Post by Grandi on Aug 13, 2007 20:31:53 GMT -5
1. No swearing or name calling. There are other ways to get a point across than swearing. Petty name calling and insulting someone’s ideas or arguments is an answer for lazy debaters, and it serves as a substitute for a real answer to the issue presented. There will be no more of it.
2. No derogatory religion-based comments or racism. While it hasn’t been a huge issue yet, it may pop up in the future.
3. No Republican vs. Democrat wars. Only debates about issues being discussed in the thread are allowed, without mention of your own political affiliation. No threads dedicated to wars of political affiliation are allowed either.
4. Stay on topic. The need to emphasize this point is immense. When a thread begins to rot because of the negative energy created by people going on off-topic rants, it creates tension between members and grounds for fighting. Not good.
5. If something extremely offensive is geared at you, PM a staff member. We will handle it. If the offense is minor, try to breathe it off. While you're steaming and need to get your mind on something else, I'm sure the pens on your desktop need inspecting.
6. Only post if you can contribute something to the topic/debate. This means no more: "What <insert name> Said" , or "I agree/disagree".
7. Do not take anything personally. No flaming.
8. Please, use spell check, or at least form sentences that make sense. Pretend that you are writing an Essay for class.
9. Since this is a Critical Thinking Forum use evidence to back up your statement if needed. This means no more: "The Bible says so." Actually find the verse that says so (just an example).
Expanded Rules: These rules are for people who have never really debated in a forum before.
1. I have noticed a ton of arguments being taken personally. Critical Thinking is a place for discussion and debate. Debate is where someone refutes an opinion and supports his or her own. There is no reason to take offense about a reasonably presented debate. I know if someone insults what you believe in you tend to get insulted, however part of what makes humans sentient is the ability to control instinctive reactions. If someone debates with you, debate back. Don't insult them. Sure, put a harsh twinge on your comments, it makes it more fun, but do not insult the person for having an opinion.
However on the flip side, if you present your opinion in a juvenile, disrespectful or just plain stupid way; you should expect to be made fun of.
If you keep arguing about something that people have just completely disproved, you should expect some insults. No one is going to respond politely to the same opinion over and over again.
2. If you state a fact that is not your opinion or common knowledge, be sure you have the sources to back it up. A common way to discredit an opponent is to ask where they got their sources. If they cannot cite their sources then it discredits their opinion.
2. No derogatory religion-based comments or racism. While it hasn’t been a huge issue yet, it may pop up in the future.
3. No Republican vs. Democrat wars. Only debates about issues being discussed in the thread are allowed, without mention of your own political affiliation. No threads dedicated to wars of political affiliation are allowed either.
4. Stay on topic. The need to emphasize this point is immense. When a thread begins to rot because of the negative energy created by people going on off-topic rants, it creates tension between members and grounds for fighting. Not good.
5. If something extremely offensive is geared at you, PM a staff member. We will handle it. If the offense is minor, try to breathe it off. While you're steaming and need to get your mind on something else, I'm sure the pens on your desktop need inspecting.
6. Only post if you can contribute something to the topic/debate. This means no more: "What <insert name> Said" , or "I agree/disagree".
7. Do not take anything personally. No flaming.
8. Please, use spell check, or at least form sentences that make sense. Pretend that you are writing an Essay for class.
9. Since this is a Critical Thinking Forum use evidence to back up your statement if needed. This means no more: "The Bible says so." Actually find the verse that says so (just an example).
Expanded Rules: These rules are for people who have never really debated in a forum before.
1. I have noticed a ton of arguments being taken personally. Critical Thinking is a place for discussion and debate. Debate is where someone refutes an opinion and supports his or her own. There is no reason to take offense about a reasonably presented debate. I know if someone insults what you believe in you tend to get insulted, however part of what makes humans sentient is the ability to control instinctive reactions. If someone debates with you, debate back. Don't insult them. Sure, put a harsh twinge on your comments, it makes it more fun, but do not insult the person for having an opinion.
However on the flip side, if you present your opinion in a juvenile, disrespectful or just plain stupid way; you should expect to be made fun of.
If you keep arguing about something that people have just completely disproved, you should expect some insults. No one is going to respond politely to the same opinion over and over again.
2. If you state a fact that is not your opinion or common knowledge, be sure you have the sources to back it up. A common way to discredit an opponent is to ask where they got their sources. If they cannot cite their sources then it discredits their opinion.