Submission To Peace

To make posting and surfing easier and to maintain a high standard of interesting and informative debate, please make sure you stick to the following rules:

1. Refrain from quoting LONG posts, as it causes distraction to the eye. Better quote the part in a post that you are directly referring to...otherwise delete some paras or use @ to directly address the poster whom you want to reply.

2. Do NOT quote a post when your reply follows right after it. It takes up unnecessary space and makes reading difficult. It can disrupt the flow of a thread, because posters have to scroll through large amounts of text that they may not wish to read.

3. Avoid irrelevant one liners and idle chitchat, as it derails the topic under discussion.

While posting regarding the views of a particular sect/religion, if possible, it is preferable to clearly state which sect/religion is being referenced in the description shared. So people who would like to avoid reading material supporting a specific view have the option to ignore it.

Moderation

It includes editing, moving, and deletion of posts or threads. It should be noted that, posts and threads are dealt with on a case-by-case basis, in an effort to create a balance between competing points of view and to treat all posters fairly, given all the circumstances. In general, posters will not be informed that their posts have been moderated. However, a reason for editing may be mentioned in the relevant post. Members should not re-edit the post after a moderator has edited it.

The moderators understand that many topics in the Religion forum are variations on a theme. That is to be expected in this forum. However, topics which are mere cut-and-pastes from previous thread topics may be deleted or merged with a previous thread.

Posts which attack a person rather than his or her views will be edited to remove the unnecessary personal remarks.

Examples of acceptable posts:

• It is evident from your comments that you lack knowledge of Atheism ...
• Your views about Islam are illogical, because ...
• You obviously don't understand shia/sunni sect, because ...

Examples of unacceptable posts:

• A person who thinks the way you do needs mental treatment..
• Your post clearly shows your stupidity and hatred against Islam...
• You seem to be an idiot who doesn't know anything about Christianity.

No Propaganda

Material copied word by word from other web sites, books or articles, which demonstrates clear bias for or against a particular religious belief or religious group is not encouraged. One may use articles which examine an issue objectively, without a particular religious or political bias. Posts consisting solely of propaganda may be edited or deleted.

Original material posted by Gupshup members will not be regarded as propaganda, provided that any argument is based on logical reasoning made for or against a particular view and is supported by evidence and appropriate references to source material. Moderators will have regard to the percentage of original material in a post in taking any decision to edit or delete it. Members who post their own views will be treated with greater respect and a lighter hand than those who merely cut-and-paste the views of others.

Name Calling and Generalization is Prohibited

Do not assign a character feature to any member because of his/her firmness in his/her belief system. Any kind of name-calling will be edited or deleted. Unacceptable posts include:

• Muslims like you are totally blinded by what is written in their books.
• All Hindus are racists thinking of themselves holier than others.
• Muslims like you have given bad impression to Islam in the west.

No Provocation of Angry Reaction

Posts in the middle of a heated discussion, which in the moderator's opinion, serve no purpose but provokes an angry reaction from another member, will be deleted. Avoid posts which promote hatred among different religions, ethnic groups or nations. All racial slurs will be deleted.

It is not expected that members of one religious group or belief system will be friendly and receptive to contrary beliefs. However, this is not an excuse for the general disparagement of anybody who adheres to a belief system you personally find disagreeable or offensive. Posts that have the agenda of proclaiming one religion as better than another by degrading other belief systems may be deleted.

All the above rules are there to make this forum a better place for you. We hope that you will enjoy your time on this forum. The quality of your posts makes this forum what it is.