1. The Rose Garden is a non-debate forum, where we can meet as friends and fellow travellers, and share our experiences and support one another. It is primarily a Christian forum, but as such is non-denominational. Whether you are Methodist, Catholic CofE, Episcopalian, Orthodox, Quaker or just Christian, you are welcome here, and your faith and beliefs are respected.
2. Although we cannot 'see' each other, we are real people, with real feelings, something that is easy to forget when sat behind the anonimity of a computer screen. When conversing with one another, please do so as you would if you were face to face, with love and respect.
3. This is a closed forum, viewed by members only. Nevertheless, it is still good to be aware of cyber-safety, and be careful when disclosing personal details, phone numbers etc. If in doubt, keep such personal information to private messages. Some people here may not wish their real life identity to be known, and that is ok. Please all be respectful of everyone's pesonal wishes as regards identity.
4. Anything rude or offensive will be removed by myself or a member of the moderating team. This includes offensive language, inappropriate posts/images, and any abuse towards a member of the Forum.
5. You are welcome to post any helpful links in your posts or signatures. Please do not post links to anything which may be offensive to someone of a different denomination, or links to others forums, but personal Blogs are fine.
6. Whilst it is fine for members to provide links to home-businesses they may be involved in, commercial advertising will be removed asap!
7. The Rose Garden does not encourage lurkers. This forum encourages friendship and active participation. In any small group, a willingness to share and 'be known' fosters trust within the group. If members are able to read others posts, but are not willing to post themselves, it can inhibit trust and the development of caring relationships.
8. Please do your best to be aware of others' posts. If someone is down, offer them a hug. If someone is happy, rejoice with them. Unless we are all prepared to reach out to each other and communicate God's love, then the purpose of the Rose Garden isn't being fulfilled. Look out especially for new members, or shy members who don't post often. It would be sad if these members stopped visiting the Rose Garden because they didn't find a warm welcome here, especially as this is a Christian Forum. God bless you!
A Word About Arguments
As has been said already, this is not a debate forum. Gentle and respectful discussion is fine...debate is potentially divisive, and arguing is a tool of the devil on Christian forums. From painful experience and hard-learned personal mistakes, I am aware that arguing leads only to anguish and hurt amongst forum members. If you have an issue with anyone, please try to resolve it between yourselves in a pm, or contact myself or a moderator, who can help you to resolve the issue. Open arguing on the forum particularly of a theological nature, is not allowed, and such posts will be removed.
This includes criticism and disrespect towards anothers beliefs. Please take care in how you word your posts, avoiding labelling someone's beliefs/thoughts as 'nonsense' or 'blasphemous', or using words such as 'abhorrent'. What is blasphemous to you will be sacred to someone else. Please also avoid using the Bible as a tool to try and coerce someone into agreeing with your point of view. Instead encourage one another, and offer advice carefully. Once offered, leave it with the other person for them to take or discard as they wish.
Finally...
Please don't be put off on reading this! Whilst these rules are safeguards, most members will stay within them without the need for reminders, I am sure. I look forward to meeting you in the Rose Garden ~ please enjoy this site!
AutumnRose xx
