Reflectorites
For those who don't know me, my name is Steve Jones, and I was a
member of the Calvin Reflector for about 5 years until late last year.
I left the Reflector because it was announced it was closing down (but I
note it still hasn't!). At the time I said I was going to start a new List and
some of you expressed an interest in joining it.
But I was told about another List which had a promising set of rules about
no personal attacks being tolerated and a friendly atmosphere being the
norm, so I joined. But unfortunately that List did not live up to its early
promise (at least as far as I understood it when I joined), so I recently left
and started a new List called CreationEvolutionDesign@yahoogroups.com.
The statement of the aims and rules for the new CreationEvolutionDesign
List are:
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This List is for the discussion and sharing of Creation, Evolution and
Intelligent Design issues. All views across the whole creation, evolution
and design spectrum are welcome.
On previous such Lists I have been a member, there has been the tendency
of a few strong-minded individuals (including me!) to dominate the
discussion at the expense of those less assertive. An aim of this List is to
encourage as many members as possible to participate.
Therefore the rules of this List are:
1. Personal attacks, rudeness, profanity, vulgarity and blasphemy will not
be tolerated. After a number of warnings, persistent offenders will be
permanently banned.
2. Vigorous attacks against a member's *position* are expected and those
who cannot handle that should think again before they post. Ad hominem
attacks against a member's *person* however, will not be tolerated.
3. While at this early stage there is no limit to the number of messages one
may post in a session, quality rather than quantity should be the aim.
Members should not feel they have to respond to every post, even those
referring to them.
4. Long-running threads that are of interest only to a small number of
individuals should be taken off-List.
5. Posting under multiple names is prohibited.
6. Mutual respect and sensitivity towards those with opposing views is
essential. In particular, excessive `creationist-bashing' by evolutionists and
`Bible-bashing' by Christians will be discouraged.
Stephen E. (Steve) Jones
Moderator
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These rules should only be interpreted to mean nothing more or less than
the ordinary standards of courteous communication in civilised society. The
way we all talk everyday with our friends, neighbours and workmates.
They are meant to *free* discussion of the *issues* not restrict it.
They are really the same sort of rules that prevailed on the Reflector when I
joined it in 1995 and Phillip E. Johnson was the Moderator. The following
except from the original protocols we all got when we subscribed, expresses
the aim of the new CreationEvolutionDesign List:
"Everyone should feel free to sound off, but the discussion should
at all times be courteous and nobody should feel badgered or
harrassed. I don't expect that to be a problem, but I will step in as
moderator if needed to maintain a constructive tone to the
discussion or cut off repetitive discussions that may be boring to
some of us. (Such discussions can of course be continued among a
smaller group that retains interest in the subject.)"
At this early stage, new members and messages must be approved by the
Moderator. But that is only temporary to filter out `flamethrowers' until the
List develops a large enough membership with a shared consensus of its
own ethos. The Archives are open so potential members can browse them
before joining. Unfortunately there isn't much in them as yet! I will start
posting some science news items that people might want to join to discuss.
The following key addresses appear at the foot on the new List's home
page:
Post message: CreationEvolutionDesign@yahoogroups.com
Subscribe: CreationEvolutionDesign-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Unsubscribe: CreationEvolutionDesign-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
List owner: CreationEvolutionDesign-owner@yahoogroups.com
URL to this page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CreationEvolutionDesign
I will remain subscribed to the Reflector for about a week to answer any
questions about the new List.
Looking forward to hearing from you, and maybe even your request
for membershp!
Steve
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"Biology is the study of complicated things that give the appearance of
having been designed for a purpose." (Dawkins R., "The Blind
Watchmaker," [1986], Penguin: London, 1991, reprint, p.1)
Stephen E. Jones, Ph. +61 8 9448 7439. http://www.iinet.net.au/~sejones
Moderator: CreationEvolutionDesign@yahoogroups.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CreationEvolutionDesign
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Feb 09 2001 - 18:42:45 EST