This list is far from perfect and I am guilty of violating most of them, but let's all learn to be more courteous and respectful! *Feel free to add to them.
- Err on believing that you are misunderstanding someone versus assuming you have someone all figured out.
- Seek to understand before you want to be understood. In other words, before you go on "the attack" make sure you genuinely understand what someone is arguing for.
- Beware of oversimplifying complex issues.
- You cannot fairly critique a position, unless you can faithfully explain it with the best of it's advocates.
- Thou shall not drop opinions if you are not willing to genuinely dialogue about it.
- It's usually better to take the conversation offline. PM's are good, phone is better, face to face is best.
- Remember beliefs are not disconnected from the person but are deeply personal and usually connected to a deeply ingrained worldview. If you really want to help someone, be ready for the long haul!
- Thou shall not read posts quickly or sloppily and then jump to inaccurate conclusions.
- Thou shall not write 10 pages of comments in one shot, absolutely overwhelming the reader and making it impossible to respond.
- Just because someone posts an article, blog, etc. it does not mean they endorse everything listed in it.
- Be very slow to rebuke openly or interject an extremely personal opinion to someone you don't even know and added on Facebook 10 years ago.
- Be aware that others are watching and careless and unqualified statements can hurt and alienate people and maybe even skew their view of Jesus.