An Explanation Probably Overdue

[Paul McKenna]

Over the past couple of days I have been engaged in a lot of heated debates during the due course of which I have been accused of being insensitive and bigoted. I will make no excuses for myself or my comments and do accept the responsibility for my remarks. I sincerely realize that some of these accusation may seem true given the nature of my discussions and my posts. However, I would like to clarify that at no point did I, do I or will I ever harbor hatred towards anyone because of their ethicity, religion, race or ancestry. I only wish I had spent more time thinking about my posts rather than making rash half-thought out comments. The fault is mine and I accept it.
I come to this forum in the hopes of challenging various line of thought as well as to form my own opinons on various issues. I do not have a set opinion on any topic, it constantly evolves over a period of time as I gain more and more knowledge. Are some of my comments half-educated? Sure. Are they filled with hatred? Definetly not.. but I can see how they may be interpreted to be so. I admit that I am not even half as articulate as I think myself to be, but is that so terribly wrong? I hope not.
As a person who set out with one set of beliefs initially, I think I have made atleast half the journey and am diametrically opposite to where I began. I have a long way to go and so far as been possible thanks to this discussion forum. I find a varied set of opinions and commentary out here that I will not find elsewhere. Its easy for me to forget that behind individual nicknames there actually exist people and feelings. By overlooking that vital fact I have perhaps tread on sentiments and regret doing do. I will stand up and question anyone's beliefs that do not concur with my own, not with the intent of changing the other person's opinion but with the sole intent of learning why the other opinion exists. Though, I will be more careful in doing so henceforth.
So, my friend, if you are one of those who feel offended or insulted by any of my posts please accept this post as a sincere apology.
Thank You.

[David O'Meara]

Originally posted by Paul McKenna:
So, my friend, if you are one of those who feel offended or insulted by any of my posts ...

No, but I remain hopeful.
Nice piece of soul-searching and nice post. Thanks.

[Mapraputa Is]

I think, we need some kind of a spiritual worker here, in MD, to accept confessions and give absolutions. The problem is, this place is so multi-cultural and multi-confessional, that it is preferable for this person not to follow any particular religion or cult, in order to be better able to provide honest, impartial service.
For this reason, I would nominate Jim Yingst. To start with, we'll have to call him "father Jim"...

Seriously, I do not know if it is possible to transfer yourself from one society to another and immediately become a productive, full-blown conformist. It is a difficult path and mistakes are bound to happen. "Sin and confess" looks like a reasonable strategy. And the rest of the pack will be more than happy to point out your sins.
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"Strip me of all my Java certifications, but please don't ban me from MD!" -- Eugene Kononov

[John Dunn]

please accept this post as a sincere apology I accept your apology. That was a very honorable post.
[ December 28, 2003: Message edited by: John Dunn ]

[John Smith]

Father Jim,
Forgive me father, for I have sinned:

I don't always use the appropriate UBB code in my posts

I use the Lord's name in vain when I see people using empty catch blocks and historical collections, such as Hashtable and Vector.

When I ran out of arguments in one of the threads, I suggested to Thomas Paul that we should engage in a homosexual conduct

In MD, I initiate the topics which by community standards amount to mental masturnbation. This is in clear violation of the MD as a forum to discuss fun stuff.

I overuse the Graemlin

I giggle when Joe Pluta wishes "Merry Christmas" to everyone (can't explain the reason, -- he just sounds funny)

I think that Jason Menard has too much common sense, and I always wonder if he ever had sex in a non-missionary position, with no protection.

I prejudge people: I think that Paul McKenna still has the Indian predisposition: he thinks that it is important what other people think of him.

Forgive me, father, for I have sinned.

[Joe Pluta]

Is that funny "ha ha" or funny "weird"?

[JiaPei Jen]

Hi, Paul. I have not yet found any offensiveness in any of your postings. It takes lots of humility to say what you said in the beginning of this thread. I feel ashamed of myself for not being as humble as you are. I think you have found favor with God for making peace with everybody - note the seventh of the Beatitudes:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

The Beatitudes are at the heart of Jesus' preaching. They take up the promises made to the chosen people since Abraham. The Beatitudes fulfill the promises by ordering them no longer merely to the possession of a territory, but to the Kingdom of heaven.
[ December 29, 2003: Message edited by: JiaPei Jen ]
[ December 29, 2003: Message edited by: JiaPei Jen ]