FORUM RULES & REGULATIONS

[Mind Brain Body]

By registering to this site, you automatically agree to our terms, conditions, rules and regulations:
When you read or register for MindBrainBody, you agree to abide by all of our rules. You also give us the right to contact you from time to time for various informative reasons. If you post pictures or comments to the site, we have the right to use them in our updates and columns on MindBrainBody.com. You fully understand that what is written by the students, moderators, and other staff are personal opinions, and do not in any way reflect the official position of MindBrainBody, unless otherwise indicated.

You agree to hold MindBrainBody harmless for anything written, posted, or shared on MindBrainBody.com. Posting or reading at MindBrainBody is a privilege and not a right. We may remove your membership at any time, for any reason, with or without cause. Due to the sheer nature of MindBrainBody.com, it is possible for objectionable materials to be posted by individual members. If you see such material posted to the site, you are requested to report it immediately, so it may be relocated or deleted (as appropriate) in a timely fashion. We make no claim to being able to prevent such material from being posted, but will make every attempt to take the appropriate action when objectionable material is brought to our attention.

Please use discretion, common sense, and caution when reading or posting to the Internet.

This message does not constitute a full listing of our rules, regulations, terms, and conditions.

What can I discuss on MindBrainBody.com?
Due to the nature of MindBrainBody.com, virtually any topic may be discussed within the boundary of common sense. Members are reminded that they may post their own personal opinions but may NOT at any time attack another member of the site. MindBrainBody is a friendly and welcoming site. Users who create hostility or in other ways attack the members of this community are not welcome.

Please be aware that Political and Religious discussions, especially in The Basement, can get ugly, as most people have strong opinions on these subjects. As you discuss them, please attempt to be respectful of others. All members are reminded that MindBrainBody rules still pertain to The Basement and we encourage members to notify moderators of violations by using the “Report Post” button. However, Moderators will not intervene on your behalf within a thread and will only perform the appropriate action for the individual violation.

Hate speech (including any form of racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. used to diminish the dignity of a specific group or person) is not permitted anywhere on MindBrainBody.com, and may be cause for harsh reprimand, not excluding a permanent ban from the site, although, MindBrainBody.com will permit intelligent discussion of such topics, even when such topics lean toward a controversial or offensive personal position. For example: expressing your personal hatred for homosexuals and how you would like to see the group tortured is not permissible; however, expressing an opinion that homosexuality should be a diagnosable mental disorder is an acceptable expression of free speech within the context of this forum. MindBrainBody.com strongly supports the rights of free speech, personal opinions, and open ideas, and will only take action against members in the most extreme of circumstances. Members, though, are still encouraged to report post violations whenever they see such extreme behaviors on the site.

What language am I permitted to use?
There are many words to express your opinion when you post on MindBrainBody. We understand the use of strong language will sometimes be an effective way of communication. We ask that common sense be used and such “strong language” be reserved for special circumstances using common sense and NOT used in regards to another poster, Moderator, Administrator.

If you see excessive use of strong language or strong language targeted at another poster, use the “Report Post” button to notify a moderator.

In the interest of maintaining the integrity and order of the forum, abuse of this policy may result in a no-tolerance policy, so use your freedom wisely.

Why was I/my posts removed from a discussion?
If one or more members begin attacking each other, or violating the rules and regulations, they may be removed from a thread at a moderator’s discretion.

What about promoting my site on MindBrainBody?
While we appreciate the idea of getting the latest news from the community, we ask that you refrain from posts that only promote another website. However, feel free to put a link in your signature. Discussions about specific articles/news from another website may be moved to The Lounge forum.

What kind of materials can I post?There will be times when you want to share something you found on the Internet with your fellow posters. When you post information, an image, video or audio file from another source, make sure you are not posting content that is copyrighted. Such materials being shared and distributed without the consent of the person who owns the copyrights to the item in question is not allowed. This includes pictures from other websites. If you wish to discuss a picture, post a link to the site's page that the picture is on, and not the picture itself. Always make sure that you credit the original source of information which is not your own. Finally, check the terms of the site you found the information on - it will usually explain what can and can't be shared and how it should be cited.

MindBrainBody reserves the right to delete content that we feel violates general copyright principles. Members are reminded to use the "Report Post" button to alert us to possible copyright infringement.

What is grave dancing and is it permitted?
When a member violates the rules and regulations, it may be determined to remove them from the community. Whether they are removed temporarily by suspension or permanently by banning, you are not allowed to make fun of the individual. This is what's known as “grave dancing.” It is a form of personal attack and will not be permitted.

What is a “Personal Attack” and “attacking others”?
We have all heard the term before. On a message board, an attack is when another member posts a message that clearly and/or directly is to threaten, defame, insult or make a mockery of another for whatever reason the “attacker” felt compelled to do so (i.e.: "You are full of crap you liar!", "You are a complete idiot", etc). These boards are for discussions. There will always be differing opinions. You can disagree, but be civil and do not spread hate around.

Attack the message rather than the messenger. Posts, including comments, may be discussed, as long as it is NOT attacking an individual member directly.

Permitted: "I disagree with that statement."

Prohibited: "You're an idiot for saying that."

What is the rule regarding private communication?
Communication sent to you by our Moderators and Administrators must be kept private and may not be shared with others or posted to the board, unless you have been given permission otherwise.

In addition, we ask that you be respectful of other members and consider all messages sent to you via our "Private Message" (also called PM) system "Private." If you suspect that information sent to you via PM is of a private nature, please don't share it with others.

What is the policy regarding “trolling”?
A 'troll' is the term used for an individual who post messages to deliberately upset others. There's a secondary type known as the “sympathy troll.” This is someone who posts for the sole purpose of getting kind affections by sending false messages to others (usually by faking an illness or a disability/disadvantage).

Whichever form it may take, trolling is not welcome at MindBrainBody and should be reported. Sometimes members do not intend to troll, but indirectly rub another poster the wrong way or look to “push the buttons” of another poster. If you feel someone is getting under your skin use the "Ignore" feature in your user control panel by adding them to your Foes List. By using this feature you can ignore certain individuals who upset you and continue to enjoy MindBrainBody peacefully.

Is posting of Adult Content allowed?
Sometimes posters will want to discuss topics that are off-topic from the usual discussion. We don't mind if you care to have a discussion about an adult topic.

If you decide to do so, we simply ask these three things:
1) Discuss the topic in The Basement forum.
2) Use appropriate language (nothing excessive).
3) Do not post images that contain pornographic nudity or acts of a sexual nature. Fine art, however, does not apply to this rule.

If a thread gets too descriptive, or off topic, it may be closed or moved at a moderator’s discretion.

Am I allowed to have multiple accounts?
As a member of MindBrainBody you are allowed one account/screen name and only one. If someone else in your household wants to create an account, we can make special allowances. However, if the same individual wants a separate account it is known as a “sock puppet.” It is not permitted on MindBrainBody. Creating one can result in being permanently removed from the boards. If you simply want to change your name, private message an administrator with your request, or use the 'Contact Us' form at the bottom of each page.

If I have a problem, who should I contact?
If you have a problem on MindBrainBody, feel free to private message or e-mail an administrator. You can also use the 'Contact Us' form at the bottom. Mentors, generally, will not have any control over the forum’s administrative functions despite their prestigious title. They would rather answer your questions in regard to a topic rather than forum function issue.

When do you delete/lock/move threads?
General policy for locking, deleting, or moving threads is when:

1. They reach over 2000 replies.
2. The topic of the thread violates our rules and regulations.
3. When a thread has reached six months without discussion.
4. At any moderator's or administrator's discretion.

Out of hand topics, or topics that violate our Rules and Regulations may be moved to The Basement forum, or deleted from the site. Threads that spark heated debates that are outside the scope of general discussion or the subject of the forum post (i.e. religion and politics among other topics), may also be moved to The Basement forum.

There’s a post/thread I posted that I no longer like. Can I delete it?
While we understand that you may regret posting something on the forums, we do not allow members to 'rewrite history' by deleting or removing posts and threads. Just as in real life, once you say something, it is difficult to retract.

You may use the edit option, but any member who may have quoted your post shall not be asked to amend their post because you amended yours. As such, your original statement will still be visible in the quote.

We remind you that, by the very nature of the Internet, your posts may be visible for years after posting them.

What are the rules regarding signature lines?
Your signature is a place where you can type a standard conclusion to your posts, or post a small picture or link to your personal web site so it is always visible on each of your posts. MindBrainBody does not allow you to post general advertising in your signature. That is SPAM and may result in the suspension of your account. While we do not have a "maximum" size for signature images, members are asked to be respectful to other posters and keep their signatures simple (no excessive use of images, quotes, tickers, etc) so that thread viewing will be enjoyable for all. When in doubt, ask a Moderator for their thoughts and suggestions.

I no longer use MindBrainBody: can you delete my account?
We’re sorry to hear you no longer enjoy MindBrainBody. However, we do not delete user accounts. This is to not only maintain the integrity of posts and threads on our boards, but to prevent users from creating multiple accounts. If there is specific information you would like removed from your profile, then please use the 'Contact Us' link on any page.

How do I gain access to the Institute for Conscious Evolution and Human Development forums?
This section is reserved for students only. If you are interested in becoming a student (and we highly encourage you to do so, so that you may fully enjoy the benefits of MindBrainBody.com), please apply for registration by using the registration link on the main page or by contacting ICEHD@mindbrainbody.com for more information.