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Braveheart
Scotsmen were known for taunting their enemies by lifting their kilts and shaking their naked buttocks at them. That's not the way Christians should act toward one another.
I was a willful child, and whenever I acted up my mother would use a phrase that always bewildered me: "Don't you show me your backside, young lady." Since my offending backside was always modestly covered, I never understood my mother's metaphor until I saw the movie "Braveheart." That's when I saw (from a distance, mind you) how Scottish forces taunted English invaders by turning their backs, raising their kilts, and shaking their naked buttocks -- proving that true Scotsmen wear nothing but skin beneath their tartans.
As the project coordinator for United Methodist Insight, after 2-1/2 years of operation I feel that I'm now forced to impose upon our comments a version of my Scottish heritage. This online forum will no longer publish any comment that, in effect, taunts contributors with blatantly offensive language and imagery. I'm not even going to make an effort, as I have in the past, to edit such comments into acceptable states, nor to notify commenters when their comments are rejected.
Those familiar with social media have unkind words for these kinds of offensive comments. The comments themselves are often referred to as "flames," and the people who consistently post such comments solely for the sake of starting online fights are known as "trolls." Clearly, neither appellation seems in keeping with Christian conferencing and baptismal communion, nor do the comments that invite such terms.
I truly regret the need for this new enforcement of our original policy on civility. I also regret the past times when I've let such comments slip through. But things are getting really nasty out there in the Metho-blogo-sphere, and the nastiness is obstructing the UMC's most dire need at this time: to figure how we can live and work together in mutual respect, if not baptismal affection, despite our divergent views.
No doubt zealots at both ends of the theological spectrum will howl "Censorship!" at this development, and they're right. Much as I've resisted even a whiff of censorship throughout my 40-odd years as a professional journalist, I trust that my life experience has conferred a smattering of wisdom that some things should simply be left unpublished. Hurtful comments serve no useful purpose other than to allow writers to vent some bile, which they can do as easily on their own as on a forum that's dedicated to discerning together God's will for the future of The United Methodist Church.
Vigorous debate will continue, but it must be debate that wrestles with ideas themselves, rather than demonizing those who hold different viewpoints. And yes, there will be times when arguments and proposals from those of opposing viewpoints will need to be factually corrected or held up to biblical and theological scrutiny. Nonetheless, it is hoped that those who comment on such ideas will make substantive suggestions and positive critiques that will benefit our efforts at mutual discernment.
As both a practicing religion communicator and a certified spiritual director, I've become convinced that the way we conduct our conversation on the UMC's future matters as much as our ultimate decisions. The teachings of Jesus and the epistles of Paul and others advocate the spiritual discipline of self-control, and that includes what comes out of our mouths and minds and computers. As the epistle of James aptly notes: "If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless" (James 1:26).
So, dear readers, if in an intemperate moment you post a "flame" on UM Insight, don't expect to see it published. If you truly want to contribute to the current conversation on the church's future, pull your kilts down over your naked backsides and quit taunting your adversaries. That only leads to more fighting, and we've had enough.
Cynthia B. Astle has been a professional journalist for 41 years, specializing in coverage of The United Methodist Church since 1988. She currently serves as project coordinator for United Methodist Insight.