February 23, 2008

• Editorial

  How We Do Things Here on Veritas Verbatim

  I’m surprised it has taken this long to finally have had to use the
  “delete” button here on Xanga. I’ve also learned where the “block”
  button is as well. Bee and I had talked about when she began to get
  comments that would start getting out of hand. Well, the time has come
  and now its done. I suppose each of us on Xanga goes through this at
  some point or another especially if we discuss topics that there are
  likely to have a wide range of opinions, all the way from extremely
  rational to those decidedly not. Anyhow, one learns quickly why radio
  show hosts simply hang up on some callers. A conversation is going
  nowhere but “down” very quickly and a decisive move has to be made. After
  sleeping on it, I’m glad I did it, both for the sake of that person and
  for the rest of us who really want to try to do something positive to
  understand His word better.

  So I’ve decided to compile a “rules and regulations” list for those who simply don’t “get it”. For those of you who have been here a long time and wish to impart some wisdom, I would sincerely welcome it.

  I have been very pleased with all you folks that stop by here and are
  very mature and self-controlled, and are able to express themselves
  constructively when they disagree. This speaks volumes about how the
  Lord is working in you and this is something that is valued here and I’ve learned a lot from folks who can help me understand their point through the proper use of the scriptures. In
  light of recent events, I have come to appreciate that more.
  
  
  Rules and Regulations for Participation on Veritas Verbatim
  (these may change as we
  learn more about how people tend to interact here… this is just a start)

  1.    This is a Bible study along with a few other incidental
  observations along the way that comes across my   
         desk,  some biblical,
  some not but perhaps may be related indirectly. In this study, the Bible is authoritative. I
         am subject to
  what it says… so is everyone else.

  2.    Come wanting to learn. There is plenty of material in the Bible
  to do that. I learn things every time I post…
         and I share these things
  with you. This is your opportunity to share what you see written there as well.

  3.    Come respecting God’s Word as the most perfect expression of
  truth, both in content and construction,
         which has come from the most
  perfect and benevolent communicator in the universe, God Himself.

  4.    The predominate method of study is attempting to discern, using
  plain language written in our Bibles, using
         conservative hermeneutics (appropriate bible interpretation practices), what God has said in the Bible
  and
         letting Him speak for Himself.

  5.    We come with the assumption that God wants everyone to understand
  what He has said. That said, His
         communication is very clear and simple
  so that even those with less ability can be able to understand what is
  
         said. This means we take a stand that the Bible reaches to the lowest
  level of human ability to understand and
         is accessible to all in either
  written or spoken form just as it is written. Otherwise, those who were
  
         academically challenged would be forbidden the opportunity to know God.

  6.    Questions are good. They are critical parts of a discussion. It
  helps us all identify areas of possible confusion
         and find ways to
  clear things up according to what He has said, just as He said it. I
  have learned a lot from
         really good questions being asked.

  7.    Disagreement is just fine. Just keep it civil and clearly on the
  point and offer clear explanations with scripture
         since that is what we
  deem as valid here. Opinions are just that and carry no particular
  weight. We are trying
         to learn here and we have no pretenses.

  8.    Don’t come with your “private interpretations”. I promise you
  that they will get no respect. Again, if God
         said it, then we consider
  it. If it isn’t there or cannot be corroborated elsewhere in scripture,
  then you should
         fully expect to not have your point considered. Not
  only that, remember God has stern words for those who
         add or subtract
  things to what He has said.

  9.    “Blog snipers” are unwelcome and this is not tolerated. These
  people come on your site and attempt to take it
         over by dominating the
  discussion and branch off into “name calling” and other disagreeable
  unsocial 
         behavior to get attention. If a person cannot get up the
  courage to write their own pieces on their own blogs
         to express
  themselves and then come to this blog to rant and rave and distract the
  study, I promise that they
         will experience the finality of the delete
  and/or block buttons. We have a “zero tolerance” policy about this. 
         We don’t mind having Xangan’s coming who are not prolific writers who simply want
  to visit and participate
         but we all know what “blog sniping” is and
  none of us like it.

  10.    Participation is open to anyone that just simply wants to study
  the Word without stress and a lot of
           argumentation and understands the
  straightforward kind of process we take in understanding the scriptures.

  11.    Be honest with your communications. Contentiousness is easily
  seen through even flowery words. If you are
           really speculating, please
  state that you are doing that because that means you are thinking and
  that’s good.
           You will get respect for being diligently observant and
  thinking toward solving a problem but haven’t quite
           got there yet. When
  speculation becomes “truth” without foundation in a discussion, that’s
  when we draw
           the line.

  12.    Intelligent discussion with the intent that everyone wins when
  we finally figure out something out that we
          didn’t know before is the
  intent of this site. As such, the concept of “debate” here is not
  considered
          appropriate when it becomes clear that it is a competitive
  contest to see who wins the argument. If there is a
          winner and loser,
  then such interaction is not welcome. There are other sites that do
  this. We don’t do that
          here. We have no trophies for “competitive
  winners” except the one called “loser”.

  RYC Policy:

  Responses to comments that lead to a discussion here will be placed on this site in its appropriate context. Doing otherwise often becomes confusing to others and clutters up others’ blogs with comments that folks simply don’t understand. I may RYC on another site if the impact of the answer is inconsequential to the other readers and does not disrupt their blog’s activities. Just common courtesy here…
  
  Let’s work with that for now. I’ll update it as I understand things
  better but this should provide some guidance for those who are
  wondering how we do things here.

  Finally, I want to express my gratitude for all you Xangans who have
  visited and have already practiced these things in the absence of this
  list. It was your participation that helped me write it since I could
  remember all the good things that came of our interaction. You all are
  great and I appreciate you all. As long as the Lord permits us to do
  this, we hope that we offer insights and help that really makes your
  visit here worthwhile. That’s the least I can do for you graciously
  spending your time here.

  Mr.Vee

  • 12:17 pm
  • 6 Comments