Updated January 27, 2006
The UMC.org Code of Conduct is a work in progress, and is subject to change. Input from the community is welcome, but the final decision rests in the hands of the UMC.org administrators.
Christian discussion
We welcome anyone to participate, regardless of their religious affiliation. We appreciate and respect other faiths and beliefs, and ask that they do the same while here. Unfortunately, there always seem to be those select few who join Christian-based forums solely for the purpose of mocking the faith of the members of the board or otherwise stirring up trouble for the sake of stirring up trouble. If this describes your motivation for joining, save both yourself and us the time and trouble and go elsewhere. Bible/Christian bashing is expressly forbidden. Posts may be edited for content or deleted at the sole discretion of the administrators of these forums. Have fun, but not at other members' expense.
Self-moderation/Common sense
Use it and everyone will be happier. Self-moderation means not willfully violating the Code of Conduct or the spirit of it. It means taking a step back when you know you are about to hastily post something that is likely to cause problems. It also means letting others know where they might have crossed the line (although letting them know in a friendly and civil manner). It starts at home, though.
While we try to maintain a friendly and open atmosphere, please remember that you may encounter ideas or statements with which you disagree. Feel free to discuss this with your fellow posters, but please respect their right to hold and state differing opinions - remember Matthew 7:12. Disagreeing with another member is normal and to be expected. Behaving poorly in the face of disagreement is not. You may have something against a poster, but still be respectful of the poster's opinions.
Sometimes, two people - two otherwise normal, intelligent, decent, rational people - just will not like each other. That's life. Please just ignore those posters and pursue your own discussions. Leave any disagreements you have in the threads they take place in. The forums will be better for it.
Flames/Personal attacks/Hate speech
No flaming, personal attacks, or hate speech. This includes derogatory slang, nicknames, racial, sexual, and religious slurs. The "But he started it!" defense does not work on these forums. Insults posted in retaliation will be treated the same way as unprovoked insults.
Posts of a violent or threatening nature, either implicitly or explicitly, will be deleted, and the poster's account banned. Flaming, putting other's down, etc all fall into this category. We encourage personal problems with other members be resolved privately via email. Remember, you are responsible for your own conduct.
Trolling
Don't make posts that are inflammatory just to get people riled up - this includes the subject line when starting a new post. Substance is a key to not being labeled a troll, but substance alone cannot prevent you from being considered a troll. Substance with a dash of personal attacks will get you labeled as a troll.
Profanity
Excessive profanity is unacceptable and will be addressed (with warnings, post edits, etc.). Profanity in post titles, user names, forum tags, and signatures is not allowed. The definition of profanity and the line delineating excessive profanity is at the discretion of the administrators.
Pornography
Pictures and links to any pornography or nudity will not be allowed on the forum.
Spam/Flooding/Cross posting
Do not deliberately post the same thread over and over, or excessively multipost (post in succession to your own posts) in the same thread. Do not start new threads if the subject is already being discussed elsewhere. Do not post the same message to more than one forum or thread.
No solicitation or advertising
Do not use our forums to advertise. This includes ads in posts, tags, and signatures; posts made just to promote another site; and attempts to call attention to a personal website just to get traffic. Calling attention to a Web site you have because you think it interests the community is fine. Doing it to generate hits is not.
No copyrighted material
You may only post material written by others if you have their written permission, or if it falls within the fair use guidelines. Any posts violating these guidelines will be deleted without consultation.
Multiple usernames
Multiple usernames will not be allowed. If you are caught using multiple usernames, all of them will be closed.
Privacy
Do not post other's phone numbers, addresses, pictures, emails, etc., without their express permission.
Post in the appropriate categories
Make note of the forum categories. There are many to choose from. Keep your posts relevant to the forum theme.
Use descriptive and appropriate subject titles
This makes it easier for people to see what your post is about. Please do not use another member's screen names in subject titles; do not use subject titles meant to intentionally inflame others (see "Trolling")
Content
Add something to the conversation. Please refrain from simply posting "me too" or "I agree" responses. This goes double for starting new threads as well - simply copying and pasting an article or link is not sufficient content for a new thread.
Reporting a post
If you feel a member has blatantly disregarded the Code of Conduct, please use the "report this post" link at the bottom of the post. However, use it with discretion - reporting a post or a member simply because you disagree with their viewpoint is unacceptable, and a member who repeatedly reports other posts without just cause will be warned and possibly banned themselves.
Other members' status
Individual members' status on the board is a private matter between the administrator(s) concerned and the member. Please do not post questions or comments about why someone was warned, banned or otherwise censured. Inasmuch as you would not like to have your dirty laundry hung out in public so we ask you to offer others the same level of consideration.
Final words
Violation of these rules may result in a private warning, a public warning, temporary ban, or a permanent ban, based on the severity of the infraction and the member's history on these forums. We reserve the right to remove or edit any posts without notice to the author or those who have replied. We reserve the right to suspend the posting privileges of any member without notice. All administrator decisions are final.
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