SBC Voices is a leading source for information, opinions, and discussion of matters of concern for the Southern Baptist Convention. We appreciate the position and popularity that we have here and consider it both a privilege and responsibility to be able to have such a forum. In doing so, we welcome discussions, we value both agreement and disagreement, so long as it is done in a Christian manner.
It’s been a while since we did this so here are a few things that might be helpful to know, especially for newer readers.
1. Dave Miller is the editor for SBCV. A number of people assist, and, as is easily seen, content is provided by a handful of regular contributors along with a wide range of others.
2. Our policy is to have open discussion. Anyone can comment. Comments are not moderated (except in certain situations, see below). We welcome discussion. We value discussion. We want discussion. Before the internet this wasn’t possible as quickly and widely. Now, when some SBC individual or entity makes a decision or proposal, SBC pastors and laypeople can offer instant reaction and we are all better off for it. It’s safe to say that many SBC leaders follow these discussions.
3. Except in certain circumstances, SBCV is not the place for anonymous commenters. We do not require registration but do require a valid email and a real name. The name may be only a first name but the identity of anyone who comments here frequently should be known by one or more of the moderators. A few longtime commenters use a handle, but we know who they are and defer to historic practice on them. If you have a need to be anonymous (like many or most overseas SBC workers), that’s fine. Just let one of us know. But someone here needs to know who you are…for real.
4. Certain types of comments must be approved before being posted publicly. These include first time commenters, first time comments from a new computer, tablet, or phone, comments with embedded links, comments that get caught in the spam filter, and similar. If you don’t see yours, email us. We want your comment but sometimes stuff happens.
5. Unfortunately, some comments are unkind, unhelpful, rude, insulting, or otherwise unchristian. These will not be allowed. Usually, we will send a polite email to the offender appealing for better conduct. Occasionally, someone is banned from commenting. This is rare, and sad, but happens. Disagreement is perfectly acceptable and to be expected…just be civil and Christian about it.
6. We realize that sometimes a single issue can dominate things but we’d rather not end up with comments on every article talking about Cal/Trad or any other white hot topic. Accordingly, we may remind commenters of this.
7. We will not have public discussion of moderating decisions. Email us.
8. This is not a Calvinist blog. It is not a non-Calvinst blog. It is not a Traditionalist blog. It is not an anti-Cal or anti-Trad blog. It is a Christian, Southern Baptist blog. Some of the editors and contributors are Cal, some are non-Cal, some are Trad, some are old and cranky, some are young and unlearned, some we don’t know what they are. It is safe to say that we would like to be a place where any Southern Baptist can participate.
9. Criticism of SBC policies and entities is not prohibited. After all, complaining is in our DNA. So, have at it. But if you aren’t a cooperating Southern Baptist it is unlikely that we will allow a steady diet of criticism. We will wish you well in your own denomination. On topics of general interest (politics, sports, etc.) it doesn’t matter.
10. This isn’t an official Southern Baptist blog. No SBC leader or organization approves this or vets this. No one here gets a paycheck from an SBC entity (although an article by one may be used occasionally). Some of the people here have served and/or are serving as SBC officers, trustees, or other official elected or appointed capacities. Sometimes SBC leaders like us. Sometimes they like us less. None of them dictate content here and certainly not comments.
11. Most of us have a life outside of SBCV that demands our time. We’d appreciate your help in making things run smoothly.
Thanks. If clarification is needed in areas not covered above. Make a comment and ask.
A useful post, William. Thanks.
You wrote, “A few longtime commenters use a handle, but we know who they are and defer to historic practice on them.” I’ve been on discussion boards, blogs, et al. log enough that I remember the “handle” as the common way that we all originally signed up and posted in such places. Using one’s real name is much better and provides more accountability for our speech. There are several long-time, judicious commenters here who still use a handle (who are not overseas workers or in otherwise dangerous situations). In my opinion, it would be good for them to voluntarily choose to relinquish the handle and post under their names in consideration of everyone else who has done so, and for the sake of those who are now required to do so. If they don’t, I will still enjoy their comments and evaluate them on their content and not their pseudonyms.
I intend this as a general policy comment and not public discussion of moderating decisions. So I hope no one takes it that way or moves beyond that in commenting on it.
Robert, we all appreciate your contributions. You bring a different perspective in some areas.
Lately, there’s only one or two people who use their traditional, long time running, username. We know who they are and often refer to them here by their name, so there’s no anonymity there. Both are big college sports fans…wrong teams, unfortunately.
There are a few overseas people whose username is not real, this for good and valid reasons.
William,
Two words…
National Champs.
William, I understand. To be clear, I am not speaking of or asking for a policy change. On my own blog I don’t make that a requirement for the 1-1/2 people who post! Rather I am appealing directly to those folks to consider changing their handles to their names. You know who they are; you know who I am. They who don’t use their name know who we who use our names are; some of us don’t know who some of them who don’t use their names are. It would be nice to know them, unless they have some reason to remain anonymous.
To be humorously clear, also, I wonder whether some contributors are prouder of their sports teams than their first names, which are suspiciously alot alike one of the main contributors here!!! π
Two words…old news….although I was for them over the renegade Zags. Have yet to forgive the loss to Nova.
Lol.
Current news
(until a new champ is crowned in April 2018 – and who knows it could be the TarHeels again)
Oh Mr. Cline I do believe you are mistaken. UNC will be bumped this year by some unknown or upstart, wish it would be my Razorbacks, but alas that won’t happen till they get their heads screwed on straight and stop smoking so much dope.
Heels plowed by them and beat 2 other SEC schools to win it all….just sayin’
ACC > SEC (basketball AND football 2016-2017 season)
Robert, you forgot to add that using obscure, polysyllabic words is highly encouraged.
And lots and lots of emoticons.
This post is a clever ploy to distract people from the fact that we at Voices take our marching orders directly from Russell Moore and Al Mohler. Please don’t add me to the list of hundreds of people you’ve secretly banned.
Lol
Beat me to it!
Isnt poly syllableism illegal?
okay to Robert
hereby i change my handle to my name
from parsonsmike to mike white
I’m keeping mine. I have to protect my secret identity.
I’m hiding in plain sight.
Well, I just assumed Mike Parsons. To be clear. There is no issue at all with real first names. I’ve appreciated the contributions of Bill Mac and parsonsmike for a long time.
Thanks William for your kind words.
I appreciate both yours and Bill Mac’s contributions as well.
I go to Parsons Baptist Church in Columbus Ohio.
But many respond thinking I am a Parson, and call me Parson Mike.
The church, btw, is located on Parsons Avenue, hence the name.
Thanks, Mike. I knew from previous discussions that you were Mike White from Parsons Baptist Church, but somehow I had incorrectly discerned that your church was in Columbus, Georgia rather than Columbus, Ohio.
Your contributions are among those I regularly appreciate. You are thinking, writing what you think, and give us something to think about. My encouragement toward using names rather than handles is not “personal,” but I like the practical aspect of it.
I see I will have to be diligent if I want to use my name lol
Calling you Mike White instead of Parsonsmike is like seeing Mean Joe Greene and calling him Joe – it doesn’t seem right. If you don’t object I will always refer to you as Parson or Parsonmike like I have for years.
A couple of comments on this have been noted but not posted. While we wish all of our brethren and sistren well, for reasons above it might be best for a few to find a place where they fit in better. My email is easily accessible. If a private discussion or further explanation is needed, contact me.
Well, since I aim to please – and wish to see the (somewhat) passive aggression against “handles” brought to an end….I’m attaching my first name to my “handle”.
Most who post on here already know who I am (and many of those, including all the mods and the editor have met me multiple times personally) so I wasn’t aware my handle had become a source of consternation to some of the moderators and at least one commenter.
According to moderator William – real name usage is now both en vogue and preferable on voices – so I’ll oblige.
This way those who desire to see a “real name” can be satisfied and I can continue to use my long used ( before my participation at Voices) handle of Tarheel.
Best of both worlds, I think.
π π
Bro…I happened to write the piece but *s p e c i f i c a l l y* said ‘no big deal’ on the usual suspects. ‘Tarheel’ is, was, and forevermore shall be fine wid me, and it was a pleasure meeting you in Phoenix. For a unc guy you show extraordinary humility. I haven’t been consternated about you in a long time but reserve the right to do so in the future.;)
[It’s my opinion but it’s always looked to me like that once people identify with someone personally online, discussions go better. I don’t set policy here and tried to express what has been written about such things previously.]
“For a unc guy you show extraordinary humility.” I am afraid you may have met an imposter and not the real Heel.
Shut up, Dean.
π
Dean,
I’m very wonderfully humble about the TarHeels. The most humblest sports fan ever in history.
The TarHeels are terrific in every way. That I can tell you. Believe me.
Also, I have the best sense for sports teams. It’s terrific really.
Tarheel_Dave, I suppose I am the “one commenter,” since I’m the one who brought it up. But let me assure you that I’m not consternated, feel no anxiety, and will not lose any sleep over whether folks use their real names or not — though I do think it is the better way. Here’s one example why. New guy “SBCArkansas” posts a comment or two or three and a moderator tells him he needs to start using a real name. Old guy “A&MAggie” (who most everybody except “SBC Arkansas” knows) posts a comment right under this. “SBC Arkansas” wonders why he has to use a name when some Aggie doesn’t!
Again, as I told Mike, nothing personal. I’ve been on here long enough that I know your name. I appreciate your posts even if you pick the wrong sports team. (Actually I’ve always liked NC basketball and Coach Dean Smith, although my favorite has long been your rival Duke and Coach Krzyzewski.)
Heretic.
You speak well of the TarHeels in the same sentence with those DEVILS from Durham???
Wash your hands and scrub your fingers sir, they’re defiled after performing such vile practice.
“can freshwater and saltwater flow from the same springβ¦ These things ought not be.”
Abracadabra, boogity boogity boo. Be cleansed and healed of your athletic error!
So tarheel Dave,
What’s the scoop on NC getting possibly the death penalty in BB?
My prediction. Ain’t gonna happen.