1. It’s a good place. Make it better and we’ll like you.

2. We may or may not allow comments on a post. Each contributor will make that decision for himself/herself on a post-by-post basis.

3a. If a contributor allows comments he/she will be responsible to moderate the comments on his/her own post.

3b. Comment moderation can be a tricky thing. Everyone’s criteria for what is or isn’t acceptable is different. We won’t pretend that we don’t have our own biases if you won’t pretend that you don’t have yours. In the end, we won’t engage in fruitless debates over the appropriateness of our decisions regarding comments.

3c. If you insist on hijacking the comment section, running off-topic, we reserve the right to shut down comments on that post.

4. We will own our words. We expect you to own yours as well. If you are timid, fearful or simply want to anonymously flame someone do it somewhere else. If you insist, your comment will be deleted. If you persist you will be sent into Outpost exile. If you are a missionary who needs to protect yourself, provide a valid e-mail address and you will be fine. It will not be publicly displayed.

5. If you are a legalist or a sensitive type, you are probably not going to be very happy here, because there is a lot of humor, ranting and skewering of various targets, so if you are looking for the typical Baptist discussion area, I would move on. Seriously.

6. If you are looking for a bombing range, move on. If you are convinced of your intellect and want to prove it, move on. If you don’t have the time to respond to the poster or commenter in a way that honors the person above your disagreement, then you shouldn’t be commenting here.

7. There will be a variety of views expressed here. If you disagree with someone’s perspective feel free to say so. We may even disagree with each other from time to time. Go figure.

8. People really do read this. I mean LOTS of people, so before you post it, think about it.

9. People’s feelings can get hurt (though we might hate to admit it.) And it usually happens because you are immaturely upset that someone holds a different opinion than you, or you forget that discussing opinions doesn’t involve making personal judgments about people you only know on the other side of a monitor. It’s conversation, not sport.

10. If you apply a label to yourself, expect to be scrutinized based on the expectations that people have about that label. If you dispute their expectations with panache, your contribution to Outpost life will be appreciated. If you don’t dispute their expectations, but agree that you’re not meeting them, and insist that the label applies, you’re being silly, and you will be taunted.

11. It ranges from the serious to the trivial, sometimes the really serious and sometimes the extremely trivial. If you assume it will always be one thing or another, you will be wrong.

12. If you make a statement of reality or fact, it is perfectly fair- and not rude- to ask you to produce some credible evidence that backs you up. That is particularly appropriate when claims about individuals are made.

13. If you are a liberal or a fundamentalist or a big fan of TBN or overly enamored of your own opinions and expertise it may occasionally get ugly.

14. If you’re involved in a topic, you must respond in some way to questions directed specifically to you, or drop the topic. You may not continue to discuss the topic at hand while ignoring direct questions.

15. There are some points of view so offensive even we don’t want to listen to them. Racism, sexual stereotypes, disrespect to other Christian professions, etc. are not going to be edited or moderated. They are going to disappear and so are you. So if you become so obnoxious no one wants to post anymore, or we want to resign our own blog, we’ll show you the door. Start your own blog.

16. Don’t hound or taunt people. I mean, if you ask a question and get an answer twice, experience suggests its time to move on. If it amazes you that someone gives you the same stupid answer twice, then just be amazed.

17. Really long comments are tolerated. But there are limits to the human attention span, and many readers will not read long comments. After a while they conclude you have nothing interesting to say. If your comment is longer than the original post then start your own blog.

18. Don’t repeat yourself unless your mind is going and you can’t help it.

19. Constant negative posting/commenting makes you a pain.

20. If you know a lot more about something than the rest of us, then carry your knowledge with some grace and humility.