2-J

I found his style lively and clear, by contrast with other books I've read, I can't say more than that.

It does get a bit detailed at times, especially the cumulative case and how everything fits together - that I admit. Maybe a simplified version could help, as someone suggested above.

judge

A simplified verion will probably just look ridiculous. there are just too may improbablities that need explaining. One might as well make Jack Chick style comic book.
Unfortunately it has failed at the scholastic level too (rightly or wrongly).

I think the market is ripe for such ideas, christianity is particularly odios in much of society. Yet Earl can't sell a meagre amount of books.
Yet, he comes here gets his ass kissed and plays the victim, blaming the pirates the scholars the apologists, anybody but himself.
Maybe in years to come heel be seen as a pioneer (I dont belive so but it might be true), but for the moment he's sitting on a plie of books, whining and complaining. There must be something better to do.

EarlDoherty

One reviewer of The Jesus Puzzle on Amazon several years ago made a statement which I have always valued the most. "He is a clear writer. As clear as I've read."

I think it's pretty evident that judge offers his predetermined evaluation of my work without having actually read any of my books. And if he has difficulty comprehending the first of my website Main Articles, which may well be the simplest, most straightforward thing I've ever written, I think I can see where the problem lies.

The chain of lucidity in any writing can only be as strong as the weakest link. One of the links in the chain is the clarity of the reader's comprehension abilities. I have always found that clarity and maturity go hand in hand. Anyone who thinks and expresses himself at a Grade 6 level of maturity will have difficulties with anything expressed at a higher level.

Earl Doherty

judge

Of course you value it. It means you can keep blaming everyone else for your failure rather than take responsibilty for it.

Your books won't sell? Just blame a few internet downloadings.
Your work is rejected at peer level? Just blame the reviewers.
Someone tried to point you in the right direction? Abuse them.

What about maturity and taking responsibility rather than blaming others?

EarlDoherty

If anyone can find a logical sequence in this, I'll eat my book.

My books were selling fine before the pirates took over; and the torrents were a torrent, not a "few". Nor is it only me who blame those "reviewers" who reject my work, usually without reading it. And what was the "right direction"? That I should accept being robbed, my business destroyed, and that I should work in future as a community service? I stand by my statement that such an attitude is part of the problem, simply "enabling" and encouraging the pirates. If you label that "abuse" you too are part of the problem. Of course, your motivations are nothing like those of Shesh. Your rabid antagonism toward all things mythicist and me in particular is your only motivation.

Responsibility for what? For the pirates stealing my book? They are the ones I blamed and complained about. That is the subject of this thread, internet piracy and the theft of my books. Did you miss that?

Your ability to comprehend and to make a rational argument is as abysmal as ever, judge. You are not worth wasting another nanosecond on.

Earl Doherty

judge

Earl if this is true, and you can improve your writing, then isn't it more likely that if you do, you will stand a better chance to sell more books?

judge

For selling so few books in the first place that it opened the door for pirates to ruin your life.

Toto

tanya's comparison is not quite on point. Ehrman has spent his career explaining Christianity and religion to fundamentalist-leaning southern college students. He has perfected the art of simplification and driving home a point.

But I suspect that part of Ehrman's success in selling books is tied to his public personality as a speaker, lecturer, TV personality, and debater, and to his books being assigned reading in college courses. If Earl could do a similar public promotion of himself, that would increase sales.

If Earl really wanted to increase sales, of course, he should write a book on sex and drugs in early Christianity and how that was all suppressed by the Vatican hierarchy and Opus Dei.

judge

The world is ripe for these sorts of ideas I think, and I think that enough of those that read Earls stuff like it enough. Even though I dont buy it I'm happy to see new old ideas about christianity questioned.

I'd like to see Earl make some money from his work, but I think the subject really requires more skill than most subjects.

With pictures, as Roger suggested.

Roger Pearse

I don't think pictures of Earl naked, drenched in blood and smoking pot would have the same impact on sales, you know. Really I don't.

All the best,

Roger Pearse