Group

I joined this List last year when it was announced that the Calvin Reflector
was closing down.

I was then thinking of starting my own List, but the rules of this List:

"I have noticed that most debates on this subject end up being
personal attacks and outright rudeness. So I have started this list
to be a friendly atmosphere where members are free to share their
knowledge but without fear of being attacked. Personal attacks,
profanity, vulgarity, and the like will simply not be tolerated."

were encouraging, so I joined.

However, despite a promising start, the List has IMHO degenerated down
to near where the Calvin Reflector was. In particular "personal attacks and
outright rudeness...profanity, vulgarity, and the like" *are* apparently
"tolerated"
and anything but "a friendly atmosphere where members are free to share their
knowledge... without fear of being attacked", prevails.

This is not meant to be a strong criticism of the Moderator. I am sure
it is a difficult job and I thank him for his efforts. However, I must
say I am disappointed that the List has not lived up to its early
promise.

Therefore I have decided to carry out my original intention and I have
now formed a new List called CreationEvolutionDesign@yahoogroups.com.

The rules of this new List are:

=================================================
This List is for the discussion and sharing of Creation, Evolution and
Intelligent Design issues. All views across the whole creation, evolution
and design spectrum are welcome.

On previous such Lists I have been on, there has been the tendency of a
few strong-minded individuals (including me!) to dominate the discussion
at the expense of those less assertive. An aim of this List is to encourage
as many List members as possible to participate.

Therefore the rules of this List are:

1. Personal attacks, rudeness, profanity, vulgarity and blasphemy will not
be tolerated. After a number of warnings, persistent offenders will be
permanently banned.

2. Vigorous attacks against a member's *position* are expected and those
who cannot handle that should think again before they post. Ad hominem
attacks against a member's *person* however, will not be tolerated.

3. While at this early stage there is no limit to the number of messages one
may post in a session, quality rather than quantity should be the aim.
Members should not feel they have to respond to every post, even those
referring to them.

4. Long-running threads that are of interest only to a small number of
individuals should be taken off-List.

5. Posting under multiple names is prohibited.

6. Mutual respect and sensitivity towards those with opposing views is
essential. In particular, excessive `creationist-bashing' by evolutionists and
`Bible-bashing' by Christians will be discouraged.

Stephen E. (Steve) Jones
MODERATOR
7 February, 2001
=================================================

If anyone on this List is willing to abide by the above conditions they will
be most welcome on the new List.

Please note this is *not* a call for anyone to leave this List.

Thank you to those who provided many stimulating discussions on this List. I
look forward to continuing those discussions (minus the ad hominems!) with at
least some of you, on CreationEvolutionDesign@yahoogroups.com.

Otherwise farewell. I will be unsubscribing immediately after this post.

Steve

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"Biology is the study of complicated things that give the appearance of
having been designed for a purpose." (Dawkins R., "The Blind
Watchmaker," [1986], Penguin: London, 1991, reprint, p.1)
Stephen E. Jones, Ph. +61 8 9448 7439. http://www.iinet.net.au/~sejones
Moderator: CreationEvolutionDesign@yahoogroups.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CreationEvolutionDesign
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