Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing, browsing, or using TheoDigital.org in any way, you acknowledge that:

• You have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms
• You accept our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy
• You are legally able to enter into this agreement
• Your use will comply with all applicable laws and regulations

These Terms apply to all users, including visitors, newsletter subscribers, donors, and registered users.

2. Description of Service

TheoDigital.org is an Orthodox Christian ministry that provides:

Core Services

• AI-Assisted Patristic Study: Artificial intelligence applied to retrieval and summarization of patristic sources
• Educational Content: Articles, newsletters, and resources on Orthodox Christianity
• Prayer and Worship Tools: Digital resources for Orthodox spiritual practices
• Community Platform: Space for Orthodox Christians to connect and learn

Ministry Goals

Our mission is to bridge ancient Orthodox wisdom with modern technology, making the treasures of our faith accessible to believers worldwide while maintaining theological accuracy and spiritual authenticity.

3. User Eligibility

Age Requirements

• Users must be at least 13 years old to use our services
• Users between 13-18 should have parental guidance
• Users under 18 cannot make financial donations without parental consent

Capacity to Agreement

By using our services, you represent that you:

• Have the legal capacity to enter into this agreement
• Are not prohibited from using our services under applicable law
• Will provide accurate and truthful information

4. User Accounts

Account Creation

Some features may require account registration. When creating an account, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain the security of your login credentials
• Update your information as needed
• Accept responsibility for all activities under your account

Account Security

• Keep your password confidential and secure
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access
• Use strong authentication measures when available
• Log out from shared or public devices

5. Acceptable Use

Permitted Uses

You may use our services for:

• Personal spiritual growth and education
• Legitimate religious and educational purposes
• Non-commercial sharing of our content (with attribution)
• Community participation in good faith

Prohibited Uses

You may not use our services to:

• Harm or Harassment: Threaten, harass, or harm any person or entity
• False Information: Spread misinformation about Orthodox Christianity
• Commercial Exploitation: Use content for unauthorized commercial purposes
• Technical Abuse: Attempt to hack, disrupt, or overload our systems
• Legal Violations: Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Inappropriate Content: Share content that is offensive, obscene, or contrary to Orthodox Christian values
• Impersonation: Impersonate any person, organization, or entity
• Spam: Send unsolicited communications or advertisements

Community Standards

As an Orthodox Christian ministry, we expect all users to:

• Treat others with respect, kindness, and Christian love
• Engage in constructive and edifying discourse
• Respect Orthodox theological positions and church hierarchy
• Maintain appropriate language and conduct

6. Intellectual Property

Our Content

TheoDigital.org content, including but not limited to:

• Original articles, newsletters, and commentary
• AI-generated research summaries and insights
• Website design, graphics, and multimedia
• Software, code, and technological innovations

is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

Patristic Sources

Ancient Orthodox texts and patristic writings used in our services are generally in the public domain. Our analysis, commentary, and AI-generated insights based on these sources are our proprietary work.

User Content

By submitting content to us (comments, messages, feedback), you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, and distribute such content for ministry purposes.

Permitted Use of Our Content

• Personal use for spiritual growth and education
• Non-commercial sharing with proper attribution
• Use in Orthodox parishes and educational institutions (with permission)

7. Donations and Payments

Donation Policy

All donations to TheoDigital.org are:

• Voluntary: No services require mandatory payment
• Non-refundable: Donations cannot be refunded except in cases of technical error
• Tax Status: We are in the process of applying for 501(c)(3) status. Donations may become tax-deductible pending IRS approval
• Restricted use: Used solely for ministry purposes as outlined in our mission

Subscription Services

For recurring donations:

• You can cancel at any time by contacting us
• Changes take effect at the next billing cycle
• We will provide reasonable notice of any fee changes

Payment Processing

Payments are processed by secure third-party providers (Stripe, PayPal). We do not store complete payment information on our servers.

8. AI Services and Content

Nature of AI Services

Our AI-powered services are designed to:

• Provide insights based on Orthodox patristic sources
• Assist in spiritual reflection and learning
• Offer contextual theological information
• Support personal prayer and devotional practices

Important Limitations

AI services are not a substitute for:

• Personal spiritual direction from qualified Orthodox clergy
• Sacramental life and participation in the Church
• Professional counseling or medical advice
• Official church teaching or doctrinal authority

Accuracy and Reliability

• AI responses are generated based on training data and algorithms
• While we strive for accuracy, AI may occasionally produce errors
• Always verify important spiritual guidance with your priest or spiritual father
• Report any concerning or inappropriate AI responses to us immediately

9. Privacy and Data

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection and use of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

Key Privacy Points

• We collect minimal personal information necessary for service provision
• We do not sell or share personal information with third parties for marketing
• We implement appropriate security measures to protect your data
• You have rights regarding your personal information

For complete details, please review our Privacy Policy.

10. Disclaimers

Service Availability

We provide our services "as is" and "as available." We do not guarantee:

• Uninterrupted or error-free service
• Complete accuracy of all content
• Compatibility with all devices or software
• Specific outcomes from using our services

Research Disclaimer

Important: Our AI services and content are for educational and inspirational purposes only. They do not replace:

• Personal spiritual direction from Orthodox clergy
• Participation in sacramental life
• Professional counseling or medical care
• Official church teaching or doctrine

Third-Party Content

We may link to or reference third-party websites and resources. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of these external sites.

11. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

No Liability for Damages

TheoDigital.org and its staff will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to:

• Loss of profits or revenue
• Loss of data or information
• Business interruption
• Personal injury or emotional distress

Maximum Liability

Our total liability to you for any claims arising from these Terms or your use of our services shall not exceed the amount you have paid us in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim.

Essential Services

Nothing in these Terms limits our liability for:

• Death or personal injury caused by our negligence
• Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation
• Any liability that cannot be limited by law

12. Termination

Termination by You

You may stop using our services at any time by:

• Discontinuing use of our website and services
• Unsubscribing from newsletters and communications
• Contacting us to delete your account (where applicable)

Termination by Us

We may suspend or terminate your access if you:

• Violate these Terms of Service
• Engage in harmful or inappropriate behavior
• Provide false or misleading information
• Use our services for unlawful purposes

Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your right to use our services ends immediately
• We may delete your account and associated data
• Sections of these Terms that by nature should survive will remain in effect
• You remain liable for any outstanding obligations

13. Governing Law and Disputes

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the United States and the state in which TheoDigital.org is incorporated, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Dispute Resolution

We encourage resolving disputes through direct communication. If a dispute arises:

1. Contact Us First: Please contact us at contact@theodigital.org to discuss the issue
2. Mediation: If direct communication fails, we agree to participate in good-faith mediation
3. Arbitration/Courts: Remaining disputes will be resolved through binding arbitration or in appropriate courts

Jurisdiction

You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts in our state of incorporation for any legal proceedings.

14. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms periodically to reflect:

• Changes in our services or business practices
• Legal or regulatory requirements
• Security improvements
• User feedback and experience enhancements

Notice of Changes

When we update these Terms:

• We will update the "Last updated" date
• For material changes, we will provide advance notice via email or website announcement
• Your continued use constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms
• If you disagree with changes, you should discontinue use of our services

15. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Service or our practices, please contact us: