Policies

Below is my commenting policy.  I hold the right to delete or censor any comments which do not follow the rules below.  I am far more lenient than the rules imply but I felt it important to have something written down just in case ….  When I visit other sites, I try to follow these rules too but often fail — I am thankful for those who forgive and correct me.

A) Your Mood

  1. Be civil:  No Ad Hominum arguments.  It is OK to attack ideas but do not attack people. Remember  you have your own faults and weaknesses.  Stick to the arguments .  Be courteous and avoid personal insults.
  2. No vulgarity:  Be creative in your writing, you don’t need vulgarity to convey emotions.

B) Your Style

  1. Be Organized: Try not to be sloppy. If you are taking the time to comment, please take a moment to organize your thoughts — thank you.
  2. Be Honest:  Try to make clear what you believe and how it relates to the post.  Don’t be intentionally vague, overly sarcastic or take on an artificial persona.  Be clear if you are playing the devil’s avocate.
  3. No Emotional Manipulation:  Don’t do it yourself and try not to feed the emotional and manipulative trolls.  But trolls who pursue ideas and are seeking to illuminate the dialogue are welcome.

C) Your Content

  1. No fictitious e-mail address or URL:  Otherwise you will be banned
  2. No Soliciting: Don’t just comment to advertise your site or any products (books, other sites, items).
  3. Use E-mail when appropriate:  If you have something to say that is unrelated to the post or is a mere grammar correction or you feel is contrary to these policies.  Feel free to shoot me an e-mail using the “contact” tab.  Thank you.
  4. Interact with the Post:  Stay on the posted topic as best as possible.  Say something to related to the post specifically.  Do not use the comment section as if it is your own blog.  I expect interaction with the blog and the other commentors.
  5. Own your comment:  If your e-mail or web address are incorrect, your comment will be deleted.

D) Your Religious Expression

  1. No Religious proselytizing:  Proselytizing (preaching, quoting scripture …) without clear interaction with a post will be deleted.  Feel free to quote the Bible or other religious texts to share information pertinent to the discussion.  But don’t just drop a quote without explaining what you think it means or how it relates to the discussion.  Avoid quoting the Bible or other religious texts as an assumed source of authority — remember, we don’t all agree on what counts as authoritative.

E) Your Freedom of Expression

  1. Share Your Thoughts:  I strongly value different opinions and am deeply appreciative of those who contribute to this site.  I really enjoy ideas that contradict or argue against mine — that is how I learn.
  2. My House, My Rules: I value strongly value personal freedom and covet your opinions, I ask you try to observe the points above.  If you want to come play on my site, please obey the rules, or like any other private club, I will ask you to leave.  Your freedom of expression can be exercised on your own site if you don’t like my club’s rules. :-)  Thank you kindly.