Hi All,

We've recently had some suspensions, so I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the Local and Site-Wide Guidelines.

First and foremost, welcome to Discuss Christianity!  We're so glad you're here! 

Pleae note this forum is for discussing and debating the validity and relative merits of Christianity. You must be courteous to all, even those whose beliefs you find offensive. You are invited to explain what your faith teaches on this topic, quote the Bible and other sacred texts for illustration, and ask questions and comment.  We look forward to rational discourse, so please make your case, defend your position, or refute other views, but be prepared that some members will disagree with you and they have a right to their opinions.  Do not make negative remarks about other members. Express opinions within the Guidelines, below.

I.  Local Board Guidelines

1.  Please remember that this board is not designed as a community for any particular group; it is an open debate welcoming both followers and critics of Christianity.  Christians, please feel free to visit the many Christianity forums to seek community with each other.
2.  Kindly discuss politics, other faiths and belief systems, sexual orientation, and abortion in the appropriate Debate Forum.
3.  A reminder that
  a.  comments on host actions, and
  b.  intertext comments within others' posts
are a violation of ROC 10--Disruptive Behavior. 

II.  Rules of Conduct - Site-Wide

Beliefnet members represent a wide variety of religious and spiritual orientations - all welcome to participate in conversations on our Forums. When you participate in Beliefnet discussions, you may encounter persons whose beliefs differ from your own. We hope that you will approach these encounters in a spirit of tolerance, accepting the rights of others to follow freely their own religious beliefs, even if they seem false to you.

We will not censor members for expressing an opinion, within the limits of these Rules of Conduct. To maintain a welcoming and safe community, and be sure everyone feels free to speak, we cannot permit behavior that disrupts conversations and community of our members. Beliefnet has the right, but not the obligation, to remove or move any member-generated content for any reason, without notice.

By registering as a member of Beliefnet, you agree that you will not display content, or engage in any activity, that:

1.  is illegal, or advocates illegal acts;
2.  exploits or endangers a minor, or invites private communication between a minor and an adult [online safety tips for teens];
3.  compromises anyone's privacy by using or revealing personal information;
4.  condones or may provoke violence toward any individual or group on the basis of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, race, nationality, religion, or sexual orientation, even if religiously motivated [learn more];
5.  is vulgar or violent;
6.  uses Beliefnet community functions to harass or censure any person, group, or entity;
7.  violates intellectual property rights; or
8.  may cause or encourage substantial harm or damage to Beliefnet or its members.

9. Courtesy | 10. Disruptive behavior | 11. Proselytizing | 12. Local guidelines | 13. Solicitation | 14. Spam | 15. Copying messages | 16. Use of code | 17. Surveys | 18. Your information | 19. Impersonation | 20. Complaints

More on Rules of Conduct.

III.  Additional Terms of Use

IV.  Hate Speech and the Beliefnet Community

V.   Beliefnet Community Disciplinary Process
 
We recognize the very real fact that some may find the beliefs of others objectionable.  We appreciate the Beliefnet spirit of tolerance for any and all beliefs that are expressed within these Rules.

I'll leave this thread in the forum list so everyone has an opportunity to review it, then move it up as a sticky.

As always, thank you for your kind attention.

~Adelphe
Beliefnet Community Host