Reviews from

REBUTTAL to Smell the Stench

MY REBUTTAL

85 total reviews 
Comment from Nicky B
Excellent
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Well written. Well expressed. Controversial of course, but then expressing your own truth always is. Pushing buttons is what writing is all about and there are a myriad of emotions awaiting to be unleashed and set free. So all I can say is. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Take care. Nick.

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2011


reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
    So glad to hear that! The voice of reason occassionaly has merit.
Comment from koneart
Excellent
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I'm not rating on content, but as FS's star rating guide lines. You did well with your writing. Now, on the content. I did read RAZZ's post and noted that RAZZ is ardent about how she feels. And, I read some of the ratings, though I didn't rate the post. I think these sort of discussions are better left in the forum.

I will say just this one thing in response to your "North America has a strong relationship with God". The scriptures say: "Not everyone saying to me, 'Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one DOING the will of my FATHER who is in the heavens will. Many will say to me in that day; 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform may powerful works in your name?' and yet then I will confess to them: I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness." Matthew 7:21-23.

It's up to you to discern if North America is truly DOING the will of the Father. Is the religious denominations--the hundreds of them--truly following God's word? The Christian congregation is to be clean, flawless without immoral acts. Christians are to represent Jesus. Add it all together--are these people moral? Are they honest? Do they give freely? Are they peaceful? Do they worship in spirit and truth? Do they keep the teachings clean from pagan influences?

Just a thought.

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2011


reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
    Good thoughts, all of them and in turn may I ask a few more?

    Can a man who was never raised with the knowledge of Jesus, but feeds the poor and tends to the orphans be welcomed in heaven?

    I could go on, but I think my ultimate point is the deeds a man performs in the name of righteousness are to me far more important that the hymns we toss into the air.

    Goodness, kindness and pure motive must surely be a more worthy resumee for God.

    I believe in the goodness of all people. Your key word is DOING.
reply by koneart on 24-Feb-2011
    Good deeds are important, but Jesus clearly stated: "This means everlasting life, their taking in KNOWLEDGE of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." [John 17:3]

    Gaining KNOWLEDGE and acting upon that knowledge is VERY important. BUT, let's say a man does good deeds all his life and dies without gaining knowledge. Then thereâ??s the hope of the resurrection. Jesus said, â??Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which ALL those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.â?? [John 5:28, 29]

    Whether a man is good or bad, it doesnâ??t matter, they will be resurrected and given a chance to live under Godâ??s Kingdom ruled by Christ. [Matthew 6:9,10]

    The reason this is possible is because when a man dies, he has paid his debt for his sins. â??The wages sin pays is death.â?? [Romans 6:23] [Well known scripture]

    I hope this helps.
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
    It does.
Comment from Bloomer Burbs
Excellent
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Hi spiritual Echo

Is religion really the reason people go to war or is it an innate human strait to believe what 'they' think is superior to what others think? 'War, what are we fighting for.'

'Thank God we live in a country that allows us freedom of expression!' Couldn't agree more.

Thank you for expressing your thoughtful and balanced views.

Pete


 Comment Written 24-Feb-2011


reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
    When aggression becomes uncontrolled, people like to name causes. In todays world its called oil. Even the Irish protestants are still feuding against the Catholics.
Comment from DrCarter2001
Good
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Hi Echo, interesting essay. I haven't read the original essay you posted so will have to go back now to find it, since I couldn't follow some of your points as a result. Since I didn't read the Young Priest, either, I didn't really understand your point about the story. You say "The Bishop was shocked when the priest told him he questioned what Jesus would do and then proceeded, based on that wisdom." Why was the Bishop shocked? Did the priest act counter to what Jesus would do? It's not clear from what you wrote. The same goes for the paragraph starting with "Usually an author who has a strong POV..." Did this author do the same as you say here or was it somehow different? I'm not disagreeing with what you wrote in any way; when you present an argument in an essay, however, you need to make sure you provide clear arguments and your facts fully support them. When referencing another piece of work, you need to assume the reader has not seen or read it. Otherwise, your arguments fall flat.
I love the last line, though! Cheers!

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2011


reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
    Yes, well I wrote a rebuttal and in order to understand the point one would have had to read Wake up and smell the Stench. It is located directly beside my post in #1 position under poems.

    You are right as a stand alone esssay trhis requires a reference to the original work and how my points apply, Please read the original. The author has taken a very strong stand on Christianity and the sins of the nation including abortion, education, homosexuality and our all consuming deterioration as sinners.

    My referance to the story of the "Younfg Priest" was that the church does not follow the teachings of Christ and would take just as black and white and argumentive position as the author of the debated work. It makes for interesting reading including the review page.
reply by DrCarter2001 on 24-Feb-2011
    Got it! I understand now. I found the original (I didn't realize before it was a poem...well, it's not really a poem as others have pointed out) and agree with you. I've abstained from writing any reviews on that author's work (or any writing that is clearly so far to one side or the other that the author is unlikely to accept any sort of criticism) ever since the last posts about the antichrist (terribly written, really just a quoting of scripture, but received all sorts of praise). Frankly, I'm surprised I managed to win a short story of the month on FS for a piece that had nothing to do with religion! Anyway, if you want, I can upgrade the rating to five stars. Cheers!
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
    No, I'm fine with it. The original upset me for all the obvious religious (zealot) reasons and I just wanted to put something up there that said NO! If I were seriously writing a submission essay to stand alone I would find my own work lacking. This was an isolated return volley. Also FS insisted on a pretty big edit or what, they would ban me, but allow the other madness to continue. Its enough you stopped by and read. Thanks
Comment from misscookie
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is a very strong story and there was never a dull moment.
This story kept my interesting from the first word to the last.
This story is certainly a strong food for thought piece.

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2011


reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
    especially if you read the original
reply by misscookie on 24-Feb-2011
    Take care.
Comment from honeytree
Excellent
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I loved the art work and the words written are very powerful and creative ones to read.

We have freedom of speech, and free to write what we like.

I did enjoy reading what the author has written. We should express our feeling about situations within our world, if we want to.

Honey tree


 Comment Written 24-Feb-2011


reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
    thank you
reply by honeytree on 27-Feb-2011
    I am glad you liked the review.
    Honey tree
Comment from katz meow
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I only have a few things to say about your rebuttal. First, thanks for writing it and for your non-committal expression of views. I did read and rate the 'talked about piece', rating it poorly on it's lack of merits as a poem, or any type of writing, nothing else said. No reason to feed the flames that seemed to be dying by the many other reviews I had read. Thank you again. Katz

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2011


reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
    Thanks
Comment from Perp Ihebom
Excellent
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This essay makes a succinct point about the wars that are constantly fought by ignorant humanity in the name of a God we barely know. kudos

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2011


reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
    Thank you
Comment from Bryana
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I smell the stench from the distance and yet I got so sick I didn't have the strength to review it, I found it disgusting and the answers to the reviews didn't make sense and were very insulting to the reviewer.

As far as your essay, it was refreshing and enjoyable to read. By the way I did read "VIEW RATINGS" for the "Stench", I have never seen so many ratings of one and two stars during my time in FS and her answers were outrageous!
Thank you so much for your excellent essay, it was needed for that "Stench".

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2011


reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
    I got somewhat annoyed and felt a response was needed
Comment from Fleedleflump
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I would have been interested to read this prior to the 'editing by FS request'. I hope the piece you refer to has been similarly moderated. My own response to the current 'top' poem was one of sadness, and a three star rating based on the catalogue of grammar and spelling errors I encountered. At the recent re-posting, I downgraded it to a 1.

Partly because subjecting us all to it again was just rude, and partly because I felt obliged to balance the frankly terrifying collection of sixes it's received.

Sadly, I'd already read through the responses of others, and ended up depressed.

Thank you for your balanced views and sensible approach, and for doing what I wanted to but couldn't, because I could not have done it in such a level-headed manner.

Mike

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2011


reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
    I appreciate your honest reply