I Want Your Input!
September 25, 2007
The day that I decided to start this site, I intended to make a site that was simply about my experiences with Christianity and what led me to atheism. Basically, I wanted to have a site that simply cataloged the knowledge that I had acquired (and continue to acquire) on the subject. The name of the site, The Jesus Myth, was never intended to convey or support the idea that Jesus (although that was not his name) never existed. It was meant to convey the mythical nature of the claim that he was the son of God sent as the world’s savior.
Since the site went live, it has undergone massive changes. It is now a multi-author, open dialog blog with several contributers. I am grateful to all of our contributers as they have made it the site that it is today. That is precisely why I need your input about the next phase for TJM.
I have received several emails wondering why we are mostly taking on Christianity. Well, mainly because it is the religion which most of us have had the most exposure and experience with. The question is an encouraging one because it makes me dream a little. I envision a bigger blog whose contributers are widely varied. I would love to have a few from every major religion participating. I would even like to have a few that wish to post defending their religion.
So, that brings me to you guys with a few questions.
- What religions would you like to see represented here?
- The name will probably have to change to reflect the new content. Suggestions?
- The theme will have to change. Probably a more “magazine” style look to showcase the individual contributers. Ideas on looks?
- What types of features would you like to see?
I am sure that there will be more questions, but these are the main ones. And if you are reading this and would like to be considered as a contributer, please contact us. Thank you!
Comments
13 Responses to “I Want Your Input!”
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Maybe Islam, as it plays such a major role in society worldwide, and then of course the mother of all dragons, the Roman Catholic church.
Thanks, Luci. working on Islam right now.
Yeh Islam definitely. Also, I’d like to hear from a Scientologist, we hear so much negative news about them I’d like to hear the other side of it.
A name change is a good idea, I doubt Christians will post on a site that discredits anything they write. I can’t really think of one though.
I’d love to see a messaging feature. Just so you can contact writers through things other then messages. Also, I think it’s be a good idea for us to get our own forum, atheists toolbox is cool but if we’re representing religions, well they might not be to happy about it.
Thats about all I can think of right now..But yay awesome idea!
Don’t get me wrong, Hannah. The idea of what the site has become will remain the same. We will still be focused on debating religion, just more forms of it! It has always been my policy to allow everyone to have their say, I have never edited or deleted comments from anyone(except spammers and foul language). I just thought it would be nice to have a few post authors from the opposite side of the fence, in all fairness. Of course there would be guidelines. This is a debate site, not a place to “lead ‘em to the lord.”
I’m a little concerned with the direction this might go in. My experience (sorry Christians to be mentioning you guys again) is that defending a religion usually turns into preaching, turns into “why are you so mad in God” “everyone has to believe in something” etc. And quite frankly, I’ve had more than my share of that already. I thought this blog was to be an outlet for atheists communicating their non-belief and for theists or atheists to post their comments. And honestly I liked that idea.
That is not to say that other religions can’t be discussed, but I’m not sure how this is supposed to work.
My 2 cents…
mad in God… geez… mad AT God of course.
Well, of course Islam, and Judaism. Hinduism would also be a nice topic as I’ve have only read the Mahabharata, but know very little about it. Buddhism would be an interesting subject as well, to include those that reject all kinds of spiritualism and anything that claims any kind of supernaturalism. We could even go as far as Wiccan or some pagan religions. Not trying to offend the very tolerant Pagan community, but it still has to do with worshiping things with in the realm of spiritualism.
I don’t really think you’d have to change the name, just add a sub-title perhaps, Like…
The Jesus Myth: An ALL Inclusive non-Discriminatory Examinination of Spiritualism
A bit long I know, but I like the Jesus Myth Title, just needs a qualifier.
As for theme I’m not sure I have an opinion on that, as I’m not a web designer, I’ll leave that up to my other TJM colleagues.
I guess a blog would be the best feature of course, but maybe links to other informative sites on atheism, and other religions.
“to include those that reject all kinds of spiritualism”
I meant to include those that ACCEPT all kinds of spiritualism.
I spent more than six years as a steady contributor - and within just a few months of being a founding member - of an online community called “All Faiths.” First a chatroom, then a MS Community, then its own standalone website complete with forums, until its eventual decline, AF had contributors and fans from all over the world, from all walks of life, and from virtually all of the world’s major religions and quite a few of the lesser-known ones. I was the resident atheist and firebrand, nearly always at the center of controversy. (Whether that was because I’m an atheist, or because it’s just me, I’ll leave that up to you to judge.)
The community, for a long time, was a place where people shared their unique views on everything from ancient history to current events, and eventually flame each other. In one stop, you could get a thorough understanding of all sides of any conflict - and the flamewar that erupted once all the material arguments were over. You could see a rabbi, a priest, a pastor, and and imam all talk about evolution. And then flame each other.
I tried for so long to keep an open mind, to always be polite and respectful - and to their credit, everyone there tried to do the same. But the results were predictable: one thread devolved into flamewar after another. The site eventually died that way. Of course, this just reinforces the conviction that religion does nothing but sow enmity and discord - and was one of the reasons that I became so attracted to this site. There was no impossible promise of fair play to all, and trust me, it’s impossible. No having to pay lip service to fair time devoted to each argument, because it’s an atheist website. Even the name, The Jesus Myth, loudly and proudly proclaims it to be a place for atheists - specifically atheists from the Christian-dominated West.
Of course they will make so many complaints about us being concentrated on Christianity. They’ll make complaints about it even if it isn’t true. They’ll make complaints about whatever crosses their mind at any moment, without any regard to truth or reality. So let ‘em. Richard Dawkins explains it slightly differently in “The God Delusion,” but there’s a very good reason we spend so much time concentrating on Christianity as opposed to other religions: because that is the (very) dominant and dominating religion of our society, because it has bullied its way into political dominance (that thumping sound is the founding fathers rolling in their graves) and is bent on dominating every part of our public and private lives. Of course, being atheists, we reject all religions - but some religions more than others.
I say we keep true: TheJesusMyth all the way, made for atheists and by atheists. I don’t have the energy to watch another community slowly devolve into madness by trying to give equal stage time to all religions.
1…Wicca and Paganism….mostly because they are HIGHLY misunderstood. Basic Islam(Islam for Dummies), would be an added plus!!
4..features?…
Editorial avatars would be nice.
I’ve got some ideas on a name and I checked and the websites are available… I’ll send them via SU.
Look and feel of this site is great… other than you could probably should reduce real estate of the banner.. Contributors can be featured in the right column…
Or.. you could always join us at http://www.de-conversion.com / http://www.de-conversion.org
Paul
Hi,
Nice website. Good articles.
A religion in which you can be an atheist and still be a part of the religion is Hinduism and it is also the oldest religion. I think you must invite writers to write about tenets of this religion on your blog.
If you wish you can take a look at my site at http://www.makarajyothi.com.
Ooooh ok. I thought it was going to be a full on religious discussion, I didn’t think the focus was going to be the same, my bad.