Blogs—-Do’s and Don’ts
I have heard many comments on the new policy concerning subject matter for blogs. It seems some members think they are being censored. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. First let’s look at the new policy, as stated by Rob yesterday:
7th May 2013 – As of today, please refrain from posting Religious, Spiritual or Politically material in the Blogs. These sensitive subjects are better suited to Group discussions – Thank You.
No where does it say DO NOT POST on these subjects. Only that the membership would be better served by posting these subjects in dedicated groups, where members have a choice to go or not. Everyone has a right to their beliefs and opinions and also a right to voice those opinions, within the confines of the terms and conditions of membership. By doing so in a dedicated group, members know in advance what the topics of discussion are likely to be and enter the group with that knowledge. By using the group concept, those with different opinions or beliefs are free to enter a debate within the group, or to form a group of their own. The members at large, who chose not to take part in that discussion, are free to use the blogs, or groups pertaining to subject matter more to their liking.
We want Senior Chatters to be a place where members can voice their opinions but where those opinions are not forced on others. Please feel free to form groups on the subjects dear to you, if there is not one already in place.
MJ
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Please know that these are my own opinions and I am in no way speaking for Rob. Just answering some of the questions that have been asked of me since Rob’s post.
Well said, Merry.
100% agree
me too, keep them out of blogs and then no people will be upset.
I think it was an excellent idea. It is a win-win solution to not only allow freedom for those who wish to post or debate in groups where they can feel free to express their opinions, it also povides a safe place for those to post on less sensitive things in blogs. My compliments to Rob. I know I will feel more comfortable writing a blog. Thanks for your update Merryjay.
blog
/blôg/
Noun
A Web site on which an individual or group of users record opinions, information, etc. on a regular basis.
So now opinions can’t be expressed here for fear that some of the 4000 might not agree?! Did I miss the button that somehow puts these blogs in front of someone using this site that is not scanning the blogs? When I scan blogs I look at it ….if I don’t want to read I don’t. If I read it and don’t like I don’t slam the person that wrote it because I did not agree. I read it. If we all agreed on everything, believed in the same thing, did everything the same way, saw the same things…….etc. This would be one crappy world to live in! and yes that is my opinion.
couldnt agree more my friend!
Absolutely agree with you okidy. Admin! take note!
Ditto jcb, I agree!
I agree okldy
got it in one okidy…and im with you 100% on what you said 🙂
You still have the privilege to express your opinion and discuss the topics you choose, but the proper place to do so is in a group dedicated to that topic. Thank you for your opinion Okldy.
” …. please refrain from posting Religious, Spiritual or Politically material in the Blogs …. ”
in the english I learnt this means – D O N T DO IT ……
but then I’m only english by birth ….
the real reason for this is to discourage loads of people filling up the servers arguing about it –
all 3 are about power anyway. Take that away and we might all start thinking for ourselves.
I always think for myself, I just chose what I want to write about or comment on. If that means I need to write in a certain area, that is fine by me, No problem at all. I really do not want to fill up the servers. This site to me is for entertainment and company. I hope it always will be.
Hey folks……we all agreed to the terms of this site when we paid to join. If we don’t like it….we have the choice not to stay. Why is it, when requests are made apply boundaries people always complain because it is restrictive. Well, see above…..if you don’t like it…..don’t stay. Those of us who do like having these kinds of boundaries are 100% in support. WELL DONE ROB!!!! and WELL SAID MERRY.
Thank you for you opinion Anurri. But people seem to be missing the point that the new policy doesn’t restrict anything. It just put it in a more proper forum.
Exactly……. 🙂
Agree Annuri, my only issue at the time was that Spirituality based blogs was not a banned subject…so the blogger had not broken any of the rules.:)
No we didn’t! When we joined these rules were not specified. They are recent and some of us dont want them. I cant see why we have to have a special group…yes, i know MJ explained the reason but i dont buy it…seems a bit closeted!! jmo.
my post was directed at anurri reply to MJ.
I agree with you shadow
100% again shads…agree totally hun 🙂
And hopefully will stop a lot of arguments by posting in the appropriate place. I think that is the main reason. Anyway its Robs site Robs rules. I like the idea
Well said. I agree 100%
believe it or not i like that rob has given us these guidelines..and i don’t see freedom of speech being trampled…it might even get the quieter members to speak up if in a groups than wide open like a blog…
absolutely agree Kat.. I seriously doubt that there will be only boring blogs anymore where everyone agrees. many topics to discuss and many varying opinions will be expressed. i think Rob has pulled out 3 very sensitive subjects in order to make things less contentious and offensive to majority of people. and that’s a great point about getting quieter members to speak up.. that’d be nice if it works out that way. thanks MJ
A typical Admin reply Kat!
I have absolutely no problems to exclude Spirituality from being discussed in blogs or even the topic being posted…I think that Rob has made the right decision (I didn’t at first) as it has been proven that someone can simply and genuinely write a blog on what they believe in and that for some people is not acceptable as it goes against everything that they believe in. My only issue at the time was that this was not a ‘banned’ area and the blogger got attacked. So at least now we can have discussion that are more of a Spiritual nature without any problems.
Aw gee, there were some great blogs in the time I have been an SC member, some bawdy, some eye gouging and finger biting and rolling around kicking and punching, some warmly touching and heartfelt articulate expressions of whatever and some snoozers. Now what is left to blog about, pablum? OB
Kinda what makes the world go round dontcha think?!
and then there’s always bunions and cold sores, OB…
Ditto OB 🙂
OB you tickled my sense of humour, still laughing xxx
OB tickled my fancy too! LOL I enjoyed the bantering, the differences in opinions, the warm touchy feely posts, and the dog fights too! And the humorous one’s that make me laugh to crying. I am very comforfable choosing what I want to read, and what I want to skip. I realize that everyone is not. That people get offended. I understand the rules. I just dont have time to read a variety of groups each day, therefore I know I will miss some good blogs. Hopefully, my chatter friends will alert me accordingly. HelenSophie
Ditto!
“Religious, Spiritual, political” …are beliefs and are very personal issues…sensitive issues….Rob? Is being polite to use.the word “refrain”…. i believe that some posts on the issues, would spark something negative and many of us will not be happy….I myself is very touchy on the subject. xoxo
Thanks for your take on this Precy. I actually know for a fact that there are many more like you who don’t often voice an opinion (esp. about controversial things) publicly but who feel this way. Some of us are very comfortable speaking out and it’s pretty obvious who we are. But I think maybe Rob is trying to give a voice, or an option to those who are not and who have told him privately how they feel. Nice to hear from you..xo
We have ten green bottles sitting on the Wall!!. ( Admin) If one green bottle would be brave enough to ask Rob why we dont have a delete button on blogs?. Sometimes we say things in the heat of the moment and wish after posting we hadn’t said it. I’m not talking about this blog. I enjoy reading ‘ controversial blogs just as long as we dont set out to deliberately to hurt, insult, or laugh at another persons beliefs. I want them on blogs not in a corner where it will most probably end up with just the same folk going round and round on a budgerigar wheel and nothing ever gets solved. I know we wont get a delete button, same as i know controversial blogs wont be tolerated in here. I am getting off my broomstick now! But i needed to tell you how i still feel about this subject…I have a feeling i have gone off the subject some what! ..I’m no super women with words although i do try! 🙂
The only reason there is not a delete/edit button for Blogs is because the module that handles this particular feature on the site didn’t include one, and so Blog posts can only be deleted/edited from the Backend. This is why for obvious reasons why it’s restricted to everybody (accept me). I realise it’s not ideal, and I am looking into better ways of giving members access to these features via the front end of the site. It’s on my list of improvements… Rob
Well folks we have lift off!. We now know why we couldn’t delete on blogs. I wait in the comfort of my arm chair for the delete button to make an appearance! 🙂 Thank you for explanation Rob…have a nice day! 🙂 🙂
You should be able to edit your posts now… Still working on the ‘Delete’ option, but it’s not that easy from the front end…
thanks rob, that’s a big help 🙂
Throughout my life, I have always said I am not religious, but I feel spiritual without actually having a pure definition of the word.
I am surprised no one has posted the definition of ‘spirituality’.
Cambridge Dictionary Online:
the quality that involves deep feelings and beliefs of a religious nature, rather than the physical parts of life
The Freedictionary:
the state or quality of being dedicated to God, religion, or spiritual things or values, esp as contrasted with material or temporal ones
Mirriam Webser dictionary:
1.something that in ecclesiastical law belongs to the church or to a cleric as such
2: clergy
3: sensitivity or attachment to religious values
Wikipedia:
The term “spirituality” is derived from the Latin spiritualitas and the Biblical “roeach/pneuma”. It means to be put in motion, to be a living person, and being driven. In a Bibilical context it means being animated by God.
The use of the term “spirituality” has changed throughout the ages. In modern times spirituality is often separated from religion, and connotes a blend of humanistic psychology with mystical and esoteric traditions and eastern religions aimed at personal well-being and personal development.
From this, I agree that anything spiritual is in fact a belief, defined as a religion, therefore should have its own Group.
Or ……. Jokes could be banned from blogs, and put in the ‘Jokes’ Group. etc.
Perhaps Blogs could be for ‘Chit Chat’ or ‘Discussions’ only.
Maybe anyone wanting to open a New Group, should have Robs okay first, so we dont have a million groups.
!!!
😀 😉
I agree with you Polly. It would be good idea to have Rob’s approval on starting new groups. There seems to be so many redundant ones. What really is the difference between groups and blogs???
“You can please people some of the time but not all the people all of the time”