Groundrules for the Blog

The rules below have been a posted part of this blog for years. From time to time, I repost them so that readers might remember them. The rule of kindness might need some expansion. Remarks that infer personal flaws are inappropriate. Likewise, sarcasm is not acceptable. Such writing is abrasive and makes for unpleasant reading. It never makes a conversation better. Comments that are submitted without conforming to the rules for the blog will be deleted.

This is a private site so that freedom of speech is not the rule. Comments are welcome but only if they are kind to others and show mercy. God, Scripture tells us, is kind “to the unthankful and the evil” (Luke 6:35). We are commanded to be like Him in these very things. The internet is full of judgment and unkindness (so is the world around us). If people have a need for that sort of thing, they do not lack opportunities – but they will not have the opportunity for it on this site.

I believe that we are able to say, with St. John Chrysostom, “Glory to God for All Things,” because God is good and His will for us is good. If something troubles you, there are kind ways to address it and merciful ways to treat any subject. Such comments, even if they are disagreements with postings, are welcome. I do reserve the right to remove comments that seem to cross bounds or give offense to God or the faith. I hope in my postings to be edifying and thought-provoking, in the best sense, and at least worth reading. If that is so, then this blog will be worth taking time to create and to read.

If these ground rules are observed (kindness and mercy), we will all have avoided some sin and temptation and that itself is a good thing.

I would add that I do not post assertions of heresy against Orthodox clergy. That is a formal charge, and there are ways and places to make such charges. But to publish such things on my blog is slanderous and a sin. I cannot do so. Additionally, I prefer not to have discussions regarding ecclesiastical politics.

May God bless you as you visit, and forgive me if I give offense at any point.

About Fr. Stephen Freeman

Fr. Stephen is a retired Archpriest of the Orthodox Church in America. He is also author of Everywhere Present: Christianity in a One-Storey Universe, and Face to Face: Knowing God Beyond Our Shame, as well as the Glory to God podcast series on Ancient Faith Radio.



Posted

in

by

Comments

14 responses to “Groundrules for the Blog”

  1. DidymusTheDoubtful Avatar
    DidymusTheDoubtful

    Thank you Father. I deleted Facebook for all of the above reasons, as Internet Orthodoxy was not for me. Receiving your blog in my inbox is a blessing. Many thanks to you.

  2. Stephen Griswold Avatar
    Stephen Griswold

    Amen. It is as it should be

  3. Tim Bumpus Avatar
    Tim Bumpus

    Thank you so much for your blogs, Father. They are indeed a blessing for your readers who are Orthodox, non-Orthodox, and almost Orthodox like myself!

  4. RVogel Avatar
    RVogel

    Amen. And thank you for making that very clear. I hope it is listened to. It is that very reason which, unfortunately, I usually skip reading the comments. It is like attending a powerful litergy and then being plunged immediately into the world. Your policy is appropriate and appreciated.

  5. Christopher King Avatar
    Christopher King

    Only Love as Christ would command belongs in our conversation. I will pray for those whose intentions are otherwise. Glory be to Jesus Christ

  6. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    ❤️

  7. Patrick Kelly Avatar
    Patrick Kelly

    Thank you.

    I have read your posts and comments off and on for many years. You have continually dealt graciously, humbly and honestly with those who comment, even those who critique or disagree with you, and have acknowledged your own weakness or errors.

    I add this for the sake of any who would question your motives for having such a policy.

  8. juliania Avatar
    juliania

    Thank you, Father Freeman. I am still new here, but I commend your ability to allow much freedom in comments, since it is evident that all posters are dear to your heart. And because of this, you suffer when we don’t measure up. That’s a wonderful reflection of God’s fatherly love, but we shouldn’t push you too far!

    “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. For he knows our mold; he remembers that we are but dust. ”

    That’s from the Psalms and certainly points to the value of the Old Testament in our faith. Which has been an important subject of conversations recently, and there are volumes more to be said. I sometimes wonder why Christ came when he did, and perhaps part of the answer is that the fatherhood of God, which is the foundation of many earthly things, had been established enough in holy Scripture by then for him to lean on that understanding as he spent his short earthborn life among us. So, however we interpret it, that is the basis of importance the Old Testament has for me.

    I wish you a long life and fruitful, Father Freeman!

  9. Debra A Avatar
    Debra A

    Father Stephen, thank you for teaching us, me, through your blog /ground rules how to communicate even difficult or controversial matters in a Christ-like, loving manner. There are so few opportunities to learn or practice this is our world today.

    A Grateful student…

  10. Merry Bauman Avatar
    Merry Bauman

    Fr. Stephen, It is good to re-state this now and then. I have been a long-time fan of your blog, and your book.
    My husband Michael is a frequent contributor, and we both enjoy your blog daily. I comment now and then, but I enjoy everyone else’s comments a great deal too. Thank you all.

  11. Paula AZ Avatar
    Paula AZ

    Father Stephen,
    I echo juliania’s endearing words. You do reflect God’s fatherly love and suffer when we don’t measure up.
    Forgive me.
    I now understand, where I did not before, why some people read past the comments. Some I noticed stopped commenting altogether.
    When I react in anger it is, as you say, unpleasant and opposes the purpose of the blog…to give Glory to God for all Things.
    Thank you Father for posting these rules once again and for your enduring kindness and generosity.

  12. Tabitha Sherman Avatar
    Tabitha Sherman

    Father Stephen,
    Thank you for having and following such ground rules. It’s refreshing to have a blog like this to read. You open my eyes to so much I’m not aware of, and challenge me in an Orthodox and civil manner. I look forward to more posts as I also read through your archives.

    Tabitha

  13. Dee of St Hermans Avatar
    Dee of St Hermans

    Hey Tabitha!
    I hope I’m being too familiar in the public sphere, but are you my friend Tabitha from my parish?

  14. Dee of St Hermans Avatar
    Dee of St Hermans

    Tabitha, I mean’t I hope I’m **not** being too familiar in the public sphere.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Subscribe to blog via email

Support the work

Your generous support for Glory to God for All Things will help maintain and expand the work of Fr. Stephen. This ministry continues to grow and your help is important. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement!


Latest Comments

  1. Fr. Stephen, I hope there is nothing horribly erroneous about this comment. Byron, the “overthrow the tyranny of months” calendar?…

  2. I find it very hard to visualize life within the Church calendar. So it tends to pass by without a…

  3. Esmée, When my brain is not cooperating (with ADHD, my mind wandering all over the place is quite common) I…

  4. Thanks for the quote, Andrew. So true! I feel that I spend most of my time everywhere else but in…


Read my books

Everywhere Present by Stephen Freeman

Listen to my podcast



Categories


Archives