AR-talk Charter -- release 2.1, August 21, 1997
AR-talk has been set up to promote the awareness of new resources in the field of Christian Apologetics. The field of apologetics is notorious for endless argument. AR-talk is not the place for such dialog. AR-talk provides the opportunity to discuss apologetics resources with regard to their content, their affiliation and their availability -- but not the merits of apologetics resources, pro or con (see "Note" at the end of this document). To include the latter would invite an increased volume of discussion group traffic that could compromise the discussion group's mission.
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apologetics: academic journals and popular periodicals, the online universe, books, broadcast media, software, CD-ROMs, unpublished monographs, and other informational materials.
In the event a given resource is presented to AR-talk as something it is not or is suspected not to be, then the discussion shall proceed with a view to attempt determination. The Moderator (Rich Poll) or an individual appointed by the Moderator will exercise the final word in all matters of dispute (as well as the latitude afforded disputes) in the interest of moving away from prolonged discussion and maintaining the focus of the discussion group. Tangential excursions will be discouraged. The judgement of the Moderator or individuals appointed by the Moderator will be final. Participation lacking calm and civil courtesy in discussion may constitute grounds for removal as a subscriber to the discussion group. Failure to abide by the instruction of the Moderator or individuals appointed by the Moderator may also constitute grounds for removal.
Again, a goal of AR-talk, beyond the introduction of new resources and the identification of existing resources, is to operate with brevity by avoiding unnecessary and/or prolonged discussion. AR-talk will maximize its value for the subscriber base if it is successful in the accurate, brief discussion of resources in Christian Apologetics.
Subscription to AR-talk is not limited to professing Christians. Non-Christians are welcome to subscribe. It is *critical* that the reader understand 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.
Here are some parameters to guide the posting of remarks in the narrow field of interaction that is intended to be typical to the AR-talk discussion group:
1) As stated above, AR-talk has been set up for the discussion of resources in apologetics. It is not the place to discuss the merits of those resources. This is to say, when the discussion moves beyond the work of accurate description of a resource to the point where someone is arguing for or against the content of a resource, it is then time to end the discussion and take it elsewhere.
2) Remarks about the value of a resource, whether positive or negative, are to be understood as opinion and must be restricted to brief explanations -- not presentations of argument. Minimal discussion for the sake of clarification as appropriate is acceptable.
These are merely guidelines which will help rule in decisions regarding the limits of discussion within AR-talk.
DISCUSSION GROUP MEMBERSHIP
If you wish to be added as a subscribing member of the AR-talk discussion group, 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 <your@e.address>. I agree to abide by the guidelines presented in the AR-talk Charter."
"YourReal NameHere"
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 Moderator <Apologia@xc.org>, Rich Poll, using the subject line "AR-talk Charter Agreement." Please allow up to two weeks for your approval to be cleared. In most cases approval shall occur within a day or two.
Collecting e-mail addresses from AR-talk for the purpose of mass mailing on the Internet is forbidden and may be considered grounds for removal from AR-talk.
With an interest in protecting their original content integrity, all posts to AR-talk become the property of Apologia, Post Office Box 552, Crestline, CA 92325 <http://apologia.org>. However, individual posts to AR-talk are considered public domain at the time of their release to the discussion group. Let it be understood that subscribers are therefore free to reproduce individual posts sent to AR-talk without permission. 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 discussion group and are not approved for circulation outside the discussion group's membership without permission.
Yours in the defense of Christian faith,
Rich Poll
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Rich Poll <Apologia@xc.org>
Owner/Moderator, AR-talk
<http://apologia.org>
What gives life meaning is not so much what you make of it,
but the degree to which what you find in it
has more significance than yourself.
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Note:
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 the one 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 A 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.
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End of the AR-talk Charter
*Special thanks to Eric Pement for his valuable help in preparing this document.*