Whenever I would discuss my combox policy{1} in sundry times and in divers manners{2}at this humble website, I would get some critics who would take swipes at me claiming that by not having comments boxes here that for some reason, it denoted some kind of cowardice or fear of engaging in arguments with others. I have in mind particularly certain persons who engage in apologetics with this particular point: something I note briefly here so that the audience is not confusing to the reader.
Having noted that, I came across recently the following from canonist Dr. Ed Peters on why he does not enable comments on his blog. I will quote him at some length here and where applicable to a certain extent to Rerum Novarum both past as well as present. Without further ado:
Why comments aren’t enabled here
I am posting the above to ask critics (present and past) who have made or intend to make light of my lack of comments boxes at this humble website to either lob similar snide crap at Dr. Ed Peters or have the guts to do what a real Christian should do in these sorts of situations.
That is all for now.
Notes:
{1} Most recently reiterated anew HERE for those who are interested.
{2} This footnote will consist of a longer footnote from a previous post to this site in years gone by which encapsulates some of my references over the years to comments boxes and my policies with them. Without further ado...
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In order from earliest to most recent on the matter and excluding any postings that did not to some extend extend or amplify previous comments on this subject:
Unlike major media outlets the contents of this blog are not a result of intense focus group testing nor Zogby-like polling data mind you; Rerum Novarum does not function that way. (So those who wrote about adding comments boxes, nada as I do not have the time to police them and besides: most of those who inquired about the comments boxes are not the sorts I would long tolerate posting in comments boxes at my blog.) The reason I have the occasional "guest editorial" policy is to bridge the gap if you will in that regard. [Excerpt from Rerum Novarum (circa September 30, 2002)]
I also blog and interact with emailers if (i) it is a subject I have not blogged on before (ii) it is a subject that interests me (iii) the emailer is polite and (iv) the emailer asks challenging questions. If the emailer is not polite, then their piece becomes fodder for potential fisking in accordance with my mood at the time.
I also interact with stuff on discussion lists, blogs, and the message boxes at other blogs and all of that is potentially bloggable as well. (And usually I email the link to the person so they can read and respond to it if they want to.) [Excerpt from Rerum Novarum (circa August 24, 2003)]
On the Comments Box Subject Revisited (circa June 6, 2005)
Briefly on Comboxes Again With Jonathan Prejean (circa June 10, 2005)
The Comments Box Subject Revisited (circa January 26, 2007)
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