According to Ed Babinski:
***QUOTE***
On the Christian blog, "Triablogue," I found a thread titled, "The Discomfiter," that discussed a new blog of that name by someone who claims he has deconverted from Christianity and become an atheist seemingly overnight, but whose arguments are mere parodies of the atheistic types of arguments at "Debunking Christianity." After reviewing the blog of the "The Discomfiter," Steve Hays at "Triablogue," wrote, "The only plausible alternative is that The Discomfiter is legit, but out of his mind."
Is that the only "plausible" alternative? Maybe for Steve, who already views all non-Christians as insane in some sense in God's eyes, but anyone with a lick of commonsense could tell "The Discomfiter" was NOT legit from the start. Apparently Steve's legit-o-meter is broken. Makes me wonder whether he watches "The Colbert Report" and finds the "only plausible alternative" to be that Stephen Colbert is a genuine Right Wing fanatic?
http://debunkingchristianity.blogspot.com/2006/08/steve-hays-of-triablogue-discomfiter.html
***END-QUOTE***
It's funny how literalistic an unbeliever can be. He will mock the "fundies" for taking the Bible at face value, yet an unbeliever can be more literalistic than a flat-earther.
It doesn't even occur to Babinski that my post might have been tongue-in-cheek.
I happen to know who the Discomfiter is. And I knew that before I ever did the post in question.
I know more than I let on to knowing.
However, I won't tell you whether or not he's the real deal since that would spoil the fun. Best to keep the secular-fundy literalists like Babinski guessing.
Quit being so literal about Babinski!
ReplyDeleteWhy in the world should Babinski have a problem with The Discomfiter? He practically says everything Loftus said at one point. Whatever Loftus believes The Discomfiter believes.
ReplyDeleteDiscomfiter,
ReplyDeleteIt's one thing for me to pick off an easy target like Loftus.
But I choose my battles. You're a far more formidable opponent than Loftus ever was.
Your Bird Man and Aqua Man arguments are way above my pay grade. I've referred them to Alvin Plantinga.
I know my limits, and I'm maxed out in dealing with an atheologian of your caliber.
I'll confine myself to small fry like Loftus and Exbrainer. I'm not going to pick a losing battle.
Steve,
ReplyDeleteDo you agree with Reppert that what The Discomfitor did was unacceptable?
With your knowledge of him, perhaps you can shed some light on the topic?
Dagood,
ReplyDeleteA couple of observations:
1. I've now read the offending comment. I agree that it was over the line in a couple of respects:
i) It's defamatory or libelous
ii) Impersonating someone else is unethical if the impersonation is intentionally deceptive (unlike a spoof).
If a comment like that was left at T-blog, and I was aware of it, I'd delete it.
2. That said, you are attributing to the discomfiter what was actually said by a commenter.
So what you're doing isn't all that different from the commenter.
He's attributing something to Loftus that Loftus never said while you're attributing something to the discomfiter which the discomfiter never said.
Thank you Steve, for the first part of your comment.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you would delete such a comment. Knowing The Discomfiter, have you asked him/her to do so as well, out of Christian courtesy?
As to the second part of your comment—what concerns me is the fact that John W. Loftus posted another comment on the thread, indicating he did not make the offending statement.
That comment was deleted.
That raises huge concerns with me. True, I did not see the comment by John W. Loftus attempting to resolve the situation, but I have every reason to believe that he would have left such a comment, and no reason to believe he would not.
As far as I know, the only person who could delete the comment is The Discomfiter.
We have:
1) a blogger that is clearly mocking Loftus,
2) an extremely suspect post that is in such poor taste, you concur it should be deleted,
3) Loftus attempts to correct it with another comment which is deleted,
4) A controversy that runs rampant, and as of my last check, the problem comment remains.
I don’t know that The Discomfiter actually wrote the original comment. But deliberately deleting an attempt to correct it, and allowing it to remain make his/her actions implicitly wrong.
Obviously, I have strong suspicions that The Discomfiter either wrote it, or knows who did. But even if neither is true, he/she has given such tacit approval toward it, and actually furthered the problem (by deleting Loftus’ real comment) which makes them part of the problem, not part of the solution.
Thanks, though, for your forthright response.
Steve,
ReplyDeleteI've examined Discomfiter's arguments and the only conclusion I can come to is that they're stupid. I could have written some intelligent sounding and technical response, but why bother? They're just plain old-fashioned stupid. I've got term papers to correct, so please only send the heady stuff my way next time OK? My time is valuable.....
Thanks
Discomfiter,
ReplyDeleteIt seems like letting you on my team has gone to your head. You're gettin' too big for yer britches there buddy. Since you think Aquaman and Gill Boy are such good ideas, maybe you'd like to spend some time at the bottom of the sea? Remember, I was the original John Loftus spoofer, don't forget where you came from....
John W. Lost us.
ReplyDeleteThat can be arranged.
Confirming what I suspect...
ReplyDeletethat was a funny radio show...I've not laugh so hard for so long...
I've been scratching my head over how there's so many atheist who does not believe in morals, yet feel so morally outraged...
Hm...
So, Steve says:
ReplyDelete"I happen to know who the Discomfiter is."
"However, I won't tell you whether or not he's the real deal since that would spoil the fun."
and
Discomfiter says:
"What is funny is that I left deflamatory comments about Josh Brisby, Paul Manata, Steve Hays, Gene Cook, and Jesus Himself up on my blog."
Perhaps I'm wrong...Lord knows it wouldn't be the first time...but...
If Discomfiter is really a Christian (and the radio interview really made that painfully obvious to me) what is the deal with him making not only "deflamatory" comments about other believers, but about Jesus too?
That seems really messed up...and dangerous. I just can't see Jesus thinking that would be funny.
If Loftus is really an atheist, who says there's no morality, what's wrong with him faking a defamatory post about himself?
ReplyDeleteThat would be messed up, but the universe wouldn't care.
Paul,
ReplyDeleteDo you think its a sin for a Christian (or non) to make "deflamatory" comments about Jesus?
I don't care about Loftus.
I'm curious what you think about a Christian that deceives other people, and even disparages other Christians and Jesus.
I definatley think it's a sin to make those comments about Jesus.
ReplyDeleteI never would, never have, and Lord willing never will.
Anon,
ReplyDeleteCheck out the Discomfiter's comments again. The disparaging 'Jesus' remarks were made by other commenters, not the Discomfiter. He simply left them up. If you have read most of them you'll notice Daniel Morgan's attempt to entice the Discomfiter to do just that in order to 'prove' he truly is an atheist.
Warren,
ReplyDeleteWould you have just left disparaging remarks about Jesus on your blog? So if you don't personally make them, I guess you're free and clear from responsiblity for them by just leaving them posted on your blog...
If you have read most of them you'll notice Daniel Morgan's attempt to entice the Discomfiter to do just that in order to 'prove' he truly is an atheist.
ReplyDeleteAnd unless you think I'm a total dolt [no, don't answer that], you'll realize I knew they wouldn't ever be made. I was trying to help some of the, uh, how do I say this nicely...slower to catch on that this fellow was not an atheist (some people seemed to have thought it a disgruntled atheist).
Further, you'll note that early on, I basically said, "What harm is the guy doing, he's funny...?"
Of course, it has turned into a no-holds-barred flame war since then...but it's all fun and games until somebody loses an eyeball, right?
Anon,
ReplyDeleteI was answering your statement Do you think its a sin for a Christian (or non) to make "deflamatory" comments about Jesus?
I'm curious what you think about a Christian (who)...disparages...Jesus.
The point is that there is absolutely no evidence that the Discomfiter or Christians made those disparaging remarks about Jesus. They were all made by anon or other commentators whi I suspect were simply trying to unmask the Discomfiters true intentions.
Now that you have moved onto your second question, my answer would be, no! If I had a blog those kinds of comments would be deleted.
...or as Daniel points out to help some of the, uh, how do I say this nicely...slower to catch on.
ReplyDelete