Waheguruji Ka Khalsa, Waheguruji Ki Fateh!
Following are the guidelines set for the community Sikhism, on orkut. We urge all members to read them at length and follow them to the very best so that this community stands out as a model community for others. These guidelines have been set with a lot of careful thinking based on previous experiences we have had here. The guidelines are evaluated from time to time, suggestions maybe invited here,
http://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=2742&tid=2530149651960424053&kw=suggestions
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1) Intro
This community is all about Sikhism. Everybody is welcome here, people from all faiths, atheists/agnostics included to share their views on topics on or related to Sikhism. While members may do so, they need to keep in mind not to do so at the cost of challenging the basics of Sikhism (i.e. the Guru Granth Sahib, Our Maryada i.e. the Sikh Rehat Maryada, SGPC - 1945, our Khande di paul ceremony, our Nitnem banis, our 5 Kakkars). People here come to learn about Sikhism. In order to avoid putting wrong notions in the minds of all the people, challenging the basics of Sikhism as mentioned above is not acceptable. Discussions are welcome; people may put forward their point of view as long as it isn't done in a challenging attitude. For example statements such as, the Guru didn't gift the 5 kakars, there is no need of Nitnem, the word "Guru" can be used for other granths/ individuals. Such unwelcome comments (which have the aim of putting others down) on Sikhism can't be tolerated. Everybody is welcome here to discuss, clear their doubts, and learn more about Sikhism but without such a challenging attitude. In order to facilitate the same, a link to the Sikh Code is maintained here since it answers all basic queries regarding Sikhism. Any learner can go through that link and learn about the Sikh way of living. The link is from an authentic site and Panth accepted Sikh Code (SRM) given in the SGPC website, http://www.sgpc.net/
The Guru Granth Sahib maybe searched here, http://www.srigranth.org/servlet/gurbani.gurbani
Download MS word files of Sri Guru Granth Darpan, http://www.gurugranthdarpan.com/pocket_word.html
Download PDF files of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, http://www.gurbanifiles.org/pocket_pc/index.htm
The SRM is located here, http://www.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_one.html
2) Multiple Registrations
We do not currently allow users to have multiple login names in our community. One user - one account. Any user found creating multiple logins will be contacted and any secondary accounts made after the primary one will be terminated. If it is determined multiple accounts were being created for deceptive purposes, a warning and/or ban could be instituted depending on the circumstances. However, the moderators may create separate accounts for the purpose of administering the community as long as they use just one id for that purpose.
3) Communal Violence
This community has been witness to a lot of communal hatred in the past. Unfortunately, the intentions of many members here were highly misaligned with the objective of this community. Any members now, if they create unnecessary threads or try enforce their doctrines such as Sikh=Hindu will be banned without much warning. Also, it has been noticed that many such members visit the community to create hatred between the Sikhs and the Muslims in particular. Let this be made clear that the Sikhs here are NOT going to be instigated against any religion. Also, the Sikhs are not interested in comparing which religion is closer to theirs compared to another. Members attempting to do the same shall be banned.
4) No Flaming
Aggressive, personal attacks on an individual just because of a disagreement with their point of view will not be tolerated. Flaming is a cheap shot, the easy way out, and an immature & unintelligent way of "getting back" at another member by simply being mean-spirited. The greatest chances of conflicts happening here are between the Sikhs and certain communal people around, the keshdharis and non-keshdharis or parties of people with opposing views. On a specific note w.r.t the Keshdharis and non-keshdharis, while a keshdhari feels he is more of a Sikh by keeping his hair, this does not give him an opportunity to consider himself superior to the non-keshdharis and insult him. Also, in reference to the Point #1, any non-keshdhari may not impose his justifications for the same.
5) No Trolling
No posts obviously designed to attract flames or otherwise incite other posters to react negatively and aggressively will be tolerated. We are all in this community based on one common trait – learn more about Sikhism, and we do not need to try and bait or trap each other. Doing so is a waste of time, space, and bandwidth. This is also why duplicate logins are prohibited. It helps prevent a Troll from returning.
6) No Profanity
No profanity of any sort will be allowed in this Community. Not everyone wants to read foul or off-color language, and those who do not should not have to be subjected to it. Also, please do not post links to pornography or other adults-only content. Anyone posting links to pornography will be banned.
7) No Partisan Public Discussion
Promotion of hatred, racism, (etc...) is of course, strictly forbidden. This community promotes the sharing of Sikhi Knowledge and Spiritual experience, and seeks to provide assistance in gentle ways to those who need it; partisan political or bollywood/hollywood discussion do not belong on this forum, please take these discussions to the many other venues on the WWW available for the same.
8) Solicitation of Personal Information
Solicitation of personal information, such as address, phone number or email address etc. is a ban-able offence. Please leave that information to your profile alone.
9) No Links to Illegal Software or Activities
Please do not post links to illegally copied software. Sikhism Community does not advocate or condone the illegal copying of software and will not tolerate such links in this community. Any discussions about illegal activities are removed from the boards. The first time you do it, we'll give you a warning. If you decide to do it a second time, don't be surprised if we ban you.
10) No Moderator Harassing
You may not bait, insult, flame, harass or otherwise abuse Moderators. Discussing Bans or any Moderator actions publicly on the community is not permitted! Please ask questions via the scraps to individual Moderators (Remember, if you don’t feel like scrapping moderator as scraps are visible to other members too, you can always ask for their email address). If you have a problem with a Mod action or a Moderator, discuss it with the Moderator directly. If you cannot resolve your dispute, then please scrap Owner’s profile
11) Duplicate threads/polls
Members are requested to "Search" for previous threads/polls before attempting to create a new one. A list of threads about the more commonly created topics will be maintained. In order that a new member to the community does not feel left out, he/she shall be allowed to create a new thread in order to gain initial response. After a certain amount of time however, he/she can move to the archived thread and the new thread shall be deleted w/o prior warning. In case members still create new threads the same shall be deleted. The same may apply to polls. Such polls maybe kept without timelines then.
12) Timeline for polls
Only polls related to the community objectives are supported. Members may look for previously created polls before creating a new one. Also, members are enouraged to create polls with timelines set unless when necessary as stated above. Let us use and not misuse features being provided. This may lead to deletion of polls if need be.
13) Limited fun related posts
Everybody wants some light hearted discussion/topic at times. While this may not totally align with the objectives of the community, some light hearted discussions are always welcome. Care maybe taken though that none of these drift from the other guidelines of the community and that these discussions dont become the more commonly happening ones.
13) Advertisements
Advertisement threads related to Sikhism alone may be allowed. A separate thread will be created for such advertisements and members may post there alone. Repeated spamming is not accepted and such posts will be deleted and members banned as need be.
15) Internet ethics
Various rules pertaining to internet ethics are appreciated here as everywhere. Members can help by simply following them and concentrating on more important topics.
16) Encouragement on Naam Simran and Gurbani Vichar threads
The main objective of this community over the past and till date has been Gurbani vichar and Naam Simran. Many dedicated threads exist for the same. Members are highly encouraged to participate in these threads. That should be the identity of the community.
17) Games and quizzes
Threads shall be created on games/quizzes based on Sikhism in the community. Timings shall be fixed for maybe a couple of hours in the weekend and announced in advance. This initiative is for the people and by the people. Hence we may have one member volunteering each week to host the show!
18) Help Thread
One particular "help" thread shall be created where any sort of immediate or important help needed, for example immediate blood donation or some educational/career advice help from the other Sikhs.
19) Live audio/Video
A dedicated thread is created where one can post links to any sort of live audio/video kirtan/telecast related to Sikhism. This thread may also contain links to various videos one may come across on sites such as youtube.
20) Articles
A dedicated thread shall be created where people may post reading links to any articles related to Sikhism or influential Sikhs.
21) News
Yet another thread maybe created where people may post news articles on Current Affairs of Sikhism.
22) Report Bogus
A dedicated thread shall be created where people may post links to offensive communities/profiles that may need to be reported bogus.
A brief list of the various DOs and DONTs.
DONTs
1) Impose your views on others
2) Register with multiple profiles
3) Spew communal violence
4) Be responsible for flaming discussions
5) Behave like a troll
6) Spread profanity
7) Make available personal information
DOs
1) Contribute extensively to Gurbani Vichar and Naam Simran threads.
2) Help organize weekly games/quizzes related to Sikhism.
3) Keep the community updated on current affairs related to Sikhism.
4) Share anything of or related to Sikhism.
An important question is when does a member qualify for being banned?
A member is banned if he is responsible for one or more of the folowing:
1) Repeated violation of the stated community rules.
2) Displays offensive behavior (e.g., posting offensive material, harassing other members)
3) Attempts at hacking or destroying the community
4) Repeated attempts to circumvent moderation or banning
Unruly members are given a warning prior to actually being banned, since that is a fairly serious step. The level of discipline should correspond to the seriousness of the offence. (And remember…it is always reversible.)
What are Moderator Duties?
- Post should only be deleted if it is violating any of community guidelines.
- Warnings should only be given when members break any of the community guidelines
- Consult other Moderators before banning or removing any member from the communit
- Make sure member was given three warnings prior to banning. (if you feel the member should be banned immediately, you must consult other mods before you do that)
- Make sure the thread is not going haywire.
What Are Moderator Responsibilities?
- Mods will not threaten any member with vulgar comments and /or use of mod powers.
- Mods cannot play favorites towards another community member
- Mods cannot harass a member
- Work with other mods, as a team. Don’t work individually.
Some Useful threads:-
1. Japuji Sahib< namespace="" prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xml="true">http://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=2742&tid=2487397667752085639
2. Sukhmani Sahibhttp://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=2742&tid=2493548623537754060
3. Hukumnamahttp://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=2742&tid=2476229191561194329
4. Singh, the Sikh identityhttp://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=2742&tid=2491317682266466935
5. Kirtan/Recordingshttp://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=2742&tid=2492850105104013723
http://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=2742&tid=2475809173817072027
6. Yahoo avtaar for he Sikhshttp://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=2742&tid=2488608427605742863
7. Turbanatorshttp://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=2742&tid=2470896517205973336
8. Vyakhya, japuji Sahibhttp://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=2742&tid=2460892462471761909
9. Proud to be a Sikh? Relate it herehttp://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=2742&tid=2466324932549901898
10. Dietary regulationshttp://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=2742&tid=2464340698452711768
11. A good collection of videos/linkshttp://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=2742&tid=2494536843998914165&na=4
12. Running/Weight Training
http://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=2742&tid=2463792952690788444
13. Post any advertisements (including those related to a new community) here in this thread ONLY.http://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=2742&tid=2485443842027735132&start=1
14. For comparative studies of religions, please post in this thread. The topic has beendealt with in some detail before:http://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=2742&tid=2475783200011536767Please reply here if you aren't satisfied with it, rather than starting a new thread.15. Here is a list of profiles banned from this communityhttp://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=2742&tid=2494530135259997813&na=416. Importance of keeping hair in Sikhismhttp://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=2742&tid=249370077490169850817. Importance of the 5 kakkars(or the 5 ks)http://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=2742&tid=245043573108308782018. Help thread.http://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=2742&tid=251027086612880771119. Thread containing list of articles on Sikhism.Coming Soon20. Current AffairsComing Soon21. List of communities/profiles which need to be bogussed.Coming Soon