From: Subject: Re: Any DECENT forums for discussions on Bahai faith? Date: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 8:51 PM On Feb 23, 5:21 am, "refugeedevelo...@yahoo.co.in" wrote: > Im more or less an isolated believer -- Id be interested on any sites > where I can learn and also take part in discussions. The short answer is no...there are no 'DECENT forums for discussions on Bahai faith' There are Moderated (Beliefnet, Planet Baha'i) forums on which you cannot even discuss trends or foibles within the Baha'i connunity without being slandered as an 'anti Baha'i' 'enemy of the Faith'. There there are the shit pit war zones such as TRB in which the same thing occurs but without the pretense of civility. Over the years the following issues/subjects have (on various sites) been put on the table- Justice and Due Process, Community Stage Development, Social Justice, Environment and Sustainability, Mediation-Conflict Resolution and Restorative Justice..... There is and has been no interest in exploring these issues in a Baha'i context and the moment one points to a Baha'i community failing/lack or need relating to any of these subjects the response is automatic swift slander as 'violator of the covenant', 'enemy of Faith', 'hatred of all things Baha'i'. Online Baha'i 'Defenders of the Faith' (not self declared opponents) killed online discussion of Baha'i related issues...they did so with all the vigour of fundamentalist paranoia and the incessant deployment of lie, slander, deliberate misrepresentation, thinly veiled innuendo and the refusal to answer pertinant questions (especialy those relating to thier false allegations). This disgusting behaviour has been ongoing for over a decade and those Baha'is not participating in it turn a blind eye, offer tacit support or put forward lame half hearted spiritual plattitude excuses for it. Keep hunting (as many of us have) you will not find (even in the virtual Baha'i world that pays so much lip service to the sanctity of 'consultation') an online Baha'i forum that has not been marred by the behaviours described. Rod