ATTN The Bold Truth Forum Rules & Guidelines #guideline #love #policies #posts #replies #respect #rules #threads #topics

Welcome to The Bold Truth! This community exists to study God’s Word, ask honest questions, and encourage one another. To keep it a place where everyone can grow, please read and follow these guidelines. By posting here, you agree to abide by them.

“Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)

1. Speak the Truth in Love

• Hold firmly to Scripture, and share your views with kindness and humility (Ephesians 4:15).
• Disagreement is welcome. Disrespect is not.
• Attack ideas, never people. No insults, name-calling, mockery, or personal attacks.
• Assume the best of others. Many members are at different stages of faith, and some are still searching.

2. Respect Fellow Believers

• Members come from many denominational backgrounds. Discuss differences respectfully, and don’t claim that someone isn’t a Christian because they disagree with you on secondary issues.
• Don’t use the forum to promote one church or denomination over another. Present your view, then let the discussion stand.
• Seekers, skeptics, and doubters are welcome to ask questions in good faith. Please treat them with patience and grace.

3. Keep It Edifying

• No profanity, vulgar language, or crude humor, including censored or abbreviated forms.
• No sexually explicit content, graphic violence, or anything that wouldn’t belong in a church fellowship hall.
• No hate speech, racism, or discrimination of any kind.
• No gossip, slander, or exposing private information about other people.

4. Stay on Topic

• Post in the category that fits your topic. Moderators may move threads when needed.
• Search before starting a new thread, since your question may already be answered.
• Give threads clear, descriptive titles.
• Don’t derail threads. Start a new thread for a new topic.

5. Debates and Tough Questions

• Back up your points with Scripture and sound reasoning, not just opinion.
• Quote others accurately and don’t misrepresent their views.
• If a discussion becomes heated, step away. Moderators may lock a thread that is no longer productive.
• Politics: keep discussion focused on biblical principles. Partisan campaigning and political attacks are not allowed.

6. Prayer Requests and Personal Sharing

• Respect privacy. Only share details about other people with their permission.
• Keep replies to prayer requests encouraging. Avoid lecturing, debating, or offering unsolicited advice unless it’s requested.
• This forum is not a substitute for professional help. If you or someone you know is in crisis or danger, please contact emergency services or a crisis line right away.

7. Spam and Self-Promotion

• No spam, advertising, or unsolicited promotion of products, services, or websites.
• Don’t post affiliate links or referral codes.
• Links to relevant resources are welcome when they add to the discussion.
• Do not use private messages to solicit members.

8. Content and Copyright

• Don’t post pirated material or copyrighted content you don’t have permission to share.
• When quoting books, articles, or sermons, give credit and link to the source.
• Only upload files to the Resource Manager that you have the right to share.

9. Accounts and Conduct

• One account per person. Don’t create multiple accounts or impersonate others.
• Don’t harass members through private messages.
• Keep your profile, avatar, and signature appropriate under these same rules.
• Use the Live Chatbox for casual fellowship. Longer doctrinal discussions belong in the forums.

10. Moderation

• Moderators may edit, move, lock, or remove content that breaks these rules, and may issue warnings, temporary suspensions, or permanent bans depending on the severity and frequency of violations.
• If you see a post that breaks the rules, use the Report button rather than responding to it.
• Please don’t argue moderator decisions in public threads. If you have a concern, contact the team through a support ticket.
• Moderators may act at their discretion when a situation isn’t covered above, with the goal of keeping this community peaceful and God-honoring.

A Final Word

We’re all works in progress, and we’re here to encourage each other. If you ever feel unsure whether something is appropriate, ask yourself:

Is it true? Is it kind? Does it build others up?

Thank you for helping make The Bold Truth a community that honors the Lord.

In Christ,
The Bold Truth Team