It has been brought to my attention that the Defiance City Schools is blocking student access to this site. Several of my grandchildren attend Defiance schools. On the one hand, I find this fact hilarious. However, this site is being blocked as a porn site — which it most certainly is not. Either their filtering algorithm is wrong, or someone at the school has blacklisted this site. It is possible, I suppose, that the Black Collar Crime series is triggering a block, but why not block just those pages instead of the whole site? I am the only public atheist in this area, so I do, at times, wonder if I am being deliberately censored for my lack of belief. I recently tried to join the Current Events in Defiance, Ohio Facebook group. My request was rejected, and a message asking why went unanswered. Again, I wonder, why? The same goes for email letters to the editor of the Defiance Crescent-News disappearing or anniversary announcements (twice) not making it in the paper. I get it. I am an odd duck, a black swan in the midst of a bevy of white swans. However, I am also a loving, kind, decent, thoughtful human being. Regardless of my religious and political beliefs, I do what I can to be a good father, husband, and grandfather. When my children or grandchildren hear my name mentioned at Northwest Community StateCollege, at their public schools, or at work, I want them to be proud to be related to me — even if they disagree with my beliefs. (My children have been accosted at college and their places of employment by people demanding they defend something I have written. Small town, country life. I tell them that it is okay to say they don’t know me, but so far, my children have not done so. They must be hoping for a big inheritance after I die.) 🙂
I called my oldest son about Defiance City Schools’ block. I told him, “I hope your kids know Grandpa doesn’t run a porn site!” He laughed and said, “They do.” I don’t care what others think about me (okay, maybe I do a little bit), but I do want my children and grandchildren to think well of me. It matters. Someday, I will be ashes floating on the water of Lake Michigan, sinking into the deep to be seen no more. This blog will remain my testimony to the world (as long as Polly keeps paying the hosting fees). As my grandchildren get older, they will naturally be curious about their grandfather’s writing. As has been the case for my older grandchildren, my younger grandchildren will one day do a web search on my name and discover this site. Years ago, one of my granddaughters told me, “Hey Grandpa, I found your blog today!” That’s all she said, but she had THAT look on her face; you know the one that says, “I know your secrets.” 🙂 And that’s okay. I don’t talk politics or religion with my grandchildren unless they ask me a question or join a discussion I’m having with one of their parents. I am content to let curiosity kill the proverbial cat.
I emailed Aaron Eckhart, the technology coordinator for Defiance City Schools, the link for this post. I will update this article if and when I hear from him.
Bruce Gerencser, 66, lives in rural Northwest Ohio with his wife of 45 years. He and his wife have six grown children and thirteen grandchildren. Bruce pastored Evangelical churches for twenty-five years in Ohio, Texas, and Michigan. Bruce left the ministry in 2005, and in 2008 he left Christianity. Bruce is now a humanist and an atheist.
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I listen to The Friendly Atheist Podcast religiously (ha ha). Wouldn’t your site being blacklisted fall within freedom of religion, separation of church and state? Seems like you need the Freedom from Religion Foundation?
A porn site? Really? I’m surprised that Defiance County kids, especially the older ones–don’t seek it out to see (heh) for themselves. They would be sorely disappointed, I’m sure, to discover a bunch of people discussing the role of religion, and the lack of it, in society and personal life–and the fates of accused/convicted criminals who are part of various religions. I’m reasonably sure your grandchildren will be proud of you when they all discover your blog. You come down on the side of truth.
Most places use a service for black listing sites since it is impossible to keep up with websites. They are notorious for incorrect or overly strict listings. It is also possible the local admins have you blocked.
If they respond, ask them who they use for blacklisting. The you can contact the company to see your rating and hopefully get it corrected.
The next time I’m subbing at a school I will try to look at the website, latest will be Thursday. If I can see you at a random public high school, it’s not a widespread blacklist issue. I think you probably have a Defiance issue. How short sighted people are. Oddly enough the black collar crime series is a good one for teens to see, if they’re having issues with a youth pastor or wondering if something is off, some of the stories might give them a clue. It also breaks down the concept that church authority figures can do no wrong.
If you wanted to do a series on your town in your blog you could call it
In Defiance (of local opinion)
Autumn, I love what you said here ! It SO applies to this controversy over Bruce’s blog. In Defiance ! It’s perfect,lol 😁 When you consider the high crime rate in Ohio, like in Cuyahoga County,for example, and how utterly USELESS the religious organizations are, with their disinterest in the well-being of poor and working – class citizens,who endure closed factories, jobs and manufacturing sent overseas by their vaunted Republican politicians, THAT is where their ire should be directed !! Not Bruce and his blogging. Anthony Sowell, one of Ohio’s famous serial killers, could kill easily, because when his victims would wander around the neighborhood injured and stumbling about near the local Baptist Church, the church members would see these women and actually laugh openly at them !! It’s true ! One reason he got away with murder for a long time. They aided and abetted a serial killer who preyed on homeless and or addicts, because he hated women so much. His mother and grandmother were violently abusive, and created this monster. The church’s contempt and indifference enabled this bad family to endanger the entire neighborhood ! So MUCH for church’s and their idiotic opinions ! They can go suck eggs !💀💀
However, this site is being blocked as a porn site
Excellent. The best possible formula for inspiring the students to try to get access to the site, one way or another. And when they do, even if they’re a little disappointed by the lack of porn, they’ll probably still learn something.
Good point 😂😂
That is ridiculous and hilarious. I hope it leads more new readers from the NW Ohio area to your site.
I hope so too.😀
Well, that’s fun! You know your grandchildren will definitely find a way to get to your website if the school system is blocking it!
Well, you do appeal to Reason in every item you publish on this site, correct? And Reason is well-known to the fundamentalist community as being one of the many names the Whore of Babylon uses to trick the unwary, correct?
So, clearly, you admit to running a porn site, a site that glories in disporting with unadorned Reason.
I’m smiling 😂