Terms Of Use

TERMS OF USE

TERMS OF USE: BY THE CROSSCHRISTIAN COMMUNITY NETWORK

WELCOME TO GRACE CONNECT. PLEASE REVIEW THESE TERMS OF USE CAREFULLY, AS THEY GOVERN YOUR DAILY INTERACTIONS, BEHAVIOR, AND USE OF OUR COMMUNITY PLATFORM.

  1. SCOPE AND PURPOSE

1.1. These Terms of Use (“Terms”) apply specifically to your day-to-day engagement with the By The Cross online social network, including browsing, posting content, messaging other members, participating in groups, and using platform features. 1.2. These Terms complement our broader Terms and Conditions. Where there is any conflict regarding behavioural conduct and platform usage, these Terms of Use take precedence for community interactions.

  1. MEMBER ELIGIBILITY AND ACCOUNT INTEGRITY

2.1. Age Verification: You must be 18 years of age or older to register and participate. Accounts found to be operated by minors will be immediately suspended. 2.2. Authenticity: You agree to provide accurate information when setting up your profile. Impersonating another person, creating fake profiles, or using pseudonyms intended to deceive other members is strictly prohibited. 2.3. Account Security: You are entirely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials. You accept full responsibility for all activities that occur under your account.

  1. CODE OF CONDUCT & COMMUNITY VALUES

As a faith-based community network, By The Cross strives to foster an environment of grace, encouragement, and mutual edification. When using the platform, you agree to adhere to the following code of conduct: 3.1. Respectful Communication: Treat fellow members with dignity and Christian charity, even when engaging in theological or personal debates. Ad hominem attacks, cyberbullying, and malicious gossip will not be tolerated. 3.2. Zero Tolerance for Offensive Content: You shall not upload, post, share, or transmit any content that is:

  • Sexually explicit, obscene, or pornographic.
  • Profane, vulgar, or excessively crude.
  • Threatening, abusive, harassing, or stalking in nature.
  • Discriminatory or hateful, including any speech that attacks individuals or groups based on race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion, or physical ability. 3.3. Spam and Self-Promotion: Do not use By The Cross to flood feeds with unsolicited commercial content, pyramid schemes, unauthorized fundraising campaigns, or repetitive spam messages. 3.4. Doctrinal Respect: While diverse Christian denominations and perspectives are welcome, intentional provocation, theological trolling, or attempts to aggressively dismantle other members’ faith are forbidden.
  1. USER-GENERATED CONTENT AND SHARING

4.1. Responsibility: You are solely responsible for the text, images, prayers, links, and other media you post on Grace Connect. 4.2. Rights and Licensing: You retain ownership of what you post, but by publishing content publicly on the network, you grant By The Crossa non-exclusive license to display, host, and distribute that content within the platform ecosystem. 4.3. Third-Party Copyrights: Do not upload material that belongs to someone else unless you have explicit permission or clear legal rights to share it.

  1. SAFETY, REPORTING, AND MODERATION

5.1. Reporting Tools: If you encounter content or behaviour that violates these Terms of Use, please use the built-in reporting tool on the post/profile or contact our community moderators directly. 5.2. Moderation Actions: Our moderation team reviews reported content and may take any of the following actions depending on the severity of the violation:

  • Issuing a formal warning.
  • Deleting, hiding, or modifying offending content.
  • Temporarily suspending account privileges.
  • Permanently banning repeat offenders or severe violators from the network.
  1. DISCLAIMER OF PROFESSIONAL OR PASTORAL ADVICE

6.1. By The Cross is a peer-to-peer social network. Content shared by members (including spiritual advice, life guidance, or emotional support) represents the views of individual users only and does not constitute official professional, psychological, medical, or formal pastoral counsel. 6.2. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, personal emergency, or legal dispute, please seek certified professional assistance or local South African support hotlines immediately.

  1. UPDATES TO THESE TERMS

We may update these Terms of Use periodically to reflect platform updates, community needs, or legal requirements under South African law. Continued active use of By The Cross following any modifications indicates your ongoing acceptance of the updated terms.

For any questions regarding these Terms of Use, reach out to our community support team at admin@bythecross.co.za.