Rules
Comprehensive Rules and Policies of “Collective Reflection” Website
Preamble (Spiritual Charter)
We believe in five fundamental values:
Truth has no fear of questions – We consider every question worthy of being raised, provided it arises from a sincere pursuit of understanding.
Human dignity is our red line – No human being, regardless of their beliefs, deserves humiliation or insult.
Dialogue is the alternative to polemics – We seek better understanding, not victory in verbal conflicts.
Responsibility is the price of freedom of expression – Every word written carries a burden of accountability.
Transparency is the foundation of trust – Identity, sources, and arguments must be clear for dialogue to remain dynamic.
The following rules are established not as restrictions, but as safeguards for these very values. We kindly ask you to carefully review these policies and assist us in creating a safe, dynamic, and effective space for collective reflection.
Section One: General Rules (Applicable to All Users)
1. Respect for Human Dignity and Prohibition of Hate Speech
Rule: Any content that promotes hatred, violence, discrimination, or enmity based on identity, religion, race, gender, nationality, or any other characteristic is strictly prohibited.
Explanation: Hate speech not only contradicts human values but also destroys the atmosphere of fair dialogue. This website is a space for mutual understanding, not hostility.
2. Critique is Free, but Insult, Humiliation, and Threats are Forbidden
Rule: Critique of ideas, teachings, practices, and structures is entirely free and welcome. However, insult, humiliation, threats, or any personal attack on individuals (including authors, users, historical figures, or religious sanctities) is strictly prohibited.
Explanation: The distinction between “substantive critique” and “insult” lies in the fact that critique addresses the idea itself and is accompanied by reasoning, whereas insult attacks the character or dignity of the individual.
3. Prohibition of Publishing Others’ Personal Information
Rule: Publishing any personal or confidential information of others (including full name, phone number, address, email, or any identifying information) without their explicit consent is strictly prohibited.
Explanation: This rule is established to protect users’ privacy and prevent potential misuse.
4. Prohibition of Illegal Content
Rule: Posting, publishing, or encouraging illegal content, including violations of national laws, incitement to violence, terrorism, criminal activities, or prohibited transactions, is completely forbidden.
Explanation: This website is committed to complying with the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran and international law. Any content contrary to these will be removed.
5. Prohibition of Spam and Repetitive Advertisements
Rule: Posting repetitive, promotional, or spam content (including advertising links, junk messages, or invitations to other unrelated websites) in the articles or comments section is prohibited.
Explanation: This rule helps maintain focus in the discourse and prevents wasting users’ time.
6. Prohibition of Using Multiple Accounts (Sockpuppeting)
Rule: Using multiple user accounts (under different aliases) to deceive others, amplify one’s own views, create false consensus, or circumvent moderation restrictions is strictly prohibited.
Explanation: Such behavior undermines the transparency and integrity of the discourse and damages collective trust.
7. Respect for Others’ Opinions and Right to Differ
Rule: Every user has the right to express their personal opinion, but no one has the right to humiliate another user or attack them simply because they disagree with a viewpoint.
Explanation: Diversity of perspectives is the wealth of dialogue, not a threat to it.
8. Corrective Conduct and Accountability
Rule: If a moderator notifies you of a violation, respond respectfully to the notice. Persisting in the violation or engaging in fruitless debates may lead to access restrictions.
Explanation: The purpose of notices is behavioral correction, not punishment. Your cooperation in this process helps improve the site’s atmosphere.
Section Two: Specific Rules for Article Submission
9. Author Identity and Affiliation
Rule: At the beginning of the article, the author must explicitly state whether they identify as a Bahá’í, view the subject from an external perspective, or are in a state of intellectual transition.
Rationale: Transparency regarding the author’s position helps the reader evaluate the text within its proper context.
10. Citation and Referencing of Authoritative Sources
Rule: Any historical claim, interpretation, or informative statement must be referenced to a reliable source. References to “hearsay,” “statements by unknown individuals,” or “documents without identification” are not acceptable.
Rationale: Reasoning without evidence has no value in rational discourse.
11. Distinction Between “Data” and “Personal Interpretation”
Rule: The author must clearly distinguish between “evidence and data” and “their own interpretation.” Phrases such as “in my view,” “based on my understanding,” or “this is a possibility” should be clearly used.
Rationale: Preventing the presentation of personal interpretation as absolute truth.
12. Observance of Courtesy and Fairness in Expression
Rule: Even in the strongest critiques or questions, the author’s tone must remain respectful, and derogatory language, offensive sarcasm, or biased generalizations must be avoided.
Rationale: Effective critique is respectful; destruction has no value.
13. Response to Substantive Critiques
Rule: The author undertakes to respond within a reasonable period (maximum two weeks) to substantive, non-offensive critiques submitted via comments or email.
Rationale: This rule demonstrates that the site believes in dialogue, not one-way lectures.
14. Editorial Rights and Content Removal
Rule: The management team reserves the right to review submitted content for compliance with the above rules and, in case of violation, request revisions or decline publication. In case of publication, minor edits (such as grammar correction or standardization of references) will be made in coordination with the author.
Rationale: Maintaining the quality and content standards of the site.
Section Three: Specific Rules for Commenting
15. Identity Verification
Rule: Commenters must register with their real name or a stable pseudonym (which is traceable). Anonymous comments are not accepted.
Rationale: Ensuring accountability and preventing behind-the-scenes insults.
16. Providing Reasoning, Argument, or Valid Source
Rule: Every comment must contain reasoning, a substantiated question, or a reference to a reliable source. Purely emotional statements (such as “this is bad” or “great” without explanation) may be subject to approval or removal at the management’s discretion.
Rationale: Elevating the quality of discourse and preventing superficiality.
17. Personal Opinions are Free, but Must be Expressed as Such
Rule: Any user may freely express their personal opinion, but they must clearly present it as a “personal view” and not impose it on others or present it as absolute truth.
Rationale: Respecting diversity of perspectives and avoiding dogmatism.
18. Relevance to the Topic
Rule: Every comment must be directly related to the article or discussion at hand. Irrelevant, promotional, or spam comments will be removed.
Rationale: Maintaining focus in the discourse.
19. Response to Comments
Rule: Every substantive comment will receive a reply from the author or moderator. However, responses are also subject to the same rules.
Rationale: Encouraging continuous participation and sustaining the dynamism of the discourse.
20. Preventing Repetitive and Inconclusive Debates
Rule: If a discussion devolves into a repetitive and inconclusive cycle (e.g., more than 5 exchanges without progress), the moderator reserves the right to close the discussion or remove repetitive comments.
Rationale: Preventing waste of users’ time and energy.
21. Reporting Violations
Rule: Users may report any comment that violates the rules to the management team. Reports will be reviewed promptly (within a maximum of 48 hours).
Rationale: User participation in maintaining the health of the discourse environment.
Section Four: Enforcement Procedures and Handling Violations
Based on the experience of successful platforms such as Reddit, the following graduated procedures are proposed for addressing violations:
| Step | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Friendly Reminder | Send a message to the user explaining the violation | First response to minor infractions |
| 2. Formal Warning | Send a written warning citing the violated rule | For repeated offenses after the first reminder |
| 3. Temporary Restriction | Suspension from submitting articles or comments for 1–7 days | For recurring or moderately serious violations |
| 4. Content Removal | Remove the violating article or comment | For content contrary to the rules |
| 5. Permanent Restriction | Permanent ban from participating in the site | For severe violations (insulting sanctities, hate speech, threats, sharing personal information) |
| 6. Referral to Authorities | In case of legal violations, cooperation with judicial authorities | For illegal content |
Section Five: Statement of Transparency and Non-Affiliation
Rule: This website operates as an independent and unofficial platform and has no organizational affiliation with any Bahá’í institutions (such as the Universal House of Justice or Spiritual Assemblies). The content of this site reflects the views of its authors and users and does not necessarily represent the official position of any institution.
Rationale: Transparency regarding identity and status enhances user trust and prevents potential misunderstandings.
Final Comprehensive Summary
The “Collective Reflection” website has been established with the aim of creating a space for thoughtful inquiry, fair-minded analysis, and committed reexamination within the Bahá’í discourse. The above rules, inspired by:
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Human values (respect, dignity, equality)
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Bahá’í principles (investigation of truth, unity, dialogue)
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Successful experiences of global platforms (such as Reddit)
are designed to provide a safe, dynamic, and effective environment for reasoned dialogue.
Key Features of This Comprehensive Set of Rules:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Comprehensiveness | Covers all aspects of participation (articles, comments, individual conduct) |
| Transparency | Clear and unambiguous rules for all users |
| Coherence | Full alignment with human and religious values |
| Enforceability | Graduated procedures for addressing violations |
| Participatory Orientation | Empowers users to report violations |
| Dynamism | Allows for periodic review of rules based on new experiences |
Final Message to Users:
The rules of this website are not walls for restriction; they are bridges to cross from superficiality toward deeper understanding. We invite you, through careful study of these policies and responsible participation, to help us create a space where:
Questions are raised without fear.
Ideas are examined with reasoning.
Individuals are seen with dignity.
For a living faith finds its meaning in the light of honest questioning, not in the silence of expediency.