FAQs

Information: Frequently asked questions about www.faithnet.org.uk (now www.thatreligiousstudieswebsite.com and www.thatphilosophywebsite.com) and Stephen A Richards.

Who writes all this stuff?

• All the 'stuff' on this website has been written by me, Stephen A Richards.

Who is the Pelusa Media Group?

• Pelusa was originally the name I used for a book publishing company, and was until recently the publisher of this website. In July 2006 I registered and formed the Pelusa Media Group, through which I draw together the range of media products I currently work with, sell and distribute.

Where does the Pelusa Media Group operate from?

• The dining room table, Minnesota - USA.

Why 'Pelusa Media Group'?

• It's a long story, involving my ex-wife!

What book (or books) did Pelusa publish?

• Pelusa published one book called 'Return from Exile'. It was about why I felt traditional Christian beliefs needed to change, and how people could essentially stop believing in them. It was a bit of a knee-jerk theological rant at the time, but I have since moved on. As such, the book is no longer available for purchase. Of course, if one day I get rich and famous, those few signed copies I did sell might be worth a few quid!

Will Pelusa publish any more books?

• Pelusa will not, but Pelusa Media Group might!

What is your academic background?

• I was Head of Religious Studies and Philosophy in a selective boys school in the UK for five years. I also undertook two years cross-cultural and theological training at a Christian missionary training college, before changing my beliefs and adopting a more open approach to the question of God and religious enquiry. In 2003 I also began a Masters course in Applied Theology within the context of Christian mission, and successfully completed my first year (p/t). However, I have not been able to complete the course due to a change in my personal circumstances.

Are you a Christian?

• I find religious labels very divisive... I used to say I was a 'Christian', but having found the Buddhist way of looking at the world more helpful in recent years, I am no longer willing to do so.

So are you a Buddhist then?

• No, I am Steve!

Do you believe in God?

• I decline to answer this question if my work will be judged worth reading, according to whether I answer yes or no. Why not decide for yourself after reading what I have written here... In any case, you would first have to explain which 'God' I am suppose to be believing in, or not (for more on this see God: An introduction). Let's just that I am more concerned about what I am going to be doing each day, and making sure that I make the most my time on the planet before I depart, than I am about anything which might exist or happen beyond this.

Don't you find it strange that someone who is not a committed believer is interested in religious issues, to the extent you are?

• That all depends on what you define a 'believer' as! If I have to be a committed x in order to write about religion, then you might as well argue that those who teach about Ancient Egypt, have to live as Ancient Egyptians in order to do so. I like reading about religious, theological and moral issues, and I like talking about them with 'believers' and 'non-believers' alike. As I said here, this website is about religious education, not religious indoctrination. Read my guestbook and you will soon see that many people have been greatly helped by my work over the years. That gives me such great pleasure, and is my primary motivation for continuing to study, write about, and provide the resources here.

'You don't have to go to church or believe in God, in order to enjoy reading and writing about religious, theological or moral issues.'

Are you available to speak at conferences?

• Absolutely!

How can people contact you?

• Use the form at the bottom of this page.

What does the statement 'This website and its content is protected by international copyright laws' mean?

• It basically means that (unless otherwise indicated) all the material on the website is copyright, and remains the intellectual property of Stephen A Richards. This website is primarily a non-commercial venture, and the majority of the material is published here on the Internet free of charge. It is written simply to help those who are studying or are interested in a range of religious, philosophical and ethical issues. You are free to download any information contained here. You may also make multiple copies of the information for use in educational establishments. However, according to international publishing laws you are not free to mirror this material on other websites, neither are you free to claim this original work as your own. I have spent many hours researching, writing and producing all the content you find here. Please credit the author of the site (Stephen A Richards) whenever you reference or use the material here. If you are unsure whether your use of anything on this website will infringe copyright, please contact the author of this website who will be most happy to discuss the matter with you.

Have you been associated in any way with the organisation www.faithnet.org?

• No - never! None of my websites have ever been affiliated with any religious organisation, church or religious group. My website www.faithnet.org.uk had nothing whatsoever to do with www.faithnet.org, which is an online Christian community (for more on this see 'Other "Faithnet" sites').

May I link to your site?

• Absolutely!

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Page last updated: 24th April, 2007