---------------------------------------------------- 2001-06-15 ----
           INTERFAITH E-Mail Conference Rules
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1. INTERFAITH is a multi-religious e-mail conference and mailing
list for the respectful discussion of individual religious and
spiritual beliefs. INTERFAITH is also for the purpose of
discrediting negative stereotypes and disarming destructive
inter-faith conflicts by first-hand information and interaction.

2. INTERFAITH includes the INTERFAITH echomail conference and the
interfaith Internet mailing list. Other venues may be added in the
future.

3. INTERFAITH is moderated by a team of moderators listed below.

          Jason Steck -- Owner/Moderator
               * tutakai@creighton.edu
          Dr Pepper -- Fido Moderator
               * 1:10/41, vjunc@ev1.net, vjunc@grixit.org

4. INTERFAITH e-mail conferences are firmly moderated to protect an
atmosphere of respectful and thoughtful discussion.

  - Participants are encouraged to focus on what they are FOR rather
    than whatever they may be AGAINST.

  - "Anti" behavior is specifically prohibited. "Anti" behavior is
    defined as any of the following four techniques employed to
    disparage, denigrate, ridicule, abuse, or in any way violate an
    atmosphere of mutual respect:

    = Mis-use of language. This includes vulgarity, name-calling,
      use of racial, ethnic or religious slurs (i.e. "cult"). Also
      includes subjective redefinitions of objective terms (i.e.
      attempts to define "Christian" or "pagan" in a specifically
      exclusionary manner).

    = Mis-appropriation of authority. This includes usurping the
      right of others to define and explain their own beliefs. The
      testimony and interpretations of a believer are presumptively
      superior in quality to the testimony and interpretations of
      outsiders or unbelievers.

    = Mis-representation of doctrine: This includes issuance of
      "exposes" or other presentations which fabricate, distort, or
      sensationalize the beliefs of others or which attempt to
      re-interpret or redefine those beliefs or create a negative
      stereotype thereof.

    = Mis-representation of history: This includes issuance of
      testimony which presents an distorted or sensationalized
      representation of the history of a religious group or which
      attempts to create or perpetuate a negative stereotype.

 - A modicum of respect towards the sacred beliefs of others is
 required. The content of religious ceremonies or rituals which are
 held by a group to be private and/or sacred will not be discussed
 within the conference.

- Proselytizing is not allowed. "Proselytizing" includes
  advertisement of meetings, advertisement of materials for sale,
  public prayers and other such direct attempts at religious
  conversion. Echomail conferencing is not considered an
  appropriate forum for such activity -- this conference exists to
  understand and befriend, not to convert.

- All viewpoints and philosophies are equally welcome insofar as
  they are presented in accordance with the conference rules. No
  group or philosophy is presumptive dismissed, discredited, or
  stereotyped.

- Perceived provocation from another does NOT excuse response
  in-kind. Matters of enforcement, correction, and interpretation
  of conference rules are the SOLE province of the moderators.

- Moderator decisions are not open to debate within the
  conference. Inquiries, suggestions or complaints should be
  directed to a moderator in netmail.