Hatrack River Forum: Why do you believe what you believe? (was: Your spiritual journey)

This is topic Why do you believe what you believe? (was: Your spiritual journey) in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Fyfe (Member # 937) on :

Edit to change topic title, mainly because I am not in love with the phrase "spiritual journey". [Smile]

Disclaimer: I'm very nervous asking this and don't know whether it's too nosy and invasive.

Basically, today I went looking for a big anthology of spiritual autobiography, and I couldn't find one at my local library. It made me sad because I really, really wanted to read some stories about how people got to where they are spiritually: whether they came into a religion, or left one, grew to believe in God or grew out of it.

So I was thinking of starting a website, where people could email me stories about their spiritual journeys and I could post them - anonymously or with names, depending on what they wanted. And before I did that, I wanted to ask a thoughtful, intelligent cross-section internet (that's you, Hatrack!) what it thought of this plan. Is this something that would only be interesting to me? More importantly, since I know these things can be very personal, is this something that other people would be willing to do?

Thoughts?

[ May 06, 2008, 12:07 AM: Message edited by: Fyfe ]

Posted by EmpSquared (Member # 10890) on :

I would e-mail you a story about why I'm an atheist, but not necessarily with my name attached. Not that quickly anyway.

Posted by MightyCow (Member # 9253) on :

I discuss my beliefs on a number of websites - I don't think there's any reason to think people wouldn't be happy to share their beliefs on yours.

Be ready for lots of friction and aggressive stories and responses though.

My guess is that you'll receive somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 thoughtful, intelligent stories, and the rest diatribes, angry rants, witch hunts, and the like. If you can handle that much junk, go to it [Smile]

Posted by Shawshank (Member # 8453) on :

I'd send you mine. With name attached.

I think it'd be an interesting idea. I think MightyCow is right though- people would get incredibly defensive- especially since it's their story.

Posted by Fyfe (Member # 937) on :

Hm. Okay. I think I will give it a go. I always want to know what people think.

Why You Believe (or don't)

Email me at storiesaboutgod@gmail.com. I will be a posting fiend.

Posted by Sean Monahan (Member # 9334) on :

I would be willing to email you my story. But I think you should start with your own. [Smile]

Posted by ricree101 (Member # 7749) on :

quote:
Originally posted by MightyCow:
My guess is that you'll receive somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 thoughtful, intelligent stories, and the rest diatribes, angry rants, witch hunts, and the like.

I suspect that even this is optimistic. That said, if you can moderate in a fair and patient manner, this could turn into a pretty interesting site.

Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :

I also can't stand the term "spiritual journey." [Smile]

But it's a good idea. And I definitely think you should prime the pump by starting with your own.

Posted by Fyfe (Member # 937) on :

I'm on it. [Smile]

Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :

I'll probably paste over my most recent landmark. But my... er... soul trek?... looks different depending on the angle it's viewed from. Kind of like that feel good story about the three blind men describing the elephant.

Posted by Epictetus (Member # 6235) on :

I like this idea. I've been meaning to put my beliefs down on paper for a while now. I'll try and get it to you soon. [Smile]