AR-talk charter and FAQ


What is AR-talk?

The primary purpose of the AR-talk mailing list is to identify and share apologetics resources. We use another list, AR-forum, for more extensive discussion about apologetics resources. (More about AR-forum follows.)

AR-talk's value is in providing busy religion professionals with brief, accurate identification and/or description of those resources. Clarifying remarks may be made regarding the content, availability or affiliation of the material presented. However, this list is not intended as a place to discuss the merits, pro- or con, of the viewpoints presented in those resources.
Example:
A request is made for resources regarding a certain movement, doctrine or organization. Someone may refer to an article in an academic publication. Someone else will suggest a recent book, and another may post the URL to an article on the Web.

It is acceptable to point out that a particular source is funded by some "new religious movement," to suggest that some information may be suspect, or that another source presents a more detailed treatment.

It is NOT acceptable to debate the merits of an author's viewpoint, or to debate perspective in other ways.

What are apologetics resources?

By "apologetics resources," we mean the key tools religion professionals find useful to remain current in their fields of specialization and further their understanding of spiritual trends, comparative religion and theological studies as they relate to Christian apologetics: academic journals and popular periodicals, the online universe, books, broadcast media, software, unpublished monographs, and other informational materials.

Who can subscribe to AR-talk?

Subscription to AR-talk is open to Christians and non-Christians alike. All subscription requests are subject to moderator approval. All subscribers must agree to abide by the rules presented in this Charter & FAQ document. It is critical that the reader understands AR-talk will include discussion of non-Christian and/or unorthodox resources as well as Christian resources. Therefore, let the reader beware — AR-talk is NOT the place for novice spiritual seekers. Maturity, or the lack of it, will stand out. By "maturity," we do not refer to those who have known their Bible and been active in their church for years. We are referring to the ability to not get bent out of shape when someone else, who is supposed to be mature, behaves in an immature way.


Who is behind AR-talk?

AR-talk is operated by Apologia, publisher of Apologia Report — a weekly e-mail research bulletin surveying new resources in Christian apologetics and the arena of competing worldviews.


Why and how is the list moderated?

AR-talk is moderated to maximize its efficiency and value to religion professionals.

The moderator or individuals appointed by the moderator will exercise the final word in all matters of dispute in the interest of moving away from prolonged discussion, maintaining the focus of the list.

The judgement of the Moderator or individuals appointed by the Moderator will be final.

Failure to abide by the instruction of the Moderator or individuals appointed by the Moderator may constitute grounds for removal.

This charter may be modified as needed. Major revisions will be announced on the list.


What is the "Penalty Box"? / What is the ''Dog House''?

A subscriber who fails to abide by the rules for this list may, at the discretion of the moderator, be placed in "read-only" mode - our virtual "penalty box." Full access is restored only after an apology, and a commitment to improve one's behavior in using the list. Those who do not apologize may remain in the penalty box for an extended time determined on a case-by-case basis by the moderator. Repeated visits to the penalty box will result in longer suspensions, or in being dropped from the list.

After years of using the penalty box we have started to employ a less serious penalty measure that we call the "Dog House." While the application of the penalty box may involve public notice, the application of the dog house will not usually be announced and will not carry the same requirement for reinstatement. Both result in being reduced to read-only mode. However, to get out of the dog house no apology will be required, only an acknowledgement and a commitment to improve one's behavior in using the list. Those who do not acknowledge the penalty and commit to improve may remain in the dog house for an extended time determined on a case-by-case basis by the moderator. Repeated visits to the dog house will result in longer suspensions, or in being dropped from the list.


Do you have any posting rules and tips?
  • Keep posts as brief as possible.
  • Instead of posting lengthy articles to the list, refer to the URLs of those articles.
  • When posting URLs, briefly describe what is found there. Just writing, "Hey, check this out!" is not very helpful.
  • Quote as little as possible from the message you reply to. Please do not include the entire original post that you are replying to at the end of your replies to the list. Make sure that your e-mail software has this feature disabled. Those who violate this rule may find themselves in the read-only dog house.
  • Keep your signature file short. Netiquette allows for no more than four lines.
  • Use a three-letter code at the beginning of your subject line (unless you are posting a reply and not originating a new thread). For example:
  • ANN: Announcement (of conferences, new materials, etc.)
  • REQ: Request for information and general questions about resources
  • RES: Resource information
  • FYI: Items of interest OTHER than a resource. * Speak the truth in love. If you do not use courtesy in your posts, you may experience the penalty box or dog house.

What kind of posts are inappropriate?
  • Anything not directly related to the purpose of the AR-talk list. If in doubt, contact the moderator.
  • Replies meant solely to say "Thank you," "Attaboy," "I agree," "That was funny," or similar sentiments.
  • Replies that should be private (If someone asks for private input, make sure that person's email address is in the "to:" field of your reply)
  • Hoaxes, virus warnings, "Thoughts- Devotions- or Scriptures of the Day," prayer requests, jokes, etcetera.
  • Posts containing attachments, including .vcf files (electronic business cards).
  • Posts containing rich text, including HTML.
  • Posts lacking in courtesy. Ad hominem attacks.
  • It is always inappropriate to discuss the integrity of individuals or ministries here. At the same time, it is understood that discussion regarding the integrity of their work typically constitutes the heart of apologetic dialog. Those demonstrating an immature appreciation, or blatant disregard for the subtle differences here, will not be welcome on the AR-lists.

Apologetics, for this list, has been defined by our charter: "The primary purpose of the AR-talk mailing list is to identify and share 'apologetics resources.'... By 'apologetics resources,' we mean the key tools religion professionals find useful to remain current in their fields of specialization and further their understanding of spiritual trends, comparative religions and theological studies as they relate to Christian apologetics: academic journals and popular periodicals, the online universe, books, broadcast media, software, CD-ROMs, unpublished monographs, and other informational materials."

Apologetics crosses numerous rivers of thought from ethics to film. Although countless topics have emerged on AR-talk with bushels of good fruit, as a list we have proven ourselves unable to control our statements and emotions and have degenerated to throwing rotten fruit relative to certain topics.

Some of these topics include politics, human rights violations, war, the death penalty, and the like. Through years of watching the list and seeing these less fruitful topic areas develop, it is safe to say that various pet topics have become a platform for some on AR-talk. This needs to stop.

We need to focus more clearly on apologetics. By this we (the moderators) do not mean that those topics have no apologetic value or connection. We are of the opinion that this list can no longer bear the weight of further unfruitful discussion related to these topics. This is unfortunate. However, in the interest of progress, we must narrow the focus of this list to prevent continued counterproductive traffic being added to the archive and our Inboxes.

Below is an example of content (sometimes also in blog notice posts) that will be allowed and will not be allowed.

***WITHIN THE CHARTER:***
"Is Muhammad A True Prophet?"
"Dispelling Muslim Myths About The Gospel"
"God and Allah: Are They The Same?"
"Is The Welfare of Christians and Jews Guaranteed Under Islamic Shari'ah?"
"Power Still Dwells: The Ethics and Politics of Comparison in A Magic Still Dwells"
"'Disenchanting' the Comparative Study of Religion"
"Why Magic? It's Just Comparison"
"Witches hold conference"
"Mormons to expand ASU center"

***NOT WITHIN THE CHARTER:***
"Time For Rumsfeld To Resign"
"Rumsfeld Bears Share Of Blame"
"America's problem"
"Bin Laden Top for U.S. Pay-Per-View Execution?"


May I ask for help in looking for information?

Please do not ask the list to do the homework you could have done for yourself first. If a simple Internet search engine would give you the results you are seeking and yet you ask the list instead, you may find yourself in the read-only mode "dog house."

One of the web's best search engines is Google. It's advanced search is easy to use, and comes with (clear instructions).

See also these Search Engine Tutorials.


What is the best way to request information?

When you request information regarding a group, movement, organization, doctrine, or resource, include as many details as possible. For example: name of organization, doctrines adhered to, web site, location, etcetera.
Do not quote lengthy text. Summarize and/or provide URLs. Request resource information, not opinion. Requests for opinion may result in a trip to the read-only dog house.

Where can I discuss resources? / What is AR-forum?

AR-forum, a companion list to AR-talk, provides religion professionals and graduate students an opportunity for extended discussion on apologetics resources.

The difference between AR-talk and AR-forum is:
  • AR-talk — apologetics resources Q&A, find/share, no discussion (i.e., no interchange about a resource apart from efforts of identification and minor clarification)
  • AR-forum — discussion about apologetics resources along the lines of an extended thread which clarifies some point about a resource or involves qualifications about a resource
Posting privileges on AR-forum are reserved for religion professionals and graduate students. All others will have read-only access.
Click here to apply for access to the AR-forum list.

What if I have a question regarding list use?

Contact a moderator: Steve Hogel (Shogel(at)midsouth.rr.com), Michael Hamblin (michaelh(at)ductape.net), and Rich Poll (richpoll(at)apologia.org)
The above e-mail addresses must be modified in order to work properly.
Change the "(at)" to "@" and it will work. This helps us avoid spam.

Can I announce my new book, public debate, press release, or article?

If it relates to apologetics, yes. If it does not, no. If you contribute little else other than what may be construed as self-promotion, you may find yourself in the read-only dog house. Imbalance in self promotion (including your organization) may not be endured for long. If in doubt, contact a moderator: Steve Hogel (Shogel(at)midsouth.rr.com), Michael Hamblin (michaelh(at)ductape.net), and Rich Poll (richpoll(at)apologia.org)
The above e-mail addresses must be modified in order to work properly.
Change the "(at)" to "@" and it will work. This helps us avoid spam.

May I add AR-lists subscribers to my mailing list?

No. Collecting e-mail addresses from the AR-lists for the purpose of mass mailing is forbidden and may be considered grounds for removal from both AR-talk and AR-forum.

What should I know about copyright?

With an interest in protecting their original content integrity, all posts to AR-talk become the property of Apologia, Post Office Box 63422, Colorado Springs, CO 80962.

However, unless otherwise noted, individual posts to AR-talk are considered public domain at the time of their release to the list. Subscribers are therefore free to reproduce individual AR-talk posts without permission, as long as they are properly credited and are not modified.

Collections of (or from) two or more sequential posts from any thread on AR-talk (in whole or in part) are intended for the private use of subscribers to the list and are not approved for circulation outside the list without permission.


How do I subscribe?

If you wish to subscribe to AR-talk, please submit your request as follows ONLY if you agree to the entire contents of this charter document:
"Please add me to AR-talk using the e-mail address [ENTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS HERE]. I agree to abide by the guidelines presented in the AR-talk Charter and FAQ."

[ENTER YOUR REAL NAME HERE] (this must be your real name, not a screen name).
All requests to subscribe to the discussion group without the PRECISE WORDING as seen in quotes above with their e-mail address and real name will be refused and returned to their sender. (Note, the requested e-mail address must be the same as the one used to send the request. If it is not, the request will be returned. This is to avoid people signing up anyone other than themselves.)

Send your copy of the above terms of agreement to the webmaster: agree2(at)apologia.org, Rich Poll, using the subject line "AR-talk Charter Agreement." Please allow up to one week for your approval to be cleared. In most cases approval shall occur within a day or two.
The above e-mail address must be modified in order to work properly.
Change the "(at)" to "@" and it will work. This helps us avoid spam.

How do I unsubscribe?

To leave the AR-talk list, send an email to unsubart(at)apologia.org, with as the first and only line of your message: unsubscribe AR-talk
The above e-mail address must be modified in order to work properly.
Change the "(at)" to "@" and it will work. This helps us avoid spam.

Where is the AR-talk archive?

We are working at making an archive available through LeaderU.com. No target date has been set.


Footnotes
Additional examples of approved and disapproved discussion topics:
  1. Arminian and Calvinist resources, not the virtues of one position over another. The same goes for resources on other disputed topics, either in-house (eschatology, spiritual gifts, church government, systematic theology, baptism, etc.) or with interreligious disputes (e.g., the validity of an Isa movement within Islam, protracted debunking of Scientology e-meters, or an exposition on dowsing).
  2. Cultic resources, not the reasons they are considered cultic. (The opinion of those posting regarding the classification of a resource as cultic will remain their own. Challenges to the classification of a resource will be entertained — but discussion will not be allowed in prolonged fashion. Again, in all cases, if necessary the Moderator will make the final call to end discussion.)
  3. Regarding traditions, denominations and movements (Roman Catholicism, Seventh-Day Adventism, the Word-Faith movement, etc.), Evangelicals are not universally agreed on the classification of these groups. Don't plan on ending the argument and clarifying the conclusion for the rest of the planet here on AR-talk.
  4. If you have an opinion you are welcome to state it, briefly -- but don't defend it. You are welcome to refer to a resource supporting its defense.
                  » Back to text
 
 
© 2004 Apologia