Michael Halding

Michael Halding (1981 - ) is an American writer and blogger. Best known for his blogs and posts against all forms of extremism and hate; he is popular mostly in the Generation X internet community. He first appeared in 2005, blogging under several pseudonyms, some of which have been confirmed are as followed; Mike Hall, Mike Edge, Michael-Angel, and JayTheDestroyerOfTheNarrowMinded. Michael Halding, which is also a pseudonym, has been recognized as his primary pen name, for his more serious works. Michael Halding’s real name is unknown. When asked the reason why he has not released it he stated, “His views are his own. He has children, and he is happily married, and does not wish them to be harassed because of his beliefs.” Some have referred to him as a philosopher, and visionary. The most appealing aspect of Michael Halding is his ability to break down complicated issues, making them easy for anyone to understand.
Blogging
Michael Halding made his first appearance in 2005 under the pen names of Mike Hall and Mike Edge, posting on many popular liberal, Republican, religious, and anti-religious blogs. He debated bloggers with extremist and hateful views, regardless of whom they were attacking. Many extremist blogs were closed down by their creators, especially in the atheist realm due to his arguments, which added greatly to his reputation.
In 2006, he created his own blog titled “Enlighten the Narrow-Minded.” The site had a mass following from the younger generations, but was shut down by its host in 2008, stating a break in the Terms of Service concerning harsh language. This was the beginning of a time, which many of his fans refer to as "the Great Purge". During this time, any posts made by him, which were normally welcomed from the opposing community, were deleted or resulted in a ban from the blog. To counter this he began to use a handful of pen names, but over-time, they too were discovered through his arguments and writing style.
Many of his following requested that he create a new “official” website, but he declined. And, when asked why he didn’t keep a Facebook or Myspace page, he replied, “Isn’t it obvious?” However, in direct result of wanting to continue his message, one of his fans, Deana Strace aka Strace, created a dedicated-fan blog titled, “Followers of Michael Halding” in early 2009. Michael Halding considers himself retired from the blogging world, focusing on life and his professional writing career, but still occasionally posts on the fan-created site.
Underground following
Despite the near successful attempts by socialist groups to silent his writings, many remain loyal to him. The first fan-blog created by Deana Strace, “Followers of Michael Halding,” had a following of just over five hundred within its first month of opening. Deana Strace and her fellow contributors posted links to where Halding’s work could still be found. They compiled his quotes, short stories, links to his post, and posted their own articles on the events of the day. This blog also met the same fate as Michael Halding’s in 2010. Deana Trace made a quote about the deletion of the first blog.

Quote from Deana Strace:
"I have received several messages and emails asking me about the fate of our former blog. To clear my mailbox of spam I am posting it here. I received an email from our previous host that it was deleted because of “Inappropriate posts and/or subject matter.” This was hardly the case. The subject that sparked the “heated debate” was about how the last two years of Bush’s Presidency ~ the Democratic Party ran the house, but still they lay blame on him for policies, which they themselves put in place.
"All inappropriate language (mainly by the outside arguers) was removed and certain users, I even banned, immediately, when these acts occurred. The truth is one of the disagreeing parties has a very popular Liberal blog under that host (coincidentally he was the one I had to filter most), he didn't like that Halding put him in his place and that he was eventually banned because of his use of foul language. A short time after, our blog was deleted. For those that missed the fun ~ please do not ask me for the host name or the blogger(s) involved. It could lead to the removal of our current blog site, I am sure you can find out ~ if the info is still on Google.
"I know the individual I spoke of added his rejoicing of our deletion all over his blog. Please no more questions about it, it’s time to move on, and focus on current issues. I will also add a warning to our faithful followers from both blogs ~ any more posts regarding those events, or any slander towards the opposing party, will be met with a IP Ban ~ no matter how loyal you have been to the site ~ no exceptions. I consider the matter closed, and that is final." - Deana Strace, Founder of the “Followers of Michael Halding” & “The Michael Halding Project”

Since that time, Deana Strace has again created a second blog site, using a more reputable host, dedicated to Michael Halding’s work. The second fan-created blog, “The Michael Halding Project,” was opened in October 2010. Contributors of The Michael Halding Project are Deana Strace, Robert and Starr Dannon, and myself; Leslie Tresher. Our goal is to continue spreading awareness of his work and views to age’s of students 18-25, who are often pressured to lean in the direction of destructive and negative views, while attending college as we were. Michael Halding posted his latest article on “The Michael Halding Project,” October 11, 2010. The article received fantastic reviews, and Deana Strace relays that the blog received near capacity numbers on the date of its post. The Michael Halding Project was also nominated within its first two-weeks of opening for the “Bloggers Choice Awards 2010,” in the following categories; Best Political Blog 2010, Best Religious Blog 2010, Best Blog of all Time 2010, and Best Blog about a Blogger 2010.
Famous quotes
Michael Halding’s highest received quote, The Cardboard Box, was in response to an atheist in January 2007. It can be found on the current fan-created site.

"Here is a hypothetical for you to help you understand where I am coming from. Two people spend their entire lives inside a cardboard box, both entirely unaware of the outside world. Naturally, both have studied and have become familiar with every inch of the box and the space between them, their universe. One however, believes there is something more outside the boundaries of the box. The other thinks he is a fool for believing in such folly, preaching that the box and the air between them was obviously everything. To think more is foolishness, a wishful child’s dream. If there were something more, they would surely see it.
"These two people were at least lucky enough to know every inch of their own universe. For that reason, the second person is simply ignorant. We on the other hand, don’t even understand the smallest fraction of ours, but here we have people spreading—to believe in something else is foolish—a wishful child’s dream. They speak in absolutes in a universe they know absolutely nothing about; it’s funny to say the least. But, this works both ways."
"None of us are aware about the universe or what could be beyond it. In the end, it’s about faith, and personally, I think a wiser man would believe in something beyond. If there’s nothing beyond—then there is nothing, and you won’t know the difference, but what if there is? If you don’t want to believe then don’t, but telling others that it’s foolish to believe is absurd. On the other hand, those that do believe should not cram their beliefs down other people’s throat."

Another quotation from Michael Halding in February 2009; regarding the socialist strategy.

"A hungry mouse in the forest sees a hunk of cheese in a cage. The mouse rushes in the cage so enthralled with the cheese, it doesn’t even notice, or perhaps just doesn’t care that the cage door closed behind it. The mouse eats all the cheese, fat and happy, it falls asleep. A few hours later, it wakes up, just as hungry as it was before entering the cage, but now he’s trapped. The man who setup the cage arrives, picks it up, and carries it home. Now the mouse is dependent on the man, will he feed the mouse today—will he forget? Or, perhaps today he will decide he has become bored of the mouse and kill it, just for the heck of it, who knows?
"The mouse was baited by the tempting promises of the short-term—the cheese. But, now is faced with the consequences of the long-term—the cage. The mouse is no longer free, his fate, now decided by the mere whims of a man. The intentions of the man, the mouse is not aware. This is the perfect example of the extreme-left strategy."

Political and religious views
Michael Halding has never revealed his political, nor his religious views. When asked about his religion, Michael Halding was quoted in 2008, stating:

"My Religion...? I do not consider myself in a religion—unless I’m allowed to count my heart and soul as a religion. But, if you are asking me if I believe in God—the answer is yes, I do…."

In 2007, when asked which political side he belonged to, he replied:

"I belong to the side of ‘Morality and Freedom.’ Both Republican and Democrat lack—and have both. Therefore, I consider myself neither…."

Other projects
In 2008, shortly after the deletion of his blog, “Enlighten the Narrow-Minded.” Michael Halding faded from the blogging community, posting here and there over the years. At the time of his departure, he told his following that he wanted to focus on his family, and on the novels he had been working on. In 2010, per Deana Strace, he is working on getting one of them published. He also forwarded that once it had, he would let her know the release date. When asked what they were about, she was told they were fiction novels, written in order for his views to reach a broader audience. His most recent article was on Deana’s blog October 11, 2010.
Known influences
* Plato: Michael Halding has said in the past that he studied Platonism (Philosophy of Plato), for several years.
* J. R. R Tolkien
* C.S Lewis: Michael Halding stated, that after reading C.S Lewis, he fell in love with books.
* Also quoted to say his greatest influence is world history.

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