Freedom of speech or moderation

A comment added to my previous post wondered why my blog is moderated, and if my "cult" requires it?

It is so sad when you meet someone without the courage to give their own name, and who seems unable to operate the 'cut and paste' as they could not spell the name Baha'i correctly. There is a world of difference between cults, and those great world-shaping, revealed religions. I hope sometime that 'anonymous' discovers the truth.

As for freedom of speech and moderation, well the Baha'i Faith teaches us "moderation in all things" but that is not the real reason for moderating posts to this blog. I have sadly been inundated with spam advertising, some indecent and I therefore took the decision, reluctantly to moderate the posts. You are all quite welcome to post comments - and I promise to read all of them. But can I make a plea that you add your name?

I realise that even being able to post my thoughts about, and quotations from, the Baha'i Faith is much more than my fellow believers in other countries can do, and that handling spam is a minor irritation compared to the imprisonment and torture being suffered by Baha'is elsewhere.

technological titans but moral minnows

We have developed the internet and with it the ability to cast our thoughts to the four corners of the world. We talk of free speech, and sites where we can post our comments, speech and video for public consumption are increasing daily.

And yet, how many of us stop to think of our responsibilities? With freedom comes the responsibility of our actions. Does it add to the welfare of all if we post derogatory comments? Do we increase the total of human happiness if we upload pictures of violence?

"Liberty causeth man to overstep the bounds of propriety, and to infringe on the dignity of his station. Say, True liberty consisteth in man's submission unto My commandments, little as ye know it." Baha'i Writings.