NOTE: This page is only intended to include mailing lists of national or international scope. Local mailing lists are not listed here.
AANEWS (American Atheist News)
Associated website: AA News
Moderated: Yes (this was a read-only list, but has become a blog)
Closed: No
Owner: American Atheists
Description:
AANEWS is a free e-mail information service for Atheists and those concerned with important First Amendment state-church separation issues. It is sponsored by American Atheists, a nationwide movement founded by Madalyn Murray O’Hair for the advancement or Atheism, and the total, absolute separation of government and religion. AANEWS dispatches are sent out approximately five times each week, and feature news, analysis and commentary from current headlines.
BOOKTALK
Associated website: http://www.booktalk.org/
Moderated: Yes
Closed: No
Owner: Chris O’Connor
Description:
BookTalk, the official book-discussion community for the American Humanist Association, is dedicated to the advancement of critical thinking, reason, intelligence, freedom of inquiry, philosophy and the scientific method. Our focus is on reading and discussing quality, nonfiction texts from a wide range of topics including atheism and agnosticism, freethought, comparative religion, religion and politics, humanism, philosophy, history, ethics, biblical criticism, psychology, contemporary issues, creationism vs. evolution, popular science, the paranormal, social science, current events, and much more.
The goal is to have fun, make friends, and—hopefully—learn something in the process. BookTalk is not a strict academic analysis of texts where symbolism and writing styles are critiqued, but rather a relaxed forum in which participants enjoy a free exchange of opinions and ideas. So don’t be nervous—this isn’t school!
In addition to the message boards, BookTalk has its very own chat room where members enjoy a casual chat every Thursday night at 9:00 PM EST to socialize and discuss anything and everything, including books being read.
ESKEPTIC (Skeptics Society Newsletter)
Associated website: http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/
Moderated: Yes (this is a read-only list)
Closed: No
Owner: Skeptics Society
Description:
eSkeptic is the (almost) weekly newsletter published by the Skeptics Society. Each edition features articles, reviews or opinion editorials on current events in the scientific and skeptical worlds.
SKEPTIC (Skeptic Discussion Group)
Associated website: http://linuxmafia.com/mailman/listinfo/skeptic
Moderated: No
Closed: No
Owner: Leonard R. Cleavelin
Description:
SKEPTIC is a mailing list devoted to critical discussion of extraordinary claims. Among the paranormal topics that are commonly examined are parapsychology and psychic claims, creationism, cult archaeology, UFO’s, cryptozoology, reincarnation/survival, quackery, the occult and divination; but the discussion is not limited to any predetermined set of magical beliefs or alleged pseudosciences. In connection with paranormal claims, issues involving science and philosophy in general are often raised. There is no policy of excluding any topic from consideration. While the common point of view expressed is skepticism about claims that go against current scientific pictures, critical approaches to science itself are also encouraged.
XTIANITY (Christianity List)
Associated webpage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/xianity/
Moderated: No
Closed: No
Owners: Peter Kirby and Michael Fisher
Description:
This is a mailing list for discussing whether Christianity is true. Anything relating to the alleged truth or falsity of Christianity is appropriate on XTIANITY, with two exceptions:
1. Alleged Bible contradictions and alleged harmonizations of those alleged contradictions are not appropriate on XTIANITY. Please discuss these issues on the ERRANCY list.
2. Issues relating to ex-Christians are also inappropriate on XTIANITY. Please discuss these issues on the EX-TIAN list.
BIBLE BELEIVER’S List
Subscription Requests: send mail to listserv with no subject. In the message body, type “SUBSCRIBE BIBLE_BELIEVER”.
Moderated:
Closed: No
Owner: Steve Adair <steve adair>
Subscribers:
Description:
The BIBLE BELIEVER’S mailing list is dedicated to issues of concern to the average Bible believer, including the inerrancy and inspiration of the Bible. This is a very high-traffic list.
BUDDHA-L ()
Subscription Requests: send mail to listserv. In the message body, type “subscribe buddha-l FirstName Lastname”
Moderated: No
Closed: No
Owner: James A. Cocks <email removed>
Subscribers: 979
Description:
The primary purpose of this list is to provide a forum for serious academic discussion. It is open to all persons inside and outside the academic context who wish to engage in substantial discussion of topics relating to Buddhism and Buddhist studies.
BELIEF-L (Personal Ideologies)
Subscription Requests: send mail to <email removed>. In the message body, type “subscribe belief-l Firstname Lastname”.
Moderated: No
Closed: No
Owner: David B. O’Donnell <email removed>
Subscribers: 237
Description:
Belief-L exists as a free-form conference for the discussion, debate and discourse on beliefs–specifically, those held on a personal level. Belief-L is NOT intended to be a forum for the proselytization of a particular religion and/or its dogma: there are other lists for that. NOTE: Some of the topics discussed on Belief-L may be inappropriate for young children. You, the reader, are responsible for what you read; Belief-L does not censor articles and in this respect is to be considered a data service provider, not a content-monitor.
CRI-ARTICLES (Christian Research Institute Articles List)
Subscription Requests: send mail to majordomo. In the message body, type “subscribe cri-articles your@address".
Moderated: Yes (This is a read-only list.)
Closed: No
Owner: Gary Bogart <gbogart>
Subscribers:
Description:
“We have launched this endeavor as a free and unique subscription service that will include articles from the Christian Research Newsletter and the Christian Research Journal, and hope to post weekly releases, the Lord willing. Releases will commense with older articles that have not yet been made available electronically, and gradually move toward publishing more recent articles. The next article will be sent soon.
“The CRI-Articles e-mail service, exists solely to place these articles in the public domain, but will not support e-mail conferencing by subscribers. It is a `read-only’ list.”
EXMORMON (Ex-Mormon’s Mailing List)
Subscription Requests: send mail to Eric Kettunen erickett with the words “subscribe ex-Mormon” in the body of your message
Moderated:
Closed:
Owner: Eric Kettunen erickett
Subscribers:
Desription:
The primary focus of the group is to:
1. Discuss experiences with the Mormon church
2. Overcome the effects of having been a Mormon
The ground rules are as follows:
1. Mormons are not allowed to “defend the faith”. There are many other forums for debate.
2. There is to be no preaching.
God
Subscription Requests: send email to <majordomo> with the command “subscribe god” in the body of your message
Moderated: No
Closed: No
Owner: Wes Morriston
Description:
Topics for discussion and debate have included: arguments for and against the existence of God, the problem of evil, the status of moral claims, free will and determinism, etc.
MNN (Muslim News Network Mailing List)
Subscription Requests: send email to <email removed>. In the message body, type “sub muslims”.
Moderated:
Closed:
Owner:
Subscribers:
Description:
MNN is a moderated forum dedicated to educate the network communities on issues relating to the Muslims in an academic & non-political environment. Submissions are compiled in the form of a newsletter and mailed to the subscribers.
OBJ-REL (Objective Discussion of Religion)
Subscription Requests: send email to listserv. In the message body, type “subscribe obj-rel Firstname Lastname”.
Moderated: No
Closed: No
Owner: Bert Bruner <email removed>
Subscribers: 99
Description:
Discussion is intended to be centred around such topics as: existence of God or gods, creationism versus evolution, reasons for the existence of religions, epistemology, religion and government, religious behavioural norms, effects of religi on on society, and any discussion related to religion that offers to broaden our scope of understanding.
Pioneer Outreach (Ex-JW List)
Subscription Requests: click here
Description:
Pioneer Outreach is a private mailing list for former Jehovah’s Witnesses or Jehovah’s Witnesses who have questions or concerns about the Watchtower Society. This list is a place for people to discuss their experiences and support one another as they move forward and regain their life. Topics of discussion include: history of the Society’s teachings, psychological effects of the religion, religious / spiritual abuse, religion, cult mind control, and just some friendly chat or jokes. There are a variety of people on this list who represent various religious beliefs and life styles. Respect and tolerance of list member’s religious views and life styles will be expected and no doctrinal debates please. We would like to have a Coffee House atmosphere where we can kick off our shoes, relax, have a cup of coffee, and an open discussion.
QUMRAN_ORIGIN (Qumran and The Early Christian Church)
Subscription Requests: send email to <qumran origin subscribe>.
Moderated:
Closed:
Owner: <qumran origin owner>.
Subscribers:
Description:
Scholars and informed laypersons are invited to offer and consider evidence for or against a connection between the Dead Sea Scrolls and the early Christian Church. The evidence may come from the Scrolls, the New Testament, and early Christian literature, apocryphal, gnostic, and patristic, as well as from other relevant sources. Polemic from any side of the debate will not be admitted. The rules of scholarly discourse are to be observed.
RUSSELL-L (Bertrand Russell Discussion List)
Subscription Requests: send email to <listproc>. In the message body, type “subscribe russell-l Firstname Lastname”.
Moderated: No
Closed: No
Owner: Kenneth Blackwell <blackwk>
Subscribers: 180
Description:
RUSSELL-L is a public, unmoderated discussion list about the ideas and life of Bertrand Russell (1872-1970), British philosopher, essayist, and peace activist. Postings (by subscribers only) include news from the Bertrand Russell Archives and the Bertrand Russell Editorial Project at McMaster University.
THEOSOPHY List
Subscription Requests: send mail to listserv. In the message body, type “subscribe theos-l Firstname Lastname”.
Moderated: No
Closed: No
Owner: John Mead <jem>
Subscribers: 105
Description:
The purpose of the list is the same as the three objects of The Theosophical Society. In short form: 1) to form a nucleus of the universal brotherhood of man 2) to encourage the comparative study of religion, philosophy, and science and 3) to investigate the hidden laws of nature and the powers latent in man.
UFO-L (UFO Discussion Group)
Subscription Requests: send mail to <email removed>. In the message body, type “sub ufo-l Firstname Lastname”.
Moderated: No
Closed: No
Owner: Senthil Kumar <srk106 psuvm psu>
Subscribers: 392
Description:
Believer-oriented list for UFO related phenomenon. The archival material is extensive, including bibliography list, with commentary on some. Useful for any serious research into the matter. Also useful is the list ALTUFO-L (that also at PSUVM) that is a gateway to alt.paranet.ufo.
UUquotes
Subscriptions requests: send an e-mail to uuquotes with the word “subscribe” in the body of the message.
Moderated: Yes (this is a read-only list)
Closed: No
Owner: Bill Martin uuquotes
Subscribers: new
Traffic: about 1 e-mail, including about three quotes, per week
Home Page: http://www.geocities.com/uuquotes/
FAQ: write the list owner with your questions
Description:
The purpose of UUquotes is to stimulate freethought by sending out three quotes each week, usually on Monday mornings (EST.) The idea is to make a positive connection and to offer a little inspiration to those who want to expand their horizons. Note: Your e-mail address will not be provided to any company or group; you will not be sent any junk mail; your privacy will be respected.
UUs-L (Unitarian-Universalists List)
Subscription Requests: send mail to listserv. In the message body, type “subscribe UUs-L Firstname Lastname”
Moderated: No
Closed: No
Owner: Steve Traugott <uus lman>, Lance A. Brown <lab>, and Alan Hamilton <alan.
Subscribers: ~600
Description:
This is a global meeting place for Unitarian Universalists and anyone going our way. The list’s intent is to foster discussion of functional and structural innovations we can make in our organization and world.
VERITAS-DISC (Veritas Forum List)
Subscription Requests: send mail to veritas disc request. In the SUBJECT, type “subscribe”.
Moderated:
Closed: No
Owner:
Subscribers:
Description:
Veritas-disc is an interactive mailing list (posting accepted) about general topics addressed by The Veritas Forum.
XEPERA-L (Setian Philosophy List)
Subscription Requests: send mail to <email removed>. In the message body, type “subscribe xepera-l”.
Moderated: No
Closed: No
Owner: John A. Youril <jyouril>
Subscribers: 180
Description:
The XEPERA-L mailing list is for *serious* discussion of Setian Philosophy, and is available to both members and non-members of the Temple of Set.
It is expected that all participants will treat each other with respect, avoid personal attacks, and refrain from discussions which are irrelevant to the purpose of this mailing list.