I find it strange, how the same people, in that acrimony-machine we call the blogosphere, who keep using this phrase, shut up and listen, are the same people who keep denying that they are trying to silence people. (HINT: ‘shutting up’ involves silence) If you are telling me to shut up, THAT is your intent. And I have to say, as a vocal atheist, who has been speaking out for a while in the face of religious (and otherwise) people who also want me to just shut up, I have one thing.
FRAK YOU.
If we are having a conversation, like reasonable adults, this means, I listen to what you say, and you listen to what I say. And we try and understand each other, with the full knowledge that we may simply not agree.
It’s not that ‘I don’t get it’, that there is something wrong with me(or you), or that what you say gets to automatically trump what I say. I simply may not share your perspective, and I might prioritize other things than you do.
While we support CFI’s work, we are not willing to be abused or see others abused to see that work go forward.
Ron Lindsay didn’t abuse anyone. He said some stuff that some people didn’t agree with. Fullstop. As a vocal secularist, it happens.
Being exposed to a differing opinions is not equal to being abused.
I can’t speak for my fellow bloggers here at CA. But I support Ron’s right to be heard, just like I support everyone’s. I support freedom of expression. I support CFI, and will continue to do so.
If you spend all your time telling people to ‘shutup’, and it is getting you down, maybe it is time you take your own advice and listen. I do volunteer work at CFI, not because of the things I don’t have in common with people there, but because of the stuff I do have in common with them. I’m actually a good listener, but I don’t, and never will shut up.
