Right now only one rule keeps coming to mind. And it comes from a verse, taken out of context. Jeremiah 10:24a (you always know a verse is out of context if a person narrows the reference down to a or b!), New Living Translation:
“So correct me, Lord, but please be gentle.”
Ever since I read that verse, I’ve thought, if Jeremiah could ask God to be gentle in His correction, can’t I make the same request of other people. I hate to be corrected, even while I welcome it (I really do want to be able to see things from other people’s perspectives, even though at first I don’t always look like I really wanted to hear whatever correction has just been handed out!) But, I realized, when correction (or even just a differing perspective) is given, that a gentle presentation helps a whole lot. It helps me hear what you are saying and not cower because of how you are saying it.
I don’t always do this perfectly myself, but I do try. And that is the “rule” I’m asking be followed here–try to remember to be gentle in your presentation–whether you are disagreeing or think I (or another commenter) is totally in error.
I Just left a comment on another blog last night about this very issue of why I will not get into a discussion on someone elses blog on any controversial topic…one on one is fine, even better in person…but on the internet…there are way to many mean “snipy” (sp?) people who feel perfectly OK w/ verbally ripping on someone…so as I read your “rules” I feel very safe leaving a comment here and knowing you will not allow someone to do that to me…. very cool
ps I see you also have the “moderation” feature activated
I went that route earlier this Summer after being gone for a couple of days and reading some nasty nasty comments which had been posted in my absence. On my blog no less.