Ten Commandments for Bloggers

A couple of posts ago I spoke about getting together with other other bloggers in the flesh at Whitfield House, Kennington, London. One of the aims of the day was to consider the social impact of blogging.  Thus, the Evangelical Alliance came up with an idea for a set of cyberspace commandments, which we were subsequently invited to add our two penneth worth to:

1. You shall not put your blog before your integrity.

2. You shall not make an idol of your blog.

3. You shall not misuse your screen name by using your anonymity to sin.

4. Remember the Sabbath day by taking one day off a week from your blog.

5. Honour your fellow-bloggers above yourselves and do not give undue significance to their mistakes.

6. You shall not murder someone else’s honour, reputation or feelings.

7. You shall not use the web to commit or permit adultery in your mind.

8. You shall not steal another person’s content.

9. You shall not give false testimony against your fellow-blogger.

10. You shall not covet your neighbour's blog ranking. Be content with your own content.

I guess the one issue I might have with producing a set of 10 commandments for bloggers is that only the compliant will, er, comply. it won't impact the the mischevious or subversive one iota.

The blogosphere's strength is that it is an untamed, yet evolving self-regulating community and, although it can accomodate an ethical sets of guidelines, it has to be formed on its own terms. The 'conversation' has to had together.

But, let's also remember, as Krish Kandiah, Churches in Mission Executive Director, said, it is only meant to be a bit of tongue-in-cheek fun, so let's chill and take them just as that.

BTW, Krish, thanks for getting us thinking. Great day!

ASD