h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Congratulations SWL

Emmily

Big Smiles

Congrats, SWL!

*headspins*


Congratulations

*arrives with box of crucifixes and Latin phrasebook*

Sub-ed checking in! *rolls up sleeves* Right, where's the little



A19774605 for the soon-to-be-edited article.

Are catholics no longer a rightful part of 'Life, The Universe and everything'?! You guys seem to be much more relaxed about questions of the freedom of conscience than we this side of 'the iron curtain'.
Snatching pieces out of other people's praying books and making fun of them in the 'Guide' is not funny. It's stupid and cruel.
If this kind of entry goes into the Guide, it means
'catholics are not invited here', because it clearly ridicules their praying practice, their priests, and, ultimately, their faith.This mockery seems to be the intention of the writer. What is the intention of the community, or does, in fact, such thing as a community exist here? Am I right in thinking that a few people who discussed and approved of this entry are 'vox populi'? Who are the editors, who finally decide what is going to represent the thinking and creativity of h2g2 researchers? What beliefs are they guided by?

Hi Weirdo

Allow me to repeat an answer I just gave hayayfi, who expressed a similar opinion to yours.

If you have read any of my pieces or postings on HooToo, I'm sure you will have noticed that I bear no particular malice or ill-will towards people's faiths or beliefs. I frequently find myself defending such viewpoints against some of the more virulent attacks.

I would hope that people would take the entry as a gentle, tongue-in-cheek look at the issue of exorcisms - along the "Life of Brian" route if you will. For those looking to be informed, it is quite factual and details the actual procedure followed. For those who may look a little askance at such practices, I feel the humour helps keep a sense of context.

I am genuinely sorry if I have offended you as that was certainly not my intention. However, the Christian faith has proved itself to be robust enough to withstand far stronger attacks than this and I would like to think that even a Priest may smile at some points.

Nice to hear it, I hope you keep up the good work!
I am genuinely pleased that you have apologised, SWL, although
my personal feelings are not my main concerns in this matter.
I'm sorry I am not articulate enough to help someone seemingly missing out on religious experience relate to this kind of experience/'feelings'.
For my part, I regret to admit that I can't identify with your 'gentle' attempt to 'inform' and mock (in order to <keep a sense of context&gt at the same time. Killing two birds with one stone? It doesn't seem to work.
With kind regards,
o

Perhaps we're looking at this through a prism? For those with religious convictions and those with atheistic convictions, this piece may fall between two stones being perceived as being respectively insulting or not insulting enough. For Joe Average, he can take what he wants from the Entry. If he wants a humorous read - it's there. If he is genuinely interested in the procedure followed at an exorcism, it's there too

I have tried to steer clear of the deeper reasons of *why* an exorcism may or may not be necessary, as this deals with matters of faith and theology which I am clearly not qualified to comment upon.

I think it is important that issues such as these be accessible and not couched in dry, arcane language in order to reach a wider audience. If this entry stimulates just one person to conduct a little personal research and come to find God, will it not be one of the most truly significant pieces in H2G2? Equally, the atheists will argue that if it disabuses just one person of their belief in a supernatural being, it will have been worthwhile.

Those looking for answers will always see through the shallow humour, in my opinion.

Seems to be academic now anyway as it doesn't look like it's going in the Guide.

Don't be so pessimistic

It's probably more about finding the right entries to put it up to the FP with it'll be alright.

Have you been advised, somehow, that it won't be? If not, it may just be a matter of time for the very limited editorial staff to be "comfortable" with it. I know that I, and a couple of friends, were not. But with understanding of the unbiased intent ... It's all 'relatively' cool.

It certainly has been "pending" a long time
Have you had official notification that it's not?

No notification, I think it's just being left to gather dust.

I don't really mind if it's deemed a bit too controversial or whatever, but to be ignored rankles a bit.

Without being pushy then, perhaps which-ever was your Sub, ... perhaps ask them to query it? Through their sub-group lines. Any answer is better than none.

It isn't being ignored SWL

There was a 'pending' Entry waiting in there far longer. It was recently added to a weekend of similar articles.

I've just been spoiled by entries going straight in before the ink is dry

I'll say.. It happened to me today!

That is a bigger shock!