Decision from Advaitin List Moderating Board regarding post # 43985

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Dear members:

 

As pointed out by Sadaji in his message # 43985, the message # 43981 of Nairji

did not meet the list guidelines. We regret to inform that in addition to the

negative tone of the entire message, Nairji's message contains the following

derogatory remarks:

 

(1) Listen sonny Vivekananda or Paramahamsa or whatever. Don't test my

patience....

 

(2) Don't insist on one [ a scripture ] just because you can't do your own

thinking even when the Lord has give you the capacity to do so withouthiding

behind the text of scriptures.

 

(3) It is better that you attend to your MBBS syllabus than take cudgels with

others on Advaita because you have done some reading.

 

The board consisting of 9 moderators deliberated for the fast few days and we

have come to the unanimous decision to award an yellow card for the violation of

list guidelines. This unpleasant act of an issue of warning card is necessary

to keep the discussions and discussants focusing on the subject matter.

 

We once again thank the members for their cooperation, understanding and

support,

 

Advaitin List Moderators

 

List Guidelines below describe list policies including the issue of a yellow

card. Members are once again reminded that posting privileges require them to

follow the list guidelines. Members are once again reminded not to argue or

discuss the Board's decision by posting a message on the list serve (see

guideline #9). Members who need further clarifications can always contact the

moderating Board by send an email to advaitins.

 

Summary Statement of List Policies and Helpful Suggestions

 

1. It is the responsibility of each member to familiarize themselves with this

policy statement, which contains guidelines on what may be posted and how the

group is moderated.

 

2. The purpose of the Advaitin list is to facilitate discussions on Advaita as

established by Shankara and carried on by succeeding traditions of living

teachers, with principal reference to the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and the

Brahmasutras.

 

3. Questions or observations on any aspect of this, or on closely related

topics, are allowed.

 

4. All members shall be free to post to the list except as indicated below. The

group is effectively `refereed' rather than `moderated' as outlined below.

Posting to the group indicates that the member has read, understood and accepted

these guidelines. * Note that new members are placed under moderation until a

first acceptable post has been received.

 

5. Members should preferably post no more than twice per day.

 

6. Members replying to a post should use the exact subject heading of the

original message, preceded by the single abbreviation `RE: ' so that those

members following the thread may easily tie the message to earlier posts. If an

Email program is being used, replying to a message which is itself already a

reply may introduce an additional `RE: ' into the subject heading. When this

happens, the new addition should be deleted before posting the message.

 

7. When a new topic is begun, a new thread and subject heading should be used so

that it is clear that it is a new topic. I.e. the poster should not `reply' to

an existing message and then alter the subject heading.

 

8. Replies to posts should clearly differentiate between the new material and

the earlier. It is suggested that, for example, the words of the earlier post be

enclosed thus: <<earlier message>>. Please retain the name of the poster to whom

the reply is addressed, and the message number if possible.

 

9. Announcements by the moderators of policy decisions must not be discussed on

the list – strong views should be notified direct to the moderators.

 

10. Posts shall not consist entirely of quoted material, even from canonical

advaitin texts. Please write enough in your own words to tie the quote in with

the topic you are addressing. Quotes should be directly relevant to the topic

under discussion and be included as authoritative support for the post.

 

11. Rather than extensively quoting material from a web site, the address of the

material should be provided.

 

12. Posting is a privilege and posts must always be polite and respectful.

13. Derogatory remarks of any kind are not allowed. This will assist in

maintaining the friendly atmosphere of the group.

 

14. If these guidelines are not followed, moderators may penalize members

according to the following procedure:

• Warning 'cards' may be awarded to members who post any message which fails to

adhere to the list guidelines. Such warnings will be notified publicly to the

list by the moderator who issues the warning.

• The first time any infraction is penalized, a 'yellow card' will be given and

on the second occasion, an 'orange' card.

• The reason for issue of the card will be given but there will be no appeal.

This may mean that there is the occasional misunderstanding; this is why two

warnings are allowed before any action is taken. Any objections, on or off the

group, may result in a further card being given.

• On the third breach of guidelines, a 'red card' will be issued, on majority

verdict of the moderators, and the member will be prohibited from posting to the

group (i.e. will be given a read-only facility). Posting facilities will not be

allowed for a period of 1 year thereafter.

• A card will remain in effect for 1 year after its issue, at which time it will

be deleted. The deletion of a yellow card, will demote any orange card

outstanding to yellow, and any red card outstanding to orange.

• In the case of extreme violations of guidelines moderators may, by majority

vote, award an instant `red card' irrespective of whether there have been any

previous yellow cards.

 

15. Any member who is discovered to have rejoined under a new name after having

been awarded a red card will be banned permanently from the group, i.e. not

permitted to rejoin after the 1 year ban.

 

16. The moderators may also, subject to majority decision, place any member

under moderation if this is thought to be justifiable.

 

17. It is permissible to post details of websites, papers, lectures, courses

etc. providing that these have direct relevance to the group. Repeated posting

of the same information is not allowed. Also, members should not join the group

merely in order to advertise such material. Members who continue to post such

materials will be moderated.

 

18. See the Advaitin List Home Page at advaitin/

for links to FAQs, etc., and to other recommended sites.

 

19. Members are welcome to provide feedback and/or questions on list policies by

emailing to " advaitins " .

 

The Moderators wish to express their sincere appreciation to the members for

their continued cooperation and support.

 

------

Advaitin List Moderation Board members:

------

S.N. Sastri- Chief Moderator

Ananda Wood

Dennis Waite

V. Krishnamurthy

Kuntimaddi Sadananda

Shyam MD

Sunder Hattangadi

Ram Chandran

Gregory Goode