[Vision2020] gossip and attacks

[keely emerinemix]

Knowing that it won't matter much to those who take a lot of joy in anything 
that involves pain or embarrassment to individual members of Christ Church, 
I have to say that yesterday's post involving  a church email regarding Doug 
Farris' anniversary trip absolutely crossed the line.  It was gossip, pure 
and simple, designed to humiliate someone.  It made me sick.

I don't like Doug Farris and when he's behaved badly, I have called him on 
it.  But J Ford's post yesterday was as full of vitriol as anything I've 
seen lately, and I'm deeply sorry to Doug and his wife and family for the 
embarrassment it caused them.  I didn't much care for Doug's response, but I 
can understand his feeling the need to protect his family, even if by 
lashing out at someone who hurt them.  This isn't what Vision 2020 is for;  
it isn't what the English language ought to be for, and sure as hell isn't 
how we ought to treat other people.

Yes, I'm known for going after the leadership of Christ Church -- because of 
what they've done and said, and continue to do and say.  Their views and 
actions have harmed the community and the witness of the Gospel on the 
Palouse.  But these are issues of corporate behavior and public actions; 
they deserve public comment.  Gossip, on the other hand, involves by 
definition private behavior and is designed to present someone in a 
less-than-flattering light.  It's wrong, and it shouldn't loccur without 
reprimand.

I have learned a lot since my wreck about needing and asking for help.  I 
don't like it, believe me.  But God bless the people in a congregation who 
offer help when a need is presented -- whether I like the church, the people 
offering, or the people who ask.  And I hope the Farris family has a 
wonderful anniversary trip, with my congratulations.

keely

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