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Note to moderator(s)

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 11:52 pm
by Dame
I have been reviewing and occasionally contributing to this site for a few months now. I am still constrained by my technical abilities. I would personally invite the moderators to correct any citation errors in particular, and grammatical/spelling errors if they catch them, that I may make.

Secondly, moderated posts can make a positive contribution to some topics. I would like to know if there is a way to mark a particular reply or even new topic such that it will be reviewed and perhaps even privately commented on prior to being posted. I am concerned that I not become more strident than can be comfortably assimilated by others who might like to voice their understanding of some of the topics.

My own perspective welcomes a degree of strong and possibly diverse perspective as a positive contribution to my own thinking.

How do others feel about the above, and what do others think and prefer.

Re: Note to moderator(s)

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 4:28 pm
by BritishBahai
In the past i've often moderated posts if there are grammatical errors or errors in the formatting. I've been busy with work recently, so I havent paid as much attention as I have done in the past.
If you have any suggestions, feel free to PM me. I dont mind, and will be more than happy! :)

Re: Note to moderator(s)

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 6:08 pm
by pinabarryscott
Hi, I am happy to say that I am a member of this forum. I find this to be very helpful to me. I learn many things just reading all these different topics!
How come we do not have a chat in this forum? We could have great firesides in here!
PINA

Re: Note to moderator(s)

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 8:50 pm
by brettz9
Dear Dame,

As BritishBaha'i suggested, feel free to private message any of us.

But I wouldn't worry too much about it. As far as citations, since we are in an online setting, I think the most helpful thing is to make links, where possible, to particular online copies of the sources. We're certainly not enforcing academic standards here, or I think we'd all be in trouble too!

We also welcome a diversity of opinions here. Besides the usual exceptions to this of personal attacks, etc., we also take exception to people, who assert that they are Baha'is, repeatedly maintaining positions which are clearly in opposition to Baha'i teachings which have already been made explicit to them (as authoritative quotations). But no one expects anyone to know all of the Baha'i teachings ahead of time, nor to avoid asking questions of fellow believers to help one get a better understanding or appreciation of them.

So, everyone is free to state their opinions, whether it is a seeker or friend of the Faith raising questions or concerns, or whether it is a Baha'i tentatively stating their opinions, as long as it is respectful.

In my opinion, the most helpful thing to do for a topic is to try to find whatever official guidance there is--since it is adherence to the Writings which can most effectively bind us together, as their purpose is to resolve difficult questions and topics preventing us from unity--and then offer our own individual insights, experiences, thoughts on how to implement or better teach it to others, etc.

So please don't be too shy about expressing your ideas, as we aim to offer a supportive environment here, even as we are no doubt inadequate at doing so. The Faith is all about both components of the "unity-in-diversity" watchword, so we look forward to hearing your diverse opinions here!

best wishes,
Brett

Re: Note to moderator(s)

Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2010 9:22 pm
by brettz9
Hello and again, welcome Pina!

Glad to hear you like the forums here!

I think most of the frequent contributors here are unfortunately a bit busy to manage a round-the-clock chat room, but you might also find the chat rooms (and forums) associated with http://www.planetbahai.org/ good at filling this need.

all the best,
Brett

Re: Note to moderator(s)

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:51 am
by BritishBahai
There's also something called "PalTalk". They have discussions online, etc.
I cant comment on this because i've never used it before.

Re: Note to moderator(s)

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 12:25 am
by AdibM
Yeah Paltalk is a great venue for discussions about the Faith. I know of at least one Arabic and Persian Baha'i chat room. The Arabic one is very popular; one of my friends moderates it and he's said there have been a lot of success stories in teaching Arabs the Faith through that chat room. I've been to each room a few times and it's a nice environment. Everyone takes turns with speaking privileges, basically "sharing the microphone", so nobody talks too much and everyone gets a chance to say something. If someone starts spreading anti-Baha'i propaganda (which has happened a couple of times), refuses to stop or listen to what the Baha'is have to say, and just acts as a disturbance to the decorum of the room, the administrators can kick him out of the room. It's definitely a great tool; if only there were Western Baha'i chat rooms!

Re: Note to moderator(s)

Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 1:55 pm
by BritishBahai
AdibM wrote:Yeah Paltalk is a great venue for discussions about the Faith. I know of at least one Arabic and Persian Baha'i chat room. The Arabic one is very popular; one of my friends moderates it and he's said there have been a lot of success stories in teaching Arabs the Faith through that chat room. I've been to each room a few times and it's a nice environment. Everyone takes turns with speaking privileges, basically "sharing the microphone", so nobody talks too much and everyone gets a chance to say something. If someone starts spreading anti-Baha'i propaganda (which has happened a couple of times), refuses to stop or listen to what the Baha'is have to say, and just acts as a disturbance to the decorum of the room, the administrators can kick him out of the room. It's definitely a great tool; if only there were Western Baha'i chat rooms!

Well... as Gandhi once said, "Be the change you want to see in this world" ! ;)

That is, if you have the time. I know you're a student