Slyons/Tom Rich

[William Thornton]

From the topic below it is revealed that the SLyons who has been here for a couple of years almost is actually Tom Rich, the FBCJax Watchdog.

Baptist Life has never been a place where anonymous, pseudonymous posters have been encouraged. All of the frequent posters here are known either by their use of a full name or by the moderators when only a first name is used. In some cases we understand the need for a partial or false name. There are some missionaries in restricted countries who post here with that arrangement and some others who, for their own reasons don't want their full identity known. Although Tom Rich didn't disclose his real identity until this week,I think all of us would have agreed to allow his use false name. I also understand why in his situation he didn't care to volunteer his true identity to six strangers.

After his identity was made public he continued to post with the false name, appearing to be a third party when he was actually defending himself here. A poster appearing to be a disinterested third party and giving a false sense of objectivity is troubling and BLife would like to avoid such scenarios.

Nonetheless, Tom has asked to be able to re-register under his own name and continue participating and we have agreed to that and welcome Tom Rich to Baptist Life.

[Haruo]

Welcome, Tom, or whatever your name is.

[Chris]

A salute to Tom for all he has done to promote church transparency. He is a real hero to Baptists.

[Mark]

[fgantz]

William, I appreciate the editors stance. I think it is well reasoned and gracious.

I am not sure I would call Tom a Baptist hero based on transparency when he has not been so transparent - even here. That being said, it appears to me that there is blame on both sides of the Jax issue. I wish they could get together and put an end to this thing.

[Steve Wilcox]

[Mark]

[Steve Wilcox]