Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Strange Email I Received

Apparently someone found my blog via Marie and Ginny's Big is Beautiful blog and thought she needed to email me the following:

I came to your blog by way of Historical Christian, which linked to Big is Beautiful, where there appeared to be a thank you to you for recommending it for some award.

I find Aimee Cooper’s blog challenging and grace-filled, and occasionally a little angry over this or that, but by and large quite “Christian” in the sense of not attacking other most of the time. The Big is Beautiful blog seems to be on hold, so I checked yours out.

I am quite surprised, and disappointed, in the over-arching negative tone of the blog, if the several articles I read are representative. I don’t want to presume that you are not a happy person, but as a Catholic woman trying to live my faith and interact with this hurting world in a way that may bring others closer to our Lord, I found most of the vitriol spouted quite hateful, judgmental, and off-putting.

I pray your life is filled with more light than your blog suggests. May Christ’s love fill you and all those you love and hold dear.
If you are wondering why I am posting it here it is to ask you...what is she talking about?

I am not posting her name in order to spare her any embarrassment. But really, does anyone know which posts were hateful??? I did email her first before posting it here but I have not received a reply back.

27 comments:

Evann said...

Clueless!

Anonymous said...

Esther,
I have found your blog to be lovely, faith-filled and encouraging.

Adoro said...

I couldn't remember ever seeing anything negative on your blog, so I took a glance at just what is showing on this page. You're anti-abortion and anti-liberal media.

Some people consider those positions to be "judgmental" and "hateful", and as they tend to prick consciences, well, that tends to bother people who perhaps have something they haven't faced.

You have the LEAST negative blog on the planet, and if you happen to point out Truth and that's bothersome and "negative" to people, don't worry about it; the problem is theirs, not yours.

People were irritated by Christ, too, when He pointed out what was wrong with the world and with people.

You're in good company.

Anonymous said...

ILLEGITIMI NON CARBORUNDUM Catholic Mom! You run a great and positive blog.

EC Gefroh said...

As am I Evann.

Gail: TY so much for those words of encouragement.

Adoro: that crossed my mind too. Maybe that is it. Funny, but one "friend" accused me of being too lenient where Pres. Obama was concerned. I guess we can't please everyone. Thank you!

LOL Donald, I won't! Thank you. :-)

elena maria vidal said...

Your blog is not negative AT ALL. BUT, you know, the blatantly pro-life material bothers some people....Too bad. Keep up the great work!!!!!

catholicandgop said...

Your blog is very positive. Maybe she confused your blog with mine. LOL.

Jean Heimann said...

I get bizarre emails like this every now and then, Esther.

Some people don't like to hear the truth -- they like to live in a fantasy world.

When You share the truth, they feel threatened and place the blame on you.

Your blog is fantastic! Keep up the good work!

Vicki aka Diva Mom said...

Your blog speaks the TRUTH, which will often put many people on the defensive. But you always speak the TRUTH in an uplifting, positive manner!

Just another reason why I'm not blogging as much these days. I don't have time to deal with angry, depressed, uncharitable commenters.

Christine the Soccer Mom said...

YOUR blog???!!!??? Containing vitriol?

That about makes me ROFLMAOPIMP!

Esther, yours is one of the kindest, most charitible, and gentlest blogs I've ever had the pleasure of reading. I cull my bloglines list occasionally, but never, ever have I even considered pulling you off!

Marie said...

Well I am as clueless as the rest here and have NO idea how this lady thinks this blog 'hateful'. It is one of the most charitable blogs in the blogsphere. And even now Esther very charitably chose not to reveal the persons identity.

If speaking up for Life is hateful, then I am a hatefilled person. If calling President Obama on his lies is hateful, then I am a hatefilled person. If saying Nancy Pelosi is clueless concerning her own faith is hateful then I am hateful...If speaking God's Truth is hateful then Praise God that some liberal-Pro-Death people lable me hateful and anyone else here who stands by the Catholic Churchs Teachings.

I will pray for this person who has taken your Pro-life views as 'hateful.'

Peace, JOY & Love to you Esther:)

Marie xooxoxoxoxo (View from the Pews & Big is Beautiful)

Dallas Carter said...

Very Strange! You know, the way it is worded it reminds me of one of those "YOU WON $10,000,000,000,000" spam emails. Id be interested to see any response she give you

Therese said...

Esther,

I remember when I first started blogging and I read your blog. I thought she is such a nice friendly person, I would love to get to know her. That thought has always stayed with me. I am so grateful to God for your blog and you.

Therese

Jean Heimann said...

I agree with Christine, Esther! When I think of your blog, the adjectives I would use to describe it are "gentle" and "sweet" -- very "spiritual".

Your blog is filled with light and love (Does a person who is hateful sign her name with hearts? LOL!)

You manage to convey the truth in a very positive way and you are especially sensitive to the feelings of others.

I would like to make an excuse for this person and say maybe she was having a bad day or maybe she's envious of your blog, but I have no idea why she said the things that she did.

You can't please everyone.

I blog to please God and I know you do,too.

She's way off base here.

A Bit of the Blarney said...

HMMMMM! Don't know what to say! I find if a blog doesn't touch me with kindness and love I simply don't return to it. Well, here I am again! Cathy

Anonymous said...

Nonsense...sheer nonsense!

This person is obviously not a reader of this blog, but has found something that has "pinched" her conscience. Bless you, Esther, for remaining a true defender of the faith and champion of the unborn. Your posts exude charity...you are always encouraging and cheerful. Keep up the good work!

Mary B said...

Keep in mind Ester my generation was raised on 'Jesus Loves You' as the whole of our catechesis. If we don't see it or read it daily we can't act-- we fall to depression.
Your blog assumes the reader already is strong; knows God loves us but expects much of those to whom much is giving.
Its true you focus on those places we need to work. I'd love to hear more about Joey and your husband and how warm and beautiful Hawaii is! But God knows we need someone like you!
Maybe you can direct her to your knitting blog?

prazim said...

My guess, Esther, is that she is a non-technical user and, after reading something else on the Web, inadvertently emailed her criticism to you. If she is a real Catholic, she is aligned with The Magisterium, and by extension, The Truth you present on your blog.

To clarify, I would encourage you to email her and ask for examples of posts she objects to, so that you can either come to knowledge regarding her objections or, explain she emailed her complaints regarding xyz blog to the wrong person.
much love and encouragement for the great Christ-centered work that you do.
Sue

Lana said...

What?! Woe to them that say right is wrong and wrong is right! Esther, don't change a thing. You are one of the most kind and faithful Catholic's in the blogging world. She must have confused you with someone else. I see no truth in her statement.

Anonymous said...

Esther: She probably is quite sincere. That's what makes people who think like her so frightening.

Marian

SR said...

Esther,

I am very suspicious of this woman's intent. I would prefer to believe that she must have coincidentally picked out two more somber posts to read on your blog. Most likely, from the extreme judgmental tone of her words, she is not what she portrays herself to be. Some people hide behind the label of Christian when attacking one of God's children. I am not sure where she is coming from, but I do know that your blog is beautiful and uplifting and one of my favorite places to visit.

Mimi said...

Huh.

I'm very encouraged by what you post and find you to be absolutely delightful.

Anonymous said...

Ditto what everyone else has said! Not only is your blog truthful, but as uplifting as are you are personally. Esther, I have never met you IRL, but any communication with you has always been very encouraging.

God works through you, Be Not Afraid.

God Bless you and all of your work,
TracyW.

EC Gefroh said...

I appreciate all of your positive comments. She did have a very negative response to her email appearing on my blog. Like I told her, I posted it because I wanted to know which posts were so offensive to her. I still don't know so I believe it was the overall pro-life, pro-EWTN posts that upset our visitor.

Thanks again for your many kind comments in support of this blog.

Alexandra said...

Hmm, I must be hateful too because I link to a lot of your items, and agree with them!

Anonymous said...

I think that your blog addresses a real need in the Catholic community. Perhaps she does not like challenging the status quo or finds your activism off-putting. If that's the case, then she shouldn't read it.

EC Gefroh said...

Maybe...