Frequently Asked Questions

From NonSpiritual

Contents 1 Questions on Intent 1.1 Why the name nonspiritual.net? 1.2 Why are you running this website? 1.3 Why can't one just rely on a search engine (e.g. Google) for finding critical information? 1.4 Why not just add the critical information to wikipedia? 1.5 Isn't it evil to denounce God or spirituality? 1.6 How can you be so arrogant? 2 Questions on Atheism, Philosophy etc. 3 Questions on Operation 3.1 How many authorized users are there? 3.2 How can I become an authorized user? 3.3 Why did you refuse/revoke my authorization? 3.4 How can I subscribe to an RSS/Atom feed of nonspiritual.net? 3.5 Where do you get the money for running this website? 4 Questions about the people behind Nonspiritual.net 4.1 Can I know an authorized user's real name?

Questions on Intent

Why the name nonspiritual.net?

The word nonspiritual refers to the stance of this website, and is not an epithet for the teachers and groups criticized here. Many of these teachers and groups are thoroughly and genuinely spiritual. The intent behind this website is to promulgate a non-spiritual outlook to life and the universe, and to criticize the various spiritual teachers, teachings and groups on mainly two issues:

• The failure to live up to their own ideals.
• The unscientific and contradictory nature of their claims.

Why are you running this website?

Please read the Introduction.

Why can't one just rely on a search engine (e.g. Google) for finding critical information?

Google's search engine returns the most popular webpages as its top search results. Since the followers of spiritual teachers and groups are generally more numerous than their detractors or sceptics, it is very hard to find critical information. A niche-website such as http://www.rickross.com or this one is therefore eminently useful.

Why not just add the critical information to wikipedia?

Addition of critical information about a spiritual teacher or group is usually edited out by its zealous followers. Since the followers are usually more numerous, it is a losing battle to add information again and again only to have it repeatedly deleted. Frequently, the outcome is that a wikipedia article is protected due to editing disputes. Also, wikipedia's editorial policy discourages anecdotal reports and blog links, which we consider useful.

Isn't it evil to denounce God or spirituality?

No.

How can you be so arrogant?

This is a loaded question. Please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallacy_of_many_questions for further clarification.

Questions on Atheism, Philosophy etc.

Please go to the discussion forum on your topic of interest. If you don't find a forum for your question, please write to the webmaster to create the forum.

Questions on Operation

How many authorized users are there?

Currently there are less than ten authorized users.

How can I become an authorized user?

Please visit Editing Rights.

Why did you refuse/revoke my authorization?

Authorization is refused if your intent is evidently to vandalize the website.

Authorization is revoked if you spread rumors, lies or misinformation. Or if you use copyrighted information in a unattributed manner and refuse to admit to your mistake despite evidence to the contrary.

How can I subscribe to an RSS/Atom feed of nonspiritual.net?

• For a feed of news related to nonspiritual.net, the URL is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ns-news
• For a feed of new articles, the URL is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ns-newpages
• For a feed of recent changes (only recommended for major contributors), including new articles, the URL is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ns-changes
• If you do not use a feed reader, you can subscribe to the news feed via email through feedburner. [1]

Where do you get the money for running this website?

The website costs less than $100 per year, so it is eminently affordable as of now. Nonspiritual.net is hosted on DreamHost.

Questions about the people behind Nonspiritual.net

Can I know an authorized user's real name?

No. Criticizing dearly-held beliefs can invite outrage or violence, hence we choose to remain anonymous. It is the content which should speak for itself. No government can guarantee full individual security, and since we cannot afford personal bodyguards, we will continue to remain anonymous.