The ‘discussions’ from inside the church boiled over into several news services, both in print and online. The resulting cyberspace firestorm allowed the Restore FCCF members to respond with our reasoned arguments. When the opposition had no rebuttal, they turned to personal attack. What happens when public shaming doesn’t silence the questions? How does resorting to ad hominem appeals to feelings rather than intellect advance the cause? What does that say about the strength of the opponent’s defense?
From the book:
“My picture, gracing an article in the local paper’s June 8 ‘Lifestyles’ section, brought questions from the curious and negative statements from the offended. Members of Steve’s family wrote to me, saying that I should be ashamed of myself through emails and Facebook Messenger. Some of them also told me that in person. Their shame tactics did not change the facts as I saw them. I received emails from some friends with legitimate questions, and I answered them as honestly and forthrightly as I could. I had at least two longtime friends tell me that they loved me, but they thought I was wrong. The questions voiced in the April 8 leaders’ meeting reverberated, ‘What is going to be done about the pastor’s poor management? What about the victims? What was the church doing to help the victims?’” (Taylor, Joy S., A View from the Pews — The Inside Story of a Broken Church, 2022, Lily of the Valley Publishing, Santa Claus IN, p. 103.)
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