"Instead of seeing a tremendously talented photographer, I will see just another religious hack . . ."

Evidently, the worth of people are determined by their chosen faith.  Well, at least that is how it plays out for bigots.

Scott Kelby is THE guru of Photoshop.  If you are a photographer, professional or amateur, you know Scott Kelby.  I try to make time to watch his weekly show, "The Grid," online on Wednesday afternoons and I hope to attend Photoshop World this year in Orlando (went last year in Washington DC and it was fabulous, I was completely geeking out and a high light was hugging R.C. Concepcion).  He shares his knowledge and his books and videos are instructional and quality.

And . . . he's a nice guy.  He is approachable, he is enthusiastic, and very sociable.  

But he is flawed.

Because . . . he is a Christian.

*gasp!*

And - he wrote an evangelical book!

*double gasp!*

When I first saw his post on Facebook about a book - "It's a Jesus Thing" - being back in stock on Amazon.com, I honestly thought he was having a bit of a joke.  Sure, the author's name was "Scott Kelby," but I figured it was a different Scott Kelby, and the photography Scott Kelby was kidding his fans about writing the book.

Ha, ha, ha, ha . . . no.

Well, whaddaya know.

Evidently, this does not sit well with some people.  When Scott posted on Facebook, he gave the link to Amazon.com and said, parenthetically:  if you're not interested, feel free to resist the urge to write something mean.

For one Michael L. Dunlap, that urge could not be overcome, so he wrote:

This is disappointing. I had no idea you were religious. I've always enjoyed your photography instructional material. Your Lightroom books have helped me tremendously. This taints it all. Now, instead of seeing a tremendously talented photographer, I will see just another religious hack making money selling Jesus books to the gullible. I wish I hadn't seen this post.

I wonder how to how many people Mr. Dunlap owes gratitude.  The doctor who aided him, the guy pouring asphalt to make the road smooth, or the waitress bringing him a meal.  With the last, if Mr. Dunlap spies a cross around her neck . . . does she get stiffed on a tip?  It appears all the help Scott has given him - done so "tremendously," per Dunlap's own words - become irrelevant in light of the fact that Scott wrote a book that one has the choice to buy . . . or not.

Because, as Dunlap implies, we Christians are stupidly gullible and thank God - oops, well, thank someone - that we have guys like Dunlap watching out for us.

Scott did reply, and graciously:

Apparently you missed the part where I said you don't have to post a mean comment. LOL! I know it won't matter to you, but just in case you might want to know that 100% of the profits from the book go to the Springs of Hope Orphanage in Kenya, so in your next mean post, you can leave the "making money selling Jesus books" part off. I'll be praying for you Michael nevertheless. 

I have ordered the book.  I will let you know how it is.

Yes, you can be talented and share your talents in such a way that people benefit from it . . . as a Christian, as a lesbian, as a Republican, as a Southerner.  What a narrow world view Michael Dunlap has; what an asinine comment to make.