No, Father Terrence, it didn't help at all. I know I have read several versions of what happened as I tried to catch up with this sad story, but when I wrote to the webmistress I was essentially told he was kicked off for not heeding several warnings to tone down very vulgar language. I got the very strong message that the decision was final.
I expressed to SI, and will also say here, that the censorship issue is very important to me as a free thinker and an artist, and I believe Johnny's absence makes this a less interesting and more confined place that I am likely to visit less frequently because of the restrictions on free speech. I did again bring up the idea of making the coffee shop area a place with no rules, and disclaimers so that no one likely to drop by would be offended, but their reply did not comment on that suggestion.
I don't think there is anything else I can do. I think that when a business grows and has attorneys advising them of liability issues, it is understandable that they tend to become more cautious and conservative.
Unfortunately, that stance seems to benefit the people on the Ask God thread, but not the rationalists and pagans who also used to feel comfortable here. I feel really sad and disappointed about this turn of events!! |
