(Bill wrote this and made it public, because he purposely has no privacy settings, I'm sharing)
I Am Deeply Saddened By The Demise Of Objective Journalism On The TimesDaily
I AM DEEPLY SADDENED BY THE DEMISE of objective journalism found in my Alabama home town newspaper, the TimesDaily. For many years it was owned by the liberal New York Times organization, but was sold to an Alabama based company several years ago. Sadly, while owned by the liberal New York Times, the TimesDaily was less biased than what I have recently experienced under the new ownership.
Seven years ago, I became a posting member of the TimesDaily Religion Forum. With the name "Religion Forum" one would expect it to welcome the Christian faith worldview. However, that is not the case. It seems that the "Religion Forum" offers open arms to all world religions, including atheism -- but, the Biblical Christian worldview seems to not be welcome on the TimesDaily Religion Forum.
Several weeks ago, a forum member who strongly dislikes me for sharing my Biblical Christian views on that forum -- posted that Bill Gray should be killed. Yet, when I reported that obvious violation of the TimesDaily Forum Member Agreement to the Forum Moderator -- guess what has happened. You guess it, Bill Gray was banned from the TimesDaily Religion Forum.
Could I sneak back in using a pseudonym, a phony posting name? Yes, I have seen this done many times over the past seven years. However, as I told a Forum Moderator when I first began posting seven years ago, I am sharing the Word of God -- and I will not hide under a "burka" while sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If I were to post the Word of God while hiding behind a pseudonym, a spiritual burka -- how could anyone believe what I am writing?
Recently, the person who had been the Moderator for the TimesDaily Religion Forum left the company and the Publisher, Darrell Sandlin, took over that task. Very shortly afterwards, I was banned for reporting the man's post suggesting that Bill Gray should be killed. Does this give you any idea of the direction this once trustworthy newspaper is headed? And, that is why I am saddened. To see my home town newspaper succumb under the disease of liberal bias, anti-God cancer, and extreme "subjective censorship" is like watching a long admired leader wither and die.
Below is the chain of recent e-mail communications through which I have attempted to resolve his issue amiably. But, it obviously cannot be done.
RIP TimesDaily Objective Journalism:
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Subject: FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2015 2:54 PM
From: Bill Gray To: Darrell Sandlin
Hi Mr. Sandlin, This e-mail serves a dual purpose: To explain why I have been on the TimesDaily Forums since January 2007 - and to find a way to resolve any problems which might exist and have my account reinstated.
First, I would like for you to get to know me, my writings, and my reason for being on the TimesDaily Forums since 2007. Although I have been an ex-pat from Alabama for many years, the Shoals is still my home town, and the people of the Shoals my home town folks. My brother, Bob, and many of my close relatives still live in the Shoals area. And, many of my Sheffield High classmates and friends still live in that area. For that reason, for years I read the TimesDaily Online so that I can stay in touch with my family, friends, and roots.
I avoided the (TimesDaily) forums, and at that time - all forums, for I felt they were just "spitting contests" where folks go to argue and throw rocks. However, one day in January 2007, while reading the TimesDaily Online I noticed in the forum section a discussion titled "What Is A Christian?"
That piqued my interest for I have always thought of Alabama and the Shoals area as not only being in the Bible Belt, but being virtually the Belt Buckle. Given that, I entered the TimesDaily Forums for the first time to see what my home town folks would say about "What Is A Christian?"
Immediately upon entering that forum discussion, it was obvious that it was dominated by two people, two atheists, DeepFat and GoFish. Deep was an Alabama ex-pat like me living in Southern California and GoFish was a local businessman in Florence. I became a posting member to refute their atheist based posts about the Christian faith. And, I have been there since.
About a year after I joined, the Moderator and I had a Private Message dialogue where he/she suggested that I should not use my own name as a posting name, nor should I post my e-mail address. I explained that because I was on the forums to refute false teachings about my Christian faith and to share that faith with other readers, many of whom I consider my home town family -- I could not, in good conscious, hide behind a pseudonym.
However, in short time, I did see the wisdom of not sharing my e-mail address - even though I wanted all people who desired to contact me about the Christian faith to be able to do so. Viewing this from the Moderator's viewpoint, I could see the wisdom of using the Private Message avenue to establish personal contacts when asked. And, a number of folks, in what, since 2007, became the TimesDaily Religion Forum, have become Friends in my personal Friends Ministry eNewsletter e-mail list.
The common sense of not sharing my personal e-mail was brought home to roost, when the man who called himself GoFish attempted to send an e-mail to my wife, pretending to be a woman. In his e-mail he identified himself as a woman who had met me at a computer conference and had a sexual affair with me.
What the foolish man did not realize was that during my computer industry career, and for my whole marriage (37 years and counting now), my wife always went with me to the computer conferences. We viewed them as second honeymoons. And, in a very short time, when Dory would walk around the conference floor (alone) while I was working, many people remembered her and would greet her, "Hi Dory, How's the California real estate business?" She (was in real estate sales when we married and) has been a broker for over 30 years.
I wrote a Private Message to GoFish telling him this and how foolish he looked because of his devious action.
Then, in a purely rhetorical question, I asked him, "You made this attempt to damage my marriage. How would you like it if I did something similar, such as reveal your true identity on the forum?" I made that particular suggestion because, on the forum, when another member asked to meet him for coffee to discuss their different points of view, he had responded that he would not meet anyone, even at the (Religion Forum) Meet & Greet Meetings local forum members used to have - for he felt that his atheism would affect his business and his desire to enter local politics.
I had no intention of outing him like that, but just wanted to make the point that we on the forums should stick to discussing the issues, agree or disagree, and leave out the personal attacks.
But, he reported that Private Message to the Moderator, Elizabeth, and she notified me that I would be banned for one week. I called and talked with her, but she was firm in her belief that I should not have written that, even in a rhetorical question. So, I thanked her for her time and found other things to do for that week. That is the only time I have had a problem with the TimesDaily Moderators.
Matter of fact, the Moderator I dialogued with on PM that first year, commented that he noticed in my posts that I was never argumentative nor nasty with other posting members. Yet, this past Saturday I found myself suddenly banned and I have no idea why.
Mr. Sandlin, I sincerely want to return to the Forums using my real name. What do I need to do to be able to resolve this problem and once again be a posting member in the TimesDaily Religion Forum family?
Below is an excerpt from a recent writing in my Facebook Note page. I invite you to read that and any other of my Notes you might find interesting. You will see that I am not attacking anyone, nor am I trying to beat anyone over the head with my Bible. I merely try to share the Gospel and refute teachings that I consider to be not Biblical -- but, always using Bible references to support my contentions. If you have the time, please take a look at my Facebook Note, shown in this excerpt:
I Am So Blessed To Be Sharing God's Word!
October 16, 2014 at 1:06pm
Recently, I was studying a Scripture passage in John 15 -- and realized how blessed I am to be an active posting member on the TimesDaily Religion Forum. In January 2007 I came on the Religion Forum to refute several rather dominant atheists who seemed to control that forum. And, since then I have been blessed to be able to share God's Word on the Religion Forum for the benefit of those who want to read and know about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The John 15 Scripture passage which caught my attention -- and which seems so applicable is:
The following URL link is to all my Facebook Notes page (445 and counting):
Mr. Sandlin, thank you for taking the time to read this, and for your consideration in returning me to the TimesDaily Forums.
Thank you and God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill Gray
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On 1/20/2015 5:20 PM, Darrell Sandlin wrote:
Dear Mr. Gray,
I’m well aware of your long standing as a forum member. I’m also very familiar with your posts and our forums.
I also spoke with Chris today and he had shared your previous email with me.
You need to know that I support revoking your access – 100%. Our policy on answering inquiries on these subjects is simply to refer you to the member’s agreement. I’m not going to debate or discuss the details or merits of that decision.
We are also not considering reinstating your access at this time.
Sincerely,
Darrell Sandlin
Publisher / TimesDaily, TimesDaily.com
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Subject: THANK YOU -- Re: FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2015 10:55 PM
From: Bill Gray To: Darrell Sandlin
Hi Mr. Sandlin,
First, thank you for responding to my e-mail. I sincerely appreciate the time you have given me to read it and to respond.
It is true that you have the right and the authority to ban anyone you wish from the TimesDaily Forum. And, I would never attempt to debate that with you. However, I believe you are a fair man and an objective journalist. Over the years I have read and done my best to adhere to the TimesDaily Forum Member Agreement conditions. Tonight, I have just gone back and read them again. And, I cannot see where I have violated those conditions.
I can understand, and sadly accept, you deciding, for your own reasons, not to reinstate me. However, would it not be fair to at least tell me where I have violated the Member Agreement conditions? Honestly, I have no idea what I did to be banned. And that is what is hard to understand. Can you imagine a judge sentencing a person to prison - without telling him why he is being sentenced and why he is going to prison?
You tell me, "You need to know that I support revoking your access – 100%." That I understand and accept. However, just as you are 100% sure of your reason -- I am equally 100% in the dark about that reason. As I said, I have read the conditions and I still cannot understand what I did to be banned.
Mr. Sandlin, you say that you are not considering reinstating me at this time. Hopefully, I read that as not being a life sentence, still with the possibility of parole. For that I thank you.
And, I realize that you are a busy man and do not have the time to spend on Forum members' problems. But, if you will just consider telling me what I did to be banned, I will sincerely appreciate it.
Thank you and God bless,
Bill
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On 1/21/2015 7:21 AM, Darrell Sandlin wrote:
Mr. Gray,
Our policy on answering inquiries on these subjects is simply to refer you to the member’s agreement. I’m not going to debate or discuss the details or merits of that decision. This hasn’t changed since my last email and will not change if you send another email.
I think you are missing a major point, we don’t really want people back if we had to go through the trouble to remove them. By your own admission, you already had a second chance.
Perhaps you should really start looking for a different forum to use that could possibly better meet your needs and expectations.
Regards,
Darrell
PS: I use my social media sites strictly for family and industry contacts. Please don’t be offended if I do not accept your requests.
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Subject: Re: THANK YOU -- Re: FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 10:41:12 -0800
From: Bill Gray To: Darrell Sandlin
Mr. Sandlin,
As I wrote earlier, I have studied your member's agreement, in the past and during this incident, and find nothing there that I have violated. And, regarding what you call my "second chance" - the moderator, Elizabeth, recognized that I really had no bad intentions toward the man GoFish - and to resolve the issue objectively, she only suspended me for a week. That seemed fair to me. That was five years ago and I have been a forum member in good standing since then.
The forum is named the Religion Forum. Yet, it would appear that all religions except the Christian faith are welcome there. And, it would appear that the reason I have been banned is because I reported a member who wrote on the Religion Forum that I should be killed - obviously for sharing my Christian faith. His implied threat toward me is acceptable to you? Yet my reporting it is not acceptable? That seems rather strange logic.
Mr. Sandlin, from your response it is obvious that rather than being an objective moderator -- you are being a subjective censor. While, as the TimesDaily Publisher, you have the right to do as you wish, how would you feel if you were on the other side of that fence? Are you allowing objective discussion on the TimesDaily Forums? Or are you censoring out the Christian voice?
Regarding Facebook (my request to be your Facebook Friend), recently the wife of an atheist TimesDaily Forum member requested to be my Facebook Friend. I accepted her as a Friend even knowing that she and her husband are atheists. Why? Because she has a right to share her views also. True, if she becomes abusive, I would remove her. But, I will not remove her for sharing her views which are antithetical to mine. I sent you a Facebook Friends Request, not to be an antagonist, but to better understand you as a person. I apologize if that offended you.
Mr. Sandlin, the Times Daily Religion Forum does meet my needs and expectations, for it is my home town newspaper. And, it reflects the nature, albeit it changing, of my home town friends and family. However, it would appear that my Christian faith does not meld with your personal position. Ask yourself, is that objective journalism - or is it subjective censorship?
Thank you and God bless,
Bill
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To all my Friends who read this, please keep this issue in prayer. I pray that I will be allowed to once again continue posting and sharing God's Word on the TimesDaily Religion Forum.
For years, I have known that there are many thousands of good people, both Christian believers and those who have not yet made a decision for the Lord -- who come to the TimesDaily Forums to read on a daily basis. Most of those people are there to read only, and do not post. Yet, they are just as important to God as those of us who have been posting -- and I am convinced that He wants them to be able to read the Word of God in our messages.
Please pray that the efforts of the small handful of atheists and other non-believers who want to ban God's Word from the TimesDaily Religion Forum will not be thwarted. And, please pray that our Lord will touch the heart of the TimesDaily Publisher, Darrell Sandlin, that he will reversed his ban and allow me to continue posting.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill Gray