Theos-Talk Archives (August 2010 Message tt00209)

Dear MKR and friends

My views are:

MKR wrote:
"The list policies that have been in place in the past will continue and may
be modified as needed. There are a large number of lurkers in the list.
While we do not hear from them, in administering the list, their interests
are also kept in view since we cannot afford to lose them due to the message
traffic in the list."

M. Sufilight says:
I would from my heart appreciate that you were more precise and explained the ethical basis from which this lists policies operate, and what they really are. Will you do that?


I have som questions to ask you as a member of this list. And since we have received a new moderator, (which none of the members by the way have elected), I find it a good time to ask these questions.

QUESTION 1:
How do you for instance define: "spam, trolling,
excessive ad hominem and personal attacks, continuation of heated threads,
posting offensive material, use of profanity, etc. etc." ?


QUESTION 2:
I do not find the following on the front page of the groups page to be ethically adequate to any newcomers. Do you? How is theosophy or Theosophy defined in various branches of theosophically related societies?

"Description
Discussion on topics regarding Theosophy (or theosophy) and its realization in the modern world. A forum completely independent of control by established theosophical organizations."
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theos-talk/


QUESTION 3:
First a few words and then a question.

>From  the Constitution and the rules of jan. 1891 we find:
"Offences

1. Any Fellow who shall in any way attempt to involve the Society In political disputes shall be immediately expelled. 

2. No Fellow, Officer, or Council of the Theosophical Society, or of any Section or Branch thereof, shall promulgate or maintain any doctrinas being that advanced, or advocated by the Society. 

3. Any Fellow of the Society accused of slandering another Fellow; or of wilfully offending the religious feelings of any other Fellow at any meeting of any Branch or Section; or of being guilty of gross misconduct; or any Fellow convicted of any offence under the Penal laws of the country he inhabits, involving moral turpitude, shall be given an opportunity to defend himself, at a special meeting of such Branch or Section; and on being found guilty, or failing to make valid defence, the Executive of the Section may, if deemed expedient, expel such fellow, notifying the President of the fact that his name may be removed from the register of Fellows; provided, however, that the accused shall have the right of appeal to the President whose decision shall be final; and pending the President's decision his rights of membership shall be suspended. " (The Theosophist, Jan. 1891)

M. Sufilight asks:
Are we deviating from any of these rules and if so, would you tell us which one or ones?


QUESTION 4-5:
First a few words and then a question.

THE ORIGINAL PROGRAME MANUSCRIPT by H. P. Blavatsky:
"But if the two Founders were not told what they had to do, they were distinctly instructed about what they should never do, what they had to avoid, and what the Society should never become. Church organizations, Christian and Spiritual sects were shown as the future contrasts to our Society."
.......
"They had to oppose in the strongest manner possible anything approaching dogmatic faith and fanaticism-belief in the infallibility of the Masters, or even in the very existence of our invisible Teachers, having to be checked from the first. On the other hand, as a great respect for the private views and creeds of every member was demanded, any Fellow criticising the faith or belief of another Fellow, hurting his feelings, or showing a reprehensible self-assertion, unasked (mutual friendly advices were a duty unless declined)-such a member incurred expulsion. The greatest spirit of free research untrammelled by anyone or anything, had to be encouraged."
http://www.katinkahesselink.net/blavatsky/articles/v7/yxxxx_019.htm

M. Sufilight asks:
Will the list be operating in accordance with the above view with reagrd to "Church organizations, Christian and Spiritual sects " or will it not? And will it be operating in accordance with the above view with regard to opposing " in the strongest manner possible anything approaching dogmatic faith and fanaticism" - or will it not?



Thank you for taking your time to be a moderator on this list, which continue to baffle me with regard to its ability to appearntly neglect the Original Programe of the Theosophical Society as i was formulated in 1875-1891.

If you do not plan to repsond after a month ot two, please let me know.


M. Sufilight



  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: MKR 
  To: theos-talk 
  Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 6:07 AM
  Subject: Theos-Talk and its Administration


    
  Theos-talk mailing list is unique in that it has members from various
  theosophical organizations as well as theosophists who do not belong to any.
  While there are a range of views about the list, many theosophists around
  the world are of the opinion that, theos-talk has played a very critical
  role in furthering the interests of theosophy and TS. It is due to the
  active participation of many members as well as due to behind the scenes
  activities of many lurkers who outnumber active participants. Thanks to
  everyone.

  The list policies that have been in place in the past will continue and may
  be modified as needed. There are a large number of lurkers in the list.
  While we do not hear from them, in administering the list, their interests
  are also kept in view since we cannot afford to lose them due to the message
  traffic in the list.

  In Internet mailing list world, there is no such thing as a 100% unmoderated
  list. In administering the list, various issues such as: spam, trolling,
  excessive ad hominem and personal attacks, continuation of heated threads,
  posting offensive material, use of profanity, etc. etc. do come up from time
  to time and remedial tools available for list administration have to be used
  as needed.

  Administration of mailing list takes a lot of time and it is hoped that
  issues such as the above come up infrequently and it is also hoped that the
  list would continue to play a critical role in theosophical matters.

  MKR

  There is no religion higher than Truth

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