IJSS Membership Rules

It is the purpose of this website and the Members Only Page to glorify God and to bring attention to and debate God’s Word in a healthy, faith-building way.  Honest disagreement is expected and needed in order to further the pursuit of God’s truth.  This is why Paul said, “Let our conversation be always full of grace, but seasoned with salt.”  Violence, harassment, hateful speech, and other similar types of behavior discourage people from expressing themselves and ultimately diminish the value of healthy Christian debate. Our rules are to ensure all members can participate in the public conversation freely and safely, with love for others and Christian growth as our goal.

Love Governs

Love of God, and Love for our fellow man govern the content of our speech on the Members Only Page.  As Christians, we are called to conduct ourselves in a manner that is uplifting and beneficial to others.  That doesn’t mean we can’t ask hard questions, or express disagreement, even extreme disagreement with the content of a story, or what I have said, or others have said.  However, as Christians we are called to treat all with respect, even love, and to adhere to different standards than the rest of the World.

Safety

Violence: You may not threaten violence against an individual or a group of people. We also prohibit the glorification of violence. 

Terrorism/violent extremism: You may not threaten or promote terrorism or violent extremism. 

Sexual exploitation: We have zero tolerance for sexual exploitation. 

Abuse/harassment: You may not engage in the targeted harassment of someone or incite other people to do so. This includes wishing or hoping that someone experiences physical or spiritual harm. 

Hateful conduct: You may not promote violence against, threaten, or harass other people on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, caste, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religious affiliation, age, disability, or serious disease. 

Suicide or self-harm: You may not promote or encourage suicide or self-harm. 

Sensitive media, including graphic violence and adult content: You may not post media that is gory or share violent or adult content or in profile or header images. Media depicting sexual violence and/or assault is also not permitted.  

Illegal or certain regulated goods or services: You may not use our service for any unlawful purpose or in furtherance of illegal activities. This includes selling, buying, or facilitating transactions in illegal goods or services, as well as certain types of regulated goods or services. 

Privacy

Private information: You may not publish or post other people’s private information (such as home phone number and address) without their express authorization and permission. We also prohibit threatening to expose private information or incentivizing others to do so.

Nudity: You may not post or share intimate photos or videos of someone that depict nudity, or that were produced or distributed without that person’s consent.

Political Speech

The Members Only Page is for legitimate, and even spirited debate on religious matters.  It is not intended for political speech.  There are other places for that.  God loves both the Republican and the Democrat.  The purpose of the Members Only Page is to unite, not divide.  Accordingly, political speech supportive of any political party or politician is not permitted.  Likewise, political speech in any way denigrating any political party or politician is not permitted.

Authenticity

Platform manipulation and spam: You may not use the Members Only Page or the website in a manner intended to artificially amplify or suppress information or engage in behavior that manipulates or disrupts people’s experience on the Member’s Only Page.

Civic Integrity: You may not use the Members Only Page or the website for the purpose of manipulating or interfering in elections or other civic processes. This includes posting or sharing content that may suppress participation or mislead people about when, where, or how to participate in a civic process.

Impersonation: You may not impersonate individuals, groups, or organizations in a manner that is intended to or does mislead, confuse, or deceive others.

Synthetic and manipulated media: You may not deceptively share synthetic or manipulated media that are likely to cause harm.

Copyright and trademark: You may not violate others’ intellectual property rights, including copyright and trademark.

Enforcement and Appeals

Immediate termination of Membership and forfeiture of membership dues. Violation of any one of these rules can result in a warning or in an immediate termination of Membership and forfeiture of dues paid without refund of any kind, and without notice of any kind.  The determination of whether the rules have been violated and the enforcement action to be taken is within the sole discretion of Bill Walker.  Any and all appeals are to Bill Walker, at bill@IfJesusSpokeSouthern.com.  The decision on appeal is within the sole discretion of Bill Walker, and is final.

The failure to enforce any one or more violations of these rules does not constitute a waiver or consent.

Advertising

You may not submit, post, or display any advertising content of any kind on or through the Members Only Page without our prior consent.