[Mr.Atos]

You make a good point. And the incivility tells you just as much about someone's true beliefs as the points they try to make. I'm not sure how one moderates free speech... especially when it comes to religion and philosophy. I'd like to think that we all operate from a certain 'common' level when it comes to civil discourse. Those who violate that common respect, censor themselves in the minds of the participants. Nevertheless, I do understand the necessity for a certain degree of filtering to eliminate the typical Web debris.

God's speed to 'Reverend Jim.' Just remember...

...there is no spoon.

[Sidebar Moderator]

I'm not sure how one moderates free speech...

Let me use your comment to make a very fine, but important point.

As I see it, we are not moderating the free speech of anyone. Everyone who posts here has the absolute freedom to say whatever he or she wants to say; after all, we can't stop them anyway.

At the same time, Jim Robinson, as the owner of the forum, has the equal right to decide what kind of speech he will allow on his web site - and what speech he doesn't want. I, as one of his moderators, have the obligation to follow his guidelines to the best of my ability.

So, in short, anyone can say what they want to say, and if it violates the posted guidelines, and comes to my attention, I have the obligation to remove it. And I will.