[mcmama]

To those of you who are new, having found us by googling a topic and decided to join us, welcome! Here are a few things you need to know about our community if you are new, or may need to be reminded of if you have been with us for a while.

1. We keep a civil tone in our discussions. We agree, we disagree, and we learn. If you are here to show people that they are complete idiots or must always win an argument with your masterful persuasion, you are probably in the wrong place. There are boards where that is useful; this is not one of them.

2. Just because you believe someone is wrong does not mean they are ignorant, stupid, evil, bigoted, narrow minded, or are playing any part in the nefarious right or left wing plots to destroy our comfy way of life. They're just wrong. Hey, it happens to all of us. Even me. Sometimes.

3. Reference any sources if you must, but please do not copy and paste articles or lengthy passages. This is a discussion forum, not an academic symposium. And please refrain from posting articles that are insulting or inflammatory toward various religions, nationalities, races, ethnic groups, genders, political parties and so on. There are forums that encourage posting pathetic bash bait like that. We are not one of those forums.

4. Feel free to link to websites that are appropriate for this site. That means that the link is free of nudity, graphic violence, hate speech, suggestive or obscene gestures or language, or solicitations to join the cause, buy your stuff, break the law, or give money.

5. We encourage respect for the diverse racial, national, and religious groups that are represented by our members. We don't tolerate the obvious bashing of these groups. We don't tolerate the non obvious forms of harrassment either. Please do not flame others for their religious beliefs, or lack of religious beliefs. Do not insult or speak in a derrogatory way about ANY religion, even if no one practicing it is participating here. This is not the place to tell Christians what's wrong with Christianity or their understanding of it, or to convert or defame Jews, or blame Muslims for everything, nor is it the place to tell athiests/agnostics/secular humanists or pagans that they are evil ones bringing ruin on humanity. If you are debating a topic concerning the middle east, please avoid sweeping generalizations about different groups.

Use of "Bible Bullets" or "Scriptural Swords" to flame another member or "prove" your point will result in your post being edited out and replaced by the following:

McMama's Epistle to the Familians

Many people on this site believe the Bible is the Word of God. Please respect that. Many people on this site believe that the Bible is a good all time bestseller but nothing more. Please respect that. This is a religiously and culturally diverse community. In all discussions except those that are actual Biblical discussions, please refrain from quoting chapter and verse citations to back up your position. It's fine to mention the Bible or any other holy book of scripture and its influence in your perspective. Please do not use scripture as a weapon. Please do not insult other people's religious beliefs or lack of religious beliefs.

Your God or Goddess may be an awesome God or Goddess, and rule all universes and heaven too, but if you want Him or Her to beat up anyone else's God or Goddess, they're gonna have to step outside.

6. You might want to be careful about sweeping generalizations such as "Right wing bigots" or "arrogant liberals". Someone may just surprise you by breaking the pattern of your expectations. (sort of like those "pro-life, anti Bush" bumper stickers I've been seeing lately)

7. Keep your points and your posts concise. If I have to scroll down so much that the arthritis in my index finger acts up, you've said too much.

8. Think before you post. You'd be amazed at the ranting that turns up on Google. Then again, maybe you wouldn't. But think, please.

9. All posted content is property of Families.com. So if you are writing the great position statement to save the world and posting it on half a dozen forums, don't bother posting it here.

10. Do what former NYC mayor Ed Koch instructed New Yorkers to do during the 2004 Republican National Convention. "Make Nice".