General discussion of moderation procedures

Actually, given the advice so far I opened the thread with a request to keep it civil and on topic.

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Gary,In the two cases you mention, Admins had made suggestions to the posters on changes needed to promote the post.One of the jobs of Admins is to try to help members make a post that will promote discussion of a specific subject. We also try to keep things balanced and to keep bashing or attacks out of the discussions. (not likely to happen but it's a goal)In the first one you mentioned I felt that the link was sufficiently controversial that it would likely disrupt the discussion and take over the thread. I told the originator to take the link out and I'd promote the thread. So far the poster has not done so.I also looked at the second one. Like Ned, I felt that the OP was too disjointed, asked too many vague questions and would not promote a good discussion. But once again, the originator has had suggestions and a chance to edit the OP but has not done so.I think that you should also understand that while those two have been sitting in PNT, literally dozens of other topics have been approved. The vast majority of topics are approved as originaly proposed and many others are approved when the originator makes suggested changes or explains why such changes are not relevant.The goal of EvC has always been on the quality of the material as opposed to the quantity. We hope that you find the quality of material here high enough to keep coming back. If you believe that there are PNTs that are worth discussing and that you could modify the unapproved OP, why not propose one yourself giving credit to whoever inspired you? If it is one that would merit promotion, then it will get moved up.

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Careful. That's how many of us got in this mess in the first place. Remember it's better to take one step back when they call for volunteers.

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but we do hold some posters to higher standards and that is particularly true in Faith Based forums and when people are arguing from a faith based position. It may not be fair, but it is a necessary concession.You are free to attack the position. You are not free to attack the person.

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They can certainly say that they believe that homosexuality is a choice and that Homosexuals can choose to change their ways and stop sinning.It is perfectly acceptable to respond showing how stupid such a position is, how it is bigotted point of view, how all the evidence refutes it. But address the message, not the messenger.It is NOT acceptable to call the poster "Stupid". As long as they are addressing the issue, yes. It's certainly acceptable for them to say that homosexuals are sinners and damned to hell. It is not acceptable if they said YOU were stupid.Sinner you may be, stupid you are not.

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Don't continue to make the same mistake and expect different results. You are perfectly free to criticize the message. NOT the messenger.

First, he is responding from his theological base. It is his belief system. Know thy enemy.Second it is a general statement, a stupid statement but general.It can be attacked. For example, he could be asked to show how gays do not accept their responsibilities.But do not attack the messenger, only the message.

Attacking the messenger instead of the message.This message has been edited by AdminJar, 03-19-2005 08:34 PM

I highlighted the key part. I've covered this part. He is free to attack the character of gays. He can be challenged on that. No problem.But then you added... It is additions like that, asides that add nothing to the conversation and are attacks on the poster. In this case you are questioning MY intellegence, attacking the messenger. You can do better.

And I mean all of you. Grow up.

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Both of you.

Both of you!

Because when you do so you WILL be sanctioned.Continuing this line of questioning will result in sanction.

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Calling someone stupid will also not be tolerated.You are free to show where someone is in error. Dispute the content all you like. But calling someone stupid serves no useful purpose.Please do not do it.

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A decision has been made. There is nothing more to discuss. You may not agree with the decision and that's fine. But if you call someone a liar (correctly or not) or stupid (correctly or not) YOU will be the one suspended.

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