POLL: Would you be interested in an interfaith text study forum?

[dauer]

Brian's okayed the idea and I'm trying to figure out what to do with the parsha project at the end of the cycle so now I'm turning to you all, the people who matter most, for feedback. Would you be interested in a place where more senior members of the forum, after having presented their idea to the mods and and having it approved, could lead the study of a small portion of text from their religious tradition e.g. comparing an event as recorded in multiple gospels, studying a chapter of the Quran or the Vedas, looking at a piece of philosophy or theology, discussing a sutra or a koan, etc?

Please select one of the poll options and offer whatever additional feedback you have in a post below.

[wil]

I'll probably observe in some, participate in others...

But love the concept. In the parsha I've been reading and watching for months, thoroughly enjoy, rarely have anything to contribute to the discussion.

[I, Brian]

I really like the overall concept, and it's exactly the sort of thing CR should be doing. I can only offer my genuine apologies for not taking part as I'm so stretched for time these days - at present my presence on CR is mostly limited to basic admin, rather than general participation.

But I support whole-heartedly any individual or group initiative to develop more of the comparative aspect, and think dauer has done a great job leading the Parsha project, and he has my full support in developing the project further.

[China Cat Sunflower]

Originally Posted by dauer

Brian's okayed the idea and I'm trying to figure out what to do with the parsha project at the end of the cycle so now I'm turning to you all, the people who matter most, for feedback. Would you be interested in a place where more senior members of the forum, after having presented their idea to the mods and and having it approved, could lead the study of a small portion of text from their religious tradition e.g. comparing an event as recorded in multiple gospels, studying a chapter of the Quran or the Vedas, looking at a piece of philosophy or theology, discussing a sutra or a koan, etc?

Please select one of the poll options and offer whatever additional feedback you have in a post below.

That sounds great so long as it's not done in one of the "walled garden" areas. I'm not sure why "senior members" need to have their stuff O.K.'ed by the mods, though.

Chris

[sara[h]ng]

I'd love to explore texts and ideas unfamiliar to me with someone who knows their stuff.
I'd observe. I might comment. Depends on how over my head or, on the other hand, bold, I feel.

Sounds like a good idea.

Sarah

[juantoo3]

Kindest Regards, Dauer!

"Just do it!"

[dauer]

To all,

you can expect to see this starting in the Fall, after the cycle of the parshiot gets through Deuteronomy. But you may be seeing some perparatory material well in advance.

CCS,

When this is implemented it will be taking the place of the Parsha Project on the forums. By that time "senior member" will have been defined by a minimum post count and a minimum time at the boards, which is TBD right now. The structure will have only one text study active at a time, which necessitates a bottleneck on those who wish to lead the studies, also allowing us to make sure that the religions represented in the study are evenly distributed. Going through the mods first also means that if, for example, someone was just presenting too much material at once, we could bounce that feedback back to them and they could give us a revised idea.

While it won't be in one of the walled garden forums, it's also TBD what type of basic rules will be put in place in order to make it both a safe place for people to present texts that are sacred to them and an open place for outsiders to learn about the material from where they stand. I want it to be clear from the start that I'm trying to create the space for both so that it can best be utilized in interfaith dialogue and study.

Dauer