What are the rules here?

Freedm

New member
I read and agreed to the terms of service when I signed up but there was surprisingly little there, so I just want to make sure that if there are further rules that I know what those are.

Every forum site has different rules and tolerances and specifically Christian sites tend to have a very narrow tolerance for different theologies. In other words most Christian forums have some version of a, "you can only say things that we agree with" rule, or you will be banned or relegated to a specific sub forum. Really hoping this site tends more towards freedom of thought and discussion of controversial topics.

I don't want to break the rules here so my question is simply, what kinds of things will get a person a warning or a ban?
 

Stripe

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I read and agreed to the terms of service when I signed up but there was surprisingly little there, so I just want to make sure that if there are further rules that I know what those are.

Every forum site has different rules and tolerances and specifically Christian sites tend to have a very narrow tolerance for different theologies. In other words most Christian forums have some version of a, "you can only say things that we agree with" rule, or you will be banned or relegated to a specific sub forum. Really hoping this site tends more towards freedom of thought and discussion of controversial topics.

I don't want to break the rules here so my question is simply, what kinds of things will get a person a warning or a ban?
Just tell us what you believe. If you find yourself banned, well, then you'll know. :D
 

way 2 go

Well-known member
I read and agreed to the terms of service when I signed up but there was surprisingly little there, so I just want to make sure that if there are further rules that I know what those are.

Every forum site has different rules and tolerances and specifically Christian sites tend to have a very narrow tolerance for different theologies. In other words most Christian forums have some version of a, "you can only say things that we agree with" rule, or you will be banned or relegated to a specific sub forum. Really hoping this site tends more towards freedom of thought and discussion of controversial topics.

I don't want to break the rules here so my question is simply, what kinds of things will get a person a warning or a ban?


http://theologyonline.com/showthread.php?55933-The-NEW-UPDATED-10-TOL-Commandments


7. Thou SHALL NOT troll our forums. If you are here to make outlandish, crazy statements merely to get a rise out of the membership and cause trouble, please save yourself the time and leave.

Please do not make posts that are extremely long. Anything over 6 short paragraphs may be considered too long. Don't attempt to make your whole argument in one post.

Please do not copy and paste your previous papers and writings (like high school or college papers) without prior approval. TheologyOnLine is for dialogue.
 

Freedm

New member
I don't want to get banned simply for telling you what I believe, which is why I'm asking the question up front, but perhaps you can start by telling me if I have to agree with the statement of faith, or am I allowed to put forth my arguments against specific parts of it?

In other words, are we free to believe what we believe and promote our beliefs, or not? Obviously I mean this in the context of scripture; as in I would always support my beliefs with scripture, but since we don't all agree on what certain things mean, are we allowed to disagree and debate?
 

Lon

Well-known member
I don't want to get banned simply for telling you what I believe, which is why I'm asking the question up front, but perhaps you can start by telling me if I have to agree with the statement of faith, or am I allowed to put forth my arguments against specific parts of it?

In other words, are we free to believe what we believe and promote our beliefs, or not? Obviously I mean this in the context of scripture; as in I would always support my beliefs with scripture, but since we don't all agree on what certain things mean, are we allowed to disagree and debate?
Sure. Most of the problems that arise here are for blasphemous statements, inane argument, link-dropping rather than trying to be a part of the site, etc. It is pretty easy to get along. I don't adhere to the Systematic theology of this website yet appreciate the people here. I think that goes a long way toward longsuffering. :e4e: Welcome to TOL
 

JudgeRightly

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o.k. so as long as we don't break those commandments we're good?
Yup.

Though, keep in mind that the moderators (myself, Sherman, et al) are human beings, and that some rules are enforced on a case by case basis, and that we are biased towards those that speak truth.

Most likely, from just the few posts you've made so far, you don't seem like one to be a troll or spammer, or so stick to following the rules, and the most you'll get is an infraction for any rules you break, though you'll receive warnings (at least from me) before you receive any infractions.

But all that aside, have fun while you're here!
 
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JudgeRightly

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I don't want to get banned simply for telling you what I believe, which is why I'm asking the question up front, but perhaps you can start by telling me if I have to agree with the statement of faith, or am I allowed to put forth my arguments against specific parts of it?

In other words, are we free to believe what we believe and promote our beliefs, or not? Obviously I mean this in the context of scripture; as in I would always support my beliefs with scripture, but since we don't all agree on what certain things mean, are we allowed to disagree and debate?
There are plenty of people on TOL who do not adhere to the TOL owner's beliefs, who post regularly and often.

Like I said above, have fun!

And welcome to Theology Online!
 

Freedm

New member
Thanks guys! I'm starting to get a good feeling about this place. Perhaps I'll stick around. :)

But fair warning to all, I do have a few beliefs that are not mainstream so you will see that. I do however always back up my beliefs with scripture and also always keep an open mind to other interpretations. For me it's not about being right, but about knowing what's right. So if I'm wrong, convince me, cause I want to know.
 
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Freedm

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One more question. I noticed one of the rules is to not make posts too long. Is more leeway given for opening posts? I mean, sometimes more words are needed to lay down the premise of the thread before discussion ensues, so is it o.k. to open a thread with a Bible study that would fit in say a four page word document?
 

JudgeRightly

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One more question. I noticed one of the rules is to not make posts too long. Is more leeway given for opening posts? I mean, sometimes more words are needed to lay down the premise of the thread before discussion ensues, so is it o.k. to open a thread with a Bible study that would fit in say a four page word document?

The rules say no posts over 6 paragraphs long.

But if you're actually making a point in your post, and not just rambling on, it's usually ok.

I can even say that I've gone well over the limit, but it's usually when I'm seriously engaged in a discussion. (This is both before and after I became a moderator.)

If anything, as long as you're not rambling on or just copy/pasting articles or even lists of verses, you should be fine, and we'll let you know if your posts are too long.
 

JudgeRightly

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One more question. I noticed one of the rules is to not make posts too long. Is more leeway given for opening posts? I mean, sometimes more words are needed to lay down the premise of the thread before discussion ensues, so is it o.k. to open a thread with a Bible study that would fit in say a four page word document?
In other words, it's usually up to the discretion of the moderator to decide how to deal with lengthy posts.

OH! I almost forgot.

Here's a helpful page that shows most of the formatting tags we use on TOL, If you're posting something lengthy, say, an article, you can use spoiler tags so that people can skip over it if necessary, so that they don't have to scroll so much.

http://theologyonline.com/misc.php?do=bbcode#list

I recommend you go through it, and use this thread for learning how to use them, and if you need any assistance, feel free to message me or any of the other moderators. (I'm probably the most active moderator, currently, so they may take a while to respond.)
 
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Lon

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Spoiler
In other words, it's usually up to the discretion of the moderator to decide how to deal with lengthy posts.

OH! I almost forgot.

Here's a helpful page that shows most of the formatting tags we use on TOL,
If you're posting something lengthy, say, an article, you can use spoiler tags so that people can skip over it if necessary, so that they don't have to scroll so much.
Spoiler


http://theologyonline.com/misc.php?do=bbcode#list

I recommend you go through it, and use this thread for learning how to use them, and if you need any assistance, feel free to message me or any of the other moderators. (I'm probably the most active moderator, currently, so they may take a while to respond.)
Rarely do any members read anything over 6 paragraphs. Even when I believe I've something important to say, I either use " *skip to the next asterisk for a summary from here if you want just the gist in summary paragraph" Or "click spoiler if you want to read more of my indepth discussion/thoughts"
Spoiler
spoiler content
 

Poly

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I read and agreed to the terms of service when I signed up but there was surprisingly little there, so I just want to make sure that if there are further rules that I know what those are.

Every forum site has different rules and tolerances and specifically Christian sites tend to have a very narrow tolerance for different theologies. In other words most Christian forums have some version of a, "you can only say things that we agree with" rule, or you will be banned or relegated to a specific sub forum. Really hoping this site tends more towards freedom of thought and discussion of controversial topics.

I don't want to break the rules here so my question is simply, what kinds of things will get a person a warning or a ban?

On the 3rd of every month you are required to give us the contents of what is in the door of your refrigerator. On the 12 of every month you must post funny monkey pictures. Other than that, I think we're good.
 

Sherman

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It also depends on what you mean by controversial.

Here are the rules in their entirety ---> https://theologyonline.com/forum/the...l-commandments

Important points in the rules:


7. Thou SHALL NOT troll our forums. If you are here to make outlandish, crazy statements merely to get a rise out of the membership and cause trouble, please save yourself the time and leave.

10. Thou SHALL NOT advocate or encourage criminal behavior on TOL. Personal threats and/or advocating criminal behavior will result in an instant ban. Making racist comments and other unnecessary personal comments may also cause banishment.

Folks try the breach these two rules under the 'controversial' banner.

Examples of breaching these rules would be misogynistic postings, misandry, antisemitism, holocaust denial, racism, and racialism. These are just too far out there and are disruptive to the forum.
 
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