Sponsored by

Yes, we are aware that we have a lenghty rules page. It wouldn't be necessary if people would behave themselves!

While we do want people to adhere to the rules, we do not usually try to be ultra- strict in enforcing all of them in all cases at all times; we try to be reasonable. Therefore, this long list of rules isn't as problematic or daunting as it may first seem!

Some rules had to be added as people found new and creative ways to misbehave in ways that the moderators had not forseen. Other rules, some of which may seem odd or too "nit picky," were added due to circumstances peculiar to a certain forum here at BVDB which attracts a certain kind of crowd.

Be forewarned:

If one or more of the administrators/moderators feel that a poster is not going to adhere to the rules -- and this decision is usually, but not always, arrived at by considering the poster's previous disruptive behavior -- then said poster may be banned without receiving warnings or prior notice. This is a subjective call on the moderators'/admins' part, and if you do not like this rule, then please reconsider participating at this board.

Most of the time, the administrators and moderators of this board are slow to ban people and have been known to let many infractions slide before giving someone the final heave-ho, and we've also been known to unban people.

We tend to take make our official governing decisions and disciplinary measures on a case - by - case basis when confronted with a "difficult" poster or infraction, since each individual has a different temperant and degree of cooperativeness, and we try to take this into account. In other words, if you show an honest attempt to get along after you have been asked to "play nice," the moderators are more likely to let infractions slide.

If you do not come on to the board with an arrogant or rude attitude, and you seem to be someone who is genuinely interested in the versions debate or in Christianity, you'll be more likely to be accepted and your views better received.

A final word: no admin or moderator is perfect, and this includes those of BVDB. We all, whether we are admins or moderators, make mistakes, and we all sometimes lose our tempers. We admins and moderators of BVDB do our best, though - our best not to lose our tempers; not to be unfair or abuse our authority; and not to let our personal feelings towards others interfere with our duties here.

About > Non Christian Posters (this is not required reading)

OUR BOARD IS BY CHRISTIANS FOR CHRISTIANS, AND NON CHRISTIANS CAN POST, BUT...

As Bible Versions Discussion Board is an environment created by Christians for Christians, we are not interested in or favorable towards allowing Non-Christians on the board, depending upon their intent and their attitudes.

Because of the very nature of Christianity -- we Christians are supposed to share our faith and "witness" to others (although it is debateable if this would apply to a Non-Christian approaching an area meant primarily for or only for Believers)-- we do, nonetheless, permit Non-Christians to participate at the board.

We cannot remind certain posters enough that this is a board by Christians for Christians; it is not a board dedicated to Non-Christian verses Christian debates.

This means that Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Muslims, Roman Catholics, atheists, Satanists, Pagans, Wiccans, and other assorted critics of Christianity or the Holy Bible who post here to promote or defend their beliefs or sacred writings, whether it be the Book of Mormon, New World Translation, alleged papal supremacy/infalliblity (or what have you) are strongly discouraged from doing so, and such posts may be deleted at the discretion of the admins or moderators without prior warning or notification.

Some of our Christian posters and administrators are college-educated and have been involved in Christian apologetics for years. Most of the Christians at our board are already familiar with all the anti-Bible, anti-Creationist, anti-Christian rhetoric and arguments, so a Non Christian should not feel the need to "convert" or "evangelize" us to their side by way of posting lists of alleged biblical errors, supposed historic atrocities committed by Christians, and so on.

We've heard it all before and are simply not interested!

About > Liberal Christian Posters (this is not required reading)

Since the admins and moderators of this board range from being moderate to conservative in their theological views, and since some views held by liberal Christians usually come very close to views held by some of the groups mentioned in the above paragraph in the "Non Christian" section* (e.g. most liberal Christians are usually pro-homosexuality, believe in a limited inerrancy view, agree with most findings of the Jesus Seminar etc.) , they will be skating on thin ice but are still welcome to post!

* we do not mean to imply that such individuals are not true Christians

Reminder: Please read the rules page before posting at BVDB! Contact the moderators: Scott, Joseph and Kristi