File - Achintya List Rules.txt

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Achintya List

Rules for Posting Messages

revised 5/28/02

 

The Achintya list is a moderated mailing list formed in 1998 to promote

discussions among devotees of the Gaudiiya Vaishnava sampradaaya. List

discussions cover all aspects of Gaudiiya Vaishnavism, including philosophy,

history, culture, traditions, etc. Questions and even debate are welcome within

the list, so long as basic brahminical etiquette is observed at all times. A

polite and respectful tone is requested of all participants, even when engaged

in controversial discussions.

 

Please note the following guidelines for posting:

 

1) Limit subject matter to those topics specified above, namely subjects of

direct relevance to Gaudiiya Vaishnavas. Postings discussing non-Gaudiiya points

of view are welcome so long as they are carried out within the context of

Gaudiiya Vaishnava conclusions.

 

2) Avoid arguments based solely on unsubstantiated personal opinions,

sentimentalism, or fanatical behavior. Postings which knowingly express opinions

contrary to guru, saadhu, and shaastra will not be accepted. It is acceptable to

discuss one's understanding of the above authorities, so long as primary sources

(scriptures and/or their commentaries) are quoted. When a doubt exists

pertaining to allegedly contradictory points of view within these sources of

evidence, shaastras (Vedas) should always be considered the topmost authority.

 

3) Brahminical etiquette must be observed at all times. Postings containing

personal attacks and/or condescending remarks are unacceptable for posting.

Members are free to disagree politely with each others' ideas; they are not free

to use the list to villify the character of any other member. This rule applies

to personal e-mail as well. List members who send "flame mail" to other members

will be removed from the list.

 

4) Questions and doubts regarding philosophy are acceptable for posting to the

list. At no time will any member be made to feel ashamed for politely expressing

doubts.

 

5) Postings of a political nature, especially those concerned with the

management of specific spiritual organizations, are inappropriate for posting on

this list.

 

6) All messages posted on the achintya list are the property of their authors.

Unauthorized reposting of such messages outside of achintya, whether in whole or

in part, is grounds for dismissal from the list. Please also respect the rules

of other mailing lists in this regard, and refrain from unauthorized

cross-posting of messages from other forums into Achintya.

 

7) Use of e-mail addresses appearing on Achintya for the purpose of spam-mail or

other mailing lists is strictly prohibited, unless the members whose e-mail

addresses are used give their permission in advance. Those who violate this rule

will be promptly banned from the list.

 

8) Advertisements of all kinds are strictly prohibited from the Achintya list.

This includes web sites, classes, and commercial items. The Groups

administration appends advertisements to each posting, but this is a consequence

of utilizing this free service. It is neither sanctioned nor desired, and it

should not be taken as justification for further postings of the same nature.

 

9) When discussing the viewpoints of other parties, please avoid referring to

them by name if you cannot quote directly from their writings. If you wish to

refer to an opposing party by name, please give explicit references to books,

web sites, etc in which the objectionable material which is to be debated can be

found.

 

10) When replying to a message, please use quoted text sparingly. Replies with

excessive amounts of quoted text that do not clearly need to be present will be

rejected. Please also make certain that the subject line of your message

reflects its content, especially when replying to the digest form of the list.

 

11) Avoid discussing personal experiences not related to bhakti-yoga and

especially those pertaining to prior misdeeds. The Achintya list is not the

appropriate place for personal confessions.

 

12) Shortly after joining the list, please give a short introduction of yourself

for the benefit of the members.