DISCUSSION/Douglas Stambler

[Douglas <dougwils@moscow.com>]

Dear visionaries,

As you know, I believe that discussion of a vision for our community
should contain debate about foundational issues. Some, as evidenced by
Mike Curley's last post, find it unfair to have to delete so much, while
others think that the debate (within boundaries that we work out) should
continue. I am in that number, and do think our exchanges have had a
modest fruitfulness -- even apart from convincing anyone. Equally
obvious, I hope, is my belief that vigorous exchanges need not be
uncivilized.

There are different ways to disrupt this, and Douglas Stambler's recent
flame-throwing activities would be an example of one. In our community,
we have had dealings with Mr. Stambler before this recent outburst, and
the point here is simply to say that his various claims are not the issue
at all. As we have seen before this, and as has been evident on this
forum, Douglas Stambler clearly has serious personal problems. I want to
encourage everyone to simply ignore his posts, and not engage him about
anything. To do anything else will simply encourage him to
continue in behavior that is obviously not helping him at all.

I am an apologist for the Christian faith, as well as a controversialist,
when I believe the circumstances warrant. But I am also a pastor, and it
is evident to me that Douglas Stambler desperately needs wise pastoral
care and counsel. He is unlikely to seek it, but in the meantime, he
ought not to be debated at all. I hope that many of you can look past
our standing disagreements to agree with me in at least this.

Cordially,

Douglas Wilson