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Gideon · 07-04-2009, 08:46 PM

I'd say this one is definitely going to be "strong Christian focus." There isn't any particular aversion to other religious groups in this group (most of us are pluralists, I think - I know I am) but part of the reason this came about was an a way for those of us who are in the religious boonies to have an intellectual, religious outlet. We want to be able to experience that part of our faith and for whatever reason have a difficult time where we are (I'm neck deep in Christians in Oklahoma, but my options for a conversation like this are almost nill!)

But as to it being rather open... for instance, we really want to read Zizek and Millbank's "Monstrosity of Christ" soon - Zizek is a materialist Marxist and Millbank is... well, not - and so a non-Christian would probably have something to say (as Zizek does), but the focus is still very much on Christian theological issues. That being said... if we get into any medieval theology (can God make a non-virgin a virgin again, how many angels can dance on the head of a pin, or anything by Scotus - I'm OUT OF THERE!).

That being said.. our first book, Caputo's "On Religion" has themes that I think are both religious and secular and while I don't know how the conversation is going to go, I think given the content it would be fairly open to anyone.

This is out first time out of the gate, though, too... this may go some different places and personally I'd love to have non-specific religious book groups meeting as well. And if enough people start talking on our forums, then something like that would be able to happen in that context certainly. Anyone is certainly welcome TO participate... but I think a lot of the texts are going to lead towards pretty strong intra-Christian issues, and if you're cool with that I'm certainly happy with that.

But I don't know about the forums.. I've not seen a forum succeed that wasn't tech driven or very controversial in a long time. It is too early too tell.

So... I'd invite you to come and see what you think, and hopefully it won't get too annoying for either one of us!

07-04-2009, 08:46 PM	#9
Gideon Wearer of Pants Posts: 1,050 Karma: 7634 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Norman, OK Device: Amazon Kindle DX / iPhone	I'd say this one is definitely going to be "strong Christian focus." There isn't any particular aversion to other religious groups in this group (most of us are pluralists, I think - I know I am) but part of the reason this came about was an a way for those of us who are in the religious boonies to have an intellectual, religious outlet. We want to be able to experience that part of our faith and for whatever reason have a difficult time where we are (I'm neck deep in Christians in Oklahoma, but my options for a conversation like this are almost nill!) But as to it being rather open... for instance, we really want to read Zizek and Millbank's "Monstrosity of Christ" soon - Zizek is a materialist Marxist and Millbank is... well, not - and so a non-Christian would probably have something to say (as Zizek does), but the focus is still very much on Christian theological issues. That being said... if we get into any medieval theology (can God make a non-virgin a virgin again, how many angels can dance on the head of a pin, or anything by Scotus - I'm OUT OF THERE!). That being said.. our first book, Caputo's "On Religion" has themes that I think are both religious and secular and while I don't know how the conversation is going to go, I think given the content it would be fairly open to anyone. This is out first time out of the gate, though, too... this may go some different places and personally I'd love to have non-specific religious book groups meeting as well. And if enough people start talking on our forums, then something like that would be able to happen in that context certainly. Anyone is certainly welcome TO participate... but I think a lot of the texts are going to lead towards pretty strong intra-Christian issues, and if you're cool with that I'm certainly happy with that. But I don't know about the forums.. I've not seen a forum succeed that wasn't tech driven or very controversial in a long time. It is too early too tell. So... I'd invite you to come and see what you think, and hopefully it won't get too annoying for either one of us!