Bishop Joe Simon: A Response To Mr. Eric L. Wattree's Attack On Bishop Joe Simon

April 13, 2009 - PRLog -- It is obvious from his opening statement (the profanity and all) that he has issues with character so I will not expect to get to much rational dialog from him but I did leave a response on his blog. I was a bit surprised that he claim to make an “honest search for truth” when it seem he had not even made an honest attempt to dialog with the primary source before he shot off his “BTS”. Rather than assume the worst it is proper to give the benefit of doubt to Brother Simon. But because of apparent prior bias he did not seem capable of this. He states:
" That seems somewhat disingenuous since one would think that any misunderstanding
within the church could easily be cleared up with a simple memo or statement.”

And just what memo or statement does he feel would reach the number or people and churches that have heard the songs and are convinced that Joe Simon is still singing secular music? We are not talking about a simple local incident here.
It is surprising that he is so sure that he has exhausted the possible “kinds of agreement” that could be worked out at a meeting. Is he so arrogant that he feel he know all the possibilities without asking the source? Please understand I am not calling him arrogant, I am asking if he is, since it would be a demonstration of arrogance to assume that one knows what one could not possibly know.
It is obvious that his obsession has blurred his intellectual vision on this matter.

It is obvious that he has not made any meaningful attempts at researching the story before he shot off his “BTS” it doesn’t even seem like he waited to hear more reports on the story. Had he waited a little longer he would have had the opportunity to hear Bishop Simon comment on questions that he posed for someone else who at lease gave Bishop Simon the opportunity to address the question himself. But hearing his side was not a concern it seem. There seems to be something more to his attack on Bishop Simon, perhaps Mr. Wattree’s distain for clergy? It is not uncommon for some people to place all clergy in the same class as jack-leg preachers, ecclesiastical pimps and soul hustlers and feel justified in doing so. That’s sad but I digress.
More to the point, Bishop Simon has been on radio discussing his concerns and I personally heard him on a 3hour radio program in which he made it clear that he (as many music legends), did not own his masters nor was he addressing monetary compensation in his statements. That does not give those who possess them the moral right to misuse them in a manner that will misrepresent what he now is
without protest.   Anyone with a since of decency and respect for God and the Church could understand the issue here.  He also made it clear that out of respect for Jay-z he would not presume to give details about what kind of “agreement” they would discuss.  Since Mr. Wattree seems to be more interested in perpetuating slander against Bishop Simon I don’t think trying to get him to see another side to this would be time well spent. So my comments are not as much for him as for you the readers so that you will at least not be totally blindsided by his unwarranted attack. Perhaps one day when God deals with his heart and heals him of his bitterness then he will be able to see more clearly. He has my prayers in this hope.  

It is clear that he has his intellectual wires crossed on come of his comments, nowhere was it stated to my knowledge that the Missions Consortium of Churches international “withdraw support and speaking engagements” nor do I recall them expressing “Disdain” for worldly music.   And to say that they “placed a worldly musician” to the second to the top slot in the organization’s hierarchy” is a clear indication that he is clueless.  The man they placed as second to the top was and is a Christian Minister; a “Former worldly musician” there is a difference though I doubt that he is interested in knowing what it is.  
He betrays his lack of understanding and his bias, not only about Bishop Joe Simon but about God and the Bible. Which is why I am so amazed that he can later attempt to comment on “Selfless men and women of God”.
Bishop Simon is well within his rights to voice his concerns about what his music is being used to represent and how it reflect on him as a minister. Mr. Wattrees’ slant on the story betrays his bias and lack of consideration for what he is trying to accomplish. To say that he is “dragging God into a personal and legal matter” shows his ignorance of how God is related to his servant. When you abuse God’s servant you have involved God. And true men of God involve God in everything they do. The church, which he seems to have little knowledge of, also supports their minister and when you abuse the minister you have insulted the church. Therefore this is not an abuse of the church as Mr. Wattree spins it. And to compare what Bishop Simon is trying to do with what is going on in Iraq is not only irresponsible but it is also unintelligent.  
The lack of credibility of people of God is due in part to propaganda such as Mr. Wattree is putting out as well as the publicizing and polarizing of poor examples of Christians and false Christians to in effect destroy the credibility of the True Christian church. What else is new? His analysis is wrong, his arguments flawed and his bias obvious. It would be nice if he would come clean and be “Honest” about his convictions about the Christian faith. Let us know where he really stands so we can understand the real reason behind his attack on Bishop Simon who has done nothing to him to deserve such an assault.
I am amazed at his attempt to tell us what a man of God and Christian is supposed to be. Just what Scripture in the Bible forbids a man of God from publicly calling people to task about an unrighteous issue? As a Bible teacher I am use to dealing with people like Mr. Wattree who misapplying and misinterpreting the Bible so I don’t expect an accurate answer from him. But I would be interested in just where he feel he get the Biblical authority to condemn Bishop Simon for his announcement. And for the record, Bishop Simon has asked and does have people “praying about this matter” including me.
In his article he expose his bias, for some reason he feels the need to put Bishop Simon in the same category as the preachers he describes and he doesn’t even know Bishop Simon. Why? Doesn’t he have the ability to deal with people on an individual bases? Should all writers be judged by his poor attitude? I think not. It is fortunate that there are people who do get the importance of Bishop Simon standing up for his integrity as a minister and for what the Church is concerned about. The manner that some (not all) Rap artist has degraded women in general and Black women in particular is common knowledge. Their disrespect for people is notorious. I applaud Bishop Joe Simon for his stand and I pray that he will get the support he need to bring more attention the Rap industries need to be made accountable for what they do to harm people. Every little bit helps in some way to fight back at the degradation that exist in the Hip-Hop industry and bring to the light the good Rap artist who have decent messages and are trying to be heard.
Mr. Wattree it seems; is a moderate who embraces ideology over truth and conflict over reason.
Danzil Monk