Theos-Talk Archives (March 2005 Message tt00479)

Here's something I posted initially on October 8. It's something that's
important to keep in mind, when participating on theos-talk.

-- Eldon Tucker

----

The theos-talk mailing list is something of an experiment. It's not 
controlled by any particular theosophical organization with all content 
being controlled according to that group's approach. It's not moderated, 
with one particular individual or group's outlook being promoted to the 
exclusion of everything else. It's not intended to be a champion of one 
specific flavor of Theosophy.

There are many lists and websites dedicated to particular points of view 
regarding Theosophy. Some maintain that focus by excluding everything else; 
others maintain that focus because a majority of participants believe in it 
and enforce it through what they continually write, crowding out other 
perspectives.

This list is an experiment, in that it attempts to allow people from any 
theosophical background to participate, sharing their ideas alongside 
others with differing views. Everyone should feel free to express their 
ideas and experiences without being attacked or judged by others on the 
list. Since we're not picking a specific variant of Theosophy and being 
dogmatic about it, there are no "right answers" to judge people by. Each of 
us can share what he or she knows or thinks, but not to tell others they're 
wrong and they should shut up.

My hope is that we'll all learn something new from each other. On this 
list, we have a microcosm of the greater theosophical community throughout 
the world, and what we as dozens of participants can work out together 
shows us what might happen with thousands and millions of people worldwide.

Each person is free to express his or her own ideas. No one is entitled to 
dominate the list. Anyone is entitled to participate, so long as they are 
here to share ideas and not merely fishing for converts for something else 
or not seeking to disrupt, discourage, and confuse people because they hold 
Theosophy in contempt and want to "save" people from it.

If someone says something, it is appropriate to ask them to clarify what 
they mean. Even if it sounds bad, don't assume that what you read is what 
they meant to say. Let the other person explain himself or herself. Don't 
impose your judgment on the other person's writings and hold them to it as 
if you were a lawyer discussing a legally binding contract. This is a 
mailing list and people are freely expressing themselves. They may write 
hastily at times, and not everything posted has been carefully edited and 
is fit for final publication.

Also, if you want to know something more about what someone wrote, it's ok 
to write and ask them to expand upon a particular theme. But it's their 
decision to continue writing, not yours. It's not appropriate to repeatedly 
demand that someone give you answers to some question you have about their 
views.

Something is "off topic" if it has absolutely nothing to do with Theosophy 
and has a chilling effect on the discussions. It's ok if it might be of 
interest to theosophical students.

I don't always have time to carefully read every message going out on the 
list. So if anyone sees something that may be a problem, I ask that they 
write theos-talk-owner@yahoogroups.com with their concerns. Don't write 
directly to the list telling someone they are "off topic" or "acting bad" 
or to complain that "they are mistreating me." When there's a problem, I 
will contact people, write something to the list, or take some 
administrative action to resolve the situation.

This list provides a unique opportunity to coexist with students and 
friends of Theosophy of all the different backgrounds. That is something we 
won't find in the typical theosophical group or moderated list. Let's keep 
our focus on sharing what we find valuable and work at coexisting better 
with people that think differently than we do.

Eldon Tucker