New Rules for Posting

I decided to implement rules for posting on this blog. I did this because I want to facilitate and foster an environment here in which we can engage in ecumenical dialogue in charity and respect. If we can make it a habit to treat each other with respect and grace, perhaps that will help us be better listeners at the ecumenical table. Rules for posting might help us develop such a habit. And maybe that will help us more readily be reconciled with each other.

A permanent link to the rules is now posted at the bottom left. Here they are:

Rules

If you wish to comment here, please follow these rules.

(1) Since truth and love go together, make sure that everything you say here is saturated with genuine love for the persons about whom (or to whom) you are speaking. It is a good habit to pray for the person you are writing to (or about) both before and after you write your comment. Pray that you will be united with them in the Body of Christ. This is to be a forum wherein *unity* is pursued in the context of humility, charity, respect and prayer.

(2) Ad hominems are not allowed. That means that you may not criticize or insult or belittle or judge or mock any person, his character, intelligence, education, or motivations. Attacking persons is fallacious and uncharitable and will not be permitted here. If you are wondering why your comment was not posted, the reason is most likely that it contained some ad hominem.

(3) Criticisms of positions, refutations of arguments, and falsifications of claims *are* allowed.

These rules go into effect today (October 2, 2007).