On Comments and Online Discourse

We want this blog to be a pleasurable and God-glorifying web destination for our readers. Since the blog launched early last year, we have seen, by God’s grace, a large increase in readers. Praise God! For these reasons, we have made a few edits to our blog commenting policy. It is our prayer that this list reflects a Christian perspective on blog comments and other online discourse (and that could be used on any site). Here is the updated list, along with some commentary on each point, and Bible verses to consider:

1. No registration is required to leave a comment.
2. You may certainly ask follow-up questions. If  you need more clarification on a subject written about, please don’t be shy, and feel free to ask any questions.
3. Please stay on topic.
4. We reserve the right to delete comments that we, at our discretion, find snarky, slanderous, trollish, or off-topic.
5. You grant us license to post your comments.
6. Please be mindful of your words.
   Consider the following verses:
• “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29).
• “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37).
•  “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19).
• “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless” (James 1:26).
7. Always exercise Christian charity.
   Consider the following verses:
• “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:6).
• “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10).
• “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:25)