Discussion Forum Rules: Please Read

[Vic]

SeekGod.ca Discussion Forum Rules

The goal is to have a welcome and friendly forum where members feel free to discuss Biblical issues and things that affect us as believers. Just as the SeekGod.ca website, this forum is intended for a Christian audience and those seeking answers to life’s questions, as well as those who may disagree with our Christian beliefs. It is a privately owned forum, run by Vicky Dillen, on the forum as Vic, and is under the umbrella of the SeekGod.ca website and is offered as a service. That does not mean that any moderators work for the site owner. Any acting in that capacity are volunteers and just as with other members, all are responsible individually for what they say and do on this forum.

Some may lose sight of maintaining an attitude of respect for the person they might disagree with. It is not unreasonable to suggest that if a discussion is getting heated, that a person might want to step back and take some time to get feelings and the flesh under control, so any posts reflect what you really want to say. To that end, here are some guidelines that we hope will help each to consider what they post.

By becoming a member and posting on this forum you acknowledge your acceptance of the following forum rules.

Treat others the way you want to be treated. Simple, courteous, and decent manners, goes a long way. Please check your attitude when posting, and make sure you convey things the way you really want to.

Blasphemy will not be tolerated. Those not of the Christian faith are welcome to become members but, need to keep it very clearly in their mind that derogatory remarks about God, Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit, in any language, are not to be used as expletives or interjections or in an abusive, mocking, or insulting way . The same for hate based remarks about Christianity. It is solely at the admin discretion to not only delete those types of things, but possibly permanently ban the poster, with or without warnings. That goes also for any filth concerning the Bible. If you don't believe it, then please ask questions, but be aware that we believe the Bible to be the Word of God and it is not to be taken lightly. We also believe it is the standard to which we weigh beliefs, doctrines, ideas and behaviors.

Don't become a member to Spam us with your: doctrine, errant beliefs, books, merchandise, website, blogs, etc. Don't repetitively post similar or identical posts or threads. We have zero tolerance for solicitation of commercial products, porn, etc. We want members to feel they can enjoy their stay, not have to be hounded by spammers.

***Please note that Newbies are not to post links for/to other websites, blogs etc. until they have at least 50 posts. Newbies are not to post any links/urls in any posts ***-including their signatures***--until they have 50 posts, nor can Newbies Start Threads--other than their Introduce Yourself thread-- until they have posted 50 or more posts.
***Please note, that you may post and use links to the SeekGod.ca website articles or forum links.**** Readers are being directed in the Contact information of the SeekGod.ca website, to bring questions or comments, or further information requests to the forum. There is also a specific section set up to deal directly with SeekGod.ca articles if people wish to address them there or in any appropriate thread.

UPDATE December 12, 2011 > As a Trial, Newbies are going to be allowed to start threads in the General Discussion section,which is just below The Endtimes section. THis will be a allowed as long as those threads and discussion, are NOT used for doctrinal discussions which belong in the other sections of the board; that is, the main Discussion Boards and The Endtimes section. **One caution would be in the Share a Favorite Scripture and What it Means to You----that must not be used to promote a huge doctrinal discussion but rather, merely as a way to encourage others, for example.

>>3John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

As a parent this gives me great peace and joy to know that our children walk with Christ.<<<

That type of Scriptural sharing.

Or> I was looking for some verses to help me deal with ? and here's what I found.... END UPDATE

Don't lie. Be honest with what you have to say. Don't make false accusations as a way of 'discussing' a topic. We will come down very hard on any perpetrators. And then of course consider: Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. And for believers, 1Jn 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
We can all make mistakes, so we urge you to take care, and correct any errors of information if necessary, or restate things if necessary. And if you need to, apologize.

No vulgar or obscene language or images. This includes graphic language or content of sexual nature. Messages posted should be free of personal attacks, threats, and crude or sexually-explicit language, rude comments or innuendo.

No flaming or deliberately insulting or belittling a person or threatening them or persistently attacking members or the admin. or moderators. Use of derogatory nicknames in reference to other members is prohibited. If you don't agree with a poster, disagree with their words or doctrine. It's a discussion forum so discuss. If someone is being deliberately obnoxious or rude, they will be dealt with by the admin with warnings or a suspension or banning, depending entirely on the admin discretion. No harassing or trolling.

For clarification, Flaming on the internet is when rude, inflammatory and targeted posts deliberately attack another member. Harassment includes flaming and insults carried from one thread to another and can also be carried from public posts to pm's or emails. Trolling is deliberately posting things to offend, annoy or create a disruption so discussion amongst other members cannot take place.

No attempting to Disrupt the Forums by attempting the rehashing of alleged grievances or disputes or publicly complaining via posts or threads in forums throughout the site; or ranting about SeekGod.ca or any admin. or moderators. If you have a problem you wish to discuss, contact Vic via pm or email. If you become a member it is by choice, and you can leave as easily as you come. If you have a disagreement, state it with some semblance of self control.

For Christians especially, we shouldn't wear our feelings on our sleeves, and we can expect to take disagreement, attacks and unchristian attitudes and behaviors due to the nature of the forum and the SeekGod.ca website, and simply because we belong to Jesus Christ. It is expected, but will be closely monitored and dealt with as the admin sees fit. Remember Ephesians 6:10-18. Being direct, firm, or challenging someone's doctrine using Scripture for rebuke or correction and edification are part of being of Christ. But attitude in delivery goes a very long way. Religious discussions can get messy.

Promotion of beliefs contrary to Scripture or what we understand to be Christian beliefs may/will be allowed to a certain point. That is, if someone brings in another gospel and another Jesus, it may be discussed Biblically and exposed for what it is. It will not be allowed to sit unchallenged to Scriptural Truth. It may also be discontinued as a discussion.

How the above are dealt with are completely at the discretion of the admin. It won't be up for debate or discussion.

You agree, through your use of this forum, that you will not use this forum to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise violates any law. Any kind of illegal activity will not be tolerated.

While this site is based in Canada it is read worldwide. Please Respect Copyrights, and Please cite your sources and provide proper credit, especially when quoting other websites. For our understanding of “fair use”, please read the copyright notice in the SeekGod.ca links. Please show source for Scripture quotes also.

The consequences of a specific violation of any of the rules will depend upon the degree of violation as well as the apparent intent. Violation can result in anything from a warning to a short ban period or a full ban from the forums.

It needs to be thoroughly understood that any posters who violate the rules and receive a warning, or dislike what they are being told by the admin/moderator, should not to attempt to carry the issues to the public forum. Do not discuss/complain admin actions concerning upholding the forum rules publicly. It will result in short or permanent banning, and/or warnings.. That includes Any who show a disregard for forum policy or disrespect for forum members ; arguments about forum policy, or admin/moderator decisions, or trying to undermine the forum, the forum rules or admin.....you get the picture.

The admin and any moderators are fellow believers and post as believers first in a discussion, and are only acting in that official capacity second when dealing with forum rules. If someone disagrees with our beliefs, we will discuss the issues.

Do not attempt to bypass bans by creating other accounts or modifying your IP address. Doing so will result in a permanent ban and/or an IP ban and a possible complaint to your internet service provider.

Usernames > Please pick a username that is actually an understandable word or words, not jumbled letters or numbers. Your username must be able to be understood as meaning something, and we request it be easily understandable in English, due to mainly english readership. Failure to do so, or change it at the request of the admin will mean immediate deletion of your account and permanent banning.

Participation in the forum is at the sole discretion of forum admin, although all are welcome and can decide to stay or leave. Also, at the discretion of the admin, a message may be moved, a thread renamed, or a message deleted, or messages held in moderation queue and so on.
Some have said they do not like the Smileys, and the recommendation is, don't use them. They are there to help put across a message which some may not articulate well or come through with writing. They are also there to bring a little humor in, especially when discussions become intense, and try to convey or pad some hard truths. Some like using them, some don't. No one is forced to use them.

SeekGod.ca reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify these rules, without notice or warning. It is your sole responsibility to regularly review these rules and ensure your compliance with them. You also accept that any advice given or beliefs posted on this site are the views of the poster and SeekGod.ca will not be held responsible for those posts or advice posted.