AGREEMENT OF THE WILLING
Effective August 9, 2003, we, the undersigned, freely and in good faith agree that henceforth we shall treat others on these threads as we wish to be treated ourselves.
The agreement will continue even if any one or more of the following guidelines are found untenable. Any person joining in this agreement may withdraw at his own discretion without explanation. All remaining parties to the agreement agree to be bound even if one or more parties disavow their agreement.
Guidelines
5. Language Restraint: We will not use obscene or belittling words to describe another complying poster or whatever that poster believes; however, merely factual or logical criticism and rebuttal shall never be considered "obscene or belittling."
If one of us notices another poster creating problems on the thread, we may post a warning in behalf of all of us, to the effect of: "Hey X, that post of yours [number 123] was a bit provocative. You know we have rules about disrupting (or whatever). I understand that you're momentarily swept up in the debate, but please restrain yourself."
Or: [in lieu of the 2nd sentence in bold] "Under our agreement, the actions of provocateurs, trolls, spammers, and disruptors are prohibited, as is the use of obscene or belittling words to describe another poster or his beliefs."
After having made such a good faith attempt to bring the offending poster into compliance, if the problematic poster continues in the offending behavior we may post a warning (such as: "Don't feed the trolls!") to other posters that the problematic party has chosen not to comply. If the problem persists, the offender may thereafter be called a provocateur, troll, spammer, or disruptor, and doing so will not be a violation of this agreement.
Separate Agreement for Fundamentalist Christian Freepers:
Concurrent with the AGREEMENT OF THE WILLING, and binding only those Free Republic Fundamentalist Christian posters who voluntarily agree, we the parties to this separate agreement resolve as follows:
We additionally agree to forgive all trespasses prior to the effective date and thereby join in agreement praying for civility among all the participants and blessings for each and every one. Mark 11:24-25.