Dear fellow Revelifers,
I've been disappointed in a lot of comments on this website as of late. I know there are many in the midst who don't believe Christ is Lord or who don't live according to the ways of God's scripture and so I don't expect to see a jaw-dropping love overwhelming the forums but I do expect those of us who claim Christ to be salt and light, even on online forums. I think we, as a community that seeks to grow together for the sake of Christ, need to be reminded of some good guidelines for interacting in online forums. Revelife has
it's own code of conduct, and perhaps that ought to be posted again soon but I wanted to provide some guidelines I've embraced that I hope will be of use to you as well. They help me to see the log in my eye from time to time.
Blogging/Commenting Code of Conduct: (adopted from sojourners.com)
I will express myself with civility, courtesy, and respect for every member of this online community, especially toward those with whom I disagree—even if I feel disrespected by them. (Romans 12:17-21) I will express my disagreements with other community members' ideas without insulting, mocking, or slandering them personally. (Matthew 5:22, Romans 1:28-32)I will not exaggerate others' beliefs nor make unfounded prejudicial assumptions based on labels, categories, or stereotypes. I will not twist the words of others for my own benefit. I will always extend the benefit of the doubt. (Ephesians 4:29)I will participate in community accountability by rating posts [via e-props, minis, and recs]... based not on what ideas are expressed but on how they're expressed, and will flag [report] posts that violate the official rules of conduct. (Proverbs 12:18)
Can we commit to taking a few seconds before clicking the post link to examine our words, attitudes, motivations, and meditate upon the affect our words may have on others? Can we commit to treating one another the way we desire to be treated? Can we commit to putting others above ourselves? Can we commit ourselves to forgiving those who trespass against us online and to treat them well in return? I know I'm part of the problem and right now I commit to doing my best to live up to these goals of kindness
If we can't make these commitments then we're not going to be of much help to one another. I hope and I pray that we can make these commitments and remember what it means to always love one another online. Thanks for giving this post your time. Peace and grace be with you all!
Do you think things are getting out of control around here? Did you know we have a code of conduct?
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Comments (29)
oh and one more thing to remember...don't always assume that someone is trying to affend you...they are just doing what anyone does..and that's voice their opinion...everyone deserves to be heard...and if I have this correctly; that's what's revelife is all about. Whether it's athiest, or someone else...we all deserve to be heard.
1. It's both a wonderful and horrible thing that the internet allows for instant sometimes thoughtless communication. Unfortunately because of the ease in which it can be done people will continue to communicate carelessly online. I have definitely done so and will probably do so in the future.
2. I have written about this before too and I think the best you can do is post arguments about why you think some posts are inappropriate and let the logic of your arguments speak for themself. Just telling someone he/she is not being mindful outside of a behavorial context is probably not a very fruitful route for addressing a problem.
These rules wouldn't really be necessary if we could just remember that the people reading our comments are humans too. We might all disagree and we might debate one another, but it has nothing to do with contempt. The rules aren't supposed to be restrictions as means to an end. They're supposed to be reminders that we need to love one another, reminders particularly toward those who follow a God of love.
I lose my patience as well, but the rules shouldn't be a problem if we're really loving our neighbors. If we do more than the rules ask, we wouldn't even bother having a legalistic mindset.
@TheGreatBout@xanga - Excellent! I'm glad there are still civil people living in this world. More power to civility.