Orthodox Worldwide, Inc. exists to proclaim, teach, and defend the Orthodox Christian faith in a manner that is faithful, charitable, and intellectually serious. These Community Guidelines are intended to foster an environment that encourages learning, respectful dialogue, and spiritual growth, while protecting the integrity of the Orthodox faith and the safety of participants.

By participating in any interactive feature of this website, including the Question & Answer (Q&A) section or public commentary, you agree to abide by these Community Guidelines.

1. Purpose of Community Interaction

Community interaction on Orthodox Worldwide is intended to serve the following purposes:

To provide educational and theological clarification related to Orthodox Christianity
To allow sincere questions from Orthodox Christians and inquirers
To encourage thoughtful, respectful discussion rooted in Orthodox teaching
To support apologetic and polemical engagement conducted with seriousness and charity

This platform is not intended for casual debate, provocation, harassment, or the promotion of ideologies contrary to the mission of the organization.

2. Standards of Conduct

All participants are expected to engage in a manner consistent with Christian charity, intellectual honesty, and respect for the Orthodox faith.

Acceptable Conduct Includes:

Asking sincere, thoughtful questions
Engaging respectfully with responses, even when disagreement exists
Citing sources accurately when making theological claims
Maintaining a serious and constructive tone

Prohibited Conduct Includes:

Personal attacks, harassment, or threats
Vulgar, obscene, or inflammatory language
Hate speech or ethnic, racial, or religious hostility
Deliberate misrepresentation of Orthodox doctrine
Claims of ecclesiastical authority or clerical status without verification
Repeated bad-faith questioning or disruption
Promotion of violence, illegal activity, or extremist ideologies

3. Theological Boundaries

Orthodox Worldwide is explicitly rooted in the teachings of the Eastern Orthodox Church as expressed through Holy Scripture, Holy Tradition, the Ecumenical Councils, and the consensus of the Holy Fathers.

Accordingly:

Content that directly contradicts Orthodox dogma may be declined or removed
The platform is not a venue for promoting heretical, schismatic, or syncretistic teachings
Distinctions between dogma, theological opinion, and personal speculation are respected
Respectful disagreement may be permitted, but the platform does not function as a neutral theological marketplace

4. Apologetics and Polemics

Discussion of Islam, Judaism, atheism, transhumanism, and other non-Orthodox worldviews is permitted only in an educational and apologetic context.

Participants must:

Address ideas and doctrines, not attack individuals
Avoid ridicule, mockery, or demeaning language
Represent opposing views accurately and fairly

The goal of apologetics on this platform is clarity, truth, and witness—not hostility or provocation.

5. Moderation and Enforcement

Orthodox Worldwide reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to:

Review, edit, or remove submissions
Decline to answer questions
Restrict or suspend participation
Remove content inconsistent with the mission or guidelines

Moderation decisions are made to preserve theological integrity, charitable discourse, and the overall health of the community. Moderation decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

6. Responsibility and Accountability

Participants are responsible for the content they submit. The Corporation is not responsible for user-generated content and does not endorse individual opinions expressed by users.

Failure to adhere to these Community Guidelines may result in restriction or removal of participation without notice.