We have been seeing a great deal of debate regarding issues of religion, both in world and in the forums. The in-world activity in particular has resulted in a number of calls to customer service and has also taken up a lot of the community team's time. As a result, we want to clarify our position and set some guidelines to assist you as we move forward.

We recognize that we have a diverse community, filled with people of differing ideas and opinions. We value this diversity and view it as one of the community's greatest strengths. We encourage you to engage in civilized debate about issues that are meaningful to you. However, you should also be mindful of the fact that not everyone will be swayed to your particular point of view, no matter how much debate is involved. At some point, you might simply have to agree to disagree and move on.

Further, there is a difference between expressing an opinion and purposely attempting to impede someone else's experience in There. We, the company, will not take sides in a debate about social or political issues, so do not ask us to. However, if you are experiencing a legitimate case of griefing or abuse, that is different.

What warrants a call to customer service and what does not?

1. If a person places a portazone/sign/etc. in front of his or her own house, to express a particular opinion, this is acceptable. Expressing an opinion in a way that does not violate the TOS is acceptable.

2. If you purposely place a sign in front of another person's house, and you know that this person does not support your opinion/agenda, this enters the realm of griefing. The intent here is *clearly* to harrass the person of the opposing viewpoint. If the parties cannot resolve the issue among themselves, it would be appropriate to contact customer service for assistance.

3. Placing a portazone/sign/etc. in a public area, let's say just outside Karuna Plaza, to express a particular opinion, is acceptable. Again, expressing an opinion in a way that does not violate the TOS is okay.

4. Placing a portazone/sign/etc. in a public area, near the portazone in #3, to express an alternative viewpoint, is also acceptable.

5. Placing a portazone/sign/etc. in an attempt to block or obscure another portazone from view is not acceptable. If the parties cannot resolve the issue among themselves, it would be appropriate to contact customer service for assistance.

Hopefully, this has been useful in helping you to distinguish between what does and does not warrant a call to customer service. Again, we will not take sides in personal debates about social and political issues, but we will intercede in cases where there is a clear intent to interfere with another person's enjoyment of There.

There Community Team