Rules: Beneficial or an Annoyance?

Question

Here is a link that I would like everyone on this board to read. Don't pre-judge and complain, just read. Then come back and tell me if you find what you've read to be beneficial or an annoyance?

Here is a parallel example. The Bible. The Bible doesn't necessarily have "rules", but it contains guidelines, principles, ideals, etc.

I am asking this question to observe how different people's minds work and how they observe and recognize logic.

LINK: http://answers.yahoo.com/info/community_guidelines.php

Answer 1

I feel like it's a little bit of both for the simple fact that a lot of answers and questions are violated for no reason at all, while vulgar answers, questions, and avatars continue to have allowance to be posted. That part is annoying. But it's beneficial because sometimes they do delete the ones that deserve to be deleted.

Answer 2

Well, what do we know about the Bible. It has ten commandments... so those are not guidelines but rules. Like don't murder. Well, that's a good one. I'm still alive, so I think I like that one. Don't commit adultery. Now since my husband did, I think it would have been better if he didn't. I don't do that. I think I like that one also. Then there's that one about lusting after your neighbor's stuff. Well, that can get a person into all sorts of trouble. I think that's a keeper, too. What else? Don't steal. How many of us like others to take our stuff? OK, then that one works. Don't lie. Do we need to think that one over..no. OK, I need some help here. Oh, honor your father and your mother. That is a tuffy for some of us that had difficult parents, but since basically every family is disfunctional in one way or another I guess God knew we still needed to give other's respect even when they don't deserve it. Um, don't have any idols. When you really get to understand what an idol truly is and how easily we can yield our control of our lives to accommodate it, that sounds like something that makes sense. I don't want to my hobbies, past-times and possessions to rule my life. And then there's that part about having a day of rest. Well, now that may be protested by all the work-a-holics out there, but the remainder of us can find a deep appreciation in a God that tells us to relax and enjoy him. And what about him? Don't have any gods before him? Well, the more I look at all this amazing, accidentally evolved, coincidentally life sustaining planet with beauties that no one can fathom, I don't think I have too much of a problem with thanking God for creating all this just for us. But there's one other commandment, love your neighbor as yourself. That can be the hardest one. We need a bit of help on that one. Since God IS love, I guess he may be our best resource. The rest of the Bible just gives you examples of the struggles that other's had in following the rules and how amazingly compassionate God was in helping them if they just ask.

Answer 3

I think loosely enforced rules are both more effective and less annoying than harshly enforced rules.

Example:

A parent says "Do you remember your uncle? He got addicted to alcohol, and he lost his house. Please be careful when you decide to drink." This has a real effect on the thinking of a child or teen.

But if a parent says "Don't drink or you're grounded," the kid is probably just going to get better at hiding things and drink anyway.

Being a tyrant just encourages lying. Being wisely suggestive encourages people to listen to you.

Answer 4

Iff'n I don't like the rules on YA! I can choose not to participate.

The Bible (especially NT) insists its view of the world is a universal truth applicable to all. And that not playing by its rules gets you sent to hell.
I'm not sure there's much of a parallel.

But I agree that rules have their place, and their limitations:

"No, no, not yet. Not until me and Harvey get the rules straightened out. "
"Rules? In a knife fight? No rules. "
[Butch immediately kicks Harvey in the groin]
"Well, if there aint' going to be any rules, let's get the fight started."
(Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid)

Answer 5

i aint clickin on crap.