Comas in Sentences

[cutebunny3]

I am confused.

In one grade I learned that you always put a coma before the word and.
The next year, I put comas before every and because that's what I was taught. My teacher then informed me that you never put a coma before the word and. The next year the teacher said that you only put a coma where there is a natural pause when you're reading it.

So, what have you been taught? I want to know which is correct.  

[The Man who was Thursday]

Normally I'm not one to critique spelling errors and whatnot, but if you read this as typed, it's hilarious. You're just talking, and suddenly you force yourself into a coma for like 5 years somehow.

::shrug:: Should be comma, for future reference.

Anyways, you use a comma if (not iff) you're separating two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction.

E.g.: I shot Jack, and Jack died. < "I shot Jack" and "Jack died" are two whole clauses.
I shot Jack and Mindy. < "Jack and Mindy" is a list of people you shot, so no comma.

The part where it might get a bit tricky is lists of more than two elements. The rules here say "you can do whatever!" I prefer keeping a comma.

i.e. "Jack's brother, sister, and father mourned his death." = OK!
"Mindy's aunt, cat and half-cousin twice removed didn't give a damn." = OK as well!  

[Masamune no Hi]

It was a simple mistake, but that was pretty funny. Don't take it personally, it was a joke. I think.  

[The Shoe Pile]

Before the word? That's weird. I don't think I've ever done that much... depends on the sentence.  

[The Man who was Thursday]

burning_light

Before the word? That's weird. I don't think I've ever done that much... depends on the sentence.

I made a thread listing the uses of a comma. Check it out.