Hello World!
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in making this circle possible! From those that have posted on previous threads to those that have only viewed them and especially to the great folks that run this site - THANKS A MILLION - you're all great and very important to us!
I thought it important to sort of set up some guidlines for this circle so that it can be as much fun and as helpful to everyone as possible. People don't plan to fail - they fail to plan. I don't want failure to be associated with this circle or AC in any way.
To start off, let me say that you may find SP Technology Loudspeakers to be a little different from other companies out there. If you read the "Thanks to" and "Mission" pages on our website you'll find this out on your own. Rather than beat around the bush, I might just as well announce it up front so as to get on with things.
In order to avoid turning this into a religious post I'll try to be brief in the following. We have no hesitations in stating that we are a Christian company. We are non-denominational and believe that there's only one true church. That church is composed of true believers worldwide and from every earthly denomination that profess that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God, that he died to redeem mankind and that he rose again from the dead. There is obviously much more but that much should suffice. Some may argue that this is marketing suicide to do this but we ain't scared. If we're supposed to sell speakers then we'll sell them. If not then there's something else waiting for us to do. In the end, we make no profession of being in charge. Rather, just trying to follow the instructions we've been given the best we can.
Please don't take the above statement to mean that we think we're "better" or more "holy" than anybody else. We are just as human and fail as much as anybody else. - maybe more. If it weren't for the forgiveness of God we'd have no hope. We feel that we are called to live by standards that reflect God's love for everyone. In that, we also believe that we are more accountable for our actions than maybe others of different persuasion. It is our greatest hope that we interact with and treat others in a way that reflects that standard. But please be forwarned, at times I am certain we will fall short. If you can find it in yourselves to extend patience to us in those moments, we will do all we can, with God's help, to make it right.
In light of all this I would like to share what we believe to be a format for the reasonable exchange of ideas. Since this is our circle, I believe we have a certain right to do so. All I would ask is for everyone to try your best to be civil to us and each other. Common sense should prevail here. Slurs, profane and defaming language is to be avoided.
Also, direct and unprovoked attacks of a personal nature or "bullish" challanges are probably not the best route to achieve a pleasant experience for all.
On a personal note, I'm no prude and can take a jab now and then with the best of you. The problem is, I can also dish it out - real good too. That is not the side of my nature that I want to develop any further. In fact, that side of myself has not been my best friend in the past and has caused me a lot of grief. The word "repentance" comes into mind here - I've had to do a lot of it.
I don't want to turn this circle into a gathering of the faithful sitting around singing "cum-bye-ya" either.
Everyone should feel free to speak his mind. All I can say is that if you want to get in my face - be prepared. 'Cause I'm likely to jump right back in yours and I'm not without my resources. The problem is that if we go there then someone's feelings will get hurt and it'll be all ugly, then in the end, I'll have to do the repentance thing again and eat crow. I have yet to develop a taste for it. So.. if everybody tries real hard to be cool, uh - that would be cool!
You see, we really do believe that you folks are what's important. Not speakers or audio or whatever. Those things are just a reason to get together. No idea or concept is more important than the people it comes from or is conveyed to. God tells us to love everyone, whether or not we like them. Every single person represents eternal value and deserves to be treated with love, dignity and respect. Not because of what they've done to earn it or lack thereof, but because of His Divine image in which they are made.
We don't ever want a single person to leave this circle without having picked up a sense of all this. It's not just rhetoric, we mean it and if you stay tuned you'll see it in action. I have no intentions of loosing a single poster because of they way they've been treated here - not on my watch.
So on that note, I'll give it a rest. I have another post to make where you'll see this principle in action. Another serving of crow is waiting for me. Mr "byteme" has no way of knowing this but the meal is being served in his honor. It might be a day or two, but keep watching. And oh yeah, someone give him a yell. I'm sure he'll be interested. God works in mysterious ways!
Have fun and God bless everybody,
- Bob
