Thinking About Starting a New Website

Jonathan,

Great to hear from you again! As a man-about-the-web, your experience and advice will be very helpful. So, let me ask you a general format question, or two.

What do you think about the benefits and disbenefits of the classic forum layout like phpBB? We're currently using Drupal (a content management system), which doesn't have a strong forum. Forums (older style) use flat, sequential comments, while Drupal (and some commercial forums) has threaded comments. Threading is nice for handling side discussions, but it confuses people who expect chronological flow.

Second, I'm considering a wiki approach to articles and essays—like Wikimedia's Wikipedia software—to facilitate the development of something like a philosophy of OpenSourceSpirituality. (Hey! There's another idea for an domain name, but maybe too long). Unfortunately, changing software introduced a learning curve that would stunt the initial growth.

Any ideas, suggestions, or complaints?

bill

Hey!

Always great to talk with you guys. OSSpirituality.org isn't taken either....

I wish I knew a good software but I really haven't been keeping up with it. I know there are a few more CMS's out there, but I think they do just about what drupal does.

Wikis sound good; forums too. I've seen some sites where people have dialog inside of the wiki...

But just thinking about keeping it simple, you could have a forum topic just for choosing / debating topic names/descriptions and directions to the site, the Site Direction.

Secondly, you could have a forum called Long Essays. These would be related to what has been discussed in the Site Direction.

An example of a very broad discussion - "What are the common denominators in all religions and non-religions, or in Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Secularism, Atheism, Agnosticism"... From there someone might want to narrow that down and discuss that further. I could see lots of discussion before anyone writes an essay at all, as people can be comparing notes, articles, and books about topics as they're thought through.

And to "to nurture a dialog about spirituality and faith in a post-institutional, post-modern, global, existential rather than theoretical and rationalistic (theological, philosophical) world." should happen automatically because of the nature of the lightning speed worldwide connected Internet... But where it isn't happening automatically, there would need to be some moderating, which could be the old "stay on topic".

"to nurture a dialog about spirituality and faith in a post-institutional, post-modern, global, existential rather than theoretical and rationalistic (theological, philosophical) world."

 a Proposal for a Human Spirituality for the Third Millenia?

John D wrote: a Proposal for a Human Spirituality for the Third Millenia?

Yeah?! What ya think?

There is a lot of changes happening, but the specialists are looking down at their instrument and can't see what's going on outside the pilothouse.

bill

I'm at a stage where I'm spent. I'm not tired or frustrated, but just out temporarily. And I know this was a natural thing. I just got my passport and I'm going to go refill. In the meantime, I'm going to keep clean, love my family, learn tiny bits if I can from the masters, and do a good job.

John,

That reply sounds ominous. I don't want to pry, but I do hope things are ok where you are. Hope a new bag of fuel will do the trick—as it were.

bill

Hi Bill,

Thank you for the concern; you're not prying, you're always so thoughtful and I appreciate it. So I'm doing alright. Its hard for me to say what I wanted to say there... In fact it was probably unnecessary for this blog... This blog has such a good we feel to it, when you have a me in it it looks weird. But you all are very supporting like a church should be when the me's come about, so thank you again definitely...

I plan to go to India this summer or fall....

John,

Going to India? Cool!

Sounds like you might be going on a spiritual quest. Hope you catch some inspiration.

Sometimes we need some me time, to gear up for the we, and the you all time. Hope all goes well with you. If you want, let us know how you're doing. Or send me a PM, or even email to bill[at]faithcommons.org. Not that I have any sage advice. But I've recently squeaked by a long dark night, and maybe we can commiserate together. :)

If I don't hear from you, then vaya con Dios,

bill

Thank you for the kind words and being an available ear.

The thing I'm worrying about is anti-religion. Religion may not be for everyone, nor should it ever be forced on anyone. But I'm seeing a rise in negative energy towards religion. 'Religion causes wars.', etc. It's people who cause wars, whether they use religion or not! ....

It seems to me, and I remember some discussion on the site on how the top authorities can manipulate the population with the use of religion - and all that seems to be true. However, we should say those top authorities are manipulating their whole worldview, really the whole person - religion, faith, ties to the society, personal background, etc.

Everything I've learned about the society, shows me that its divided. In the same church you'll have the Priests/Minister/Pastor version of the religion, his view as the top authority - as he is perhaps ordained by God Himself. His Helpers/Deacons/etc, their view as helpers to the institution - call it the business if you want. The classes of the body of the church, split into economic slices... An average woman who hears her pastor say at least once a month, something negative about homosexuality for instance; but she loves and accepts her gay son as being born that way by God. Her version is different... The devout spiritual member, who may or may not be very liberal compared to the rest of the congregation - always putting his faith in god, spiritually looking for answers, even if he has to borrow from other religions, as he has a close spiritually practicing Hindu friend, and reads a site or two on New Age philosophy. Then not to mention the scholarly class - which may be where this site sits, not to say it doesn't sit in other categories too simultaneously... And the slicing and dicing can keep on going...

What I'm trying to say is faith lives in people's hearts in a wide span of differences even inside the same small spaces. It seems to live and grow even in terrible places. This is a precious thing.

John,

If I'm understanding correctly, then I would agree that there are probably as many world views as there are persons, and that religion is the way we live our lives in line with the truths we esteem—that is, the truths in which we put our faith. You're absolutely right that it is people who cause wars, and not religion. I would add that both politics and organized religion attract power mongers who then dress their aggressions in ideological or religious clothing. Critics who miss this important point, are either ignorant of history, or disingenuous in their characterizations.

John D wrote: What I'm trying to say is faith lives in people's hearts in a wide span of differences even inside the same small spaces. It seems to live and grow even in terrible places. This is a precious thing.

Agreed. Without some faith we either fall into despair, or live like a predator, taking what we can get and trusting no one.

I also share your concern about “anti-religion.” I'm convinced that there is a lot of ignorance on all sides.

Some of the critiques of religion that I've seen are actually aimed at a caricature or even a straw man. The critics rarely bother to enlighten themselves about the subject, but instead look just deeply enough to find what they intended to find.

On the other hand, there are religionists who lash out at their critics without bothering to understand their own theological history. I've known church leaders who gush scripture quotations but have never studied them in context, and are surprised (incredulous) when they find out that the meaning is much different in context.

Nevertheless, I'm guilty of all of these myself. What can I do but repent and move on.

bill

I don't know the answer. However I have a question, and this isn't quite on subject, but here goes: What are the ways of Listening to God the Being? Below I can think of a few. I'm curious with FC, how many apply to you? What others can be added, etc? Heh, maybe we can start our own surveys to make a compilation of FC, to see what is believed within this sphere....

Ways to Listen to God the Being:

• First of all, have extreme faith in a being or a thing of some sort, that the being will help you, is positive, and your friend, ie, it will show you paths to get money for instance; show you paths to learn more spiritually, provide ways to improve upon personal life, home and society at large, etc.

• Be connected to this being through seeing omens. The Being may stir up things so you can see her messages through events.

• Be connected to this being through reading Its Holy Scriptures. In the scriptures there might be exact examples that fit your situation. Or perhaps reading a passage will give you insight on how to look at your situation with better perspective.

• Be connected to this being directly. Having conversations with god Himself or maybe one or so of his Messengers in person.

• Follow advice from proven Spiritual Masters. Have a similar faith in them, that they are steering you the right way.

• Wait and pray. Let the answer to the question come to you in prayer and silence.
  

• Wait and be still.

I'm lately using the last one, and a little bit of the omens, even though I feel slightly crazy doing that. Very hard the being still part, as I crave the action. Being still makes me want to explode with action. I had to write this reply to help get my thoughts out, and the act of sharing with others seems helpful. But nevertheless I can be still for at least a small amount of time, or be still several times in sequence (over long periods of time) and learn something that way, like putting together a jigsaw puzzle of faith actions.... I don't think I'm making sense here.... I'll post more about this later as I understand it better... Thanks for listening FC.

John,

Your question is one of the most important of questions that I'd like to build a discussion site around. This is not to avoid answering your question. I'm just saying that your question is one of a few that I'm convinced real spiritual seekers are either asking, or have asked. And more to the point of this thread—these questions are almost taboo in groups that claim to be spiritual. Now to your question.

First, I am no expert, that anybody should take my advice. And I am still searching myself. But here goes, anyway.

When something important needs discussing, or when you experience something truly awesome, that inner person that you talk to; share your awe with; that person is your guide to Being.

The human sense of the Sacred is very much related to Being. When we experience the Sacred—maybe when overlooking the Grand Canyon—we are in touch with Being. At that moment when time stands still—when eternity replaces time—is when we experience Being.

True Being requires great risk. Waiting may work—because sometimes Being breaks through when we're listening. But when I look back over my life for times when I felt most alive, most in a state of Being, was when I was humbled by something awesome like Love. In the movie The World's Fastest Indian, Burt Munro answers the neighbor boy's question of: “Are you afraid of dying,” while riding his speed record breaking Indian motorcycle, with this unforgettable quip: “Oh no. You live more in five minutes on a machine like this, than most people live in a lifetime.” Some will laugh, others swoon, at the idea that riding a motorcycle at 200 miles per hour is spiritual. But that's because they miss that, for Munro, it is the penultimate of creativity, devotion and risk. Fully Human, if only for a few minutes out of years of work.

Sorry if this was over the top.

Not over the top. I'd like to hear more. The idea of risk and faith together seems both scary and natural....

In one of your other posts you were talking about previous versions of Christianity and maybe other religions too, they might have been more atheistic than now. That sounds intriguing too.

I can't wait for the new site. OpenSpirituality.org hasn't been taken either...

Fully Human... I agree with that. That would be an excellent forum topic.

"The human sense of the Sacred is very much related to Being. When we experience the Sacred—maybe when overlooking the Grand Canyon—we are in touch with Being. At that moment when time stands still—when eternity replaces time—is when we experience Being."

I know what you're talking about. It's like when a baby is being born. Or when you see the mother of a baby later on show him a dandelion being blown so he can see it from his perspective. All time stood still when I saw my sister and nephew in that situation. If I could paint, that would be what I'd paint.

Being silent looking at each other positively, thinking the same thing.... Ocean walks with your friend or partner.... Living and loving your environment, your home. Letting what is be. Very cool topic. :)

Take my vitamins, eat healthy, exercise, and pray.