When people visit TerraLux.org, we would like them to consider the information as it is given. To that end, we include the following information so visitors understand site Standards and Policies. Please feel free to contact us regarding any of these standards or policies.

STANDARDS

Code of Ethics
(adapted from Charlene Li’s Blogging Policy Examples)

1. Tell the truth.
2. Write deliberately and with accuracy.
3. Acknowledge and correct mistakes promptly.
4. Preserve the original post, using notations to show where changes have been made so as to maintain the integrity of the publishing.
5. Do not delete a post.
6. Do not delete comments unless they are spam, off topic or abusive.
7. Reply to emails and comments when appropriate, and do so promptly.
8. Strive for high quality with every post.
9. Disagree with other opinions respectfully.
10. Link to online references and original source materials directly.
11. Disclose conflicts of interest.

Posting Guidelines
Terra Lux has chosen the option of not requiring people to register ~ you will be able to begin commenting immediately. The first time that you post a comment, it will be held for an initial review ~ this is a spam protection component. After your first posting, you will be able to post comments without review and they will appear immediately. This standard will remain for as long as our website Posting Guidelines are respected.

Writer’s Guidelines
Terra Lux is a Center of Spiritual Awareness dedicated to spiritual leadership. The Mission of Terra Lux is to disseminate information for growth, share spiritual knowledge, help raise the vibration, consciousness and sense of balance of those who seek, and give light when requested.

Terra Lux is interested in presenting a diversity of spiritual belief systems and learning how people live their spirituality We look for writers who want to share their experiences through stories, commentary, analysis, interviews and original journalism ~ thus, lending a diverse voice to the site.

Terra Lux expects its writers to adhere to the four basic principals of the Society for Professional Journalists Code of Ethics, http://www.spj.org/ethics_code.asp that states ~

1. See truth and report it. Do not exaggerate facts for the sake of an interesting or provocative story.
2. Minimize Harm. Remember that every source, subject and colleague is a human being.
3. Act Independently. Owe nothing to anyone, other than truth to your readers.
4. Be accountable. Be willing to discuss your decision making process with the readers of this site and be upfront about any mistakes you make.

In addition to the SPJ principals ~

1. The Terra Lux website is a blog ~ thus, objectivity is not a requirement.
2. Articles need to be a minimum of 400 words.
3. All articles must be original works, written by the submitting writer.
4. Any article that contains facts must link to a source for those facts.
5. Articles may be edited for length and grammar.

PRIVACY POLICY

Terra Lux has adopted the following Privacy Policy with respect to our website (www.terralux.org).

Collection
Terra Lux does not currently collect personal identifying information (the “Information”) through our website except ~

1. Information that a user’s internet service provider automatically provides to our web server, such as its website address and possibly a user’s email address ~
2. Information that a user sends to us in an email message ~
3. Information that a user submits to TerraLux.org in a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) form (for example, when you submit a search request or information request on our website) and ~
4. Storing login information (personal ID and password) (see, Cookies, below).

Email sent to us may not be secure. If you choose to send us an email message, we may retain the content of the email, your email address and our response, and it becomes the property of TerraLux.org.

Cookies
Cookies are pieces of information that some websites transfer to the computers browsing that website, and are used for record-keeping purposes at many websites. Cookies perform various functions such as saving your passwords, listing potential purchases (shopping carts), and saving your personal preferences with respect to particular websites (personalized portals). Many consider the use of cookies to be an industry standard. Currently, TerraLux.org only uses cookies for storing login information (personal ID and password).

Your browser is probably set to accept cookies. However, if you prefer not to receive cookies, you can alter the configuration of your browser to refuse cookies. If you choose to have your browser refuse cookies, it is possible that some areas of our site that may use cookies in the future will not function properly when you view it.

Use of Information
TerraLux.org will use Information for our own proper purposes ~ however, we will not sell Information to third parties.

Linked Sites
As a service, this website may provide links to a variety of other internet resources. These other websites are not governed by this privacy policy and users are encouraged to view the privacy policy of such other website before using the website or providing any Information to such website.

Legal
Many posts quote from copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner (credit will be given to copyright owner). We make such material available in our efforts to advance the understanding of spirituality and other related topics. This constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material contained in any post is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes. (Adapted from Thought Mechanics)

Modifications
TerraLux.org encourages users of the Terra Lux website to review the TerraLux.org Privacy Policy periodically for updates that will be posted on our website. Terra Lux reserves the right to change its Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes are effective when posted to this site.