many thanks.

So – people who comment here: take a bow. Give yourselves a pat on the back. The worship wars can be some of the nastiest in our churches – so I hope the community around this site demonstrates that holding strong positions can be done without getting personal, and whilst continuing to listen to difference with respect. As I indicated recently, there may be a slight change in the comments policy, but the essential spirit and culture of comments will not change.

Whilst speaking of recently-received positive emails, here is one I just received:

Dear Fr. Bosco,

Thank you so much for this versatile website!

I use it as my web browser “Home Page”, making use of it often during the day, and I just did the night prayers right now. I do have the Liturgy of Hours, 4-vol., so this is a great addition to my prayer life when I’m being lazy about getting to my breviary!

Thank you so much & please keep this website!

Akismet, the spam filter, has automatically filtered out 18,785 comments! Compare that to 2,186 comments that have been approved. That’s a ratio of 9 spam comments to every actual comment!

You may be interested in some of the comments that it filters out:

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for the press release on General Synod – with a link to fish tanks

I was looking for major dirt on this subject. The information was respected as I am wide to set up my own portal. Thanks payment providing a missing link in my business.

I admit, I have not been on this webpage in a long time… however it was another joy to see It is such an important topic and ignored by so many, even professionals. I thank you to help making people more aware of possible issues.

You got a surely useful blog I get been here reading in behalf of close to an hour. I am a newbie and your success is profoundly much an inspiration seeking me.

Hi, where did you get this information can you please support this with some proof or you may say some good reference as I and others will really appreciate. This information is really good and I will say will always be helpful if we try it risk free. So if you can back it up. That will really help us all. And this might bring some good repute to you.

on the media release for General Synod day 1 with a link to handbags

Whats up, I want to say thank you for an informative site about a subject I have had an interest in for a long period now.I have been lurking and examining the posts avidly so wanted to express my gratitude for providing me with some very good reading material. I look forward to more, and taking a more active role in the discussions here, whilst learning too!!

in response to my hoping to see General Synod online

All certainly true, but I don’t support what you say myself. I will stay the more regular view. But I certainly support your right to say it. Fascinating anyway.

on presiding and preaching with a link to a solicitor’s office

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in response to Christ’s death – with a link to coffee

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I found this post while searching google. Pretty surprising too, since google usually displays relatively old results but this one is very recent! Anyway, very informative, especially since this is not an issue a lot of people tend to write something good about. Take care…

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I admit, I have not been on this webpage in a long time… however it was another joy to see It is such an important topic and ignored by so many, even professionals. I thank you to help making people more aware of possible issues.Great stuff as usual.

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for liturgy at General Synod with a link to a casino

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7 thoughts on “respectful commenting”

  1. David |dah•veed|

    English is my second language, but even I can recognize Spambots set upon the internet by folks who do not appear to speak English as their first language!

    1. Yes, David, the language quality intrigues me. I wonder if some of these reasonable size comments are paying some people to actually search the net. Some are clearly bots, but I wonder if some are actually individuals.

  2. Dear Fr. Bosco,

    Hopefully you do not find this in your spam folders 🙂

    I get similar, rather non-specific, loquacious, yet non-fluent comments in my blog’s spam folder. I take them to be bot-generated bait for link clicking leading to malware infection. I would stay clear of all comments ensconced in your spam folder that seem like a cross between a horoscope and assembly instructions for low-cost furniture.

    As the Holy Spirit descends like tongues of fire this Sunday bringing this Eastertide to a close, thanks ever so much for all your hard work.

    Blessings,

    Brian

  3. Yes, David, the language quality intrigues me. I wonder if some of these reasonable size comments are paying some people to actually search the net. Some are clearly bots, but I wonder if some are actually individuals.

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