Daily Scroll blogger interview: Cam Mckinnon
Cam Mckinnon is a blogger from Atlanta who works in reprographics, which he says “is related to printing building plans.” He authors a blog called Chamblee54.
Recently I left a comment on Abraham Piper’s blog, 22 Words, pledging to publish the answers that any blogger submitted to my interview questions. Cam, who is a reader of Piper’s blog (interestingly!), took me up on my offer. Though he is not a Christian, I am still happy to publish his interview, and I trust that all of my visitors will treat him with respect and courtesy.
DS: What compelled you to start blogging?
I had been thinking about having a blog, and had even collected material. It was more or less inevitable. Then, I saw something at a place called Fide-O.
They were discussing something or another, and I had a comment I wanted to make. To make a comment, you needed to sign up for a blogspot account. In effect, that is when my blog, Chamblee54, got started.
The comment was about the notion that the bible is “the word of G-d”. I am of the opinion that G-d does not write books. This concept elevates a book written by man into the position of being like G-d, to being “the word of G-d”. This is wrong on a number of levels, both philosophically, and from the view of the results of this belief. The first commandment says to have no other G-d before you, and you violate this common sense rule when you take a book written by man and proclaim it as the Word of G-d. Needless to say, the Fidomites did not agree.
After a few days of fun-filled debate, I went in the back yard to take some auto timer self portraits. Noting that the neighbors were not looking, I dropped my pants before one of the shots. I posted a picture of my “Better side”. The Fidomites were outraged, and I was banned from commenting.
I was on blogspot for about sixteen months, until I got a file in my computer that would not let me connect to google( the parent of blogspot) anymore. After many hours with tech reps in the Phillipines, I gave up. I started my present blog, http://chamblee54.wordpress.com/ soon after.
DS: How would you describe the purpose of your blog?
To feel good after I have posted. Hopefully, I can do this by bringing some enjoyment to those who visit. My current motto is “pretty pictures and ugly opinions” . Photo manipulation is one of my hobbies, and the pictures are an essential part of the blog. Often, the text is just words to put between the pictures.
The words are in colors. I use a medium sized font, which is easier to read. Black fonts are obsolete.
DS: What unique responsibilities do you think Christian bloggers have?
They don’t have any. A bit of humility is appropriate, and the realization that not everyone thinks they are so wonderful. Christians use a lot of arguments that sound good to each other, but do not appeal to those who disagree with them.
You should remember that the blogosphere is not a church. If you go to a church, it is rude to argue with the message. If you have open comments, you should not be shocked to find that not everyone buys what you say.
DS: What are your own favorite blogs or news sites?
Twentytwowords, JoemyGod, Puntabulous, APWBWGTTD (Atlanta people with blogs who get together to drink), Centurion, and whoever else has caught my eye that week. There are literally millions of blogs right now, and I can only really appreciate a handful. There are probably a lot that I might enjoy that I don’t get around to. Oh, and there are those with mp3 downloads. I enjoy collecting free music.
DS: How would you be spending your extra time, if you didn’t blog?
Reading, photo taking and editing, making faux stained glass pictures, cleaning the house, riding my bike, walking, enjoying the privilege of being alive in 21st century America.
tags: blogging, interviews
He has been very frank in his replies. Very few pople do that.
http://www.thedynamicnature.com
Hi Cam,
I’m not sure whether you’ll be reading this or following up. But if you are, here are some thoughts:
“G-d does not write books. This concept elevates a book written by man into the position of being like G-d, to being “the word of G-d”. [...] The first commandment says to have no other G-d before you, and you violate this common sense rule when you take a book written by man and proclaim it as the Word of G-d.”
I understand your points. But here are my questions:
You said “God does not write books.” How do you know? Or more specifically, who are you to say? If you are the one who is allowed to put parameters on this hypothetical God, then who is really in charge- God, or actually you?
If I say, “God can only be truly god if XYZ,” then (philosophically speaking, as you said), God isn’t really God; because he has to appeal to my standards to be such.
But if this hypothetical God were really “God,” then it’s his way or the highway. And if he wrote a book, then he wrote a book. And if he chose to use human hands to write it, instead of lightning bolts, then he’s the one in charge.
Many religions claim to have books from “God.” Mormons, Muslims, etc., claim to have divine revelations from heaven. Christianity is the same. Every chief proponent of these faiths died, including Jesus of Nazareth. The only difference is, Jesus mas buried and then came back to life; putting the seal of authenticity on his claims of divinity, and his message from above.
If God wants to write a book, he can write a book. Think about it- should a divine and all-powerful deity bend its revelatory whims to suit you and your “philosophical” conditions upon its revelation?
-Aaron
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