SGIbuddism.org Needs Your Opinion

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Permalink Reply by Queen Mak on May 18, 2008 at 10:24am

Linda...you have hit the proverbial nail on the head. Freedom of expression is one thing....but we should always remember the context and purpose of this fabulous site.

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Permalink Reply by Byrd Ehlmann on May 22, 2008 at 2:15pm

Hi, Chris - I haven't been here very long, and I don't know how long this site has been up, but it seems like a fine effort which will allow people from around the world to communicate with each other, and find fellow Gakkai members wherever they go. Thank you very much for making the space available -- this is the "next step" in online Nichiren Buddhism -- something I have been hoping for for a long time.

That said, I think you are in for a huge amont of work in moderating this space when it gets up and becomes as popular as I think it probably will be. Dan is noble for pitching in, but yes, I think you will at some point need to set some standards and rules and learn to enforce them. I say this from years of experience moderating a Yahoo! board and writing a blog. Dan says that he has some experience at ARBN, and so I'm sure he can tell you how difficult things can get.

I'm not clear what you meant when you wrote that "SGI has been wanting to interview people before they show up." Does this mean that there are active staff members at Gakkai Central who are screening your posters here? Have they given you any standards for what they would be looking for in such an interview? Just curious.

For me, I think certain kinds of standards, like no name-calling or personal insults, no naked pictures, no bad-mouthing of individual leaders or members. That sort of thing, although it seems like common sense, you probably see the wisdom of that sort of rule.

I also don' t know if you want to allow SGI policy or doctrinal discussions - I'm not married to the idea of having those here, as I deal with that stuff on other boards, and on my blog, so it's OK if you want to restrict that content here and just have experiences, prayer requests, and that sort of thing. I only say this because those issues are tough to moderate if you don't know a good deal about the issues going in, and you might want to save yourself the hassle.

Anyway, thanks again for the swell new site - I have recommended it to a number of my friends, and I am very glad you're here.

Byrd in LA

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Permalink Reply by Chris Tinney on July 2, 2008 at 12:14pm

Oh its just they like to meet for coffee or tea and introduce themselves before telling you when and where the district meetings are. Its all good but if youre only in town for two weeks that might not be done until ya move on (my situation) so thats one of the reasons I created this site.

:)

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Permalink Reply by Byrd Ehlmann on May 22, 2008 at 2:24pm

P.S. No naked pictures. Gee, I feel like such an old fuddy-duddy.....

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Permalink Reply by boomboominspace on July 1, 2008 at 6:32pm

Dear Chris, this site has recently been offered to us within the past two weeks for the michigan area, i was very excited to see the openly gay buddhists group, then very saddened by the deletion of the group, i am curious to know how the group was fostering advertisement that would threaten the sgi non profit status...thank you, James Webber

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Permalink Reply by DaveC on July 2, 2008 at 9:32am

Hi, boomboominspace.

I think this is a great dialog that the organization needs to have. See my post to Chris below.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Tinney on July 2, 2008 at 12:15pm

The person tht started the group deleted it. I didn't know about it until I started getting emails :)

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Permalink Reply by Linda on July 2, 2008 at 8:44am

Hi Chris!
I received your note this morning about a group that was deleted by the person who started it. I have no comment about that. It doesn't effect me. However, I do have a comment about this site.

After being here for a while and observing, participating and meeting people, I really like and embrace this social site. I think it's great for sgi members around the world to be able to socialize, make friends and enjoy the little smile that emerges when you meet someone new or interesting. It is so beyond mundane.

However, I have noticed that this site seems to be wide open for just anyone to come in and cruise through people's pages. Is there a way to create the front page that maybe is a locked door, similar to myspace or other types of social websites? I have met and introduced two people to Buddhism through another social website and find it just a nice way to reach out to people, make friends and create peace. Yes, I know just anyone can create an account and get on to this site and any site like it, but to leave the door open without consideration to those that may want a little bit of privacy, would just be a basic respect to all that dwell here and an intention to protect their intentions and innocence.

Thoughts?

Kindest and warmest,
Linda

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Permalink Reply by Chris Tinney on July 2, 2008 at 12:06pm

Hi great comments.

Each individual can choose tomake comments public or not.

I think locking down the community areas would lose the opportunity to so people who we are. The only option that would accomplish what youre suggesting is a home page that say you must join before you can log in and se anything. I think many not familiar with us would leave.
Curently we are like myspace. You can cruise around but have to log in to particpate. Individual members can choose to make their blogs and pictures private or public.

I will look into the optons ad see what the options are.

Thanks fr sharing you bring up sme good points

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Permalink Reply by DaveC on July 2, 2008 at 9:28am

Hi.

As a StepDad of a gay son, I feel that I have some idea what one should present on a site. I fully support him in his growth. However; with regards to what you put on a site, certain pictures, etc. should be kept private (only accessible by his friends) . Being in a world that does not always fully appreciate our diversity as an organization we need to maintain a balance between what we put on public sites and private ones. It is quite often a matter of perspective. What I always tell my son is that he represents gay culture and what he puts on the Internet for public view can be accessed by future employers, etc. and to create value in his representation. We must be careful with what we present to the world. I think we need to emphasize self-censorship in a case by case basis.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Tinney on July 2, 2008 at 12:09pm

These are all very god points. Currently everyone here can choose to have their pictures only seen by friends. I aso know poeple that have not been hired becuase of their myspace page. I regularly search myspace using their email addrss before hiring anyone so you are teaching your son well.

Thanks for contributing.

:)
Chris

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Permalink Reply by Pat on July 4, 2008 at 3:45am

Chris,

Thanks for asking.

Considering that not everyone who visits this network will be an adult, this network needs to be family friendly. Ning policy states that :

"You also agree not to post, email, or otherwise make available any Network, Code, or Content that .... harms minors in any way"

Like Makeda mentioned...what is the purpose of this site? If we identify ourselves with SGI Buddhism, I believe that we want to follow SGI guidelines.

I think we want to ask what do we want to present to President Ikeda?
Is our activity for Kosen Rufu?
Does our activity promote world peace?

There are many other places for self-expression. For me, this is a Kosen Rufu activity.

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