Acceptable Forum Usage Guidelines

Greetings!
The following is a set of guidelines for using the Forums. Because we have such a large community, it will benefit everyone if we can adhere to a small set of rules.

Rule 1. Stay On-Topic!

Each forum topic or discussion has a central point. When posting a reply, it is important that we stay focused on the topic at hand and avoid the temptation to distract from that by going off on a different tangent. We have a staff which monitors the posts and they have been instructed to move or hide any comments which might steer a discussion away from its intended subject matter. This is not censorship, but an effort to keep things focused. So if any of your posts are moderated, please don't take it personal. It is sometimes necessary in order to keep the discussions on track. Our staff will try to use their best discretion when moving off-topic comments out of a discussion.

Rule 2. No Public Bickering Between Users!

Because we have users from all parts of the world, there are naturally going to be times when we do not all agree with certain styles of writing, or points of view. Keep in mind that there is a tendency to magnify and often times misinterpret comments posted by someone. When you don't agree, or become irritated with a post, do not post a retort to the thread as it will end up being moderated by a staff member. When this happens, the user will be sent a PM or Private Message with an explanation of why their post was moved, and asked to avoid such things in the future.

If any of users take issue with something posted by another, please use the PM feature to send your thoughts to them privately. Do Not post such things to an ongoing discussion. This policy will be strictly enforced!

Remember that as Freemasons we must subdue our passions and learn how to agree to disagree with each other. We must also learn how to be tolerant of opposing opinions and avoid the temptation to engage ourselves in personality conflicts, arguments, or bickering in a public environment. We have the PM or Private Messenger feature for when you feel the need to "whisper good counsel" to one of our users. Do Not do it on the open forums!

If you take exception to the posts of another user or become offended by something (or someone) in particular, please take it to a Staff member instead of posting your displeasure publicly.

If you have issues or concerns about a topic's subject matter and think it should not be posted within a public forum, send your concerns to our staff. We try to keep sensitive issues regarding Masonry restricted to our tiled areas, and oftentimes a post will be moved to such a tiled area when the need arises.

Each topic or post has a feature where you can report an objectionable post to our Administrators. Use that button when you feel the need, and avoid posting your objection to the topic in question. We act very quickly when a user uses this feature. Be sure to include your reasons when reporting an objectionable post.

Above all, we must all be aware that each of us is here because we share an interest in Freemasonry. While our opinions and personalities may differ, we all share the same common interest. So regardless of how passionate we or others may seem, or whether we agree with everything posted here or not, we're all expected to behave in the manner expected of a Mason. So govern yourselves accordingly!

Rule 3. Use Discretion When Posting A New Topic!

In Masonry we're taught to avoid the discussion of religion or politics or anything which may cause separation between brothers. Please avoid posting topics or wording your posts in ways which might cause others to take offense. We often discuss topics in regards to what is wrong or right with Freemasonry today, how things might be improved, etc. Keep your posts focused more towards the positive than the negative.

We must also keep in mind that our personal experiences with Masonry differs because of the fact that our users hail from any different jurisdictions and locations. If a user comments on problems in his area, it is not necessarily a condemnation of the entire Craft but a commentary on his personal and local experiences. Everyone must also keep in mind that while we do discuss matters pertaining to Masonry, we do NOT post items (either in the public or tiled forums) which may infringe upon our obligations in regards to our modes of recognition, words, tokens, or that which might violate your OB's. We talk "Masonry" in many of its aspects, but only as far our obligations allow us to do so with non-members. While we "presume" that we're all members of the same fraternity, we cannot prove it easily; so govern yourselves accordingly.

If you feel that you don't agree with the subject matter or the opinions expressed in a topic, you can state so, but avoid becoming defensive or combative. Better yet, just ignore it and move on to a different topic if it doesn't agree with you. Or resort to Rule 2 and report it to our staff.

The rule of thumb here is to take care in selecting your subject matter before starting a new post, and to make an effort to focus on the positives more than the negatives. Because we are so passionate about our common interest, choose your words carefully so as to not offend anyone. Remember that what we read affects us more strongly and deeply than if we were engaged in physical conversation. Every word and opinion tends become magnified when we don't have the benefits of eye contact, voice inflections, tones of voice, etc. Keep that in mind while reading the posts of others, as well as when writing your own.

Things to think about are: Is this something suited for a tiled area or the public areas of the forums? Does it reflect positively or negatively on Masonry? How might the subject matter benefit the Craft? How does this reflect upon myself as a Mason and Forum member? And lastly..... Does this really need to be said?

If we can stick to these 3 rules of conduct, the forums will function much better for everyone.

jaya wrote: Bump.....   I am just bumping this to bring it to everyone's attention again. We all need to do a better job in paying attention to number 2 above.

Considering that it was a moderator that was the main violator of #2 in the Shrine thread, perhaps the mod team needs to understand these guidelines first. After all, how does one enforce something they can't follow themselves?

Bro. Jay, you've seen how the very same topic was debated at TSS with absolute civility.

In my experience as a moderator of another Masonic forum, I find that part of the burden of being a moderator is that it is now the SITE'S motives that drive your posts, not your own.  This means that there are times when you need to bite your tonge simply because you are a moderator, especially in cases where you normally would not.