Posted by Dena on July 17, 2008, at 20:10:49
In reply to Re: Please Advise » Dena, posted by Dinah on July 17, 2008, at 19:24:48
> I'm a deputy here, Dena. Which I suppose is part of administration.
>
> I'm not antisemitic. If I believed the administration of this site was antisemitic, I would not be part of it.
>
> My personal theology is based heavily on Judaism, in particular the works of Rabbi Kushner. I have attended seminars and study groups held by our local Jewish communities. They have helped form not only my spirituality but my ethical views.
>
> Is it your experience that posts by Jewish people receive more blocks than posts by Christians on the faith board? That has not been my experience.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Hi Dinah! It's good to hear from you again! I'm grateful to get a response ...
I remember how you shared about being more of a "Jamesinian" than "Paulinian" adherent to the Bible -- that's stuck with me these years! I also have experienced you to be a fair and impartial person, as well as compassionate.
I wouldn't say that Jews in general have been put down, but for whatever reason, I have seen that Lou specifically has been hindered from sharing his faith freely. I've seen him blocked for sharing his experience, and quoting from Scripture (as it was revealed to him), and being told that he's causing others to feel put down.
Of course, only the group being oppressed would be able to speak out about the oppression. Those doing the oppression wouldn't likely recognize it (note: I'm not saying that *you* are oppressing, just that the ones sensing the oppression would have the more accurate assessment).
I question the rules on posting in general, for it creates a parent/child atmosphere that's not conducive to being, or being treated as, adults. I've participated in many, many discussion lists and forums over the past decade or so, many of them which focus on highly volatile issues, and none of them is as restrictive, or as squelching, as this one.
It seems to me that in trying to make this a "safe environment" for everyone, nothing of substance is shared. The sense of having to walk on eggshells, or to comply with "group think" permeates ... and there's an incredible loss of freedom, as a result. There are more effective ways in which to encourage mutual-respect, and to correct without continual punitive actions.
I have seen that Lou has been singled out, for being who he is, and sharing as he shares, with people being frustrated with him, rude to him, and getting away with things far worse than what he's censored for.
Do we not all have the power of choice, to be free to either read, or delete, any particular post? Can we not give everyone the freedom to express themselves out of the goodness of their own consciences, and choose to either not take up offenses, or else to delete those who may unwittingly offend us?
I don't post here often, because of the restrictiveness of this forum, and because I've found other places in which the sharing is more free, without the restrictions (& yes, where kindness reigns, without being enforced from the outside).
I see Lou being treated in a way none of us would wish to be treated. I find that to be both unkind and unjust. And so, I'm speaking out.
I see him trying to resolve various injustices, or just asking for clarification, and receiving a rather rude silence.
It's wrong, it's unkind. It's unnecessary.
Thanks for responding, and for listening.
Shalom, Dena
poster:Dena
thread:306703
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20080424/msgs/840289.html