Spirituality subforum

[Eltu]

Vote in the poll here!

Because of the attention this has gotten the past days, I am creating a discussion thread for this issue.

Note that I may create a poll to decide on this matter later - but for now, I think it's better if we just discuss the issue before we make any hasty decisions. Also, note that below are my personal opinions on this matter - and unless otherwise indicated, I am putting them forth as a user, not an admin.

To sum up the events that have taken place the last few days...
There has for a while been suggestions to introduce a Spirituality subforum - essentially, this would mean a place where people could discuss anything from a non-scientific perspective. This has been requested, because some (me included) feel that it's impossible to have such kind of discussions at this moment.

The matter has been discussed over the ToS IRC channel the past days, and met with both severe hostility and support. Some people would gladly introduce such a subforum - some would never wish to see it introduced - and some would be willing to, but only if a strictly scientific forum was to be introduced as well.

So, since this is a discussion thread, here are my opinions on the matter - of course, do contribute with yours below.


For the people who think a Spirituality subforum is a good idea:
I wholeheartedly agree. Recently, it has been nigh impossible keeping strictly non-scientific conversations - and we all have to remember, such conversations should be equally respected as any others. If it's the OP's decision to make a non-scientific discussion thread, it should remain as such - or it'd to just as offtopic as discussing Neytiri in a thread about cars.

So seen from a purely administrative perspective - there have been non-scientific threads made recently, and there is an increasing demand for such threads. Thus, it's definitely worth - in my opinion - to implement a dedicated subforum for those kind of threads.


For the people who do not want to create such a subforum:
Let me begin by saying I definitely respect your opinions in this matter - but, I do have some things I'd like to mention. First off, I think much of the dislike is merely because the purpose of the subforum is being misunderstood. If we could get past that, maybe we could avoid much trouble. To begin with, spirituality is not necessarily the same thing as organized religion. It is for some people, but hardly everyone. I'd say that by the absolutely widest definition possible, spirituality is seeing things non-scientifically, or the belief in such. And for the purposes of this sub-forum, that's all there is to it.

It's no "religion forum" - some of the threads may be, but that holds true for all of ToS. The subforum would merely be, as I mentioned above, discussing anything from a non-scientific perspective. That's it.

Secondly, I understand your concerns for flamewars - but that's a possibility for everything, and I don't think that should dictate our decisions. If nothing else, it's worth a *try* - I, at least, am not asking for anything else. Discussions related to organized religion has proven to cause troubles in the past, yes - but that's not the topic here. As i mentioned above this subsection would be just as general in regards to organized religion, as any other section. In fact, I'd say it's *less* likely to lead to flamewars, since such often appear when religion is analyzed scientifically.

So in conclusion here - I'd wish for you to reconsider your reasons for not wishing this subforum to be created. If you still strongly feel against it - I respect that, and will take those opinons in consideration in the eventual future poll.


And lastly,
For the people who are ok with creating the subforum, but only if a strictly scientific alternative is also created:
I'm all fine with this. It wouldn't hurt anyone or cause any harm. However - from some who have suggested this, I feel it has mostly to do with making a point - and this I really don't see the meaning of. So if you truly would feel some use for this scientific forum, I have nothing against it. If you want to see it made just out of principles though... I urge you to reconsider.

That'd be all. I look forward to some constructive discussion being had here - and hopefully we can reach a conclusion, together.

And again, please remember that none of what I've said has been as a staff member, these are my personal opinions only.

Regards,

Eltu