So…
I feel a little hijacked
Have you ever heard of Beliefnet.com?
That is where I started blogging years ago before I found the awesomeness of WordPress.com
I do not like smearing blame with anyone (need to watch my karma) but I do have an axe to grind with Beliefnet and their blogging policies. About a year ago I was cut off on their site without any reason. They left my content up but killed my images and ability to use email and other functions including tags, etc. Basically, there is no reason to visit or post there now. Curious, I searched their rules and policies to see if I broke some cardinal rule and the only thing I could be found guilty of was spamming – well, if you consider the link to my Responsive Universe website which is included in my signature as spam – kind of weak if you ask me.
I entered a blog contest two years ago on Beliefnet and was part of a high-profile group of bloggers who clearly were seen by Beliefnet officials – being that we were being judged for our content and writing ability. No problems with the signature and links then.
I even sent an email inquiring about my censorship to the internal powers to be – no response even months later.
So, I did a little research about the ownership of Beliefnet. On Wikipedia it states clearly that Beliefnet is a place for all faiths to mingle, blog, comment and even debate. Yet, when I dug deeper into the ownership of this site it became clear that owners BN Media has Christian roots with other side projects like Affinity 4, Gospel Media and Cross Bridge. huh…
Yes, my blogs can be critical of the Christian religion. I criticize other faiths for their weighted dogma as well. I have a whole chapter in my book, the Responsive Universe, that deals with deconstructing organized religion. Still, I have never been so bold or rude to outright insult any faith or any people of a specific faith – well except maybe Rick Santorum; Well… maybe I was as a little critical of the Pope and Chick-fil-A. Oh yeah, and the teachings of Jesus being wiped clean by Constantine and the Church. The point is, without killing people to get the public attention, the only way to create a balance in this world and protect minorities, people of different faith and alternative lifestyles, is to speak up. Those that do not speak up will get trampled and taken advantage of. You need to speak up and establish your own belief systems that define your True Nature. You have to be your own advocate; you need to lead and not follow. If it was not for people like Galileo we still might be in the dark ages believing the Earth is the center of the Universe!
So, based on Beliefnets inability to address my concerns about censorship, I have to ask…
Is the Responsive Universe Blog on Beliefnet being censored because of Religious favoritism? Come on Beliefnet… You call yourself an unbiased space where the faiths of the world can connect – you let reborn christians spew their dogma daily and then when a little criticism comes your way you censor it?
I just think it is disappointing … that’s all..
Thoughts.com might be in the same boat too – they also censor me now… Talk about a lack of evolution…
John C. Bader
www.responsiveuniverse.com – apparently this is spam
Thank you for liking my recent blog postm allowing me to enjoy your blog as well 🙂
Absolutely – looking forward to more! JCB
I left a comment but I guess you’ll have to dig it out of your spam folder if you want to read it.
I might guess that maybe they consider any promotion of a commercial product, a violation. However, in real life I’m thinking they might want to promote themselves as open-minded when, they cannot bring themselves to a complete open acceptance venue. I wonder if, their boundaries are such that, they will allow all Christian views but, not others, and that is what constitutes their interpretation of open-minded.
John, Let it go and move on. We write for the audience that’s ready for our message, not the ones who aren’t. Everyone is exactly where they need to be on their path for the unfolding of their own purpose and we each find those who share what we’re ready to open to in the moment we’re ready to hear it.
Thanks Jacqueline – I appreciate the comment
Good post. I learn something new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon on a daily basis.
It will always be exciting to read content from other
writers and practice a little something from their
sites.