Strict Moderation Notice for Eastern Catholicism Forum

[Catherine_Grant]

I am happy to see posters of diverse backgrounds and beliefs taking interest in the Eastern Catholicism Forum. It appears there is some settling that needs to occur so that we can return to our forum’s normal level of charitable discussion, dialogue, and debate. I’m going to help with that.

I will strictly apply our charity guidelines to all conversations that are driven by disagreement or debate. That means that small infractions of our charity guidelines will result in a suspension or banning if it occurs in a conversation where you’re disagreeing with or debating another poster. I don’t care what you have to say; I only care how you say it. The truth will speak for itself if given the opportunity.

Care should be taken by all posters that their choice of words foster an environment in which it is possible to discuss, dialogue, question, dissent, and even debate the liturgy, theology, spirituality, discipline, culture, and history of Eastern, Oriental, and Western Catholicism without causing offense or acrimony between posters. Please review our Charity guidelines first, and if you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

May God Bless You Abundantly,
Catherine Grant*
Eastern Catholicism Moderator
*

 

[Catherine_Grant]

Eastern Catholicism Forum Statement of Purpose
The focus of this forum is to provide a community for Eastern Catholics and to help Latin Catholics better appreciate the Church’s Eastern heritage.

Non-Catholics are welcome to participate in compliance with the stated purpose of the forum.

How to Report a Problem Post
Problems with inappropriate content should be reported via the “Report Post” feature. Just click the http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/buttons_cak/report.gif image in the problematic post and fill out the form.

Ideally the complaint should cite the specific rule than has been transgressed.

 

[Catherine_Grant]

General Guidelines

• Always abide by the forum rules, the Eastern Catholicism forum’s guidelines, and our charity guidelines.
• Civility and a respect for each other should be foremost.
• Posters are expected to treat each other as equals with equal expectations of each other in terms of research, logic, challenges, and portrayal of Catholic teaching.
• Questions are a better approach than assertions, unless the latter are framed in a non-confrontational and non-accusatory manner.
• Don’t answer a question with a question. If you don’t know the answer, say so.
• Rhetorical questions may be used to introduce a new aspect of inquiry but not to evade challenges or to call into question the intelligence, education, or any other personal qualities of another poster.
• It is acceptable to question policies and practices
• It is never acceptable to question the sincerity of an individual’s beliefs
• It is never acceptable to assume or say you know what another person thinks or needs.
• If you aren’t going to go into the discussion with the resolution that you could just possibly have your view broadened, you may as well not go into it.
• Terms of derision, derogatory remarks, baiting, and inflammatory statements are prohibited.
• Avoid categorizing people by a term which could be considered derogatory (e.g., Nazi or neocon) unless they have embraced that title. In which case, you may qualify them with the term as long as you preface it with the word “avowed.” Posters are asked to use their best judgement when posting articles using such terms. Do not abbreviate terms.

** Sarcasm, Making Corrections and Jumping Threads**

• On the use of sarcasm: Use emoticons when possible to convey your intent. A smiley-face or a wink can demonstrate that you are not intending malice. End the post on a positive note, devoid of sarcasm. A pleasant ending can act like sugar helping the medicine go down. Think of sarcasm like salt. Just as you wouldn’t dump a shakerful on your food, don’t dump a load of sarcasm into a post. Use it sparingly.
• Don’t jump threads. If you get involved in an argument in one thread, it’s considered poor manners to restart the previous argument in the middle of an unrelated thread. Also, if the moderator closes a thread, consider the subject closed and do not begin it anew in another thread.
• It is easy to stray from the rules in the heat of battle. Try to make corrections gently, with the assumption that no offense was meant. It usually is not. Also, keep in mind that some people are thick-skinned. What seems a vicious attack to you may seem a light-hearted spar to them.

** What to look for in your post before you press submit**

• Is the post civil and charitable?
• Does the post challenge those to whom it is directed or does it bash them?
• And remember: always, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
• When you agree with a part of what someone said. Tell them. It doesn’t hurt your position to agree with some part of an opposing argument. In fact, it lets others know that you are listening.

** Inter-religious Dialogue in the Eastern Catholicism Forum**

• Using the term uniate as a generic descriptor for Catholics of the Eastern and Oriental Churches who are in union with Rome is by nature confrontational and uncharitable and as such is not allowed.
• Likewise, the use of the terms schismatic or heretic may not be used as generic descriptors for any of the Eastern or Oriental Churches, whether Catholic or Orthodox.
• Note that ascribing these terms to the faithful or to individual members of any of the Apostolic Churches is absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
• Members are not allowed to be disrespectful of anyone’s faith or religion, whether it is Catholicism or not.

** Examples of Uncharitable Statements**

• That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Anyone who would believe that is immature at best and a heretic at worst.
• That statement is uncharitable and ineffective in enlightened debate. I’m reporting you.
• Any idiot with a computer can get on the internet and verify that I’m right.
• You’re misunderstanding the author and your interpretation is wrong.

**Examples of Charitable Statements
**

• The belief that ___ is inconsistent with Dr. X’s statement that the church believes ____.
• I was taught that the Church’s teachings on ___ are ____.
• The statement that ____ is true appears to be inconsistent with your earlier statement that ___ is true. Will you please explain how these are consistent beliefs?
• When you say ____, do you mean ___?
• I come to a different conclusion because ___.

** Examples of Uncharitable Actions
**

• Respond to an uncharitable statement with an uncharitable statement of one’s own.
• Go complain about a poster in another thread.
• Criticize the education, experiences, intelligence or sanctity of fellow posters.
• Post a criticism of the way a poster asks a question or shares information.

**Examples of Charitable Actions
**

• Place a Bad Post Report after someone posts a statement that isn’t charitable.
• Don’t respond to an uncharitable statement.
• Post a charitable on-topic statement that ignores any uncharitable statements.