I apologize, I'm trying to grow up...

[Legend]

I realize now that I've advocated a lot of positions on this forum that I no longer agree with, including a few that are clearly dangerous (such as my former opinion on masturbation). A lot has changed for me as I have become Catholic. I've done a bit of editing of my former posts (and deleted my Boondocks Saints thread without stopping to think about the fact that those who posted in it would lose their posts... I apologize for that, as well), but I think it would be easier for me and less confusing to everyone else to simply post one last thread here in discussion to say a few things as opposed to deleting/editing everything that I've spoken out of line. Here we go:

I believe masturbation is a mortal sin, and the reasoning I used to defend the act in the thread on it was deeply flawed. I wanted what I said to be true, and I used my fledgling rhetorical skills to try to convince myself and others of that case. I sincerely regret that, and I hope no one took what I said to heart.

I'm not longer a gung-ho American-loving patriot who takes joy in the death of "the enemy." Human beings are all born with dignity, regardless of their actions, and though killing is sometimes necessary it should never be celebrated. Likewise, though I like America, she is only a country, and one that has often done horrific things in the name of God and country. My view of her history has radically changed; please take everything I have posted about U.S. history and the relationship of America with the world with a grain of salt.

I baited a lot of people in this forum by posting purposely inflammatory things, and even when I advocated positions I still agree with (faith and works, for instance), I did so incorrectly and far too aggressively. In other words, I've been without charity, and for this I also sincerely apologize.

I've often stated opinion as fact, and I've twisted Biblical passages to meet my ends, even in areas where I still believe I was right. Again, my apologies.

I've suggested a lot of entertainment that I regret endorsing, particularly in the way that I did (that is, suggesting that people younger than adults might be able to see this or that adult film). I had a different concept of entertainment then, and I'm still coming to grasp with where I believe the line really is concerning what one should partake of in terms of their entertainment choices. Most if not all of my film reviews have been edited, though I left them up (except for the aforementioned Boondock Saints review) because I didn't want to delete any else's posts.

Finally, I've generally spoken (i.e. typed) with a big mouth, judged others, etc... I've not shown charity, and I have often spoken pridefully and belittling to others. For this, too, and any other wrong I have committed and not listed, I apologize. I've done a bit of editing in the masturbation thread on the old forum, as well as in a few other threads, but the task is far too entangled for me to do what I would without making the forums unreadable for the others who posted in those threads, so I hope this apology will suffice.

-Marcus

[indycindyo]

I for one, like you Legend.