This is an administrative post that is irrelevant to most of you. For that, I apologize. However, we have had a surge recently in comments left by dedicated anti-Mormon activists – comments that have NOTHING to do with the posts on which they appear and that contain NOTHING constructive or enlightening. We also have had a few comments by believing members that have come perilously close to crossing the lines of common decency, and one in particular that crossed those lines.
As we have said multiple times, we delete or edit very, very few comments here at Mormon Matters. This site was established to have an open forum for discussion among people with widely varying points of view and beliefs. However, it was not and is not intended to be a site to spew bile, insult people and cast aspersions about others’ faith. The rules are simple and few, and they can be summarized as:
Be civil.
Comment on the topic of the post.
Address what others say without disparaging them or their character.
Don’t blaspheme, use vulgar language, condemn – and don’t call people sinners who need to repent.
This is not a fourm for personal attacks, and it is not a forum for sweeping broadsides.
Disagreement is fine, even passionate disagreement, but ridicule and accusation and condemnation is not.
I wish this post was not necessary, but please understand one thing:
As much as we believe in the free exchange of ideas and beliefs, comments that are only condemnatory and add nothing to the conversation will be deleted.
If anyone has suggestions or concerns, feel free to comment. Just do so within the rules outlined above.
Loading ...
Rock on, Ray. Good manners matter, even when the subject is as volatile as religion.
it was not and is not intended to be a site to spew bile, insult people and cast dispersions
I like the thought of casting dispersions rather than aspersions.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:aspersion&ei=ElsbSrWDI5CMtgeJ95HgDA&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title
Otherwise, I can only say “amen” to this post and this reminder.
Wow, how did that escape my editing? Thanks, Stephen. I’ll fix it in the post.
I kind of thought you did it as a counterpoint to add just the lightest touch of humor.
Nope. Just a good, old-fashioned brain fart.
LOL! You guys remind me of how I used to hear so many mangle the lyrics to “The Iron Rod,” singing “Let no spirit of discretion overcome you in the evil hour,” instead of the correct version, “Let no spirit of digression overcome you in the evil hour.”
It wasn’t that they made a mistake–it was how funny the mistake really was, in context!
Nick, I actually thought of that when I read Stephen’s comment. That mistake is even funnier than mine.