Improper Postings
Carl W. Conrad
cwconrad at artsci.wustl.edu
Tue Jul 21 06:45:25 EDT 1998
At 9:58 PM -0400 7/20/98, Theodore H. Mann wrote:
>Is it my imagination, or are there a lot of postings recently that have
>nothing to do with the purpose of B-Greek? Have the rules changed?
1. Here is the description of the list's focus from the current FAQ that
has been posted to the list and that is distributed to every new subscriber.
B-GREEK is an electronic conference designed to foster communication
concerning the scholarly study of the Greek Bible and related Jewish and
Christian Greek texts, matters of concern to beginning and advanced
students of Biblical Greek such as textbooks, reference works, bibliography
and research tools, with a fundamental focus on understanding the Greek
text of the Bible. Anyone interested in New Testament Studies is invited
to subscribe, but the list will assume at least a working knowledge of
Biblical Greek.
This statement differs from previous statements only in that it spells out
more precisely our focus upon the Greek text of the Bible and the Greek
language of the Bible (including study tools and methods of study of
Biblical Greek). I don't really think it is true that there have been "a
lot of postings" alien to the list's purpose, although there have been
some. Let me repeat here something that has been said before but that has
not been spelled out precisely in that FAQ statement: we have not spelled
out or defined precisely all areas that are inappropriate for discussion,
thinking it wiser to let discussion proceed unless or until it is clear
that a boundary has been overstepped, as happens when the focus of
discussion shifts from discussion of the Greek text or Greek language to
such matters of general Biblical interpretation and theology as are wont to
display and underscore sectarian differences between list members and lead
into flame wars. Some of the discussion of the Johannine prologue in recent
weeks has tended toward underscoring these sectarian differences and the
BG-Staff have closed off those threads as soon as it has been clear that
the boundaries have been overstepped.
2. Here is the key paragraph regarding Netiquette from the current FAQ,in
which there have been no changes:
Respectful discourse: Those who participate in the conference represent a
wide range of theological and denominational perspectives, perhaps even
including some whose interests are purely academic. Deep religious
convictions surely characterize many, perhaps most, of the
list-participants, and some of these convictions bear directly upon how the
Biblical text is to be understood. At the core of our discussion, however,
is not what our convictions are but what the Greek text may legitimately be
understood to mean. If discussion of this nature is to succeed, proper
respect and courtesy to other list members is important. While scholarly
debate, including disagreement, is encouraged as a goal of this conference,
attacks upon the character, intelligence, or faith of those participating
are not acceptable. Criticism must focus upon the arguments of others; it
may not be directed to the individual. Those who violate this policy will
be contacted politely by the B-Greek staff and requested to conform to
these guidelines. Those who continue to violate the policy will no longer
be welcome in the conference.
Violations of Netiquette are taken very seriously and the BG-Staff have
been in contact off-list with violators and have, in fact, removed from the
list a very small number of them (I don't believe there have been even a
handful thus excluded within two years).
If there are questions about the propriety of a proposed topic or query,
please address them to the List-Owner, Jonathan Robie, at
jwrobie at mindspring.com or to one of the co-chairs, Edward Hobbs at
ehobbs at wellesley.edu or myself, Carl Conrad, at cwconrad at artsci.wustl.edu;
alternatively, such queries may be addressed to the BG-Staff at
b-greek-staff at franklin.oit.unc.edu, but we would certainly prefer NOT to
carry on lengthy discussions of policy openly on list.
Carl W. Conrad
Co-Chair, B-Greek List
Department of Classics, Washington University
Summer: 1647 Grindstaff Road/Burnsville, NC 28714/(828) 675-4243
cwconrad at artsci.wustl.edu OR cconrad at yancey.main.nc.us
WWW: http://www.artsci.wustl.edu/~cwconrad/
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