Peter Kirby

This is an announcement that I would like to gather a bunch of people together to contribute to a "wiki" ("encyclopedia") on the subjects of religion and scripture, from a variety of perspectives. See TheoWiki.

What do people think about the concept? I would like to get a few people to help as "mods" or "admins." They will be of various backgrounds: atheist, Christian, Buddhist, etc. Otherwise, like most wiki's, the files can just be edited by anyone.

Nothing is set in stone right now--I'd like to hear about the thoughts that all of you have!

best,
Peter Kirby

judge

Just noticed a small typo in the "undisputed fact" section. It reads ". For example, the fact that Augustine write"

should that read "wrote" ?

judge

It may be worth considering a section on the COE in addition to the protestant, eastern orthodox and Catholic sections.

This may seem strange to us in a culture heavily influenced by Catholicism and in turn protestantism as the COE never came into communion with the Roman Catholic Church.
Additionally although it was once said to outnumber both the Roman and greek churches combined.

Following Tamerlane the numbers were drastically reduced and even today their numbers are small no doiubt due in part to their lack of proselytising.
However they do remain an important link to early Christianity.


The Church of the East still hold their services in the Aramaic language, that language spoken by Christ himself even in the greek texts, and as mentioned above their liturgy is very ancient. It does not contain the words of the institution "...this is my body" , which appears in all liturgies by late 2nd cent.

Sensei Meela

Ahem; as a general note, "wiki" is actually polynesian for "quick."
What do I think about it? I think it's about time! I think you have far more ambition than I, Peter -- cheers! I think that I have nothing to contribute, sadly. So I say, cheers to you, Peter, and best of luck!

Ted Hoffman

I think its an excellent idea Peter. I am willing to be part of it.

Anat

Peter, the part about Judaism should include an entry about the Talmud and derivation of halakha in addition to the entry about the Hebrew Bible.

Peter Kirby

Everyone, please go here and get a login. This will allow you to add articles (or make additions and modifications) as you are using the Wiki.

Judge, I have created a link to Church of the East. Once you are a user, you can write the entry for that one.

Anat, I have links to the Mishnah and Talmud. Anybody can write these entries (including Anat).

I think you all have something to contribute. At this point, I would especially like suggestions concerning philosophy of religion and theology that I should have linked from the homepage.

More importantly, I would like to know your thoughts on the overal structure and the processes that will make the site run.

thanks,
Peter Kirby

Vorkosigan

Peter, unless you plan to clone yourself, or live as a monk, or have invented a magic process for going without sleep....how are you going to do all of this?
Are you envisioning that the mods will function as an editorial board to whom you will eventually hand off control? Or what? If you want this to go long-term, you might want to think about a permanent administrative structure of some kind. Otherwise you will simply end up as a cautionary tale in Wired magazine.

It's a great idea, though.

Vorkosigan

Chris Weimer

Well, he's already got one admin on the team.

And if he decides not to go monastic, well, just as long as I don't have to pray to anyone...

Chris Weimer

Oops, make that four.