By Praghosa dasa
As editor of Dandavats I have decided to create a new category on the sidebar called “Ongoing Debates”
The purpose of this category will be to take issues off the front page that have been running for a long time which are not concluded nor likely to be concluded soon.
An additional function of this category will be to allow those who want to debate such issues a facility to do so but not that all visitors to Dandavats have to see these debates on the front page every time they log on.
The main aim of Dandavats is to be a resource for krsna katha so that all readers can receive some spiritual benefit every time they visit the site. As we know the mind is difficult to control and needs no assistance to be attracted to those subject matters that do not benefit us spiritually. Dandavats wants to humbly try to help all those who are desirous to achieve ‘krsne matir astu’
Therefore this section will still continue be moderated and we will continue to screen out unsuitable, inappropriate or offensive material as best I can. While free speech has been a central theme of healthy societies, going all the way back to vedic culture wherein the King would regularly open his court and allow anyone to approach him, it has to be done within certain boundaries.
I hope that this will go some way to satisfy both those who want such debates completely removed from Dandavats, as well as those who are firmly of the view that there should be an open forum for discussing such issues.
Hare Krsna.
Your servant,
Praghosa dasa
A wise decision for a difficult problem.
Thank you Praghosa Prabhu for your selfless service to the society.
Dasanudas, Madhavananda Das
Good idea for a great site. Thank you very much for your hard work. Your site helps me feel connected.
Your servant,
Jagai-Nitai dasa
I agree that this is a good solution . Well done.
Pamho agtSP
I also agree with this decision. But I would also suggest to make it compulsory that everyone commentating the articles must attach his picture to the comment (as is the case in some articles).
I have no doubt that this simple technical solution would greatly improve the level of vaisnava etiquette in the commentary section.
Your servant Urukrama das
Dear Praghosa prabhu
PAMHO,AGTSP!
As a self confessed victim of getting attracted to internet debates I appreciate your move to keep the front page as a positive source of the nectar of Krsna Katha and exstatic announcements.
This will keep an image of positive and progressive sanga for our movement and localise the unfortunate need to discuss issues that we wish we never had to.
So, by reserving the front page for nectar you will also keep a higher calibre of devotee to the site- those that hanker for the Krsna Katha instead of the warmongers! In this way I also am assured of high quality instruction and inspiration.
Thank you for your continued efforts in this regard.
ys
Hari dasa (NV)