These terms govern use of the Internet forum at forums.crosswalk.com. To use the forum, you must agree to these terms with Salem Web Network (SWN), the company that runs the forum.

The company may offer other products and services, under different terms. These terms apply only to use of the forum.

FORUMS TERMS OF SERVICE

  1. Community members will be assumed to have read and agreed to the TOS and, by an occasional rereading of them, to be aware of changes and updates to the TOS. We reserve the right to revise the TOS at any time, at our sole discretion, and without prior notice; therefore, please refer to this page periodically.

  2. Community members understand that participating in the online community is done at your own risk, notwithstanding our commitment to providing a safe and Christian values-sensitive community environment. Young children should never participate alone, and Salem Web Network cannot be responsible for the safety of children in community areas.

  • Members must be at least thirteen (13) years old to participate in any way within the community.

  1. You will not use the community or any feature or functionality of the community for any unlawful purpose.

  2. Submitted content must not use any language, text, data, information, or graphics that could be considered vulgar, pornographic, obscene, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, hateful or unlawful; that is racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable; or that violate any copyright or other intellectual property rights of any person will not be promoted or transmitted via the app.

  • Referring to someone as a Nazi or his/her statements as being fascist is in violation of this rule. It is expected that users will discuss topics without resorting to the use of such terminology.

  • Referring to particular vulgar terms or words in any manner that brings such words to mind (e.g. purposely misspelling or using symbols to suggest foul language or referring to something by a letter that identifies the word) is unacceptable.

  • Creating a handle or making comments that are sexually suggestive is not permitted.

  • Linking to a site that contains information that violates these STOS is unacceptable.

  1. You will not harass, threaten, embarrass or distress users in the community, including personal email, social networks, phone, physical mail, or in person. You will not engage in name-calling or personal attacks in the course of discussion or debate. You will not post inflammatory remarks simply for the purpose of evoking reaction or starting fights with other group members (often referred to as “trolling”). Promoting a spirit of divisiveness in any way within the group community will not be tolerated.

-Attacking the character or motives of someone who differs from your view or denying that he or she is a Christian is unacceptable.

-You will not post messages related to doctrines which you believe to be false or inferior to others.

  1. You will not ask members for the phone number, physical address, email, instant message or other identifying information of a third party that is not involved in the communication, nor provide such information if asked. Both the person asking for such information and the person supplying it will be viewed as violating this rule.

-For example, if Sally asks you for Ruth’s telephone number, home address, or email address and you provide it then both you and Sally will be in violation of this rule. If Sally asks you for your phone number that would not be a violation.

-Do not post or otherwise distribute a “private message” or email sent to you by another user without first obtaining his/her consent.

  1. By participating in the community, you grant Salem Web Network a license to use the conversations for any purpose whatsoever. You may not post any material for which you do not own the copyright.

-Posting third-party articles is prohibited, even if the copyright holder has granted permission. Instead, describe in your own words the subject matter of the article with a link to read the rest.

  1. You will not impersonate in the community any person, including Salem Web Network employees and volunteer staff. Creating handles or making statements falsely indicating that you represent Salem Web Network as a volunteer moderator or employee is prohibited. You will also not attempt to access moderator-only sections or features of the community.

  2. You will not post disruptive content, such as chain letters, all caps, unnecessarily long messages, or objectively meaningless text. Also, be sure to post your topic in the appropriate group.

  3. You will not attempt to "spam,” “crack,” “hack,” or “bomb” group. Posting the same or similar message in more than one place in the community is considered spamming and is not permitted. You will also not attempt to crash the site by cracking into the code, hacking the server or sending mass amounts of posts or bombs, or do anything else that would cause the app to malfunction.

  4. You will not post or transmit via inbox any advertising of websites, products or promotional materials or any other forms of solicitation including gofundme or other requests for donations.

  5. Discussion of sexual issues in any other than a serious and responsible manner is prohibited. You may also not engage in “flirtatious” consensual conversation of an intimate nature.

  6. You will not promote by repeated statements or by providing links to other websites any recommendation to engage in non-community activities (such as watching programs, reading books, attending events, or by any other means) which are contrary to the beliefs or teachings of Christianity as articulated by the historic creeds, as understood by Evangelicalism, and as interpreted by Salem Web Network in its sole discretion.

  • Refrain from making statements or providing any links which promote the acceptability of the homosexual lifestyle. Also, refrain from making statements or linking to sites that promote the acceptability of adult entertainment, sexual immorality or pagan and false religions. No repeated posting of links to sites with content that would violate the TOS, the Nicene Creed, or other majorly accepted scopes of Christian beliefs as interpreted by Salem Web Network in its sole discretion. If you are unsure about a site or content please direct your question to community@salemwebnetwork.com. This rule also applies to any material whether it be on the web, in print, on video, or on audio.
  1. Salem Web Network reserves the right to determine what forms of Christian “ministry” can be safely promoted within the community and to prohibit at its sole discretion any form of ministry that it deems inappropriate or unsafe for the group online community.

-The practice of and some forms of advocacy of otherwise biblical and legitimate supernatural spiritual gifts can be dangerous apart from supervision by duly appointed spiritual leaders such as pastors and the accountability that comes from being known within a local church.

-SWN prohibits the exercise of prophecy, dream interpretation, “words of knowledge,” speaking in tongues, and praying for or coaching others in the receipt of speaking in tongues within the community. This is not, however, reflective in any way of the views of Salem Web Network or its staff on the legitimacy of such practices in a local church setting.

  1. Please focus your prayers to God the Father, God the Son, or God the Holy Spirit.
  • For the sake of unity and to foster peace amongst a diverse group of Christians with an equally diverse range of doctrines, we request that members direct their prayers to a member of the Trinity. This is not, however, reflective in any way of the views of Salem Web Network or its staff on the legitimacy of other forms of worship, prayer, and requests of intercession.
  1. Please do not use the community to air your grievances against other fellow members. If you have observed a violation of this TOS, please use the report link instead. (This includes violations or allegations of inappropriate actions by the volunteer staff and administration.)

-We want the community to be a fun place to learn and interact with others with a Christian worldview. If you have a problem with someone either discuss it with them privately or report the violation. If the grievance is with a volunteer or other staff member please report it to community@salemwebnetwork.com.

  1. Salem Web Network has designated certain community members, commonly called “Moderators”, to moderate the discussions. All members are required to immediately comply with any Moderator directive. Failure to do so may result in a loss of access to the community. If you believe a Moderator directive is incorrect, you should not discuss it in the community. Instead, send an email to the Community Admin [community@salemwebnetwork.com], who will review the problem and make the final judgment.

  2. Salem Web Network reserves the right to:

-Respond to the violation of any of the TOS with any of the responses available to group administrators and moderators without warning, and various forms of prevention of access to all group services for any duration of time, including permanently, at its sole discretion.

  • Report any violations of the TOS to law enforcement;

  • Bar, restrict, block any user for any reason as well as remove any content or groups at our sole discretion;

-Please email community@salemwebnetwork.com with any questions, comments, or concerns regarding our TOS.

Handling TOS Violators:

  • Keep our online community safe. Use the following steps to admonish misbehaving members: RIR = Retort | Ignore | Report

  • Retort: Remind offenders they’re violating the TOS, and ask them to stop.

  • Ignore: Disregard and give no further attention to the offending messages.

  • Report: Finally, report offenders.

Moderator Functions. Moderators have the ability to remove comments, posts and ban a user’s account so that he/she is not able to add new content to the community

General Guidelines for Moderating. Moderators have their own guidelines in addition to the rules above:

-Commit to participating at least 3 hours a week.

-Take part! Just because you are a moderator doesn’t mean you can’t take part in a discussion. Try to facilitate a discussion.

-Report violations and action taken. Report anytime you take action for a violation of the TOS, including the following information: Offender name, offensive statement, action taken, and any additional comments.

-Be an active part of your local church. The accountability and fellowship that comes with being involved with a local body of believers is important; don’t forsake the gathering together of believers.

-Be above reproach both on and off the community. As a moderator, you will be held to a higher standard. Refrain from participating in behavior that is considered scripturally immoral and/or illegal.

-Agree to keep confidential and private all information regarding offenders or other content, email, or ideas considered to be company confidential.