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When Founding a new Vine group, Chaplain's Corner I struggled with how best to implement my desire for the group to be totally inclusive. Here is the problem with which I struggled, and continue to struggle.
The goals of Chaplain's Corner are these.
Contribute and encourage others to post articles and comments which address universal human needs. The kinds of needs which people have that motivate them to seek out pastoral and chaplaincy services. The ups, downs, and daily drudgery of life events and experiences. I wanted them to have a reference set of articles which deal with such topics as births, deaths, loves, loss of love, education, graduation, life rite of passage events, special events, marriages, divorces, wellness, illness, mourning and death. A place where Viners can go and both teach and learn from one another.
A group where people can network to build up a matrix of support where they can go to help, and seek help for such things as they need, in the way which works best for them.
To acheive this, I want the group to be inclusive of all Viners. A place where there is an atmosphere of mutual respect, warmth, caring and sharing. A non-doctrinal site. A place where every one wins, because no one can lose. A group where we can all be our Viners keeper.
I therefore chose to make it open to the public. This will allow anyone who wishes to apply. Who can say who will be helpful to someone else in the way that the person seeking help actually wants? Who can predict who will need a helping hand?
On the other hand there is a limitation to the goal of inclusiveness. Who can predict with high accuracy who will try to come and derail the goals and reason for the group? Who can know in advance who will endeavor to misuse the group for an agenda that is other than its stated purposes?
In general most Viners who want to have a safe and trustworthy place to share ideas, help and obtain assistance have done themselves and the Vine proud in articles I have written and co-authored.
Where I am at this point in time is that I want everyone, all Viners, whatever they hold dear, be it a religion, philosophy, or some other approach to life to feel like they can apply to, teach and learn in, comfort and find solace at such a room. I shall err on the side of accepting all who are known to be mature, intelligent, compassionate adults.
I shall also reserve the right to delete errant posts, articles, and remove from the group those who are looking to negate its values, or use it for nefarious activities.
In a perfect world. we would not need to concern ourselves with such matters. Regrettably, this is not yet a perfect world.
It is my responsibility, as group founder and moderator to insure that this group can trust that the fellowship will not be hijacked by the worse side of human nature. For those that are sincere, let us work together to bring out the better side of all of us. To be there for one another. This is what makes the potential of the Vine so great. That we can rise above petty and immature acts. That we can ascend to working together in peace and harmony so all come out ahead, each in the way they choose to live their life.
Peace and Blessings to one and all. Enoch.
