Monday September 29, 2003:
Please Note:
I just want to clarify that the statement below is not intended to offend those who are moderate Christians. It is a direct response to an email complaint about the "preachy" tone of a particular member's most recent posts on the General Message Board.
As was stated in that email:
"I was under the impression that this was a writers group rather than a religious group. I'd rather not to be preached at in a writers group! Thanks."
Also, it should be noted that, for professional purposes, I reference this site as one of many that I manage. That being the case, I wanted to deal with any mistaken impressions that readers might have (from viewing the current discussions on the message boards) about the nature of this site . The most effective way to deal with this issue, in my opinion, was to make a clear statement as to my position on the matter that is permanently viewable on site. I hope that this will quell current and future difficulties (as it is usually me who has to deal with the complaints via email).
Thank you,
Sunday, September 28, 2003:
Statement From Manager
To readers, viewers and potential members:
It should be noted that any religious posts on this site are the expressed views of the individual posters involved. It is the view of the manager that, while spirituality and religiosity do impact and inform many people's writing, and are a major means, by some, of coping with their disabilities, the views expressed in the posts on site, as of late, are those of a particularly vocal minority. These views do not necessarily represent the views of the majority of members, readers and users of this site.
To be absolutely clear, this web site is and always has been a writers' group for people with disabilities. The choice as to whether or not to share religious views herein is a personal one made by each individual who posts here.
It is also the view of the manager that, the Internet is about freedom of information and expression of opinion. This includes the freedom to respectfully disagree with the content and motivations of religious postings (that are blatantly disrespectful of those who do not share the particular poster's point of view) while continuing to provide a space for a variety writers to share their experiences and their divergent opinions. By providing such a dynamic space, it is hoped that the wide range readers who view this site, will be able to look beyond the extreme views expressed here by some members (and cope with these individual's excessive habit of posting their religious opinions) to find a variety of other reading materials of interest.
Thank you,
Catherine M. MacDonald,
Manager
