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Christians in OSS
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Terms and Conditions of UseThis Code of Conduct covers your behaviour as a member of the Christians in Open Source Software (hereafter called "Christians in OSS") Community, in any forum, mailing list, wiki, web site, IRC channel, install-fest, public meeting or private correspondence. The Christians in OSS Community Council will arbitrate in any dispute over the conduct of a member of the community.

Why A Code of Conduct?

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. (Romans 13:1 ESV)
One might question the need for a Code of Conduct in a Christian community. Even though the Bible provides us with a fantastic guideline for how to live our lives, God puts government and the law in place for our benefit. In the same way, this Code of Conduct is here for our benefit, to help keep the community orderly and to provide a framework for discipline, if need be.

Ground Rules

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29, ESV)
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32, ESV)
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:3-8 ESV)
Be considerate.
This is a global community of Christians from around the world, all whom have different cultures and different ways of doing things. Remember that not everyone sees the world the way you do.
Be respectful.
The Christians in OSS community and its members treat one another with respect. Everyone can make a valuable contribution to Christians in OSS. We may not always agree, but disagreement is no excuse for poor behaviour and poor manners. We might all experience some frustration now and then, but we cannot allow that frustration to turn into a personal attack. It's important to remember that a community where people feel uncomfortable or threatened is not a productive one. We expect members of the Christians in OSS community to be respectful when dealing with each other as well as with people outside the Christians in OSS community.
Be Christ-like.
We are all Christians in the Christians in OSS community, and as such we are all striving to be like Christ, as the Bible urges us to do. In your interactions with others in this community, strive to be like Christ, and to show Christ's love to others. In doing so, you will make the community a better place for yourself and others.

Disagreements

If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector." (Matthew 18:15-17 ESV)
When you disagree, consult others. Disagreements happen all the time, and the Christians in OSS community is no exception. The important goal is not to avoid disagreements or differing views but to resolve them constructively. You should turn to the community and to the community process to seek advice and to resolve disagreements. If you find someone has disagreed with you, and despite community involvement refuses to listen to you and try to make amends, speak to the Community Council and ask them to approach the person on your behalf. The Community Council will speak to them, try their best to resolve the disagreement, and take any action they deem necessary.

Mailing List Specific Rules

The mailing list is an important part of the Christiains in OSS community. This code of conduct applies very much to your behaviour on the mailing list. Please follow these guidelines in addition to the general code of conduct:
  • Use a valid email address to which direct responses can be made.
  • Avoid flamewars, trolling, personal attacks, and repetitive arguments.
  • No politics or theology.
Not everyone on the mailing list lives in your country and not everyone's beliefs are the same as yours. While this is a Christian community, our focus is Open Source Software, not doctrine, beliefs or what the Bible has to say about a particular country's politics. Thus these topics will be considered Off Topic, and excessive OT posting will be addressed by the Christians in OSS Community Council.

License

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. (Matthew 10:8 ESV)
The Christians in OSS code of conduct is adapted from the Ubuntu code of conduct, and is therefore licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license. You may re-use it for your own project, and modify it as you wish, just please allow others to use your modifications and give credit to Christians in OSS and the Ubuntu Project!
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