A Cherry too Far?

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A Cherry too Far?

I was an editor when ABC Tales started going.
I edited for about a year.

When I've been able, I've come back and spent some months writing and enjoying uploading work. I have always been grateful for such a brilliant site, where you know you are read and the occasional cherry is always lovely.

Being a strong christian means a lot of my work will be of that flavour, especially if I'm going through a powerful Spiritual time.
I keep up with the forums and try to balance the normal anti christian bias from the literati, with my own opinions, and that's fine.

As an editor with a particular world view it was massively important that I didn't let my views colour my judgement when it came to recognising good work.

I would cherry pick poetry that included strong language and anti christian views, if it was quality writing.
I know I was known on the site as a Christian but someone who was a fair and unbiased editor.

This long preamble is I feel necessary for what I'm saying next.

The Poem `Jesus is my Friend` by Lord Lucan, a new writer to the site, was recently uploaded.
It was provocative in it's subject, lazy, petty and old hat in it's vitriol.
It had a tight rhyme scheme and the lines scanned, that's was the only good thing, in my opinion, it had going for it.

I was going to leave a comment on the piece itself but I felt it wasn't good enough to warrant a response.

Also, I'm sure even non-christians, would have felt that it was disrespectful for Christians on the site, then I realised how it had probably been written.

A response to those overtly Christian poems,which obviously wound up a writer who had strong opposing views. But instead of a considered and thoughtful response it was just trite, obviously enjoyable for those who are as `anti` but the poem itself was meant to be and was just abusive.

My main problem was apart from the abuse on someone I worship, was that it was not that good.

This `Jesus` with a right wing, fascist thug and murderer, not a true or even clever analogy.

I can't see (and I wouldn't want to see) a `Mohammed is my Friend`, or `Bhudda is my friend` as I said lazy, and cowardly abusive.

Then it was `Cherried`.

Nuff said.

Discuss?

You can easily compute a maximum time frame for the 'poem' to have been written in by looking at the difference in posting times between J.I.M. Home and J.I.M. Friend. When it comes to unwillingness to discuss, I believe spambot would still like to know the details of the light and the truth he can expect in heaven. So would I. The truth about what, exactly? You can't just post flowery, vaguely spiritual nonsense, refuse to explain exactly what you mean, then accuse others of evading discussion. Well, you can, you have, but it weakens your case to the point of collapse, don't you think? What you don't appear to realise is that bleating about 'witness' and 'the blood of the lamb' is just as offensive to some people as my poem apparently was to you. My poem wasn't a calculated attack on anything in particular. I started it with no idea where it was going. If it ends up attacking anything, it's American Redneck Jesus culture - I don't see much KKK activity here in the UK. Would that belief in Jesus made you a better person. You only have to look to America to see that it doesn't. Or NI, where 'peace barriers' are needed to prevent protestants killing catholics and vice-versa. I'm not going to apologise for my poem. Not everything I write is good, but it appears to have pleased a few people and on an amateur writing site that's about the best you can hope for. Discuss?
Hmmmmm Lord Lucan A couple things you have said in here interests me. First let me state that I don't expect you to defend your poem, or even some of the things you might be "implying" in your post here. You are entitled to your opinion, and I will leave that at that. But... I am also entitled to mine, *smiles* and I might actually be a little more familiar with some of the things you are suggesting. I am a American Southern woman, and grew up in the "Redneck Jesus Culture" as you put it. It is far less prevalent than the media would like the rest of the world to believe. Let me let you in on a little secret. Things like the Westboro Baptist Church, and the moron minister in Florida that wants to burn Korans ? We Americans do not like them either. Even more so than the rest of the world I believe. But we have a Constitution that says they are free to be the asses they so often appear to be. So there we are with that one. We take away their rights , whose to say who will be next. I take more grief for being a Catholic among Fundamentalist Christians here, than Muslims do for being Muslims ( Yeah... That whole Protestant, Catholic, thingie exist here too. Now where did America get that one from ? ) Obviously the whole adversity among the religions, not being an American invention mind you lol , seems to come in all varieties world-wide doesn't it ? So why would the " American" version be the first to come to your mind. This has me very curious. Number 2 The KKK ? Really ? *chuckling* Europe has far more issues with extreme thinking such as that than America does. So ... Once again why would our version of these morons interest you so ? Thanks for giving a second for me to express myself :)
I'm sorry, but that poem was very offensive, Lord Lucan. I'm a devout Christian, also, who lives in southern America. Very offensive. I have nothing more to say. Savannah

Sav

PS yes, a cherry too far. Ok, now I have nothing more to say. Savannah

Sav

Now... In defense of Lord Lucan. I read another piece in here referring to ALL people with a belief in Christianity to be sheep. Trust me when I say.... I have never "baaaahed" in my life. LOL So honestly I see no reason to focus this on him :)
"You can't just post flowery, vaguely spiritual nonsense, refuse to explain exactly what you mean, then accuse others of evading discussion." Yes.... I am back lol Sir, From my train of thought, you have null and voided any point you are trying to make. You say you do NOT have to "defend" ( I take it that means to explain ? ) your piece but you expect Mark to explain his ? Why ? You describe the "experience" of having faith ( or should I say Mark's description of it ) as " flowery vaguely spiritual nonsense " while in the mean time posting a poem that uses trite stereotypes that ( at least for myself ) have minimal basis in fact. You also have shown me nothing new in terms of insight into the "Christian" mindset. It is simply the same old rhetoric I have heard before from ( How shall I put it ? ) " the opposing side " Sir, You do NOT have to believe in Christ ( or any other religion for that matter ) I personally don't care. But if you are out to change minds, bring us to the error of our ways ? lol Please come up with something better than that poem. I, for one, would be happy to listen :)
Mark, I'm never surprised these days at what gets cherry picked and what doesn't. It always seems pretty random to me. Cherrypickers themselves usually seem to have an oddly large number of cherries but that's another kettle of fish. Lord Lucan sounds suspiciously like a few other posters on this site that have different names but the same voice and that person, whoever they are, always seems to want to be a troll and wind people up. I really don't think this is a good web-site for trolls, people on this website are so nice that they really don't deserve any antagonism. I'm not a Christian by the way, having experienced a great deal of hate and prejudice from presbyterians growing up put me off Christianity altogether but I'm all for freedom of belief and I thought your song, your singing voice and your guitar playing were pretty good. JoHn
Hi Maggie. I thought I had explained it??? I wrote it with nothing much in mind. I'm not proud of it as a piece of writing, nor does it express any deeply held beliefs. I had just watched the film 'Mississippi Burning', so that's why the rednecks were close to the surface of my mind at the time. If I'd just watched The Sound of Music I dare say my poem would have contained Nazis and a singing nun. It was a throw-away piece written at typing speed. As for why it was cherried, I'm not the person you should be asking, but that's a debate that turns up quite often on these forums. Why is it that a more considered piece I wrote here was ignored both by you and Mark (and, incidentally, the cherry fairies) in spite of the fact that it was a far better piece of writing and expressed genuine views? We could have been discussing something serious here instead of that silly poem.
Now I thoroughly understand the content of the poem. The cherry issue is honestly irrelevant to me as I hope you noticed I made no mention of it. In the context of your explanation? I get this very much. I do wish you had in some fashion "time stamped" the piece considering " Mississipppi Burning " deals with a specific time frame ( which is not now for those who haven't see n the pic ) Your "explanation" makes very good sense, and I do thank you very much for it :) Ohhhh... On an ending note shall we say :) I leave you with a "belief" I live by I do NOT need to tear down another's faith to validate my own ( That means any kind of faith in whatever you chose to believe ) Have a good day Sir :)
I know! Let's talk about angels again. (stop that,you!)
Okay, I personally do not have much trouble with the quality of the poem, it does scan, there are some sneaky clever rhymes, both of which put it in a very small minority when it comes to poetry of this sort on this site. It is pretty clear that this is not an attack on Jesus, but rather on the things done in his name and some pretty clearly nutty ideas espoused by people who profess to follow his teachings. I would dispute the cherry on the grounds that it is an easy target and it's all been said before. I don't much care for religion myself, but I respect your right to hold whatever beliefs you choose. Even if this does include angels and a literal interpretation of the collection of folk tales and second and third hand accounts that make up the Bible. (A great book, by the way, and yes, I have read it.) You have your belief-themed material on the site; I'm sure some of it has been cherried too. If not, then perhaps you're right about an Anti-Christian Bias. However, I don't think you can dictate to the editors what should or shouldn't be cherried. Would you have accepted this, when you were an editor? I think if we're putting material on-site, we can expect reactions, comments, lampooning pieces written in response, serious answers in prose or verse. Or we can refuse to engage, turn off the comments, stop posting for fear of ridicule. I know which I'll be doing. Regards a former editor.
Ohhhh Mr. Lucan In terms of your other piece ? I am quite new to the place, and am still wondering through. lol My apologies if I missed something worthwhile :)
Hi Mark, I deleted the other piece. I have read the piece of yours you mentioned, but this isn't the time or place to comment on it. Incidentally, I see it got a cherry, so the cherry fairies aren't all bad! well-wisher, let's have a game of Name That Troll. Who are you referring to, exactly? If you think I am X,Y or Z I promise to give an honest answer.
Well your style seems very similar to it068, Numby Pumby Poo IV and Spambot. But, wether you are those other people or not,making such an obvious, mocking parody of someone else's story seems like a deliberate attempt to cause offence and wind them up. Especially where a touchy subject like religion is involved. JoHn
You know what I think? Not until I tell you. Well I don't see the poem as antagonistic. I see it simply as a reaction to the fact that rednecks and KKK can have a friend called Jesus- who would want to be their friend anyway? I see it as a sort of paradox as to faith in Jesus- how can he forgive such monsters? I remember a writer who advocated for halal food in english schools and not very many here agreed with him. We do have freedom of speech and people are welcome to write what they like but as soon as they start to promote a specific faith I think we need to draw a line. Just as we should draw line as to others being offensive to certain faiths but irony is a good writing skill- it leaves the reader with the freedom of thought and opinion. I think it is okay to cherry the piece. I put a questionmark to faith in that guise also. Well-wisher- I think the editors may have more cherries, if they do, which isn't quite true- but they are usually chosen methinks because they seem to have a bit of a grip on poetry and prose- maybe that is why they are editors- with a keener eye than others. I don't know- what do you think?
Possibly, pia. I turned down the chance to be an editor for just that reason, because my grasp of punctuation, grammar, paragraphs etc wasn't strong enough. Mind you, if you ask my opinion, Sue Dinum has an excellent grip on prose and yet she doesn't get as many Cherries as the editors so I'm not really sure that a grip on poetry and prose is a satisfactory explanation. Surely you've noticed good writers who haven't got many cherries. Anyway. My comment was just a little aside. I didn't mean to knock the editors really. I think they do a great job. JoHn
I see no reason to promote ANY faith period either ( My definition of faith btw - a belief in ANYTHING that can not be scientifically proven, which includes the faith that there is no God or Christ,or Allah ,or Buddha. Shall I go on ? lol ) I HAVE seen the Movie "Mississippi Burning" , and quite frankly understand Lucan's strong reaction to it. But the reality for me is the piece did very little to delve into why these extremist corrupt ideologies occur. It came across more as a blanket statement, which personally is where I think people found the offense. As I said before the cherry issue is irrelevant to me. Whom ever can cherry what ever.
Well-wisher, I promised you a truthful answer, and here it is: I have made a few posts as spambot. I have not made any posts as NumbyPumbyPoo or as it068. These are not my accounts. Has spambot said anything to offend you?
Spambot doesn't often do anything. He came and he went having done very little at all. I would have brought him out of retirement but I can't see he has any case to answer. He was inviting you to join in. You declined. End of story. You won't be invited again.
Maggie I don't think it would be an excuse to delve into WHY. The fact remains that it is racism and that is inexcusable whether you have faith or not, maybe expecially to those with faith who are supposed to "love thy neighbour"
It is not a matter of excuse Hun. It is a matter of good writing. Lucan's piece to put it bluntly in my opinion (and his own from his prior post) is the piece was poorly written, and it was written in the context to imply this is the belief of most Christians (particularly Southern ones of which I am a member) Trust me I do NOT hold this mentality. Lucan specifically stated to me in his post that this piece was written as a direct reaction to a very specific place, and time, ( in the movie " Mississippi Burning" ) although no mention of that was made in the piece itself. How is that not a blanket statement, or as I put before, a trite stereotype ? Context, context, context..... If Mr. Lucan had not told me that how was I to know ? He could have been talking about any time, including the present. I am not going to argue religion, or these bigoted idiots lack of it. But I will argue good writing, and this piece simply does not hold up as such.
Spambot, I notice, often uses 'comments' to do his comedy impersonation of a spambot, declaring that he has to 'sell' things rather than actually leaving comments about stories. Can you please tell Spambot when you see him to leave comments and that I don't want to buy anything, thanks. An example of a Spambot comment: 'Buy new Pin. Is best than old Pin. Next come to bring special offer on Thing. New Thing only use twice, washed for hi Gene. Doris stokes and leaves. Doris tokes on leaves. Get new Doris, only use twice'. JoHn
I'm too lazy to read all these comments but obviously it's upset a few people - Mark's main gripe appears to be the cherry award and Maggie has mentioned that it's not good writing - I think those offended are blinded to the poems comedy value because the style/tone/topic doesn't allow them to credit a piece of writing with it's tongue firmly in it's cheek. Of course it is full of generalisations, that's why it's so funny. If a piece of writing makes you laugh, can't that be a qualification for it being good writing? I think Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back is infantile and moronic and probably offensive but I laughed my tits off. How dya like dem apples?

 

"I'm too lazy to read all these comments but obviously it's upset a few people - Mark's main gripe appears to be the cherry award and Maggie has mentioned that it's not good writing - I think those offended are blinded to the poems comedy value because the style/tone/topic doesn't allow them to credit a piece of writing with it's tongue firmly in it's cheek." Fatboy I could whole-heartedly concur IF... lol It wasn't for Mr. Lucan's statement that this piece was written as a direct response to seeing a movie ( which was not funny ) and his statement that it wasn't well written himself. He makes no mention of tongue in cheek, or any other writing device such as you mentioned :)
"If a piece of writing makes you laugh, can't that be a qualification for it being good writing? I think Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back is infantile and moronic and probably offensive but I laughed my tits off. How dya like dem apples?" Entertainment value ? I will give that one to you Darlin lol. But my father's farts made me laugh. Does that make them... skillfully executed ? *smirks* How dya like them apples ? ;)
I could be wrong but I think the whole Mississippi Burning thing was a bit of nonsense on Lord Lucan's part - and he was probably a bit shocked by the response to something he'd written off the cuff as to why he was so self deprecating about it (or maybe not - who knows?) - whether he thinks it is good is beside the point - I found it funny therefore I value it as a piece of writing - an untrue/generalised/offensive to some piece of writing, but still for me of value. ATB :-)

 

My own dad's farts were extremely skillfully executed - in fact there was something of the comic genius in his timing. :-)

 

"I could be wrong but I think the whole Mississippi Burning thing was a bit of nonsense on Lord Lucan's part - and he was probably a bit shocked by the response to something he'd written off the cuff as to why he was so self deprecating about it (or maybe not - who knows?) - whether he thinks it is good is beside the point - I found it funny therefore I value it as a piece of writing - an untrue/generalised/offensive to some piece of writing, but still for me of value. ATB :-)" Because the context was not specified, the piece is open to interpretation. And just as your interpretation is not wrong. It is your response to a piece of writing. Neither is anyone else's. Welcome to Literature my friend ;)
"My own dad's farts were extremely skillfully executed - in fact there was something of the comic genius in his timing. :-)" LOL ! Excellent response !
"The saying used by brainwashed American army personnel that 'My gun is my friend, I must clean it and lick it and kiss it goodnight" Yeah ... about that ? My husband ( a deployed combat medic ) licks and kisses his gun more than me. and I find it highly offensive ;) lmao
So much speculation about me. It seems my own input is redandant! Why does blighters think I need spambot? Or that he might help (or hinder) my search for enlightenment? How mysterious people are. Perhaps he doesn't know spambot was a joke?
I thought the poem was lame. Badly written and meant as a joke. I take life way too seriously to enjoy that kind of joke or the kinds a few others like to post. I'd rather use the site to post my serious work as a serious writer and meet other people interested in writing. I don't want to come to this site to learn about or discuss religion, although that seems to be a topic that gets argued a lot here. I don't appreciate fart humor or that stupid movie about Jay and Bob or whoever the hell they are. I never found fart humor funny, but that's me. I get frustrated by people that go out of their way to join a writer's site to make fake personalities to post obnoxious comments about anything. its tiresome and rude. I get that they think they're funny or bringing some kind of special enlightenment to the group by making fun of what they see written, but I would just rather be talking to people that want to write, want to learn about writing or want to discuss writing, since its a writer's site. the poem was bad writing and had a tired boring message. go to myspace and publish that kind of stuff. the teens that still use that site will think you're amazing.

Nicholas Schoonbeck

My parents told me never to discuss religion, politics or sport with strangers. Ok we've done religion now can we please get back to writing?
I don't like da sound of dem apples cormacru! I also find your dismissive response to fart humour a slight on the very nation I hold so dear - this great country (and half the world) was built by men with large moustaches who found no finer sport after billiards and a large cigar. Wouldn't the world be a dull place if we all took ourselves a little too seriously cormacru? Does every piece of writing have to be written from the heart or need to change the world? Peace and love to our friends in the colonies. (particularly Barry and Maggie)

 

I really agree with Blighters Rock about the spambot joke. If anyone wants to create a comic alter-ego(s) then they should do it via their stories/poems or on the forum but doing it in the form of comments is just annoying. And I'd call it a kind of spam because checking your comments just to find some gibberish comedy skit that doesn't make you laugh and just wastes your time is like opening spam emails. I've got no problem with negative comments aslong as they are comments and not irrelevant, improvised comic ramblings that,most of the time, are neither clever nor amusing (atleast not to me). Anyway, rather than complaining any further I've just disabled my comments. Now I've said all that I wish to say. JoHn
Really, I am out of here! I have never heard so much highfalutin nonsense. What I learnt today is that I am entitled to free speech but not allowed to use it because my remarks might offend some people; that pomposity is alive and well: "I'd rather use the site to post my serious work as a serious writer". (As I am not a 'serious writer', I might as well go). Never try to rebut negative comments; just ignore them and they'll soon be forgotten.

 

Luigi In the context of what you just said, I am going to get very specific. With every piece you write and put your name to, you are going to create REACTIONS to what you write. With Freedom of Speech comes the Responsibility of Speech Everybody want the freedom. No one wants the responsibility. Do I think anyone needs to be censored ? ABSOLUTELY NOT ! and that means EVERYONE... including those who took offense
You all see what I mean I hope.
Amen Geoffrey ! lol
Maggie, I will be very specific too. "With every piece you write and put your name to, you are going to create REACTIONS to what you write." Not necessarily: I have written and signed pieces that haven't stirred anybody's emotions nor have they been commented upon. "With Freedom of Speech comes the Responsibility of Speech" Pardon my French but what the f**k is responsibility of speech? "Do I think anyone needs to be censored ? ABSOLUTELY NOT ! and that means EVERYONE... including those who took offense" So what is the argument about?

 

What the fuck is the responsibility of speech ? You are kidding right ? What a writers write produces consequences, What a speaker says produces consequences. What a painter paints produces consequences, and sometimes those reactions are negative. Now.... You can ignore them, thinking they are just being mean,self righteous, what ever, blah blah blah. You can walk around under some delusion that because you created "art" you get a free pass to do, and say anything you please like a friggin 4 year old and not take responsibility. Or... here's a thought... You can grow up, listen to the negative critique, and maybe even learn something from it.
"Peace and love to our friends in the colonies. (particularly Barry and Maggie)" The colonies ? *raises an eyebrow* You lost ! Get over it ! LOL and the same to you My friend ;)
Maggie- In art there is very little responsibility to take once you have created your piece- be it written, painted or whatever. That is the essence of art- to be irresponsible. You don't write/paint to please your audience- you do it because of your need to create and it will always disturb someone along the line.
"Maggie- In art there is very little responsibility to take once you have created your piece- be it written, painted or whatever. That is the essence of art- to be irresponsible. You don't write/paint to please your audience- you do it because of your need to create and it will always disturb someone along the line." You are entitled to your opinion Darlin, just as I am entitled to mine. With the exception of the "disturbing" I simply do not agree :)
Richard I moved past the "religion" point a long time ago. I said my peace concerning Lucan's write, and from what I can tell Lucan has taken less issue with it than others. ( Says good things about the man in my book ) Upon your gentlemanly request *smiles* I say no more :)
I feel for you mark_yelland-brown. I am afraid your sensitivity is such that it makes you misunderstand what I said. It surprises me that an ABC ex editor did not realise that sentences in speech marks are quotes. I did not say I was a serious writer (quite the contrary), I was merely quoting cormacru999 and stated that pomposity seems to be alive and well. Please take a minute to re-read my comments and analyse them properly.

 

MaggieG. I have asked you a simple answer and you gave me anything but. I said: "Pardon my French but what the f**k is responsibility of speech?" and you replied with "You are kidding right ? What a writers write produces consequences, What a speaker says produces consequences. What a painter paints produces consequences, and sometimes those reactions are negative." Now, you maybe erudite but not good at answering straightforward questions; what have consequences got to do with responsibility? Define responsibility of speech. One thing strikes me: you keep saying that you are entitled to your opinion but you seem to be denying the same prerogative to others. As for growing up I shall do so in my own time and as for learning, I doubt that I shall do that from you.

 

oh Richard Good Lord ! If I had a buck for every time someone told me I have very stoic principles. LOL ! and I do... I make no apologies for them. They have served me well *grins* Darlin , in 30 years of writing I have had my stuff ripped to shreds, and not nicely. I know how to critique in a plain truthful manner that is still respectful. and my point is ... lol Offense, whether it be from the writer or the reader is yes.... caused by sensitivity, period. Thank you Hun :)
"Maggie's got a gun, you know, and I think she's religious. Just having a crack, Maggie, honest. (Fuck, she's gonna kill me for saying that- I best wipe it--oh shit, I pressed 'post comment' Ahhh!!!) All the best" I do have a gun, a large one *grins* And religious ? My priest throws me into confession every time he sees me just on principle ! lol
Well my response to the topic heading, is that i've seen far worse pieces get cherries , nibs, great reads or whatever label you want to attach such pieces, and i have looked on in disbelief, but i imagine everyone here shares that opinion. And i also imagine everyone thinks the same way about pieces or writers who get overlooked as well, with equal incredulity. You just have to accept that people will have different opinions on writing , as they will on music, film,art and theatre, it doesn't mean they have the expertise to give the defining comment or critique, only their own humble opinion. However i do think the Cherry givers do look after their colleagues here, and this seems to create a blanket effect of cherries across some writer's sets of work, which can't be good.No one deserves cherries for every piece of work they write do they? Well apart from Christine's Diary of living with breast cancer that is, a great set of 36 pieces. As for the piece discussed here, too long and full of obvious one liners perhaps. Clever if it was speed written, but instantly throwaway. Not cherry material in my humble opinion.

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