Brother Adam Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 (edited) [quote]Aside from that, I appreciate the hard work they do and their efforts to spread the faith. I just don't think they have the right to go giving ratings on their reviews. Movies are rated by the Motion Picture Association of America, which is an established part of the industry and has the competence to judge such things. Ratings on very subjective things (such as recipes on Epicurious) are done by public vote, which makes sense given their subjectivity. I don't mean to call Dr. Mirus and his folks incompetent, but what competence do they have to give ratings on all manner of Catholic websites? They have no legitimate authority in that realm. [/quote] The same competence you have when you talk about the faithfulness of Thomas Groome on phatmass. They do not claim to represent the mind of the Church in their reviews, and as we have already established, their rating system is extremely helpful. They help a lot of Catholics identify websites that are very dangerous to their spirituality, and without this rating system, nothing else would exist to warn these unsuspecting laity. Their rating system gives an educated opinion, which they have a right to, and to share with others. [quote]The sites they rate really ought to be reviewed by a panel of well-educated and catechized Catholics with theology degrees from a variety of reputable universities. That would ensure that the reviews are based on the truth, the Catholic faith, and it would also prevent bias, such as unfavorable opinions of Catholic hip hop or the charismatic movement (which are, I'm told, quite popular sentiments at Christendom).[/quote] Actually, the reviews are done by well-educated and catechized Catholics, some likely more well educated than you and I are. It is the basic system that is faulty in this case - they review massive websites that they do not have a personal and intimate knowledge of like we do, and have to make judgments based on Catholic truth. My guess is they will update their review after learning that what they found was actually spam - they had no reasonable way of knowing it was spam. Catechetics Online received a yellow rating, I received an explanation why, and then I responded explaining the reasons things were like they were and they gave us back the green light. [quote]The sites should also be reviewed over a period of time, not just a pop-in visit from out of nowhere.[/quote] Are you going to fund the staff to do that? Professionals deserve compensation for their work. [quote]That's what I would do, if I were Dr. Mirus.[/quote] Funny thing is, he is a very humble guy given he is smarter than most people on the Internet. When I had difficulty with their model of fund raising I emailed him and he actually took the time to talk to me about it and changed their entire model to what they have now - which really - is truly amazing. Edited June 7, 2010 by Brother Adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thy Geekdom Come Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 [quote name='Winchester' date='06 June 2010 - 09:42 PM' timestamp='1275874969' post='2125013'] Phatmass has boarders? Where are you pushing them? [/quote] Yeah, if I donate, where do I get to board? I should at least get a timeshare! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thy Geekdom Come Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 [quote name='Brother Adam' date='06 June 2010 - 09:51 PM' timestamp='1275875477' post='2125019'] The same competence you have when you talk about the faithfulness of Thomas Groome on phatmass. They do not claim to represent the mind of the Church in their reviews, and as we have already established, their rating system is extremely helpful. They help a lot of Catholics identify websites that are very dangerous to their spirituality, and without this rating system, nothing else would exist to warn these unsuspecting laity. Their rating system gives an educated opinion, which they have a right to, and to share with others. Actually, the reviews are done by well-educated and catechized Catholics, some likely more well educated than you and I are. It is the basic system that is faulty in this case - they review massive websites that they do not have a personal and intimate knowledge of like we do, and have to make judgments based on Catholic truth. My guess is they will update their review after learning that what they found was actually spam - they had no reasonable way of knowing it was spam. Catechetics Online received a yellow rating, I received an explanation why, and then I responded explaining the reasons things were like they were and they gave us back the green light. Are you going to fund the staff to do that? Professionals deserve compensation for their work. Funny thing is, he is a very humble guy given he is smarter than most people on the Internet. When I had difficulty with their model of fund raising I emailed him and he actually took the time to talk to me about it and changed their entire model to what they have now - which really - is truly amazing. [/quote] Again, I respect what they do and I think most of it is very good. I'm sure their reviewers are well-educated, I just doubt they have a sort of panel of educated theologians reviewing each site. I don't propse to know how he should fund it. The fact of the matter is, though, that the system as it is has some biases and other problems (I'm really not sure what person can't tell a spammer from a mile away, but maybe the really bad grammar and the first post on a completely secular topic on a forum most people come to initiallty out of interest in the Catholic faith...maybe all that isn't enough for some people). I remember a few years ago a PMer was admin at another site that got a bad rating from them. The review said they backed centering prayer, but there wasn't a dang thing about it anywhere on their site. A reviewer had misinterpreted a description of contemplative prayer. Aside from that, I seem to recall a reviewer a few years ago saying that Catholic rap was inherently dangerous. Dr. Mirus had the good wisdom to shoot that opinion down. So once again, let me make clear that I respect what they do, but it has some flaws. I'm just making some recommendations. As for Groome, I don't have that much competence to discuss him. My reading of his works is limited, but I recall the basic notes from my classes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgnatiusofLoyola Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 [quote name='Raphael' date='06 June 2010 - 09:38 PM' timestamp='1275878294' post='2125042'] Yeah, if I donate, where do I get to board? I should at least get a timeshare! [/quote] I'm going to be needing a new abode sometime soon. I could go for it if the food is good, the rooms are comfortable, and there is both central heating and airconditioning (not to mention hot and cold running water, and indoor WC's--I'm SO fussy!) I think in the basement we'd need a couple of rooms with heavily padded walls, so that fellow boarders could debate important issues without keeping the rest of us up all night. Most importantly, the building would be painted YELLOW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norseman82 Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 [quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' date='06 June 2010 - 11:10 PM' timestamp='1275880211' post='2125053'] Most importantly, the building would be painted YELLOW! [/quote] We all live in a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zunshynn Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 and we were aaaaaall YELLOW!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 [quote name='LouisvilleFan' date='06 June 2010 - 11:08 AM' timestamp='1275847736' post='2124647'] What's the deal with Godspy, though? I keep checking the site every once in a while to see what's new and nothing ever is. [/quote] truly sad, it is, because so many articles were thought provoking and really great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilde Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 [quote name='Apotheoun' date='07 June 2010 - 02:01 AM' timestamp='1275865291' post='2124915'] You have a very lovely yellow bunny avatar. [/quote] Thank you. I felt I needed a more yellow avatar to represent our yellowness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tridenteen Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 JMJ Sr.Grace and Sr.Agnes say Yellow is COOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dUSt Posted June 7, 2010 Author Share Posted June 7, 2010 My email worked. The people at CatholicCulture are truly good folks. We're back to a green fidelity ratings. Everybody go visit their site and tell them how awesome they are, and then take back all the mean things you said about them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Adam Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 [quote name='dUSt' date='07 June 2010 - 01:05 PM' timestamp='1275926707' post='2125206'] My email worked. The people at CatholicCulture are truly good folks. We're back to a green fidelity ratings. Everybody go visit their site and tell them how awesome they are, and then take back all the mean things you said about them. [/quote] Vindication. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laetitia crucis Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 [size="1"]Side note: Green is my favorite color. [/size] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hassan Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 [quote name='Winchester' date='06 June 2010 - 09:42 PM' timestamp='1275874969' post='2125013'] Phatmass has boarders? Where are you pushing them? [/quote] Lol, it looks like I got spelling pawned! [size="7"]Now go home and get your flipping shine box!!!![/size] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilde Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 yay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HisChildForever Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 You go Glenn Coco. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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