I have deleted a long comment by my friend Jamie Bogle defending the Extraordinary Form of Mass\u2013the Mass of Blessed John XXIII.<\/p>\n
I have done so for several reasons. First of all, comment boxes are for just that: comments. They are not the places to conduct long online debates. The place to do this online is in a chat forum. To leave long arguments in comboxes is internet bad manners. If you have a point to make start your own blog. The reason long arguments for single causes in other people\u2019s blogs is bad manners is because you are using their soapbox not your own. It is also bad manners in the way that it is bad manners to go on and on and on about your particular passion at a dinner party. It\u2019s boring and rude to others.<\/p>\n
Jamie complained that I had deleted his comments in an earlier thread on the Latin Mass. They were deleted for the same reason. Not because they were badly argued or because I refused to agree with the arguments, but simply because they were too long for a comment box.<\/p>\n
Jamie was also unhappy that I stopped the debate on my blog about the Latin Mass with a simple summary of the arguments and an expression of my own about what I appreciated about the Ordinary Form of the Mass. I was charged with censorship and quashing freedom of expression.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve got not problems with those who like the Latin Mass, and wish them and their cause every blessing. Jamie\u2019s got some great facts and arguments to make for his side, and if any readers would like to read them I encourage you to read Jamie\u2019s blog. It\u2019s called Roman Christendom. I checked it out last night, but can\u2019t seem to track it down this morning to provide a link.<\/p>\n
If it re-appears in the blogosphere I\u2019ll call it to your attention.<\/p>\n