Post by Professor Q on Mar 9, 2017 5:00:55 GMT
In the light of a recent "friendly fire" incident here at Catholic Common Sense, I am laying down the following guidelines:
1. Assume charitable intent: It is the nature of online discussion that viewpoints may not match and that corrections may be offered. Insofar as this is possible, please accept them in the right spirit. If I (for example) write glowing words about Pope Pius IX's "Pascendi", and a later poster corrects me by saying that Pius X wrote "Pascendi", it behooves me not to assume that this poster is attacking me personally.
2. Fraternal correction should be fraternal: This is a corollary to point 1. If you are the one making corrections, please don't do so with a spirit of "gotcha!", "gee, you're stoopid", and so on. For example:
Q: Pope Pius XI's encyclical "Pascendi" is great!
"Correct" reply: Q, I believe Pascendi was written by St. Pope Pius X.
"Wrong" reply: Q, you're such a doofus. Every schoolboy knows that it was Pius X who wrote Pascendi. Go back to The Other Forum.
3. Feelings can be treacherous: While "emotions are ways to think" (as Antonio Damasio points out), they can also mislead us. This is especially likely to happen when we are stressed out, tired, or suffering from a physical or mental health problem. In such cases, do not lash out or react "on impulse"; rather, wait a while till you are in a better frame of mind. Keep in mind the example (inter alia) of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, who was often called a phony because of her mystical experiences, but kept her peace even though she was undoubtedly very sad and upset inwardly.
4. Don't "white knight": This is a forum for adult (as in "mature", not "X-rated") discussion. We can reasonably assume that posters can handle queries or comments directed at them on their own. Do not jump into the fray to defend or decry another poster, as such an act can often lead to an escalation of tension. Instead, report problematic posts to the moderator.
5. Don't start threads criticizing other forum members: In this fallen world, there will always be some folks we get along with swimmingly, and others with whom we just don't click. If you can't "play nice", just ignore them or focus on more edifying discussions. If you feel that a forum member is being abusive, please report the offending post(s) to the moderator.
6. Be not conformed to the spirit of 4chan: There are certain corners of the Internet where civility and modesty in speech are seen as vices. This is not one of them. Please don't throw epithets or expletives around, and remember that this forum can be read by anyone and can always be used to form anti-Catholic arguments.
As opposed to the previous "Rules of the Road", the problems listed here will not incur an immediate ban or suspension. The protocol is: warning (by PM), then temporary suspension for a short time, then temporary suspension for a longer time, with bans only being used for egregious and repeat offenders. If anyone receives such a suspension or ban, the reasons for the same will be posted in a separate thread that chronicles all disciplinary decisions.
I am leaving the threads that prompted this post out there, as a warning to us all. However, in future, I reserve the right to delete posts and threads that spiral out of control due to the issues listed above.
St. Therese, pray for us all!
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like unto Thine!
Have a fruitful Lenten season.
1. Assume charitable intent: It is the nature of online discussion that viewpoints may not match and that corrections may be offered. Insofar as this is possible, please accept them in the right spirit. If I (for example) write glowing words about Pope Pius IX's "Pascendi", and a later poster corrects me by saying that Pius X wrote "Pascendi", it behooves me not to assume that this poster is attacking me personally.
2. Fraternal correction should be fraternal: This is a corollary to point 1. If you are the one making corrections, please don't do so with a spirit of "gotcha!", "gee, you're stoopid", and so on. For example:
Q: Pope Pius XI's encyclical "Pascendi" is great!
"Correct" reply: Q, I believe Pascendi was written by St. Pope Pius X.
"Wrong" reply: Q, you're such a doofus. Every schoolboy knows that it was Pius X who wrote Pascendi. Go back to The Other Forum.
3. Feelings can be treacherous: While "emotions are ways to think" (as Antonio Damasio points out), they can also mislead us. This is especially likely to happen when we are stressed out, tired, or suffering from a physical or mental health problem. In such cases, do not lash out or react "on impulse"; rather, wait a while till you are in a better frame of mind. Keep in mind the example (inter alia) of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, who was often called a phony because of her mystical experiences, but kept her peace even though she was undoubtedly very sad and upset inwardly.
4. Don't "white knight": This is a forum for adult (as in "mature", not "X-rated") discussion. We can reasonably assume that posters can handle queries or comments directed at them on their own. Do not jump into the fray to defend or decry another poster, as such an act can often lead to an escalation of tension. Instead, report problematic posts to the moderator.
5. Don't start threads criticizing other forum members: In this fallen world, there will always be some folks we get along with swimmingly, and others with whom we just don't click. If you can't "play nice", just ignore them or focus on more edifying discussions. If you feel that a forum member is being abusive, please report the offending post(s) to the moderator.
6. Be not conformed to the spirit of 4chan: There are certain corners of the Internet where civility and modesty in speech are seen as vices. This is not one of them. Please don't throw epithets or expletives around, and remember that this forum can be read by anyone and can always be used to form anti-Catholic arguments.
As opposed to the previous "Rules of the Road", the problems listed here will not incur an immediate ban or suspension. The protocol is: warning (by PM), then temporary suspension for a short time, then temporary suspension for a longer time, with bans only being used for egregious and repeat offenders. If anyone receives such a suspension or ban, the reasons for the same will be posted in a separate thread that chronicles all disciplinary decisions.
I am leaving the threads that prompted this post out there, as a warning to us all. However, in future, I reserve the right to delete posts and threads that spiral out of control due to the issues listed above.
St. Therese, pray for us all!
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like unto Thine!
Have a fruitful Lenten season.
