New Rules

[Tiberius]

Before she left the staff, Shell B did some re-writing of the rules, which we have finally uploaded. Most of them have remained the same, but some have been reworded to remove ambiguities. Please take the time to refresh your memory of what is and is not allowed here: https://atheistforums.org/rules.php

In addition, I have added a link to the rules which can be found in the site header, next to the link to Private Messages.

One new rule that should be mentioned is the forum-specific rule concerning the Introductions forum. From now on, no rude or insulting language is allowed in any thread in the Introductions forum. This ranges from direct personal attacks to indirect remarks about a person's religion or beliefs.

The reason for this new rule is to give new members some breathing space to introduce themselves without feeling like they are public enemy #1. We've seen a number of potential members get pounced on for simply stating their beliefs, which is silly. Please respect people who have just joined and make them feel welcome.

The full rule is as follows:

Whilst we are generally lenient with insulting language / rudeness in other forums, this kind of behaviour is explicitly disallowed in the Introductions forum. Please welcome new members to the community in a nice manner, or refrain from welcoming them at all.

Note that this does not give you a carte blanche to act in an insulting or rude manner in other areas of the forums. Please try to be welcoming and friendly at all times, even if a member is disagreeing with you. Rather than engaging with obvious spammers and trolls, please report them to the staff and let us take care of them.

- Staff

[Reforged]

Just read through it all. Loophole still intact.

[Tiberius]

Just read through it all. Loophole still intact.

Any loopholes are effectively made invalid by this clause: "Atheist Forums reserves the right to enforce the following rules as the staff sees fit. This disclaimer is for the sake of allowing the spirit of the rules to trump any literal interpretation of the rules."

[Reforged]

Just read through it all. Loophole still intact.

Any loopholes are effectively made invalid by this clause: "Atheist Forums reserves the right to enforce the following rules as the staff sees fit. This disclaimer is for the sake of allowing the spirit of the rules to trump any literal interpretation of the rules."

That would depend entirely on how far a moderator is willing to bend the rules and undermine the integrity of them in order to class someone as an offender.
At some point it would seem rather... counter-productive.

[5thHorseman]

came in expecting a Bill Maher clip

[Whateverist]

NEW RULES! From now on we have to be nice to people before we get to be mean to them. Those who always have a hard time thinking of anything nice to say can STFU.

Seriously, I like the new rule.

[Tino]

Do these rules apply to me?



You did say "question everything"

[Shell B]

NEW RULES! From now on we have to be nice to people before we get to be mean to them. Those who always have a hard time thinking of anything nice to say can STFU.

Seriously, I like the new rule.

No. We'll just be avoiding intro threads.

In all seriousness, it is not hard to be nice to newbs. It will just have to be a rule that we ask them to start a new thread when they start saying stupid shit. Easy as pie.

[Minimalist]

No. We'll just be avoiding intro threads.

Only if they self-identify as theists.

[Hughsie]

One new rule that should be mentioned is the forum-specific rule concerning the Introductions forum. From now on, no rude or insulting language is allowed in any thread in the Introductions forum. This ranges from direct personal attacks to indirect remarks about a person's religion or beliefs.

This coincides suspiciously with my arrival.

What have you people been hearing about me?