Comments on: The Centurion’s Story

By: Justin Lewis-Anthony

Justin Lewis-Anthony — Tue, 19 May 2009 09:42:49 +0000

Dear Fred

I am intrigued that you can find the time, energy and sheer incompetence to seek out a blog from the other side of the world to disagree with, and to disagree with it in the most incomprehensible way. Your arguments are weak, tendentious, undirected, and ad hominem. Why do you bother?

As I say, I’m intrigued, but not bothered enough to plough through any more gibberish. Go find a blog of your own where the dress code and intellectual level is more suited to your abilities.

By: fred preuss

fred preuss — Sat, 02 May 2009 19:10:13 +0000

I’m both; for all practical purposes, they’re the same.
Which aspect of the US churches don’t I understand?
Here are some facts: Used to be about 40% …

[yada yada yada yada yada yada]

By: fred preuss

fred preuss — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 17:42:16 +0000

OK, (which is anglo-catholic understatement for ‘whatever’) what does this picture mean?
Why did you picture these two guys in ties taking time off their lunch break to crucify somebody?

By: Justin Lewis-Anthony

Justin Lewis-Anthony — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 16:34:00 +0000

Dearest Fred, you really are great value for money (which is English understatement for "you have no bloody idea what you are talking about"). You seem to think that it is possible for you to apply your half-digested and partially understood ideas of the situation of the American churches in a blanket condemnation of me, my parish, my preaching and my situation. You have no idea about the sitz im leben of my parish and ministry, but that doesn't prevent you from exercising and exorcising your demons all over me. It's wonderfully amusing. Your lack of awareness of my situation, or the situation of the English church, doesn't surprise me though, when I see your lack of awareness of your own philosophy and ideology:

Before you ask, I’m an atheist/agnostic.

Come on Fred, which is it? Surely even you realise those are contradictory positions!

By: fred preuss

fred preuss — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 14:57:04 +0000

Yeah, I don’t see your barcodes from here, so it would have to be the general demographic profile of the mainline churches, their seminaries, and the self-satisfied nonsense preached therein.
Criticize them all you want. But implying, as this picture does, they they alone are evil, and that your church’s lifestyles will change the slightest because of your preaching, is simply delusional. National Public Radio at prayer you are; NPR at prayer you will remain.
And why should middle management be so angry with Jesus?
Before you ask, I’m an atheist/agnostic. Pat Robertson is in no way responsible for my salary, housing, benefits or pension plans.

By: Justin Lewis-Anthony

Justin Lewis-Anthony — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 10:09:01 +0000

Thank you for your comment, Fred, which made up in anger what it lacked in coherence.

You begin by criticizing a depiction of the crucifixion in which white executive types are involved and finish by attacking the complacent 97.5% white middle-classes of my diversity*. So which is it Fred? Should I be more or less critical of the white middle-classes for being sinners?

And any way, why did you choose Good Friday, of all days, to draw such a narrow circle of hatred?

* I am presuming that “continue to celebrate your diversity” is directed at the church rather than me individually, otherwise to accuse me of being 97.5 % white would make your diatribe even less coherent.

By: fred preuss

fred preuss — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 02:05:29 +0000

Wow, white executive/corporate types crucified our lord!
So edgy, so progressive,
About as daring as ordaining 5 times as many gays/lesbians as compose the general population-oh, wait, you already do that!
Carry on. And being 97.5% White, overwhelmingly middle to upper middle class, continue to celebrate your diversity!