So how does a public figure respond to an angry ex- partner’s internet smear campaign? It’s a real question in a world where “truth” itself seems under attack. Another question is, “How should we?” I had a job once working at the Front Desk of the Plaza Hotel in New York—a reputable institution to be sure. I was young, a preacher’s kid, and remarkably naïve, so it disturbed me when the Front Desk Manager would come behind the desk... Read more
Marc Gafni’s Wiki page — exposed In Part One of this article, I exposed how skillful Wiki editors can take control of a Wiki page and use it as a tool of Internet abuse. I will now turn to American Philosopher, Dr Marc Gafni ’s page to illustrate some of the issues I explored earlier. In the first paragraph of Marc Gafni’s Wiki page, the third and fourth sentences say that “he has been accused of sexual assault by multiple women, and... Read more
MARC GAFNI: Wikipedia as a Tool of Internet abuse In the early days of the Internet we were all convinced that the web would be a momentous advance in democracy: everyone would have a voice and hierarchies would be leveled. But we have since learned that the web can also be abused by those who wish to spread not information but disinformation and that the Internet doesn’t discriminate between the two. How fitting then that the word of the year... Read more
Dr. Marc Gafni, My Friend, a Voice of Hope Grounded in Love The most recent expressions of malice began, presciently enough, on Christmas morning 2015. On that morning a short column appeared on the New York Times website: A Spiritual Leader Gains Stature, Trailed by a Troubled Past. The appearance of that article may have surprised some, but not its subject, Dr. Marc Gafni. He had been warned, warned that someone was gunning for him, warned by the questions the... Read more
In the third section of the Marc Gafni story, I wrote about how important it is for good people to seek truth, for not everything is what it appears. Marc Gafni and the Tell Tale Sign of a Smear Campaign: Intense Demonization It has been months since the Marc Gafni smear campaign began. I have been deeply gratified, overwhelmed in fact, to see how the Center for Integral Wisdom has responded as a community. As I said earlier, I sat in... Read more
In the first section I wrote about what draws me to Marc Gafni—why Marc is my friend and why the smear campaign against him hurts me personally. Smear Campaigns, Hidden Agendas and the Manufacturing of Victims Why should you believe my story, my “version” of Marc Gafni rather than the rumors circulating about him? I’m tempted to say, “Because I am right and they are wrong.” It’s tempting because, after all, I am and they are, but that assertion shouldn’t be... Read more
In the second section I wrote about the way in which this smear campaign against Marc Gafni started—who started it and why. Andrew Harvey, The Goddess Weeps: A Failure of Integrity “Oh yes,” you might say,“ but Andrew Harvey, among others, has talked to women who have suffered at Marc Gafni’s hands and verified their accounts.” Yeah, I know, but so have I. I told you, I’ve checked my facts. Not everything is as it seems. But before I go... Read more
One Major Improvement in Preaching Will Make All the Difference There is one thing, that if preachers would learn to do, it would vastly improve their preaching. Assume for a moment that you have something important to say. You can take that Word and preach a sermon that wanders about until it dribbles off the front of the pulpit. You can also preach a sermon that plants that Word in the heart and mind of a congregation. You can rock their... Read more
One Major Improvement in Preaching Will Make All the Difference There is one thing, that if preachers would learn to do, it would vastly improve their preaching. Assume for a moment that you have something important to say. You can take that Word and preach a sermon that wanders about until it dribbles off the front of the pulpit. You can also preach a sermon that plants that Word in the heart and mind of a congregation. You can rock their... Read more
One Major Improvement in Preaching Will Make All the Difference There is one thing, that if preachers would learn to do, it would vastly improve their preaching. Assume for a moment that you have something important to say. You can take that Word and preach a sermon that wanders about until it dribbles off the front of the pulpit. You can also preach a sermon that plants that Word in the heart and mind of a congregation. You can rock their... Read more
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