John's Loving Response

Psalm 7:6-8 (The Message)
Stand up, God; pit your holy fury
against my furious enemies.
Wake up, God. My accusers have packed
the courtroom; it's judgement time.
Take your place on the bench, reach for your gavel,
throw out the false charges against me.
I'm ready, confident in your verdict:
"Innocent"

This is an e-mail exchange with John Beardsley the author of The Invasion Begins, to which I recently wrote a reply here.

On his page he has a notice saying he doesn't want anyone re-posting his articles without permission. I wrote him to ask permission to re-post something and reply to it. Unfortunately, I didn't save the letter.

Basically, I asked for permission to re-post his article and reply to it. I told him that I would even send him a copy of my reply before I posted it to see if he would approve.

The response was negative. So, I wrote my reply without re-posting his article. I responded by the paragraph. It is a bit inconvenient (especially to those of you who want to read it), but it worked.

I then e-mailed him telling him about my response. The following is that e-mail.

This is the color of comments I inserted only for this page.
This is the color of John's e-mails.
This is the color of my e-mails.

Hi John,

I just wrote my reply to "The Invasion Begins." I did not repost your article, although I did quote it occasionally (as is within my rights.) If you want to read my reply you can see it at http://members.tripod.com/Pirate_Boy_Arrr/shred/jb1.htm .

Hope it makes you think.

Shawn Smith
Ephesians 4:15
II Samuel 6:14

Here is John's response.

Mr. Shawn Smith,

You have an ugly spirit and are a deceptive person.

You even dared to ask me the favor of reposting my article on your site without saying why! NOW YOU KNOW WHY I TOLD YOU I PREFER LINKS AND FOR YOU NOT TO REPOST MY ARTICLE!!! The world is filled with people like you who are blind to the lies of so-called C-rock and rock! I came out of it so I speak with some knowledge, your excuse to rock DOESN"T work with the Bible, the KJV in particular, I say this due to the "versions" you chose to quote in your article ---slanted to your advantage and bias.

You use versions of scripture that are PROVEN to be corrupt NIV & "The Message" then point out I use KJV Only as if that's some sort of crime. For being KJV Only I make NO apologies!

You indeed live up to your site's name "Pirate Boy" and "shred" as you pirate and shred the truth.

At the end of your page shredding my article you should change it to say "Back to Shredding the Truth!"

May the Holy Spirit open your eyes to the gross sin you are walking in!!!

Goodbye,

John
II Cor 10:5

Not once in my essay did I insult him. Occasionally I was a bit sarcastic, but all I did was point out the logical conclusions of his writing. The first thing he does is insult me. He isn't even talking about my writing. He's talking about me.

Anyway, here's my response to him.

>You have an ugly spirit and are a deceptive person.

Jesus loves you too.

>You even dared to ask me the favor of reposting my article on your site without saying why!

Eeeh, sorry try again! I told you I meant to reply to it. If you didn't pay attention to what I said, I'm not responsible for that. I also offered to send you my reply for your approval.

There are many things you could fairly accuse me of, some of them even with evidence. But, attempting to decieve you concerning my article is not one of them.

Anyway, if what you say is true, and I'm wrong, then you shouldn't worry about it, I'm wrong, and the truth will out. But, if you doubt the moral correctness of your position, then you should be afraid. Oh well.

I also want to mention that I could very well have reposted your article without your permission. I was considering it, but I decided not to. If I'm as dishonest as you claim, I would have done it, too.

NOW YOU KNOW WHY I TOLD YOU I PREFER LINKS AND FOR YOU NOT TO REPOST MY ARTICLE!!!

Because you are scared that people will bring effective and logical arguments against you? Oh, that is a good reason I suppose.

If you want to repost anything from my site and reply to it, feel free. All I ask is that you give me credit and link to the original. Notice that I did provied [sic] a link to the original, as I always will with these. I want people to see both sides and think for themselves.

As a matter of fact, I invite responses to my page. I am not afraid to have my work put to scrutiny. If you want to respond to me go ahead.

>your excuse to rock DOESN"T work with the Bible, the KJV in particular, I say this due to the "versions" you chose to quote in your article ---slanted to your advantage and bias.

I have yet to see a good, solid biblical reference proving Christian rock to be evil, in the KJV or any other translation.

>You use versions of scripture that are PROVEN to be corrupt NIV & "The Message" then point out I use KJV Only as if that's some sort of crime. For being KJV Only I make NO apologies!

I have seen the "proofs" of corruption, and they are, on the whole pretty weak. You can use the KJV if you want, and I have no problem with that.

What I don't like is your insistance that the KJV is the ONLY valid translation. What about people who don't speak English, those poor people who have missed the benefit of the wonderful King James Version, (named after an open homosexual by the way.)

>You indeed live up to your site's name "Pirate Boy" and "shred" as you pirate and shred the truth.

Sorry, wrong again, truth don't shred. No matter how hard you or I or anyone else tries, the truth is too strong to be destroyed. If what I say is wrong, then write your own reply and disprove it. If you can't prove me wrong, then maybe you are wrong.

>At the end of your page shredding my article you should change it to say >"Back to Shredding the Truth!"

>May the Holy Spirit open your eyes to the gross sin you are walking in!!!

I will continue to write these articles, although considering your insulting response I will no longer inform you. If you can prove me wrong, do so. I invite you to respond to my essays. Keep checking back on the site if you want to.

Love in Christ, my brother. Although you certainly couldn't tag that on to your letter.

Shawn Smith
II Corinthians 5:13
II Samuel 6:14

Here is his reply to that. Notice how tenuous the relationship is between his scripture referances and the subject in question. Notice also that most of his writing isn't trying to disprove what I say, just to attack me.

Mr. Smith,

As to C-rock and Rock: Matthew 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Here's that same old "fruit" argument again. He never takes the time to explain about Christian rock's fruit but he still expects me to agree with him. For those of you who haven't seen a whole this idiocy before these people make the claim that Christian rock causes rebellion. They never give any good evidence or support, but that is their claim.

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

I would hardly call his "doctrine" sound. And I do not look for people to tell me I'm doing okay. I look for people who will challenge me to grow, and change to become more like Christ.

As to further dealings with you: Proverbs 22:10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

Titus 3:10-11 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

Not content to say I'm wrong, he brands me a heretic (or "heretick" if you speak Middle English.) I do not deny that Jesus is the Son of God, who came to earth to die for our sins and free us. Nor do I deny that he rose again from the dead. I do not deny that the Bible is God's Word, given us through the inspiration of men. I do, however, deny that the KJV is the only valid translation.

Your shredding of the truth on your site proves your mind is twisted and will justify what it will. I will waste no more time with you.

Now he writes me off as a waste of his time. I wonder how many people Jesus wrote off like that. Odd, I can't think of any. I guess that would make this behavior un-Christlike.

Goodbye there will be no further communication,

John
II Cor 10:5

I originally wrote him to make clear that I did not re-post without his permission. I did not expect such an insulting and harsh reply. I will not e-mail these people with my arguments anymore. If they come to my site, and have a problem, I'll deal with them then. I will not, however, go out and pick a fight.

Even though he said there will be no further communication, John e-mailed me again, and broke his word. Personally, I was glad when he said he wouldn't e-mail me anymore. He was mad at me for posting these. So, I replied, but didn't post it. Then he e-mailed me again and sounded mad at me for not posting the last one, so in an effort to make him happy, I'm going to continue to posting his e-mails and my responses.

In case you're interested, he has his own posting of our exchange here. Yes, the link is broken, he removed his posting, apparently he decided that letting people see the truth does not benefit his cause. I'll point out below what he cut out of my essay. Notice that he cuts out a part of my most recent response, the entire uncut one is posted below. He also won't let you see my site's address, perhaps he's scared that people will see that I'm right.

Here is John's next e-mail.

Mr. Smith,

More proof of your evil intent. I have been informed you posted my personal exchange with you on your site. I DID NOT GIVE YOU PERMISSION TO POST MY PERSONAL RESPONSES TO YOU ON YOUR WEBSITE. But go ahead, post this one too! You are really are the defensive one! I didn't post one thing we discussed in our personal exchange! Yet you did! Hmmm seeking the approval of men huh? Now who was it in Jesus' day who did what you did? Oh yes, the Pharisee's! I'm not the one worried here, but it appears you are. I have the Bible as my defense, you can re-read me articles if you want to know which scriptures. You think I insulted you, I make no apologies for what I said, may God deal with you for the error you ARE teaching. Don't bother writing back, this is a one way communication I've heard all of you lousy arguments before, because many of them I promoted before I learned the evils of c-rock.

Goodbye,

John
II Cor 10:5

John A. Beardsley III
jbeard@rapidnet.com
The Beardsley's Home Page
http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/

John,

First off, I'd like to point out that you and I really agree on a lot more than we disagree on you know. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe I am sinful, as all humans (including you) are. I believe that Jesus died for our sins and rose again and that he is the only way to God. I love you as my brother, can we please stop fighting?

You didn't tell me not to post your reply. So I wasn't doing anything wrong or offensive to you.

[Here is one of the sections that John kindly cut out in his posting of our e-mail exchange. I guess I was too profane or something. Or maybe he just doesn't want people to see how much sense I was making.] As for calling my intent in doing so evil, how could it be? I was just letting people see the truth. If you have nothing in those e-mails to be ashamed of, don't worry about it. If you think you were in the wrong, then you should have a problem.[He left the next part in.]

I'm sorry, but I don't think I can take those down. There was nothing particularly personal or private about them, so I don't think I was doing anything wrong. Your character is on display there, it always is in some way or another.

[He cut this next part out, too.] As for not attacking me, you have done nothing but that since you first found out my position. I don't bear you ill will, but I certainly would not like to meet you. I'd be rather frightened, I think. [He left the rest in.]

Now that I know you don't want me to, I won't post your e-mail anymore. I'm sorry, but I won't take that down.

Shawn Smith
Romans 14:19
I Corinthians 1:10

Here's his "sanitized" version of that e-mail
John,

You didn't tell me not to post your reply. So I wasn't doing anything wrong or offensive to you. I'm sorry, but I don't think I can take those down. There was nothing particularly personal or private about them, so I don't think I was doing anything wrong. Your character is on display there, it always is in some way or another. Now that I know you don't want me to, I won't post your e-mail anymore. I'm sorry, but I won't take that down.

Shawn Smith
Romans 14:19
I Corinthians 1:10

Mr. Smith,

Since you don't care to post my last response to you I went ahead and posted it along with your last one at: http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/smith1.htm

If your serious about ending the fighting then remove yours and I'll do likewise, otherwise it stays.

Goodbye,

John
II Cor 10:5

Hi again John,

>Since you don't care to post my last response

I'm sorry, I misunderstood you. I thought you were saying, go ahead and post it even though you never asked. Now that I see that you want me to put your last e-mail up, I'll put it up, as well as this one.

to you I went ahead and >posted it along with your last one at: >http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/smith1.htm

I'll also put it up UNEDITED, as I see you won't do for me. I want people to see the whole truth.

>If your serious about ending the fighting then remove yours and I'll do >likewise, otherwise it stays.

This sounds like you're trying to blackmail me! I have nothing to be ashamed of in those e-mails and I don't want you to take them down. In fact, I want you to add more. Put up everything I wrote, don't cut out whatever is inconvenient to you and your cause.

Now, I don't want to fight. I don't want to yell. I just want to get the truth out. If you're right, I have a link from my page to you, and people can learn the truth from you and see that I'm wrong. If I'm right, people can come to my page and see the truth there. I admit, I may be wrong, I don't claim to be perfect, but I do believe I'm right.

Are you familiar with I Corinthians 8? Paul talks there about meat sacrificed to idols. He says that to those whose conscience is clear on the matter, it's not wrong. But, for those who have a weaker conscience, they should not do it. I will not flaunt my idol meat in front of you, or try to make you stumble, but I will not let you force me into your mold. It could be that it's wrong for you, but okay for me, and for many other people. Please, think about that. I am not talking about religious pluralism, there are definite standards of right and wrong, but this is an issue of conscience rather than God's direct command.

Shawn Smith
John 3:17

He just e-mailed me again this morning (12-15-98). He claims he did not cut anything out on his posting. Unfortunately, he removed his posting, so you can't go and see the truth for yourself. I will insert notes in the e-mail he "cleaned up" so you can see what he cut out in his posting. I guess he didn't really feel like he had anything to gain from posting those e-mails, even edited as one was.

Again he says this will be the last communication. I wonder if he'll keep his word this time.

Mr Smith,

The ONLY thing removed was the pointer to your site so you can get off your high horse, as I said I do not advertise for c-rockers, never have and never will. I will ONLY adjust my page to say you misunderstood and posted the last e-mail or simply remove your drivel from my site altogether which is my preference at the moment.

This is a blatant lie he removed more than my site's address from his site. And he knows it, too. If you want to see the unedited e-mail and the "sanitized" version he had on his site, go here. Once I called him on it, he quickly removed them so that you can't see what kind of person he is. So, you can't see his original posting.

We have nothing further to discuss, I disdain any conversation with those who refuse God's truth no matter how much evidence PROVING they are wrong is presented. (Ro 16:17) It appears your cronies have discovered my site now too, they have received the same response to their ridiculous assertions they have e-mailed me. This will be my last communication with you.

Wow, I have cronies. I didn't know that! Did you know that if you agree with me you are a crony? I guess this makes me some sort of a leader. I'm actually kind of honored.

Goodbye,

John
II Cor 10:5

When John first started e-mailing me, I was actually kind of insulted and a little hurt. He attacked me as decietful and ungodly. Then, he kind of got annoying. I just wished he'd go lord over people who would listen to his made-up rules. But finally, I started to find him rather amusing. He yells at me for posting e-mail without permission and then gets mad at me for not posting that! I don't understand how this guy's mind works. But, I guess I should leave you to draw your own conclusions about him, the evidence is here.

John's last e-mail just gave me an excellent idea. I will now be designating official cronies. If you want to become a crony of Zaklog the Great, follow the steps listed below. Membership means you will get an Official Crony I. D. and if I ever get it started will recieve the Crony newsletter. I may be adding more benefits to membership as soon as I think of them.

Go out and read the articles posted by Christian Rock's critics. I have a list below of places you can find these.
Find the flaws in their arguments. (If you can force yourself to wade through it, this should actually be pretty easy.)
Either send them an e-mail exposing these faults or post your response on your web-page.
Send me an e-mail about it. If you just e-mailed them, forward me a copy, if you posted it, send me the URL of your response.
Include in your e-mail your mailing address and if I approve, I'll send you an official Crony I. D.

I want you to find Biblical and/or logical reasons why their arguments are wrong. Don't just yell at them for being legalists and Pharisees.

I will not however designate a Crony someone who does the following:

Harrasses the original author.
Outrightly mocks the author (a little sarcasm is okay.)
Speaks unlovingly in any way shape or form.
Argues illogicly themselves. Even if you are on the right side, you need to know why you're there.

I do not have everything ready for this yet. The idea just struck me this afternoon. If you get this done in the next couple of weeks, it may be a while before you get your I. D., but I'll try to have this done as soon as possible.

Where to find the critics:

Of course, if you happen upon a couple that I have not found yet, I'll be glad to honor your contribution too.

Back to Shredding the lies.