It’s supposed to be a good thing to accept apologies, isn’t it? I’m seeing a lot of bizarre grumbling, and accusations of “back-pedaling.” It’s not back-pedaling to accept an apology. Jeez. And another word for “back-pedaling” is just “changing your mind” (ok three words), and changing your mind when there are reasons to do so is also supposed to be a good thing. It’s not “back-pedaling” unless you have shitty reasons for it.
This morning on Twitter.
Ron Lindsay tweets [in reverse, hence chronological, order]
My apology re talk at WIS2 was not a victory or defeat for anyone; it was not forced or half-hearted; it was an expression of my heart
Secularists of good will need to try to find common ground and move forward; the community is heartsick and discouraged by the acrimony
Rare is the occasion when I reference (favorably) a verse from the New Testament, but I will here: Matthew 5: 23-24
Well then.
I replied
@RALindsay Thank you. I mean, THANK YOU.Yes let’s. Let’s do that, I say!
Oh crap, now I have to get the Gideon.
Reconciled!
I actually do reference the NT favorably fairly often. There are some good phrases in there, in the KJV.
You want Matthew 5: 23-24?
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Amanda Marcotte has also accepted.
As one of the people who [was] openly calling for Ron Lindsay’s resignation after his unfortunate, condescending behavior at the Women in Secularism conference this year, it would be consistent for me to stick by that position now that he’s apologized without resigning. But consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, and after reading his apology and his defense of it on Twitter, I have one thing to say:
Apology accepted. Thank you, Ron. Apologizing is hard, and you sucked up and did it. I will now take back my demands for your resignation and return to supporting the Center for Inquiry and all the great work they do.
So, good.
Now I have to run to the store to find a gift to bring to the altar.