I had something to say at the end of the "Pope" thread and I found it was closed, so I thought I'd say it anyhow. I added my comment to an existing post so the thread wouldn't go up to the top of the Forum Menu again. I didn't think anybody would mind.

I'm the registrar and music editor here, and I have a number of other duties. I don't handle "peacekeeping" moderation at Mudcat any more, although I did that for about 15 years. And yes, there is a tool that can tell which moderator did what; but we generally operate on trust and have little need to use the tool, which is rather time-consuming to use. The thread was closed for good reason, and that's good enough for me.

-Joe Offer-

Here's what I said that Steve Shaw objects to:

From Joe Offer: I found this thread to be very troubling, but I'm not the one who closed it and I don't know which moderator did. It's clear that it was time for it to be closed, however. Religious belief is something personal, not something to be fought about or defended. And when it becomes a subject of combat, people get hurt. It shouldn't have to be that way. There should be room for many ways of thinking, and people should have the freedom to be able to formulate and test their ways of thinking without fear of being attacked.
But this thread was getting worse and worse, so I said my goodbyes a couple days ago and left the thread. I came across a video today that honestly addresses a number of issues addressed in this thread. It's a very thought-provoking presentation, critical of all sides without condemning anyone. I think it's worth your consideration, whatever your thinking might be.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TGS-JD80nE
I keep trying to find a quote I heard once from architect Louis Kahn. It goes something like this: Everything everyone says is the truth. It may be their truth, but it is nonetheless the truth. I think that's true here. People said what they think in this thread and told their truth, and some of it was hurtful. I know I got hurt, and that's why I left the thread.
I hope someday we will be able to discuss these things without hurting each other.
I thank the moderator who decided to close this thread. I think it was time.
-Joe Offer-