Here are some of the rules & regulations for people posting on WitnessesOnline.com:
With that in mind, we have to establish guidelines that will help to maintain that atmosphere.
It is an observation that there are individuals who use the Internet who are not satisfied with being one of Jehovah's Witnesses. We acknowledge that. However, the vast majority of the people who patronize this website are perfectly satisfied with being Jehovah's Witnesses, and as such, this website is not established for individuals who have a problem with doctrine. It is not established for individuals who have a problem with their local congregation elders. It is not established for those who wish to dispense their feelings about the Watchtower Society. It is not established for those who want to reform Jehovah's Witnesses stand on blood and the use of Non-Blood medical procedures. It is not established for those who wish to disrupt the friendship and association that legitimate servants of Jehovah are enjoying by patronizing this website. We are of the opinion that there are plenty of other websites for which to do any one of these activities, and we encourage, if not strongly advise individuals who wish to engage in that sort of negative behavior to go elsewhere.
Here is a list that further clarifies our stand.
We will not allow...
* Public revealing of private judicial committee matters. We didn't ask, and you shouldn't tell.
* Public revealing of congregational matters. If it is that bad in your congregation, it does no good to make it public to us, because we cannot help you.
* Sentiments of the AJWRB and any debates on the current stand of the Watchtower Society on the issue of blood. This only leads to controversy and most importantly, we've all made our own personal choice, and stand by it.
* Posts that proclaim Ex-JWs as victims or Jehovah's Witnesses as a cult in general, or posts that debate Bible dates and doctrine. It is our observation that individuals that do this are not looking for real answers but just wish to draw attention to themselves. It's never for a good reason so we will not allow it.
* Flaming and personal attacks on any of the members of Witnesses Online.com or it's Moderators and Administrators.
* Individuals who post controversial questions just to see how many people that he or she can offend. Otherwise known as trolling. If you are in need of attention, talk to your mother.
* Links to apostate websites. If you wish to see these websites, you will have to find them yourself.
* Potstirring just to "liven things up". This is something that has been tolerated at other websites, and it certainly is effective. However, as far as THIS website is concerned, no one else has the responsibility of making sure things stay lively except the moderators and administrators. That will NOT be accomplished by using issues or making issues out of doctrine, psuedo-traditions, or starting grey area debates. If this means that there will be "too much fluff" for you, then we strongly urge you to go to a website that will accomodate you.
Enforcement of these guidelines will be very strict. If we find obvious disobedience to these guidelines, we will issue a warning, and any violations afterwards the offending individual will be banned from posting. You will not be able to say that we did not warn you or spell it out.
The WOL.com Community has the atmosphere of family. There soon will be literally thousands of posters here, and the administrators of this website are doing all they can to make sure that the atmostphere remains safe and predictable. This is what we incite, as we all believe that we are brothers and sisters here. We like to stress that this is a recreational activity, and it's use needs to be balanced.
Witnesses Online.com is not responsible for-
* Loss of sleep;
* Problems in marriage due to use or overuse of the Internet, or not allowing your spouse to use the computer as well.
* Loss of employment due to unauthorized posting on the job;
* Emotional upset due to the posting of sensitive topics;
* Emotional upset due to unexpected, negative, or lack of responses to a post;
* Emotional upset due to the lack of "stimulating topics";
* Emotional upset due to a misunderstanding of a topic or a reply within;
* A poster missing the meetings, or being late for work.
Please refer to more helpful tips on our Netiquette page.
We have talked enough about what we don't allow... now let's tell you what we do want to see and what we will allow...
* Thoughtful posts.
* Positive and considerate posts.
* Topics that are not copycat topics.
* Down to earth posters. No putting on airs. No high-minded mess.
* Everyone to have FUN! that's mostly what we are here for, eh?
Let's get to it, shall we?
These guidelines are subject to revision and refinement, so check back often.
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With so many rules & regulations, dos and don'ts, it's like being back in the borg again, isn't it?
Peter Stride
Toronto, Canada
