Forum Posting Policy (original)
There will be no abusive or insulting language towards other people, denominations, or sects.
My job is to insure that the threads do not become hostile or the posts become personal attacks. Remember brother/sister this is a library, a place for research, the gaining of understanding, increasing of wisdom, and yes, maybe an epiphany. And as with any library that merges many cultures there must be understanding and respect. I reiterate that I will not allow attacks in the forums against other posters or denominations/sects. It is not our job to point fingers because we think the other person is wrong.
Vulgar and obscene language or nick names will not tolerated at any time. Granted some words are on the borderline in which case I will check context and the reaction of other posters. The poster of vulgar/obscene language will be corrected. Members with vulgar/obscene nick names will be asked to change.
A poster will be warned for posts that are, hostile or degrading towards people/denominations/sects, inappropriate for these forums, or uses language that is inappropriate. The posts will be deleted or edited, and the poster will be asked to apologize. Refusal to apologize will result in banning. Continued bad language/nick names, insulting of other members and their religions, or hostility will result in banning of the poster. Banning denies you the ability to access the book-side as well as the forums.
Understanding and patience need to be used at all times.
Let me point out that some of our Sisters and Brothers, while they may be communicating in English, they may have a difficult time understanding what we, who grew up speaking english, are saying. And, of course, what they might be writing might not be what they intended to communicate. I ask that the utmost understanding and respect be extended to those that are having some difficulty with communicating in english. If you are confused about what is being said, please ask for clarification. Practice the spirit of patience.
If you are having a hard time writing your posts, please ask for help. There are many people here that will be happy to help you. All we ask is that you be willing to learn.
I want to reassure all teens that they are indeed welcome to browse the books and post on the forums.
In most cases their nicks will not indicate their age. I expect all here here to behave in a manner that will encourage all users to feel welcome here, and, indeed, feel safe. This is God's work let us be sure that all who visit feel that spirit. Remember that nick that you are exchanging posts with might be a new Christian, a seeker looking for God, or a teen looking for honest conversation about Christ.
No forcing your version of Christianity on other people.
Brothers and Sisters we all have our denominations and most of us are enthusiastic about those denominational beliefs. There is a fine line between enthusiasm and being "pushy". No I don't even want to try to control dogma oriented comments. After all we are here to learn, however, the limit is reached when you start pushing your dogma on to another person. Expound, Explain, Explore but no pushy.
Posts will stay on the thread subject.
If your post does not pertain to the ORIGINAL thread post then it will be deleted. If you are not sure what the subject is then read the original post at the top of the thread. Also any posts that show signs of starting the US vs. THEM mud slinging festival up again will also be deleted. Any thread subject that is sure to start an un-civil war such as "orthodox and un-orthodox: who is right" will be deleted and the poster subjected to a nasty email from me.
Use the contact links only to send personal messages or for agreed upon communications.
The contact links are not to be used as missionary resources to spread your version of Christianity. I will not tolerate misuse of this site or the harassment of posters for any reason. If I need to I will turn off the contact pages.
Posters will not advertise
This is not a forum to advertise your product, services, or Web site selling products or services. If you want to advertise on CCEL then contact the CCEL staff, talk to them about advertising and fee structures. Your account will be blocked if you do advertise.
If anyone has problems with another poster please feel free to email me and I will work to resolve the problem. If you have a problem with me and we can't resolve it, please email Harry Plantinga, the site operator.
Let me be blunt. These forums are secondary to the CCEL Book site and if they prove to cause too many problems or adversely affect the efficient running of the CCEL Web site then Mr. Plantinga (Web site manager) will shut them down. So I will exercise my rights as moderator and delete all hostile posts no matter who wrote them. If you hurt others with your posts then you will be asked to apologize. If you will not stop posting hostile messages then you will be asked to leave.
Above all my brothers and sisters please use wisdom and understanding.
The brother with the delete button has the last word.
robert.loutzenhiser@gmail.com
The Letter and the Spirit - Conflict and Tolerance in the Forums
Sometimes, I am asked to evaluate my own performance as a moderator. This involves rereading posts and following threads to see if I have been fair or unfair. This is sometimes a subjective call. Some have said the environment was very fair and well-moderated. Others have said that the environment was hostile and slanted towards a particular denomination.
Long story short: There is no way that I can provide the forums with a list of rules that ensure perfect performance or crystal-clear boundaries between argument and attack, or passion and rage. But it would be foolish, for a number of reasons, to provide no guidelines beyond "The boundaries are what I say they are."
Short story longer: Revised guidelines are in place. But they cannot force good behavior, politeness, common courtesy. Excuse a doctrinal discussion, but the thrust of the New Testament is that the Law cannot make us righteous. Even if I laid down a detailed list of regulations, and somehow managed to perfectly enforce them, people would still be rude, obnoxious, fanatically dogmatic, smugly superior, and intolerably intolerant. It takes more than a list of regulations to produce good fruit--it takes a desire not only to follow the law, but to follow the intention of the law. Rules designed to prevent attacks cannot remove a poster's desire or need to attack.
If the rule says "There will be no abusive language towards other people, sects, denominations, or religions," this does not mean you can't say you disagree with Muslims or Buddhists or atheists. It does not mean you can't use words like "wrong," "misguided," "incorrect;" it DOES mean you should not typically use words like "foolish," "stupid," "demonic," or "heretical." Are there instances where talking about demonic influences in the world is appropriate? Probably. Talking about foolishness and folly? Heresy? Probably, there are times when those words can be used.
But when you use language that COULD be deemed abusive, you have placed your post and your CCEL account in the scales of judgment--and the moderators are the judge. That's what moderators do. We have to evaluate the questionable cases of abuse, as well as the clear cases of abuse. In addition to enforcing the rules as written, moderators have the (sometimes truly unenjoyable) task of enforcing the intention of a rule.
As the only moderator at the moment, I am aware that I will not be able to please everyone. Generally, I will try to be fair and neutral, though I have a passion for this place. And if you are concerned, there are checks and balances in place to make sure that my role as a moderator does not turn the forums into my personal playground.
Finally, let's keep things in perspective. These forums are a minute part of CCEL's larger operation. While I and others find these forums to be extremely valuable for a number of reasons, posts are still only thoughts stored in a digital world that can be deleted or destroyed for many reasons. There is no epic power struggle in the forums. There is no conspiracy. There are only posters, which we can forget--real people, making efforts and sometimes making mistakes. It's part of being human. So afford your fellow humans basic courtesy. That's the Spirit of the Law.
Galatians 5.14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Justin Staller - Moderator
justinstaller@yahoo.com
Search the scriptures--for in them ye think ye have eternal life:
They are they which testify of me--and ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
(John 5.39-40)