The idea behind WikiSpirit is to facilitate a respectful and civil discussion of controversial topics.
A few years ago. we had a vision of a website for values-driven and light-guided, or at least light-seeking, individuals; based upon mutual, respectful co-editing (in other words, being our brothers' and sisters' keepers on this site, and they ours), and also based upon the deflation of egos, because overgrown egos are destroying the world.
The two areas in which respectful, reasonable discussion has been a classic problem are religion and politics - which is undoubtedly why those have been the two subjects not discussed in polite conversation. Other than sex, perhaps.
So instead of politics, we'll discuss the existential problems facing civilization as we currently know it, and whether or not we can do anything to mitigate them. Instead of arguing about religion we'll embark upon a vision quest for humanity.
In other words, religion and politics but without the dogma, be it theological or political. 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: polite, respectful and non-violent communication. (As for sex, that may be either religiously/spiritually or politically/materially oriented, and is usually somewhere in-between.)
Did we mention that you should try to attenuate your ego? Ratchet it down 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, when necessary, is important, and it is important that it be done lovingly yet firmly. That's true not just here at WikiSpirit but in the world at large.
But that is just the framework, one which is necessary for the real work to be done successfully - that is, a conversation among thoughtful folk 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 egocentricity have been done almost to death on the Internet. We're here to help re-focus on the other approach.
Our aims:
hosting intelligent and respectful discussions
convincing 'ists' to set their their 'isms' aside
cleansing and subduing politics and religion
draining knowledge into the depths of collective wisdom
"Wiki-wiki" is a Hawaiian adverbial term meaning 'together, quickly. We (the people of the world) need to get together quickly to fix and heal what ails us.
The name 'WikiSpirit' refers to a co-operative attitude by which we might identify solutions to at least some of the ideological disagreements and existential problems currently plaguing humanity. 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 least most times and 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 tremendously, 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. You already knew that, didn't you? But you may be fighting it.
The collective 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, 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.
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: bad intentions and poor decisions. 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.
At WikiSpirit 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 original 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 bit 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 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 as long as 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.
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!
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.
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 standards:
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 before being posted to ensure that they:
are relevant to the topic
are respectfully written
are original
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
are grammatically correct and spelled correctly
If you have trouble with grammar and spelling we'll be happy to fix it for you, and then it will be easier for readers to understand. Though presentation is important, we value what you have to say more.
Eventually, 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, because you may be challenged by other participants. 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 thoughts, or perhaps more importantly, questions, that have anything to do with the topic we'd love to hear from you - after you've read over your writing and edited it to ensure as best you can that it complies with our editing standards as outlined above.
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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