Don't pop in here much anymore, but these threads are interesting. I found another thread I contributed to on this subject back in November 2008. Someone else had written this...
...that site kinda gave me the creeps. I think Rick's way of going about the whole thing seemed like a vendetta more than a sincere desire to help people.
To which I responded...
I've always avoided saying this, but that's how I've felt about it too. I've tried to examine why specifically I feel this way. I mean, there's some good information there; good experiences, etc. It's just that in the videos (to me) he comes off as loud, affected, and smirking. While the information provided can certainly be of help to people reconsidering the WTS, the primary feeling I'm left with after going to that site is...this man really wants to give that knife a good twist inside the Watchtower belly. Further, his cartoonish persona seems like something current JWs would identify as just the typical nutty apostate the Society warned them about.
I hope most people don't agree with me. I hope he does genuinely help people see the light, etc. Just the way I see it.
PC, I too got a kick out of both of your videos! It seems like you and I not only agree on the reasons why Six Screens may be considered bizarre and potentially counterproductive, but your choice of words seemed almost exactly how I might have put it. But now I'll go back to that 2008 thread in which Maximus responded to my post with this...
"That cartoonish personna" is real. He is genuine. And a nice person. I too think that the site is "creepy" but what doesn't appeal to me, someone else will like.
And I guess that comment still seems like the most well-adjusted perspective to me. If I'm asked, I'll express that I don't like Rick's style, and that it gives me a sick feeling to read, listen or view much of his content. But I also want to avoid being like the elitists I see in other areas of life, those who object to demagogues--not just with rational discussion--but with their own brand of demagoguery.
If you really think it's necessary to devote this much energy to the denunciation of Rick Fearon's work--and to do so in such an incendiary fashion--no one needs to tell you that you have full freedom to go for it, just as Rick does. You'll find several people who, like me, agree with you. But inasmuch as many have urged him to consider whether his Six Screens style and content might be counterproductive, you might also consider that although your expressions stand clearly apart from his, they might also have a counterproductive effect.
Best,
Confession
