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About WikiSpirit

   The idea behind WikiSpirit is to facilitate a respectful and civil discussion of controversial topics.
   A few years ago. we had a vision of - among other things - a website, and maybe even a browser, for spiritually-driven and light-guided, or at least light-seeking, individuals, based upon mutual co-editing (in other words, being our brothers' and sisters' keepers, and they ours), and also based upon the deflation of egos, because overgrown egos are destroying the world.
   The two areas in which respectful and reasonable discussion has been a classic problem are religion and politics. Which is undoubtedly why those are the two subjects not discussed in polite conversation. Other than sex, perhaps.
   So instead of politics, we will simply discuss the existential problems facing civilization as we currently know it, and whether or not we can do anything to mitigate that. Instead of arguing about religion we will be embarking upon a vision quest on behalf of all humanity.
   In other words, religion and politics but without the dogma. We won't avoid dogma if our contributors and commenters insist on bringing it up, but we'll gently and politely try to tear it to pieces, in compliance with the first principle of participation in WikiSpirit: compassionate and non-violent communication. (As for sex, that can be religiously or spiritually-oriented, or politically or materially-oriented - and is usually somewhere in-between.)
   Did we mention that the attenuation of egos would be a primary principle? Attenuate your ego until your self is able to outgrow it. But watch that your ego doesn't get too big again, or you'll have twice as much trouble as you started with.
   Editing each other's egos is important, and it is important that it be done lovingly yet firmly. But that is just the framework, one which is necessary for the real work to be done successfully - that is, a conversation among intellectuals of various religious and political backgrounds, focusing on distilling the common basics as well as appreciating and preserving as much as reasonably possible the diversity of the traditions.
   Materialism, individualism and solipsism have been done almost to death on the Internet. We're here to help re-focus on the other point of view.

 Our aims:

  •         a co-operative effort in learning to co-operate
  •         drawing hues of meaning onto a black-and-white world.
  •         convincing 'ists' to abandon their 'isms'.
  •         subduing or overcoming politics and religion
  •         draining pools of knowledge into the depths of wisdom
  •         hosting intelligent and respectful discussions, unobstructed by religious or scientific dogma

   "Wiki-wiki" is a Hawaiian adverbial term meaning 'together, quickly.  We (the people) need to get together quickly to fix and heal what ails us.
   The name 'WikiSpirit'  refers to a co-operative attitude by which we hope to identify solutions to at least some of the ideological disagreements and problems currently inhibiting humanity's advancement, and even our survival. A naively idealistic goal, perhaps, but we have to try to attain it, somehow, before our world falls apart completely.
   We'll never change the system we currently have as long as we like to blame it for everything. The system is not malfunctioning. It's working exactly the way it was meant to. The trouble is that it wasn't meant to work very well (for other than an elite group of people), and it prevents people from working the way we're meant to. That doesn't necessarily mean working as in physical labour, but as in functioning.
   None of us - individual people, groups or nations - is alone, and none of us can go it alone. We need each other at all times, to varying degrees. If we come up with a system that excludes anyone, anywhere, for any reason, then we have failed. We already have such a system.
   The key to fixing the world, and thus improving our lives, lies in realizing that reality itself is alive, and that's why you and I are. It lies in respecting that sacred Life always and everywhere, and in consciously feeling and knowing that you're a part of it.
   The result would be a society based on true spiritual/humanitarian values, instead of on the tooth-and-claw principles of the natural world and the ruthlessness of animal man. You and I might not live to see such a society, but you never know.
   Although at the present time this goal may seem hopelessly unattainable, any idea is a good idea because each fresh concept puts the topic into a new and stronger light. Any idea is a good idea because right now we're desperate, as anyone whose head is anywhere but deep in the sand will agree. Any idea is a good idea - even, and especially, yours. Every serious question deserves an answer.
   Any idea is a good idea. We must find ways to do what needs to be done, no matter how well or poorly that fits with what we are doing, or have done until now. "You can't get there from here" is an inherently nonsensical assertion.

   A large part of our discussion will be an examination of spirit, religion and ethics; so let's consider Hell for a moment. Hell is mankind's greatest accomplishment. We created it. We live in and sustain it. Hell is real: just watch, listen to or read the news and you'll be convinced. We can get out of it, but first we have to find our way to the door.
   We know what Hell is made of: mistakes and regrets. We're beginning to know our way around it and to see how the whole thing has been put together. But we're so used to our lives and lifestyles that we only sometimes yearn to see the way out. We've allowed ourselves to become too busy with our lives the way they are to look for it. Things don't need to be that way.

   We avoid rules, because rules are rigid and unchangeable. In fact, the only thing we have that is even close to a rule other than the Golden one is that each and every person is uniquely and equally important in his or her own way. On the whole no one is more or less important than anyone else. Not here on this site, nor anywhere else or any when else on the planet. Or on any other planet. Not the Prime Minister, Premier or President; not the Pope or the Dalai Lama, not Jesus, Moses or Abraham, or the Prophet Mohamed (praise be unto them all).

   Our two most important guiding values are truth and love.  Though both are elusive, they are equally important. In fact, each is impossible without the other: Together they produce beauty. Love, truth and beauty are the primary 'holy trinity'.

   This is not your average discussion board. As noted above, the first principle of participation in WikiSpirit is compassionate and non-violent communication. That is only possible where there is mutual respect. One of the functions of our editors is to ensure that contributors adhere to that principle. That's why your comments (or blog posts) will be edited and approved before they appear, so you may have to wait a day or two before they are publicly posted. This is in accord with two old maxims: "Slowly, slowly, catch the monkey," and "Life's too short to hurry." On the plus side, most of the forums and comment boards will likely never close, and the discussions should go slowly enough that you won't feel the usual pressure to finish and send your post before you even spell-check it. Take your time. Get it right. We'll be here. We're not going anywhere.

About our forums:
We're in the process of setting up our discussion boards. When they're ready to go there will be a link in the navigation menu. Watch for it!

About our blogs:
   The opinions expressed in any blog posts on this site are not necessarily those of the site's editors and administrators. All our bloggers are free to express what's on their minds, as long as it pertains to religion or politics (or if you prefer, spirituality or relationships) and they do it as respectfully as possible as determined by our editors. See 'Guidelines for Participants' and 'Editing Policy' below.
   If you are interested in blogging on WikiSpirit, submit your blog post to our editors for approval, through the 'contact' tab on the home page, and we'll get back to you - hopefully within 24 hours.

Guidelines for participants:
        Make yourselves at home here, but leave your egos outside.  Over-inflated egos are the cause of most, if not all, of the world's problems. Subjugate your ego.
        Respect all contributors and their opinions, no matter how obviously mistaken or uninformed they may be. Realize that there is a good chance that at least some of your own opinions are just as mistaken or uninformed, so be kind in your comments and responses.
        Criticism is fine; blame, not so much.
    Abusive remarks are not allowed, and will be edited into oblivion.
        Truth belongs to no one, so no one and no group has any right to claim it or take credit for it. With regard to WikiSpirit, what is important is the idea itself, not who thought of it, spoke of it or wrote it down first.

Editing policy:
   Comments, posts and suggestions will be subject to an editor's approval and therefore will not be published immediately (but hopefully, within 24 hours).
   Comments and forum posts will be edited to ensure they:

  •         are relevant to the topic
  •         are respectfully written
  •         are original
  •         are grammatically correct and spelled correctly (If you have trouble with that we'll be happy to fix it for you, and then it will be easier for readers to understand. Though presentation helps, we value what you have to say more.)
  •         are not slanderous
  •         are not derogatory, hateful, obscene or threatening
  •         do not include personal information or private dialogue
  •         do not incite or promote illegal activity
  •         do not include commercial promotions or endorsements
  •         do not violate copyrights

   Eventually, if and when our site traffic grows, contributions will be edited by other, peer contributors, something along the lines of how Wikipedia works.

Helpful advice:
1. Choose your words carefully. Remember that words are the best tools we have to confuse and deceive ourselves and each other, whether intentionally or not.
2. Be prepared to defend your position. In other words, do your research; or at least, think, before clicking the 'post' or 'publish' button.

Site participation:
   We don't just publish all submissions from anyone and everyone. However, If you have a comment, or perhaps more importantly, a question, that has anything to do with the topic we'd love to hear from you - after you've thought it over and edited your writing to ensure it complies with our editing policy as outlined above. If it doesn't, we'll likely edit it and publish it anyway, if it is original and relevant.
   If you have nothing to say, don't submit anything. Just read, and consider. If you just want to submit a comment that just says something to the effect of, "Look world, this is me! I'm writing stuff the Internet!", don't waste your time, because it won't be posted.

      It has recently come to our attention that many of the visitors to this site have been robots. Spambots to be precise. We've  had more than a few sneaking through the door and trying to post spam comments or set up bogus user accounts.
      If you're a robot, please don't take this personally. We like robots. Klaatu's personal bot, Gort, is still and by far our favourite. If he wanted to register as a user, he'd be welcome. Unfortunately, though, he's entirely fictional. If entirely non-fictional robots ever get to be as intelligent and personable as Gort, they'll be welcome to register on WikiSpirit as well. But we won't hold our breath until that happens.
      If you're not a robot, you should have no problem registering as a user; but if you do, try filling out the registration form more slowly. Our anti-spam module will reject your registration if you fill in the form too quickly. If problems persist, please e-mail editors @ wikispirit.net and we'll work it out.
 
[Home page header image by Iván Tamás from Pixabay]

 

 

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