Introductions - What is Areopagus Now?

Areopagus Now is an open discussion forum concerning issues of world view, ethics, theology, and philosophy. It is named after the Greek council where the apostle Paul and the Greek intellectuals discussed such things.

I know a blog is probably not the best platform for discussion, but for the time being, I don't have the time to set up a discussion board or similar, and I have an aversion to attempting intellectual things via Facebook. I can add users who plan to contribute regularly as authors of the blog. Otherwise, let's discuss via blog comments. If you want author access, or for me to toss up a new subject for comment threading, toss a comment on this post, or email me at QuoteRadar@gmail.com. If anyone has ideas on how to make this more universally accessible, let me know.

Anyhow...

This is meant to be a good-natured, open-minded, and intellectual platform for people of any religion or world view to voice their opinions. I think if we try to be objective and avoid any personal attacks or "flaming," this can be a useful forum for perspective on issues that have interested thinkers throughout history. Of course, everyone has their own opinions, and often very strong ones on the subject of ethics, etc. The point is not to validate our own beliefs, or to offend anyone who doesn't share them, but to engage discussion about them.

To further the focus on objectivity and scholarship, I heartily encourage posters to link to sources that support or discuss their ideas. It certainly won't hurt your argument to include a supporting reference. Wondering where to find out more about a certain issue? Feel free to ask other readers to point you towards references they've found useful.

To further the focus on discussion and investigation, I'm going to say that citing sources is by no means necessary; feel free to ponder and speculate and question.

To provide some background on this blog, it is a branch of an idea I've had floating in my head for a while now; to host a discussion group for all the tough questions and interesting thoughts that arise when you start to think about world views and religion and ethics and politics and all of those potentially polarizing subjects. I'm constantly trying to figure out and solidify my views on issues like these, and I would certainly like to hear what anyone else has to say on the subjects. However, I haven't had the free time (or a group of people with the same free time) to get this going on a face-to-face basis. I would love to do that in the Twin Cities area; any coffee shop near the U of M campus is fair game to see this come to life if you're interested in discussing this kind of stuff in person.