Wednesday, July 6, 2011

A Blogging Dad's Last Post

(Sorry for not linking back to the blog that had the link first. It's been a month and I just don't remember where I saw it first.)

A month ago, blogging dad Derek had his last post published after losing his life to cancer. It's sad, of course. It's also shocking, because his picture is still there on the sidebar, watching the reader. The last post is also uplifting and inspiring, being a celebration of the man's life, a love letter to his wife, and a guide for his daughters to help them find their own fulfillment in life.

A few religious fanatics have taken it upon themselves to educate the world about Derek's misfortune because, being an Atheist, he dared to suggest he now simply ceased to exist. They wrote in the comments that as Derek has not accepted Jesus, he would not get into Heaven. It always amazes me how the Internet can bring out the best in some people and the worst in others. Whether these commenters are right or wrong doesn't matter. There's a special place in Hell for people who leave evil comments on a dead man's blog.

To get a glimpse of our shared humanity, of our shared attempts to make the next generation happier and better in every way, and of our shared acceptance of our limitations, read the blog post. To get a glimpse into the darkness in our souls, take a look at some of these comments.
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22 comments:

  1. as a deeply religious person I can imagine thinking TO MYSELF that he isn't an Atheist any longer... but how dare anyone mar the beauty of his last message to family with their insensitive comments.

    I can only hope that when my final post is published that it is as well done.

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  2. The comments were very disheartening. Derek was a true blue atheist who had written about his views extensively. I found it so awful that people would write overtly religious dogma after he had died and had no way to respond. Really terrible.

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  3. I feel very sad to know about Derek's death. I pray to god may his soul peace in heaven...

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  4. I was really touched by Derek's last post for his kids. They will always remember how his dad let the world know if how much he loves them.

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  5. Wow...fascinating. Thanks for pointing out this post.

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  6. Thanks for sharing this. It was a bit sad to read, and made me consider my own mortality.

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  7. TisforTonya, I'm glad you didn't see my post as an anti-religion / anti-Christianity rant. I thought it may have come out like that, which was definitely not what I was trying to do.

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  8. harriet glynn, I know. I hope the people who loved him and read these comments know that unfortunately, the nature of the Internet means the loud tiny minority stands out all the time.

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  9. Anyone who had a great time with their dad will truly cry and be inspired by Derek's last post. Everyone should read it so that they will know the value of our parents. ~ Ann

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  10. I forgot to read the mean spirited comments because I got so caught up in reading back entries. I can't even imagine. I can't imagine going through that. I can't imagine feelings like it's my right to tell a dying person how to feel or think. I can't imagine how hard this life can get, and having the wherewithal to blog through it even.

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  11. Daddy Geek Boy, hey, thanks for reading.

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  12. James (SeattleDad), I know. In a way, though, knowing what's happening and having the time to say goodbye may be--well, I wouldn't say a blessing, but it might be better than not knowing or not having the capacity to communicate like he did on his last days.

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  13. Jill, probably the best way would be to ignore these comments. Haters will hate and idiots will comment. The main thing is the legacy he left through his family and in his writing.

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  14. I didn't read them. It's odd that they call themselves Christians. I hope that the family aren't upset by them

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  15. I am a fan of Derek's blog and I burst into tears when this post was published. I didn't know how to react when someone you have followed for so long was gone. I just said to myself that life is like that and we all have to leave at one point.

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  16. Anji, maybe the loudest you are in telling the world just how religious you are, the further you are from the principals of that religion.

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  17. I wish all the best for the family of Derek. I'm sure he is watching them from above.

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  18. Damn dude. That was a riveting post. I read the first 50 plus comments and got the idea. Wish I had been able to read him before he passed away.

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  19. Wow, thanks for sharing that. Shows the real potential of blogging. And the silliness of some of it as well. :)

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  20. I'm an agnostic, but one of the things that pushes me to a null set is the thought that the kind of self-righteous asshat who who would post comments about a dead blogger's heaven worthiness would populate the heavenly city, so I'd rather inhabit a trailer in hell.

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  21. Jason, I'm an Atheist, but I think in this case bad people just use religion as an excuse to do bad things. I don't know if it means religion is good or bad. When it comes to low-lives like these, religion can probably be taken out of the equation, you know?

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  22. Wow, that is a terrible thing! I can't believe that people would post negative things on a dead man's blog ...it's sad enough that he passed away, but people are so insensitive and cruel sometimes.

    -Karen

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