Readers of my fiction serials will be aware that my current story has a religious theme. The header graphic accompanying each post is a quotation from The Bible, The Book Of Revelation.
Those of you who have read up to the most recent episode will be aware that the direction of the story is taking a darker turn. And that it has little or nothing to do with religion.
However, many of my most recent ‘followers’ do not seem to have read past the first episode.
In the last ten days, I have ‘welcomed’ at least fifteen new followers whose blogs are packed with religious quotations, ‘fire and brimstone’ preaching, or just a lot of basic ‘God Stuff’.
Once again, I conclude that many ‘followers’ do not actually read the post, and only follow because of a few words or tags that they spot as they trawl WordPress looking for recruits or converts to their own brand of religion.
Sorry, you lot. I haven’t followed you back.
Not a single one of you. Maybe you should give up on me?
But then you would have had to actually read something to come to that conclusion.
Don’t you worry Pete! They just want to convert you to good. 😉 Well, especially for some Christians, some free churches, it is also part of good works to convince others of God. Do not take it personally! Best wishes, Michael
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I know. They have misunderstood my latest serial. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Maybe, Pete! Or the got hier “first contact”, like aliens. Lol
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I would not have thought of that, but I am more cautious when I title something now fearing a similar result.
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Since posting this, I have had five more ‘deeply religious’ followers. They don’t seem to read anything at all on the posts.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Very annoying. Are they hoping to get you to read their writing?
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I presume they want me to join their religion via their websites, Elizabeth.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Forget fire and brimstone.
I’m preaching soap and water.
While singing hymns in the shower.
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Three more of them just today, David. I am keeping calm… 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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You handled that with grace, Pete.
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Three more today, Jennie. I am keeping my temper. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Hats off to you, Pete. 🙂
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Some people just like and follow automatically, I’m sure, assuming a word or a tag defines a person’s opinions or beliefs. This post has reminded me of people offering to write guest posts on my blog about topics that have nothing whatsoever to do with what I write about. Fair enough that they haven’t read it, but I wonder where do they get the idea that my blog is a great opportunity for them, as my numbers are pretty modest. I think you’re very wise, and it’s their loss, Pete.
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Thanks, Olga. I had a request to feature a guest post about dogs earlier this year. That seemed suitable for my blog, until they sent me the draft. It was just packed with links about selling dietary supplements for dogs. When I rejected it, they kept emailing me for a week, asking why I wouldn’t post it.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Too many are looking for stats not content……seems there are many that want to save our souls…..I will not follow back either…..chuq
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So many blogs have those overpowering religious themes. I suppose they are evangelical in part, but probably also want us to send them money to spread their word.
Best wishes, Pete.
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My soul is just fine where it is…..I would burn cash before I would give it to a church. chuq
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Same with me. 🙂
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Hi Pete, I also get a few strange follows, but not as many as you. What you have said here is almost amusing. People are so transparent with their behaviours and ambitions.
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Yes indeed. I write a fictional serial about the dangers of a religious zealot, and religious zealots immediately follow my blog. They will be disappointed when they see it is about dog walking, film reviews, and bad weather. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Dog walking, films and weather — sounds like ideal fodder for starting a new religion. Stranger things have happened, try googling ‘The Prince Philip Movement’ and ‘John Frum’ for a fascinating insight if you haven’t heard of them already 🙂
P.S. I didn’t ‘like’ your serial posts because I haven’t read them yet but I will…
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Yes, I knew about the John Frum cargo worshippers. looks like I missed a trick there!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Bots, fake followers and unwanted ads from Wp…I can’t even remember what life was like b4 all of that x
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These people have genuine sites with heavy religious themes, Carol. My new serial seems to be attracting them.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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I agree Pete, sometimes those bloggers just follow blindly as soon as they see a tag or category without reading tne post.
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It gets them nowhere with me, Arlene. They should read the blog before following, or they will be disappointed.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Your reach on Word Press must be vast! Interesting how they scan and follow but do not read? I guess they just want followers not a community? When I’m busy and don’t get to read each day I miss the voices of my favorite bloggers! Yours included, C
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Thanks, Cheryl. I have written about so many different subjects. But nothing attracts new ‘followers’ quite like religion.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Well, if it’s any consolation, the “Bringer of Nightmares and Storms” on my blog subheader is because I write mainly horror. And I like storms! *wry laugh*
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Quite…..well said, Ami
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Interest that a blog post with this title has the number of likes, will they grow? Warmest regards, Theo
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I suspect they will, until more of them read this post. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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🤦🏻♀️
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Pete, it’s fascinating and a bit infuriating to see how this works online…much like you, I found a very interesting thing: when I posted my story about the JFK Honeymoon House for sale, within two minutes, Facebook asked me if I was planning a wedding and did I want to launch a gofundme page!
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‘Cookies’, John. They invade our lives, with no apology.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Hi Pete
It is amazing what does hook onto your blog if you mention certain things. If you want to experiment try mentioning Versace, Christian Louboutin, business loans, or similar 🙂
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Fashion and finance? God forbid, Jim! 🙂 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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You might get rich by accident 🙂
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😂
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With a lot of”likes” i’ve been getting lately I suspect they’re simply bots, trawling blogs for certain key words, and then leaving a “like”.
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I checked out these sites, Pit. They are all very ‘religious’, and quite a few are from Nigeria.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Hmm… the quote from the book of revelations seems very apt when bloggers don’t actually read posts
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Exactly! Thanks, Ami.
Best wishes, Pete.
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