Revision of: A Review of “The Sword of the Spirit Society” Web Site
ReviewsBackground…
This is a revision of my original review to which the owner of the web site took great exception. On all reviews and articles we post we make every effort to inform and solicit all involved parties to the review or story to read it and write a comment with additions or corrections. We do this because the involved parties can often provide unique perspectives. The owner of this site did not choose to comment however has asked for the review to be removed. The owner of the site was very upset with the harsh review we gave the web site. He felt the review was “a hatchet job and somewhat slanderous” and that “anyone who reads your site and then reads mine will see that you are a liar and are just trying to impede a good work”.
Corrections and Observations…
Amid the numerous insults of the owners reply was one correction that I did in fact over look, that the benefits of paying the membership fee is outlined and includes a free seminar or if you cannot attend a video. A nice feature however there are no real details about the upcoming or past seminars to help you determine if this is a worthy cause. Another point that the owner was very upset about was the assertion that the site was obviously a for-profit venture. The reason for this belief is the lack of clarity and amusingly (given his seemingly robust conviction for forthrightness) his self-serving and misleading links on his web site. Under the heading of “Non-Member Supporters” there are 5 listings
- JMACTIONDVD.COM Martial arts videos
- The Living Word Home School Karate Program
- Worldwide Business Systems,
- web sites and business services
- Video Services
All of these are owned and operated by the owner of “The Sword of the Spirit Society” web site. Now I see no problem with this however it is highly misleading and given the response of the owner it would seem he holds much higher standards. The only explanation that would be acceptable given the high standards he outlines in his email would be if he is not a member of the society he manages. Is this possible? This does not mean the site is ‘for-profit’ however it does question the motivation. If I were to pay for a membership or make a donation I would like to see some clarification of the assertion that donations go “to support the works of the Society” specifically “other works” and specifically what “works’ means? Does “works” include managing the web site?
Revised Review…
So given the above I have decided to revise my review of the web site slightly. Not from fear or intimidation but out of fairness. The web site layout and design is still, in my opinion not very attractive, very plain and does in fact use frames which seem very dates (to me). I still assert that the most important part of a web site is its content. Again, the content (at the moment) is very minimal (2 articles and 2 events). The articles are not dated so it is impossible to get a feel for how frequently or how soon new articles will be added. I did read one of the articles (as previously stated) and it was very well written. Let me add that it was so well written I would be interested in reading more, if I knew when they would be available. The events listings need more information like contact information or other useful details.
Despite the scathing emails from the owner I still think that the idea for the web site is good, however, I still feel the site was announced to soon. My previous statement that “If you are curious feel free to check out the site but visiting the site more then once at the present time seems pointless.” was simply meant to reenforce the fact that you can see everything in one visit and you are not given any indication of when you may see more content added. Because of this the overall review is not changed:
Site Rating:
I hope the owner finds the above a fair review of the web site, though I doubt it. I would ask that others read the above review, visit the site and then post a comment. It is the nature of a review to point out both positive and negative impressions of the writer, my opinions. So please form your own and write them in the comments section. But please before you write please take a second and ask WWJD.
5 comments
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Alex,
You say "who cares about what the donations are used for". I am sure the people who donate do.
You have to understand what happened here. The Sword of the Spirit Society was essentially accused by Mitch Saba of directing donations to businesses that support the organization and misuing the organization for personal gain.
If he is telling people that the money is used for one thing and directing to his company that owns and operates this and Willington Karate Club web site, then that is wrong. Not to mention that he has a lot of gall to accuse others of doing that.
Mitch Saba used this web site to lie about the ownership of businesses listed on the SOTS web site, as well as attempt to taint the motives and reputation of the society. Is this what you meant by the "moral code" that guides Willington: lies, deciet and deception and false accusations?
1) Jacob, "commercial" is not a dirty word. Must everything be affliated with a spiritual organization? You already agreed that not everyone must follow the same path: "If people want to make a choice to support other works instead, that is fine do – do what is in your heart." The Willington Karate Club is guided by a disciplined, and moral code, intended to mold individuals into positive members of the community.
2) Who care what anyone uses donations or fees for. In theory, both organizations seek to better members of the community. Unfortunately Jacob, you misunderstood the point of the scholarship fund. The acceptance of the awards in no way requires the recipient to participate in the Willington Karate Club. It is simply a way for the club to remain an active member of the community, using our resources to help others.
Also, you might take note that the Society provides free seminars as where this "impartial reviewer" makes money promting seminars. Here is one possible reason behind his agenda in smearing the startup Sword of the Spirit Society.
It’s funny how this reviewer asks for comments and then removes them when they do not fit into his agenda.
The lies that he has told on this web site about Jim Mc Coy, the ownership of businesses that contribute resources to the Society, the goals of the Society and what the money is used for have been corrected a number of times. But the operator of this web site sees fit to continue to slander the organization.
For the truth about what the Sword of the Spirit Society is trying to accomplish, please see the web site directly or conctat Mr. Mc Coy
This "reviewer" has taken the liberty of being very creative in his comments.
He tells his readers that there is no indication on the site what income from the site will be used for. This is a false statement. The site very clearly states what the money will be used for.
He says that the site seeks volunteers to do all the work while I keep the money. First of all, as is stated on the site, 100% goes back into the works so there is no "keeping the money". Plus I never asked for volunteers, this is another creation of the reviewer. That doesnot mean I will not accept help from others if they offer. I likely will. I am just not asking people to go to work for me to make money for me as the reviewer has stated is the goal of the web site.
The reviewr also made up comments about the "non member supporters". He claims I own all of the business ventures listed. And wonders why businesses I own are not members. I may be part of those ventures, but not the sole owner as the reviwer claims. If I were, then perhaps these seperate entities could be listed as members. But not being "people" they are not members. And not being solely mine I do not have the discretion to take unlimited resources from them as the reviwer would have me do. These businesses do contribute resources, they just are not members.
If someone disagrees with the goals of the Society I am fine with that. If people want to make a choice to support other works instead, that is fine do – do what is in your heart. But if people choose to come on board on this project with me, they should not be discouraged from doing so by some one with some other agenda who invents stories and tells lies about my motives and intentions.
The Society has a low annual membership fee and leaves an opening for donations, with a reminder that the donations are not tax dedcuctable and discourages large and frequent donations. And again, it all goes back into the works of the Society.