I reacted poorly to a recent post, and for that I’d like to apologize.

I apologize to pgfantastic and to any other forum member that I may have offended.

One of my many faults is that I usually react poorly to what I consider religious fanaticism. For me, a religious fanatic is someone who can’t even talk about the weather without mentioning god.

If you say “it’s a beautiful day”, … they say “I thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for blessing us with such a wonderful day”.

If you mention current events, … they launch into “signs of the times, end of days and the coming Armageddon”.

If NASA puts out a press release about the number of new planets they’ve found, … a noted creationist says all aliens are going to h*ll.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/22/ken-ham-aliens-go-to-hell_n_5608368.html

I have no problem with folks of ANY faith practicing their religion, attending their services or saying their prayers.

I do have a major problem with folks who try to insert religion into every topic in order to shove it in your face and teach creationism in public schools.

Since I don’t want to offend the good folks of the PG forums any more than I did with that post, I’m going to take an extended or maybe even permanent break from the forums.

I wish you all well.

Bob, I didn't see the post in question, so wasn't affected by it in any way. You and I had some differences at the very beginning of our relationship, took care of them and have moved on. I suggest that the same may be appropriate here.

Anyone who has been on these forums for any length of time knows of your aversion to what are, to you, gratuitous displays of religiosity. Whatever you said to prompt this post should be covered by your retraction and apology.

Removing yourself from the forums is, in my opinion, going too far. This is a better place with your outspoken, idiosyncratic presence. Unless you said something that was so embarassing that you feel you can't stay, I hope that you will reconsider and remain.

Richard

I appreciate that Richard. I hope you and your musician/wife are doing well.

Why didn't I find a wife that's also a musician?

No shame in that. Took me a couple of tries.

R.

Bob, I did see the post but I've seen some of your other posts too and you certainly have more to offer the forum members, new and old, than poor content of one errant post.

I agree with Richard and don't think you should leave the forum. Your apology seems sincere so just move forward and post carefully from now on.


Charlie

Bob

Don't go too far away from the Forums. Your input is always appreciated. It takes a big man to put together an apology like that, but we must all remember that you are just as entitled to have your own views also.

If the Forum just stuck to Music generally, and didn't let other unrelated agendas influence its direction these issues wouldn't even occur. My $0.02

Trevor

Hi Bob.

I didn't see the post to which you are referring, so I can't comment directly about that.

I do, however, know you as a man who speaks his mind, which I much prefer to hypocritical posts.

As Trevor says, it takes a big man to admit a fault and apologise and I believe I see sincerity there, so I would have thought that this should be sufficient to put matters to rest.

I, for one, think that the forum would be a poorer place if you were to leave and I encourage you to reconsider.

ROG.

I didn't see that certain post, or to better phrase it, if I saw it, it didn't make a big impression on me.

If I don't like something or disagree with an attitude in a post, just not saying that I might be offended, I don't answer to that certain statement. As I usually say it: It is not worth to waste that much energy.

I like reading your posts.

Guido

Bob,

A person's views on religion, politics and sex are three subjects that can cause offence in a face-to-face confrontation and should definitely be avoided in a public forum on the internet.

Stay with us Bob!

Alyn

I totally agree!

Don't go. Sometimes you just have to let it out.

As the song says, "So we say up to the sky, 'Hasa Diga Eebowai' "

I read the thread/posts you refer to.
But, I've also read many of your other posts which are only friendly contributions.
As others have stated an extended leave is not necessary.

I totally agree with your comments above and have read examples of it here.
There will always be a few that constantly feel they must evangelize (however subtle or otherwise) to others in some form on public forums.
Me...I just don't enter their threads or respond to them in general.

You've courageously apologized on this open forum for an over reaction and that's all that needs to be said.
From my experience, along with yourself there are many friendly, helpful contributors here.
I'd say continue to hang around as you normally do and put absolutely no further emphasis on it.

That's my simple take on it.

Bob,

I hope you will reconsider your decision and continue to have a presence within the forum. As you can see from earlier responses many forum members feel the same.

I consider your apology to be appropriate, sincere and accepted.

I appreciate your apology to Robert and hope you stick around Bob. I think we'd all miss you a lot if you left - I know I would.


Josie

Hi Bob. I agree with your post 100%. Well maybe 90% because I think the forums would be poorer without your honest opinions. I hope you continue to express them and will only feel offended if you leave! Cheers.

Sorry, but it is a non-apology apology. You just ranted again on the same topic in your "apology". I don't mean to stir the pot anymore than it already is, but I guess I am. If you don't like someone's viewpoint, it is best to avoid them on the internet (no ones mind ever gets changed on the internet). It is not like Robert was promoting looting in Ferguson.

Bob, I see no reason why you should leave the forum, as you have a right to your beliefs, as do the rest of the forum participants. Keep on pickin' and grinnin'!

Bob,

In my opinion there is absolutely no need for you to leave. Nobody wants you to leave... nobody has asked you to leave... I can't think of one person who would be happy if you left...

Part of what makes a person interesting is the way he/she thinks... and the way those thoughts are expressed. The expression of thought is much like the expression of music. The person who is afraid to play may never make mistakes, but he/she also never makes music.

Creative adlibbing often leads to unintended bad notes... but it would be silly to quit playing music if you made a musical mistake in front of a live audience. You'd just shrug it off and continue with the rest of the song.

Who among us hasn't expressed an opinion then thought later it might have been expressed more appropriately? I certainly have! But I think that the most interesting music, and the most interesting communication are both found at the edge of the generally accepted envelope.

This is part of what makes you an interesting guy... you push the envelope. This time the envelope tore a little bit.. so what? We're all just people.

Having said all that, I hope you don't leave. I hope you stay and keep conversation interesting with your lively opinions, expressed kindly.

Bob, Bob, Don't go

Z

Leave??

Everybody has opinions on all kinds of things. If what you wrote was really over the top you would have heard from the mods about it.

If I only hung out with people I agreed with I would be a lonely guy indeed and to leave the forum over something like this is a waste. You felt the need to apologize, that's fine but now move on and keep on posting.

Politics and religion. We've heard that warning since childhood.

Bob

Hi, Bob !

Please reconsider !
I did that too when
I was about to leave
another forum due to
my shortcomings as
a lead guitarist (at least
I felt I did not belong),
but the guys reasoned with
me to stay and perform
what I do best (singing, I believe)
instead !:)) Please Bob, stay !

Cheers
Dani