Soulforce Forums Suggestion Box

[Gennee]

Awediot, how would yo improve Soulforce?

Gennee

[drobs]

Got a thought on the user defaults of the forum. I think you would keep more new members if had "Instant Email Notification" set as a default in the "Default Thread Subscription Mode" in the user CP.

A new user could still turn that off if they wanted to but it should be on from the get go. This would could help prevent new users from posting once on the forum and then never coming back.

[Jennifer5]

Originally Posted by drobs

Got a thought on the user defaults of the forum. I think you would keep more new members if had "Instant Email Notification" set as a default in the "Default Thread Subscription Mode" in the user CP.

A new user could still turn that off if they wanted to but it should be on from the get go. This would could help prevent new users from posting once on the forum and then never coming back.

Maybe it's not default, but I'm pretty sure I have what you're describing. I love it.

[Daniel]

Nathan- I read this thread title a few days ago and have thought about your question since then. Frankly, I don't have a ready answer. My thoughts run to Soulforce proper. That is, I believe that what happens here is inextricably bound up with what is happening with in the 3D world- and what Soulforce is doing there.

I got an email recently about the ERide that is being planned. In years past, when a Ride would that place, the forum would get a heavy amount of traffic, especially from those schools that were very conservative. However, curiously, that didn't seem to happen during the last Ride. Why? One reason may be that this past ERide was organized very effectively.

I would hope that this forum would always have a place- a voice- a presence. My own sense is that participation here is in transition.

When I joined, there was a greater emphasis on the methods of non-violence. If there is one thing I would like to see more of, it is a way to highlight this work- getting back to Soulforce's roots.

[awediot]

Originally Posted by Daniel

- getting back to Soulforce's roots.

THAT is what I'm trying to...dredge up. What are SoulForces roots?


Freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people from religious & political repression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance.

When I read this, I agree. I understand and live it... It expresses the the ideal, peaceful fight back the world demands of us at times...

At it's core, it is defensive. It correctly presumes the repression and has been forced to resist it for it's own health and well being... But when one makes it a point to inform their oppressors that a resistance is at hand, even our defenses can morph into a passive aggression when we must shout from the mountain tops to just be left alone and treated like a normal person, who shouts stuff in the mountains...

It is the means, not the goal, which is hazy, disagreed on and convoluted... As any activists organization, they are also, and should be, suspect... -As in my "Will you settle for 'Civil union's?", I can't say a cohesive "SoulForce" answer. What does THIS organization want? It's an elemental question. Is "equality" meant to be taken as "under the law", or just as esteemed and respected as everyone else? How these are answered impact the different purpose and wants, and needs people have tied to this fight.

>edit: and Daniel, if you're still ignoring this/me that's fine. I'll post to and around you to the others, and lurkers...Your loss.

[awediot]

Originally Posted by Gennee

Awediot, how would yo improve Soulforce?

Gennee

I would at least acknowledge the incompatibilities between Gandhi's and MLK's core beliefs... The image of the two is blatantly ironic in some ways, the civil fight aside. SF cannot set the civil fight aside or those differences rise up quickly... This seems a really uncomfortable thing to bring up. -I would invite it.

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by awediot

THAT is what I'm trying to...dredge up. What are SoulForces roots?


Freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people from religious & political repression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance.

When I read this, I agree. I understand and live it... It expresses the the ideal, peaceful fight back the world demands of us at times...

At it's core, it is defensive. It correctly presumes the repression and has been forced to resist it for it's own health and well being... But when one makes it a point to inform their oppressors that a resistance is at hand, even our defenses can morph into a passive aggression when we must shout from the mountain tops to just be left alone and treated like a normal person, who shouts stuff in the mountains...

It is the means, not the goal, which is hazy, disagreed on and convoluted... As any activists organization, they are also, and should be, suspect... -As in my "Will you settle for 'Civil union's?", I can't say a cohesive "SoulForce" answer. What does THIS organization want? It's an elemental question. Is "equality" meant to be taken as "under the law", or just as esteemed and respected as everyone else? How these are answered impact the different purpose and wants, and needs people have tied to this fight.

>edit: and Daniel, if you're still ignoring this/me that's fine. I'll post to and around you to the others, and lurkers...Your loss.

You declared yourself quite clearly when you returned here- fresh from being banned at CHARM, jokingly saying that you aimed to raise some hell.

I'll still be involved on CARM after my ban, but something is calling me back here (uh oh) to raise some hell...

Well....you have, haven't you?

Happy now?

I fail to see what this has to do with non-violence, which you claim to have been enamored with after first arriving here years ago.

Jen makes a very salient point. Your world does sound very lonely. You seem to excel in pushing people away- all in the name of Christ. Living by the sword are you? Not enough drama in our day-to-day life? Or perhaps there is too much drama? And this is your way of working it out? At your reader's expense?

All I know is that every time I interact with you I am left with a bad taste in my mouth.

Yep. Back on ignore you go. I have better things to do that be drawn into arguments with you.

[Matt Algren]

Originally Posted by awediot

"Here" can mean different things...There are certainly different levels and types of discussions going on. Some do have general answers based on wildly accepted principles. Others are black and white, all or nothing, quite relevant and personal dilemmas.

By "here" I meant in the specific discussion of Soulforce's stance. I apologize for being unclear.

Originally Posted by Daniel

You declared yourself quite clearly when you returned here- fresh from being banned at CHARM, jokingly saying that you aimed to raise some hell.

Ah. I missed that. No idea what CHARM is, but this bit of information clears up a LOT.

[awediot]

Originally Posted by Daniel

You declared yourself quite clearly when you returned here- fresh from being banned at CHARM, jokingly saying that you aimed to raise some hell.



Well....you have, haven't you?

Happy now?

I fail to see what this has to do with non-violence, which you claim to have been enamored with after first arriving here years ago.

Jen makes a very salient point. Your world does sound very lonely. You seem to excel in pushing people away- all in the name Christ. Living by the sword are you? Not enough drama in our day-to-day life? Or perhaps there is too much drama? And this is your way of working it out? At your reader's expense?

All I know is that every time I interact with you I am left with a bad taste in my mouth.

Yep. Back on ignore you go. I have better things to do that be drawn into arguments with you.

With those pointed, simple questions about SF, all you can answer with is presumptuous personal attacks?

[awediot]

Originally Posted by bnmoore

A belief in separation. Or nowhere actually. Koi paraga?

Ben N. Moore

So just ignore that there is separation and it all goes away eh?

[awediot]

Originally Posted by Matt Algren

By "here" I meant in the specific discussion of Soulforce's stance. I apologize for being unclear.

What is SF's stance? Do "You" want civil liberty, or demand total equivocation into society?

Ah. I missed that. No idea what CHARM is, but this bit of information clears up a LOT.

Seems by it's own observation, this forum in transition needs something.

[awediot]

Originally Posted by Jennifer5

I'm very very sorry, your world sounds very lonely. The love is genuine if it wasn't, it wouldn't be what we all lived for. There are no bad intentions on the part of any of the Soulforce members that I have gotten to know, we all sincerely care about our friends and loved ones.

My world is not so lonely when I don't limit my love and caring to my loved ones... I don't know anyone with bad intentions.

I agree with tdogg, if you feel this way.. what the hell are you doing here? I know that you're not just here to stir the pot, because you know how and you're not doing it. Even when you do, it's fine because you do it in a good way that gets us all talking. You're here for you though, it was selfish to come back... because I know you didn't do it for any of us, especially since you don't seem to think that we're doing anything worthwhile.

No need to exaggerate... I'm curious what SF is doing in my gay name, and if I want to support it or not.

I sincerely wish that I could give you a hug right now because you sound like someone that has forgotten what that feels like. I love you as the friend that you are D. One these forums, I'm probably not the only one either, but to you it's not enough?

Hugs are great, but this isn't preschool. It is a struggle to redefine "family" on the planet, to invoke a paradigm shift. Don't underestimate what is going on here or the profound impact you are trying to make...and don't assume the methods being used are all good just because you get a lot of hugs...

[Matt Algren]

Suddenly I understand Mr. Miyagi a lot better.

[awediot]

Originally Posted by Matt Algren

Suddenly I understand Mr. Miyagi a lot better.

Fascinating.

[keltic63]

Originally Posted by awediot

With those pointed, simple questions about SF, all you can answer with is presumptuous personal attacks?

* * * * * * * * * *

[awediot]

Originally Posted by keltic63

* * * * * * * * * *

[Jennifer5]

Originally Posted by awediot

I would at least acknowledge the incompatibilities between Gandhi's and MLK's core beliefs... The image of the two is blatantly ironic in some ways, the civil fight aside. SF cannot set the civil fight aside or those differences rise up quickly... This seems a really uncomfortable thing to bring up. -I would invite it.

I know the some of the basics of what MLK has done and I see a lot of similarities between what he did and what we're trying to do. I think looking back on things he did, we could learn a lot more in fact. I'm not familiar very with Gandhi. This is an uncomfortable topic for some perhaps, but why don't we have it anyway? I think it would be incredibly interesting.

Originally Posted by Daniel

Jen makes a very salient point. Your world does sound very lonely. You seem to excel in pushing people away- all in the name of Christ. Living by the sword are you? Not enough drama in our day-to-day life? Or perhaps there is too much drama? And this is your way of working it out? At your reader's expense?

I really enjoy his presence though. I don't think he's raising hell, I think he's stirring the pot a little. Something that we need. For me, the arguments we've had here were the best, you learn a lot from them.

Originally Posted by awediot

My world is not so lonely when I don't limit my love and caring to my loved ones... I don't know anyone with bad intentions.

No one should limit their love to just their loved ones, but that can be very hard to do. I admire that in you.

No need to exaggerate... I'm curious what SF is doing in my gay name, and if I want to support it or not.

Fair enough. The way I see it, SoulForce does more soul healing then anything else. I would hope we would help change things legally too, we'll see. What do you think SF is doing?

Hugs are great, but this isn't preschool. It is a struggle to redefine "family" on the planet, to invoke a paradigm shift. Don't underestimate what is going on here or the profound impact you are trying to make...and don't assume the methods being used are all good just because you get a lot of hugs...

Hugs don't become out dated in preschool. Hugs for those who feel lost and scared has a lot to do with redefining family. Why? Because love is what makes a family. We want to represent family, we need to represent love.

The methods here may not be perfect, but from what I see they work. Is any other group of this size accomplishing as much as we do? I wouldn't say that our way is the only right way just because of the hugs. I would say that any approach used that leaves you feeling alone in a fight like this doesn't make any sense. Is there a middle?

[bnmoore]

Originally Posted by awediot

I would at least acknowledge the incompatibilities between Gandhi's and MLK's core beliefs... The image of the two is blatantly ironic in some ways, the civil fight aside. SF cannot set the civil fight aside or those differences rise up quickly... This seems a really uncomfortable thing to bring up. -I would invite it.

Since they're both dead you can't really ask them what their core beliefs are. All we have is what they left behind. Dr. King was a Baptist Minister. In a prior post I was referring to Marcus Garvey not being a Christian not Dr. King.

We have Dr. King's own words from his speeches and letters. He seemed to have deep respect for Gandhi's faith.

I don't know if you'll find it helpful or not. Here's a link to some Ebeneezer Baptist History:

http://www.historicebenezer.org/History.html

Here's some of my favorite Gandhi quotes:

http://www.godweb.org/Gandhi.htm

Personally I don't find them to be philosophical opposites.

If you are completely married to the idea of your faith being the only true one that's okay. Some of us are not. You are absolutely free to believe as you wish.

I could quote verses from the Bhagavad Gita, the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Qu'ran, the Christian Bible, or the Dhammapada in my posts but some people might find that annoying.

My personal feeling is that a multi-faith forum is not the place to proselytize. Of course in my faith there's nothing to be converted from/to. You may have a different opinion.

Ben N. Moore

[bnmoore]

Originally Posted by awediot

So just ignore that there is separation and it all goes away eh?

There's none that you don't put there through you own belief. In what are you placing your faith (belief)?

Ben N. Moore

[drobs]

Originally Posted by Jennifer5

Maybe it's not default, but I'm pretty sure I have what you're describing. I love it.

Here's what I mean.


I'm a member of a couple forums mostly technical - hobby related. Some I join just to protect my screen name and I then forget I ever joined them. With the above as a default there is less of a chance for some one new to forget they joined this site.

Funny thing, before coming over here, I updated my Facebook page. Forgot I even had one till I got an email from Facebook.