LDS_Net POLICY

1.  There is no official connection between the LDS-Net and the Church
    of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, hereafter referred to by the
    designation of either LDS Church, or Mormon Church.  Members of the
    LDS church will be referred to either as LDS or Mormons.  The net
    exists because people are interested in communicating about the
    various aspects of the LDS church.

2.  The LDS_Net is a pro-Mormon net.  That is, the net exists to
    PROMOTE the interests of the LDS church, as perceived by the
    Central Hub and local moderator of each conference. Any decision
    of the Central Hub overrides all other policy.

3.  Critics of the LDS church are welcome to post on the net, providing
    they abide by the policy of the net.  In line with statement number
    2 above, the presumption on this net is that the LDS church is what
    it claims to be--God's recognized and authorized church organization.
    This does not mean that critics can't challenge LDS beliefs.  It does
    mean that the burden of proof in such discussions falls on the critic,
    not on the LDS.

    This should not be taken to mean that LDS participants do not need
    to provide evidence for specific assertions.  For example, if an LDS
    asserts that the Bible is not a sufficient guide to Salvation, and a
    critic challenges that assertion, the LDS must either provide evidence
    for his assertion, or retract the assertion.  The evidence presented
    does not have to convince the critic, but must have substance and be
    reasonable.

4.  While critics are free to disagree with tenants of the LDS faith,
    they are not free to ridicule LDS people or LDS beliefs.  LDS beliefs
    are to be treated with respect.  It is possible for a critic to
    believe that Joseph Smith was the lowest scumbag on the face of the
    earth, and even argue for this point, without using the language of
    ridicule.

5.  Because of paragraph 2, there is a presumption on this net that the
    theological positions of critics of the LDS church are incorrect.
    That presumption does not provide justification for any LDS to
    demean the beliefs of the critics.  Respect for an opponent's views
    can be shown by all parties without implying agreement with those
    views.

6.  All those posting are encouraged to be polite in their posts.  The LDS
    posting have no more business being rude to critics than vice-versa.
    Those LDS who are rude will be disciplined just as severely as will
    rude critics.  It should be recognized by all net participants that
    the very nature of the discussions will often generate heat.  This
    paragraph of the net policy will undoubtedly be broken both by some
    LDS and some critics.  While all posters are to be polite, all posters
    are also encouraged to develop a thick skin and to not take offense.
    Specifically, do not return offense for offense.  In other words,
    don't respond to inappropriate posts, and don't make inappropriate
    posts.

7.  The Temple Ceremony is permanently off-topic.  Matters of the temple
    may be discussed only as far as what is stated in the Pearl of Great
    Price (the creation of the world).  Violation of this paragraph, 
    after having been informed of its contents, is the one sure way 
    to have one's links to the net swiftly cut.  The temple ceremony is
    too sacred to discuss anywhere outside of the temple itself.

8.  This policy may be revised from time to time as the Central
    Hub sees fit.

9.  The Central Hub and the conference moderator are the sole 
    judges of whether an infringement of policy has occurred.

                                        Ken Hedgecock
                                        Central Hub
                                        LDS_Net