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SGIbuddism.org Needs Your Opinion

I've had a couple of messages and simply thought I'd share here and see what "we" want to do :)

I'm just a guy that started this place because I travel a lot. Recently, SGI started wanting to interview people before they show up. That's is ok but it brought me to a screeching halt.
Frequently I can't reach the person for a few weeks and am already packing for the next place when I do.

So I started this place. I love it. For me its like making it to a meeting when I stop by. I've made friends and helped introduce many people to SGI because of my ability to find people here located just about anywhere.

So that's my intentions.

Now I have two issues that I need yor advice on. We have a really great group of people here and I think a dialogue would be helpful to me so thanks for particpating.

I've had people say I shoudl delete some pictures as they do not reflect our values as SGI members.

I've also been faced with a few decisions on whether to ban people. hasnt happened yet but I'm sure it will.

So I want YOUR opinion

1) Shoudl we Moderate Pictures?

I'm active on myspace etc. and I know if you tell people what they can and can't do they go away. I'm torn. We could allow people to be themselves and let them post what they want. We can post what we think and then poeple can dialogue OR we could delete pictures.

If we delete the pictures who decides? What are the standards?

On myspace and my other sites you can email pictures right form your phone to your profile. Poeple can do that here. So uploading pictures from your phone toyour profile is pretty common. It's a question of whether your personal profile is you or do you need to change it to meet our standards? I don't know the answer I'm asking you, LOL

2) Banning People

I think some decisions will be easy. What woudl we consider grounds for banning someone?

Your input is REALLY important so please post a reply.

Thanks
Chris

Tags: buddhism, sgi, sgi-buddhism, sgibuddhism, sgiusa

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kanani on May 7, 2008 at 9:20am: Thank you Dan... nani; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lotus Flower on May 8, 2008 at 7:40pm: Hi Kanani

Thank you for finding my pictures beautiful. I starting making my photos as a way to explain my feelings about the practice in a visual way. The inner artist in me thought that by merging beautiful guidance with art- I can move and tap into another part of ourselves. As someone new to the practice with tons of visualizations it made perfect sense. How can I convey these pearls of wisdom in a way that I can understand more.

I have absolutely no problems if anyone wants to use my photos. Most of them are found on the net or I make them. The photos are really for all of YOU. It would be nice to just let me know which ones you're going to use- just so I know is all...lol. My art is for Kosen-Rufu.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Free Hawaii on May 8, 2008 at 9:24pm: Spoken like a true bodhisattva!... the stylings and creations... brought to you by Lotus Flower a.k.a. Seleus, Selly, Hera... Beautiful! ;-); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chris Tinney on May 22, 2008 at 9:12am: Normally somoene that is active online with great pictures like that knows poeple will want them. I dont think you have but you coudl leave her a comment.

She is a beautiful person inside and out :)
I am positive she doesn't mind.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dan (site assistant) on May 7, 2008 at 9:07am: For example, when I did a google search, just typing in SGIBuddhism, my search comes up with MYSpace members from this group because of their YouTube videos. It doesn't take much for someone curious enough to take a peek in this site.

This place is a great tool for connecting with members worldwide. Just be vigilant of your own stuff that you post that its an open site that we're in.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chris Tinney on May 22, 2008 at 9:10am: Yep that woudlo be true you can do that

I dont protect mine. I assume all that happens is perfect.
I have been online for 15 years and never really had a problem.

I have had a couple of instances where sites have been hacked etc but nothing related to my profile.

You are right though. Someone with malicious intent could do a lot of things. My intention is that we not have that happen here (I'm pretty good at setting intentions).

Thanks Dan for all your hard work here making this place be fun and safe.
Thanks for being an Admin!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Charlie Ulyatt on May 8, 2008 at 12:57am: I think there are a number of issues here but the main one for me is that though it isn't an official SGI site, it is a representative window to the organisation and as such, we have a responsibility as members to reflect the values of this Buddhism. Personally I'm less concerned about say humerous nude images than I am by the wide variety of non Nichiren Buddhist material (eg videos of the Dalai Lama who has nothing to do with this practise). This can only serve to confuse and muddy people's understanding of this practise.

My other concern is that not all people on here are Buddhists ... I've come across 2 people whose profile is blatently from a Russian Dating site (and their religion is stated as Orthodox !) .. I also had a request from a profile whose picture was a girl of about 10 !! Now, whether this is an adult putting their childs photo on or not, as this is an open forum, this could lead into very deep waters. So I feel that yes, a little moderating is required if I'm honest .. and I have to say that I've been in a couple of e-mail groups that have degenerated into complete and utter slander so it's something we need to be keenly aware of.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bob Mann on May 8, 2008 at 1:52am: Hi Charlie,

I also saw a profile picture of a dog! At least I think it was a dog. Maybe not. That 10yr oldish looking girl may have been my granddaughter. She loves the story of the Kankucho birds. That may have drawn her to request to be your friend. She only visits the site once in awhile as she doesn't have internet access. But none the less, she chants every day. She has a keen seeking spirit and loves this group. I won't be the one to tell her she is not welcome here. BTW, she can swim....; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dan (site assistant) on May 8, 2008 at 6:53am: Can you let me know who these Russian Dating site 'infiltrators' are besides letting Chris know? I can remove them. Chris, can we screen this sort of things from happening?

Thanks, -Dan; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Linda on May 8, 2008 at 7:55pm: Yes, good I support this type of screening. Great. I don't have a problem if people meet and date, but more about protecting members from predatory type people. I have the same type of thing on my space and I just openly tell them that if they don't have chocolate, I will block them. They usually leave. Such is the power of chocolate (and screening).; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Charlie Ulyatt on May 9, 2008 at 3:35am: re the Russian ones .. can't remember now but I did e-mail Chris so he is aware of it.

Bob .. that's fair enough but we can't vouch for everyone on here and I'm not comfortable with a young girl being able to contact a middle aged man .. maybe I'm over cautious but I'd rather err on the safe side. Historically, there was a situation locally that could have been potentially explosive .. Thankfully it was handled well but it has made me more vigilant towards these things. Better safe than Sorry I feel ...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chris Tinney on May 22, 2008 at 9:17am: Thanks so much for this.

When you see a profile like those datings sites please let Dan or I know.
They are just spamming. They create the profile and never come back.
They want the link in the profile to help get traffic.
Need to get them out when we see them.

Good point on the video's. Im going to keep reading and see if anyone else replied to that part because its a good point to be discussed.; ▶ Reply to This

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SGIBuddhism.org is a privately owned site run and funded by SGI Member, Chris Tinney.

The views and ideas expressed by members here may or may not be representative of the Soka Gakkai organization. .

SGI members participating here agree to conduct themselves with a respecful and warm attitude towards others in the same way we strive to conduct our discussion meetings and activities within the SGI community.

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Peace,
Chris Tinney