1. WELCOME

Welcome to Bahá'í-Dialogue. This is the electronic discussion group of the
Association for Bahá'í Studies in Australia, PO Box 319, Rosebery NSW 2018
Australia.

Please see the end of these guidelines for full information on subscribing,
unsubscribing and using the list.

2. OBJECTIVES

1) To promote the study of the history, teachings and philosophy of the
Bahá'í Faith, and the application of Bahá'í principles to the concerns of
society.

2) To facilitate communication to and from the Board of the Association
for Bahá'í Studies (Australia) and between members of the Association and
others, including news, announcements, comments and suggestions.

3) To provide a forum for Interest Groups of the Association, including
discussion on any topic related to the Bahá'í Faith.

3. GUIDELINES

1) The list is open to all people with an interest in the Bahá'í Faith,
not only Bahá'ís.

2) There are no restrictions on the ideas and beliefs expressed. However
the method of expression is very important. Any criticism of another's
ideas should be accompanied by kindness and tolerance, tact and courtesy.
Participants should try to avoid hurting anyone's feelings.

3) Participants should follow the principles of Bahá'í consultation, with
the aim being to investigate the truth. "True consultation is spiritual
conference in the attitude and atmosphere of love" ('Abdu'l-Baha).

4) Participants should recognise that e-mail discussion groups can provide
immense benefits for communication, but it is a new and unfamiliar medium
of consultation. "A new level of self-discipline, therefore, is needed by
those who take part. Such discussions among Bahá'ís call for self-restraint
and purity of motive as well as cordiality, frankness and openness"
(Universal House of Justice 16 Feb, 1996).

5) Participants should be aware that channels and agencies are plentifully
provided within the Bahá'í Faith for the voicing of grievances and
disagreements and the resolution of problems (Universal House of Justice, 2
June, 1996).

6) The Board of the Association for Bahá'í Studies (Australia) reserves
the right to caution or remove those who act contrary to these guidelines.
However we are confident that all participants will display maturity and
self-discipline.

4. SUBSCRIBING, UNSUBSCRIBING & USING THE LIST

Subscribing

Send a message to bahai-dialogue-request@bcca.org (NOT the same address
as the mailing list, but a related address), with your name, e-mail address,
and country of residence.


Unsubscribing

Send a message to bahai-dialogue-request@bcca.org (NOT the same address
as the mailing list, but a related address), with the
text: unsubscribe <your e-mail address>. You should receive an
acknowledgment of your message.


Using the List

To send a message to the mailing list, simply address your e-mail to
bahai-dialogue@bcca.org and your message will be automatically forwarded
to all subscribers.

If you receive a message in thus manner and reply to it, your reply will
either go to the whole list, or only to the originator of the message, or
to the list administrator, depending upon your mail system. To ensure your
reply is sent to the whole list you may need to change the "To:" field of
your message to bahai-dialogue@bcca.org.