Shaun Groves
One of the best ways to exercise self-control is to put your name on everything you say and do. Even better? Your e-mail address.
When people leave comments on my blog I ask for both but only require the e-mail address. Any comment without an authentic e-mail address never goes public. It’s held in moderation until I delete it.
This blog is a conversation. We don’t have to agree with each other. But I believe we should own what we say and respect one another enough to be available for direct private conversation if needed.
I put my name on everything I write here. And you can always reach me at shaun AT shaungroves.com. If you’re not willing to treat me and everyone else here with the same respect, you won’t be allowed in the conversation.
Dissenting opinions are welcome! Anonymous is not.
Is this a fair policy? If you’re a blogger, what’s your comment policy?
brandon says:
Bazinga!
brad says:
Fair policy. Any time I find that I wish I could stay anonymous it is usually because I’m getting ready to say something I shouldn’t. Of course, then I often go off and say things I shouldn’t anyway…but at least I have to suffer the consequences! :^)
Shaun Groves says:
And really that’s why I have this policy in place: I know that when I want to remain anonymous it’s because I’m saying something I shouldn’t. But the policy was being questioned (anonymously) so I thought it wise to get a second (or a few hundred) opinion. Thanks for yours!
Caleb Ryman says:
I am with Brad… When you put your name on what you say it makes you think more. Sometimes I don’t think much, but I try!
Jeremy says:
Very fair policy.
I write so little on my blog that it doesn’t generate many comments at all, let alone the need to moderate them.
Brad’s statement is a conclusion many people reach when required to attach their name to their words/thoughts.
Paula says:
Amen! Our pastor once said that he throws out anonymous letters he receives (without reading them). If people don’t have the courage to add their name to what they’re saying, what substance could possibly be behind it? They don’t even want to own the words themselves.
Happy Geek says:
When hubs was still in the pastorate he had a policy that all anonymous letters (we predated email) would be immediately thrown out unread. If his secretary did not see a signature he never saw the letter.
Worked well for keeping dialogue open and accountable.
Shaun Groves says:
Great policy for letters. But the internet is a little different. One person who complained about this policy of mine says she isn’t so much afraid of speaking her mind to me…but she’s scared of how other commenters will react. Fair enough. Of course, she could always e-mail me directly I figure.
JayKay says:
I have the same policy. Any anonymous comments are never published, as are any comments that don’t have anything to do with the blog post or the blog.
CyndaP says:
Every now and then there’s I story I’d share, if I could be anonymous. I think it may be a pride thing, but I really don’t feel comfortable sharing deeply personal things in a public forum that I can’t control.
Kika@embracingimperfection says:
I agree that this is fair. I don’t get a ton of comments but do screen them. I would print a dissenting opinion as long as it isn’t rude but anything nasty, anonymous or not, would be deleted.
Shaun Groves says:
I’ll let people say nasty things to me but not to other commenters. I protect my readers so that this is a safe place to converse. But as long as someone owns the words they write to me, they can be mean. Good opportunities to show grace and model peace making can come from that…on a good day ; )
kristen howerton says:
Definitely fair. Most of the bloggers i know that have a pretty big online presence have moved in this direction. I require an email address, but notice that people can and will fake one to leave a nasty comment. If it’s something like [email protected], I delete the whole comment. Like you, I don’t mind difference of opinion . . . but I’m not putting myself out there so someone can pick me apart anonymously.
Melissa Jones says:
I would say that there are situations where being able to comment anonymously could be helpful to engender dialog (I’m thinking of blogs like “Hot, Holy and Humorous” or “Refine Us”), but I don’t know that your blog gets into that kind of discussion. The only discussion you’ve had in the past where I could see anonymous comments being useful would be if you were to ask how you could pray for us. Some would probably be more honest (and grateful for the opportunity) if given the ability to be anonymous.
And on a different level, it’s your blog. You get to make the rules whatever you want them to be. If people disagree…well, there’s plenty of commenting space on other blogs. I think as long as your policy is public and administered consistently, people really shouldn’t complain.
Sharon O says:
If I receive comments on my blog I totally want and appreciate a name attached to an email so I can thank them for taking the time to comment on my blog each writing or most of them take alot of time.
It is nice to be encouraged.
Scott Wilder says:
It’s been a while since I blogged. Generally speaking I prefer if people include a name and email when commenting. But at the end of the day, as long as whatever they are posting is pertinent to the original post, then I don’t see why lack of a name or email should keep a well formed idea out of the discussion.
Zoë says:
All you see of me as I comment is my gravatar picture and a name. While you have my email address in order for me to post, the only thing anyone else sees is Little Miss Brainy(!) and ‘Zoë’. Why would one need any more anonymity than that?
Sharon @ Hiking Toward Home says:
Good policy. I completely agree with it.
Jerry says:
Good enough. Wurd!
Mandi Brouillette says:
Totally agree with your policy. This is not a place for passive aggressiveness; you should be free to express your thoughts without being handcuffed by the various interpretations of others. This is a doorway to a conversation, a mature, loving exchange of ideas & the agreement to disagree at times. I am deeply sorry for any personal attacks you may have received. I have no doubt you are making a difference in lives (those of college students, Compassion kids & sponsors). Keep doing what you doing!
Jenna B. says:
Totally fair.
JavaJoy says:
I think it is very fair. I prefer anonymity myself which makes it very difficult for me to obey the Holy Spirit at times and speak up – kind of a bummer because I have the gift of discernment. As I get older and more solid in my faith, it is becoming easier though. Maybe I’ll even get an gravator someday 😉
Melody Joy King says:
Makes complete sense to me. :0)
Angie says:
I get quite a few anonymous posts on my blog. .. mostly because the commentator is saying something were she/he wouldn’t want anyone to know what they have/are going through.
Anonymous says:
I listen to Skillet AND read Shaun Groves.
Beth says:
Me too, but not anonymously.
Beth
Liz Reeves says:
I moderate EVERY comment on my blog. If I don’t like the tone or the ugliness in it, it never sees the light of day. 🙂
Jason Cormier says:
My wife and I keep the same guidelines as you do Shaun. I have little respect for an anonymous commenter because they never have anything of value to add to the dialog. It is always flame comments meant to stir trouble.