Make the Rules

[Bravus]

OK, in the Personal Attacks thread and in other places there have been numerous calls for this site to outline and adopt a clear and simple set of rules.

Having tried in the past to write a simple set of rules, I know how difficult the task is. But 'as iron sharpens iron...'

This thread is for people to post their proposed sets of rules. It is not for critiquing others' proposed rules, or for arguments. I just want to see what all those who have called for sets of rules have in mind: so stand up and show us.

[Amelia]

This ought to be good.

[there buster]

Quote:

This thread is for people to post their proposed sets of rules. It is not for critiquing others' proposed rules, or for arguments.

Quote:

This ought to be good.

I'm confused. Was that a proposed rule, or an advance critique of proposed rules, some sort of moderation, or just what?

[Bravus]

fair point, Ames - wanna self-mod?

Edit: though this is part of the problem - arguments about the rules instead of playing the game.

I'm not a mod, so I hope people will accept the suggested rules I've laid down for this rules thread.

[cricket]

All right, since no one else is taking the bait, here's a start:

• Defamation is not allowed. Libel is illegal and is therefore not allowed.

• Display reverence for the name of God by refusing to use it in any insulting or mocking way. Expletive or abusive use of the name of God, Jesus Christ, Father, Son or Holy Spirit is unacceptable.

• Harassment of another member is not allowed.

• Issues with administration/moderators should be taken to the staff member, not posted publically nor PM’d to others.

• No flaming, name-calling or trolling allowed.

• Promotion of the religion or rituals of non-Adventist religions is strictly prohibited. Promotion is defined as the active attempt to sway others to those beliefs and/or practices. Questioning one’s faith is acceptable, however.

• Racist and sexist comments are not tolerable. Off-color jokes, likewise, are not acceptable.

• Reasonable confidentiality is expected.

• Spamming in threads, signatures or profiles is not allowed.

• The swear filter is in place for a reason. It is not, however, all encompassing. Some words that are deemed offensive in certain contexts are allowed when the context is not offensive. Choose your words wisely and filter them accordingly.

• Violation of copyright laws is illegal. Be aware of the laws and don’t break them.

[Liz]

How about:

1. While disagreeing with someone do it respectfully. No name calling, veiled jabs, inuendo's.

2. If you don't know what a poster means--ask, don't jump to conclusions.

3. Stay on topic, if a topic starts chasing a rabbit, start a new thread. No hijacking allowed.

4. Above all be nice. Remember this is a Christian forum, not everyone that comes here are Christian, so those of us that are needs to lead by example. Remember we are supposed to be a light unto the world.

5. Tone is hard to determine in this medium. Try and read all posts in the best possible light.

6. Don't wear your feelings on your sleeve.

7. Don't take things to seriously. Learn to laugh at yourself.

8. Don't purposefully start fights.

These are all I can think of at the moment. Anyone else?

[Liz]

I guess I was trying to post when Cricket did hers. I like her list better.

[cricket]

I think these are great, Liz. Hopefully, the OP will take the reins and start compiling the rules as they come in--something we can all take a look at and review and revise as we go.

So come on folks, there's got to be more ideas out there. Bring 'em in!

[Stan]

Here are ones given to me by a claris

Rule #1 Post an introduction! It's ok if you plan to lurk much of the time, but please post at least once. Mostly, we need to know that you're a real person, and not just a spammer, taking up space, and possibly adding questionable content to the site!

Rule #2 Christian witnessing will adhere to 1Peter 3:8-16, but especially 15- "But sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts; and be ready to give an answer in meekness and reverence to everyone who seeks from you a word concerning the hope of your faith. . ."

Rule #3 Don't respond to a troller's bait or a flame war. Don’t rise to De Bait!

Rule #4 Be courteous and follow the Golden Rule.

Rule #5 Respect others' privacy. Don’t repost what was read in a private folder or email without permission.

Rule #6 The public forum must be family friendly! (Watch your language, boys and girls! )

Rule #7 Follow basic "housekeeping" rules, such as; watch your use of all caps (please don't shout at us!), and please do not edit your posts to change their content. It's possible that while you edit, someone else is responding, and that makes a mess.. Just make a new post with a simple explanation.

Rule #8 In reference to Matthew 18: Remember that not every person on this board is an Adventist, nor necessarily a Christian. Matthew 18 does not apply to everyone in this venue.

_________________________

[Neil D]

Rule#1- have fun.

Rule#2: You may, propose an idea(s), explain your idea(s), clarify a statement, make a play on words, tease someone,introduce a different concept, make friends, bond, pass information, respectfully disagree, introduce a contrary thought/idea/principle/concept to the thread, be vulnerable

Rule#3- This board is concidered to be a safe place to express the above rules. Anything that takes away from building a relationship/friendship will be considered harmful and subject to displinary action.

[bonnie]

Rule 9. Remember "A Merry Heart Doeth good Like a Medicine"

but when inappropriately used or used to diminish the honest concerns of others can achieve the opposite effect.

Everything in due season

[Dr. Shane]

1. No swearing or vulgarity allowed.

2. Sexual issues to be discussed in the private forum for sex (access available from staff)

3. Political issues to be discussed in World Affairs or Politics forum.

4. In disagreeing with other members, focus on the topic not other members. No name calling.

5. Those violating the rules will be subject to a timeout. Timeouts maybe 7 to 30 days. A warning may or may not be given depending on the offense.

6. Have fun - avoid posting when angry.

[cricket]

In addition to a list of rules there needs to be the list of disciplinary action as well. Shane* listed a possibility in his rule number 5.

Perhaps we need to set out the ground rules first before making the steps toward discipline.

*Shane, this is not criticism of you--just thinking aloud on my part. Hope you take it as such.

[Dr. Shane]

We have rules now and we have disciplinary procedures. It is just that nothing is in writing. What I seem to see here is a call to put something in writing. I don't like censorship and hope we don't have to do much of that.

[Stan]

Are of these out side the registration rule of "USE COMMON SENSE"

[Neil D]

Good night, Folks....compiling all these rules are going to gag the posting reflex.....

IOWs, ya'll got too many rules...

[Woody]

Who's COMMON SENSE are we talking about?

Perhaps we could nominate a few names ? .....

[Liz]

This thread is for people to post their proposed sets of rules. It is not for critiquing others' proposed rules, or for arguments. I just want to see what all those who have called for sets of rules have in mind: so stand up and show us.

I believe everyone was to write down what rules were important to them. Eventually a recurring theme will emerge, and thus the "official" rules will be born.

[Woody]

Quote:

Good night, Folks

Neil ... What part of the world are you from that it would be night in right now?

I think it would be a good rule to only be able to propose rules during the day time.

[Neil D]

I believe everyone was to write down what rules were important to them. Eventually a recurring theme will emerge, and thus the "official" rules will be born.

In an ADVENTIST forum????

Surely, you jest!

[bonnie]

We have censorship every time we walk out the door. Even in our homes if we do not censor what we say and how we treat another it will have ramifications.

When we go to the store, we are censored. We have complete freedom to buy what we want and what we can afford. We are not free to throw things, say anything we want to another,to push others out of our way or to walk up to another customer and mock them.

We are censored when we go out to eat. Same rules apply.

When you drive down the road, you can go where you choose and as often as you choose, but there are behaviours that are censored.

You can drink alcohol if you choose, but you are censored where it can impact another.

Any business you can start you are free to do so, but how you carry it out is censored. It seems censorship is only to be feared it situations like this. Concern for harmful impact on another in situations like this are viewed as somehow restrictive and stifling, yet in everyday life most would not want to get rid of common sense censoredship.

Uncensored behaviour in places like the above would soon put them out of business. Yet here it seems to make it more interesting and grow

[Woody]

Quote:

Surely, you jest!

No Neil ... Rule #777 is ...

NO JESTING

It's JEST common sense.

And I sure hope this doesn't get censored.

[Stan]

Keep in mind, once you have a set of rules, it must be exhaustive enough to explain what common sense is to everyone who will say "Where EXACTLY is that in the rules"

AND we need a team of 5 people to review and enforce, if the thoughts are that this Admin is going to read every post and argue with every violator, or imagined violator then it is best to go back to square one.

AND if the thoughts are, that those who violate should be banned, so they can come under another name in 5 minutes, it is time to go back to square one as well.

AND

AND

AND....

[bonnie]

And we have it yet once again

[Stan]

AND, it seem... those with the weakest position get snarky the fastest...

AND... they respond with a zillion word post, trying to defend their statement, AND few read more that 100 words in anyones long babble..