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1993-03-29
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Revised March 27, 1993
Subject to further revision!
The PRISM Electronic Glossary
Editorial Contributions
Copyright 1993 Gary R. Smith
This file may be freely distributed, unchanged and in
its entirety. It may be used as a BBS bulletin and
file to be downloaded. Please upload this file to other
BBSes, and help distribute it as widely as possible.
The PRISM ~Electronic~ Glossary, a volume of the QST
(Quick Study Technologies) software product line, is
being developed.
P hilosophy
R eligion
I
S ystems
M ythology
The PRISM Electronic Glossary is a collaborative effort of
diverse views from BBS conferences such as Bible, Motivation,
Philosophy, Psychology, Religion and Writers.
Various views such as Christian, New Age and Humanist will be
represented, and although I have at different times adhered
to each of those belief systems, PRISM will be more objective
if written by people of diverse views. As editor, I will aim
for balance and fairness.
There are some things all of humanity has in common. We all
have beating hearts that pump blood through our circulatory
systems. Every living human being has a brain and lungs. Those
organs, or their man-made counterparts, are necessary to sustain
life as it is commonly defined.
Another thing all functional human beings have in common is a
belief system. Whether atheistic, agnostic, humanist,
fundamentalist or liberal, a belief system is a central part of
every person's life.
The focus of PRISM is on analysis of belief systems, how they
are formed and how they affect us. Analysis is "the separation
of any whole into its parts in order to determine their nature,
proportion, function and interrelationship." PRISM is being
developed as an electronic glossary by analyzing the components
of belief systems, forming definitions, and building indexed and
hypertext links between definitions.
Your ideas, editorial contributions and resources are invited.
Further information is available upon request.
Large public domain texts such as the sacred writings of
any religion or the works of philosophers are sought.
Software developers, especially those using hypermedia
authoring systems, are sought to create sections of the
Windows version of the PRISM Glossary.
Bibliographies (with the publishers' names, addresses and
phone numbers if possible,) such as of reference works in
the fields of Philosophy, Psychology, Religion and Myths
are sought.
The PRISM editor may be contacted by e-mail on RIME or by
leaving a message on the OEC BBS, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.
OEC BBS: (404) 804-7889.
Logon to the OEC BBS for a demonstration of the Electronic
Computer Glossary. The Glossary may also be downloaded
*by SysOps only* (BBSGLOSS.ZIP) from the DOORS conference
of The Running Board. ECG will convey the concept of an
Electronic Glossary (indexed, but without hypertext links.)
The PRISM editor, Gary Smith, is working with the ECG author,
Alan Freedman, on a BBS door version of that product. Alan
controls the Computer Glossary product, and Gary is the
distributor of the product via the BBS community.
The acronym PRISM could be interpreted in many different ways.
"P" could be Philosophy, Psychology, Paranormal Phenomena, or
another word that is relevant to a person's belief system.
The "I" is purposely left blank to convey the message that
everyone has their own interpretation.
Your thoughts and suggestions pertaining to the PRISM project as
outlined herein are invited.
1. Definitions must be provided in ASCII text files, up to 65
characters wide and 25 lines per definition. The text may
refer to other definitions, personal stories of belief
systems, quotes, and/or to Windows-compatible multi-media
files such as graphics and sound.
Any text or multi-media file that is illustrative of a facet
of belief systems is welcomed as an item that could be linked
to a primary definition.
2. There are no restrictions as to the number or type of
definitions that may be submitted. Submissions must be
original material or the source must be acknowledged.
In either case, please include complete contact information
(so the editor may obtain written permission to use the
material in PRISM.)
All products of the PRISM Project are and will be
copyright-protected by the editor.
A list (ever-expanding) of words that may be used as a basis
for PRISM definitions is available upon request.
3. Contributors whose submissions are included in PRISM will
receive a free copy of the PRISM Electronic Glossary with
free lifetime updates for one personal copy, and special
distribution rights for the resale of PRISM.
4. The editor reserves all editorial rights, including the right
to accept, edit or reject any submitted material.
5. The target release date of the first version of PRISM is
September 1, 1993. The deadline for entries is July 1, 1993.
The first "release" may be a prototype, but we need a goal
to work towards and time frame to work within.
6. Definitions:
A. Should be written in a clear, concise and interesting
manner. The objective is to be accurate, balanced,
applicable to daily living where possible, and
understandable.
B. Should be accompanied by the applicant's own belief
statement (see example.) A "tell me about yourself"
would also be appreciated.
About the PRISM editor: I have experience as a software
author, editor, and Project Coordinator. I have been
developing belief systems for forty years. Sections of
my personal journal, which muse and ramble about belief
systems, are available upon request.
The titles of the sections are:
The Nature of Knowledge
Exploring Paths of the Spirit
It's All in Your Attitude
The Mystery of Computers
C. Should relate to a component of belief systems as
indicated by the PRISM charts.
(The Charts are in development and are not represented as being
complete or properly grouped at this time.)
PRISM Chart #1
Components of Belief Systems
God - Source - Higher Power
Authority
Person
Written
Tradition - Culture - Society
- Rituals - Habits
Life Explanation
Life Purpose
Life Philosophy
Statement of Beliefs/Faith - Mindset
Actions/Outcome of Beliefs - Values - Morals - Ethics
***
PRISM Chart #2
Analysis of component:
Higher Power
Source of Power
|
*Christianity * *"Eastern" Thought *Humanism/Atheism*
One God/Creator/ New Age* Human Potential
Trinity Many gods/Nature/ "Man is God"
Personal God/ Universal Mind Inner Strength
Father, Son and Occult
Holy Spirit -- | |
| | Ascended Masters Higher Self
Angels |
Catholic/ *Other World Views*
Greek Orthodox
Saints
Mary
***
PRISM Chart #3
Each component is interpreted through "filters," resulting in an
individualized world view:
Filter of Heredity, Conditioning, Environment, Observations,
Experiences, Responses, Behavior Patterns
Filter of Character, Personality, Maturity, Relationships,
Expectations, Psychological Patterns
Filter of Interpretation, Perceptions, Discernment, Decisions
Filter of Male/Female, Peer Pressures, Family/Friend Influences,
Natural Senses
Filter of Self Image, Values, Priorities, Objectives
Filter of Fears, Guilt, Mental Blocks, Obsessions, Likes and
Dislikes
Filter of Orientations (i.e., Legalism, Fundamentalism,
Literalism, Rationalism, Liberalism.)
Filter of Culture, Society, Attitudes, Motivations
***
Example of a New Age Belief Statement, as expressed by Jeremy P.
Tarcher, in "The Fireside Treasury of Light," edited by Mary
Olsen Kelly:
"1. The everyday world and our personal consciousness is a
manifestation of a larger divine reality,
2. humans have a suppressed or hidden self that reflects or is
connected to the divine element of the universe,
3. this Higher Self can be awakened and take a central part in
the everyday life of the individual,
4. this awakening is the purpose or goal of human life."
***
Example of "guiding principles," from an individualized
fundamentalist Christian viewpoint:
"[03/03/91] I have been asked twice to reveal the guiding
principles of my life.
Now, if I were asked, I would advise:
1. Humble yourself before God, your Heavenly Father.
2. Forgive all whom you perceive, justly or not, have
wronged you.
3. Be full of praise, thanksgiving and worship to the One
True God.
4. Love God with all your being.
5. Ask God to cleanse you with the blood of the Lamb.
6. Enter into the Holiest Place through the Name of Jesus.
7. Converse with God as with a deeply respected friend.
8. Do everything in harmony with Scripture.
9. Seek to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
10. Be guided in everything by the Holy Spirit.
11. Come into a place where you trust God, whatever happens.
12. Learn to think for yourself and hear from God yourself --
never let anyone else do your thinking for you.
13. Remember that there is always more than one side [view,
perspective] to every story. God's is the only one that
matters!"
***
THE NEXT STEP:
1. Write out (or "word process!") any comments and questions
you have about PRISM at this time.
2. Think (and pray, if that is part of your belief system,)
about the role you want to play in the PRISM Project, and
the contribution you want to make, and the effort you are
willing and able to exert, and write down your thoughts.
3. E-mail your comments, questions and thoughts to the PRISM
editor.
4. Login to the OEC BBS to see a demo of the Electronic Computer
Glossary, or (SysOps only) download BBSGLOSS.ZIP from the
Doors conference of The Running Board -- or e-mail a request
to the Editor, and he will have BBSGLOSS.ZIP routed to you.
5. Help distribute this text file. All products of the PRISM
Project are copyrighted to protect the integrity of the
Project. However, permission is hereby given to copy and
distribute this file, unchanged and in its entirety.
***
Process for developing a definition
1. Choose a word to define, such as one from the PRISM word list.
2. Advise the PRISM editor of any word you'd like to define, to
avoid duplication of efforts. Someone may be writing a
definition of the word, but you may be able to develop a
bibliography on the subject or contribute in other ways.
Examples of the next five steps are shown at the end of
the list.
3. Look up the approved word in a dictionary and write down the
definitions. In these early phases, consider writing down
*everything*, and not limiting yourself to definitions or
synonyms with a direct relationship to belief systems, as
you may gain unexpected insights.
The process is to gather material in a methodical and
thorough manner, then sift through it for gems.
4. Look up the word in a thesaurus and write down the word's
variations and synonyms.
5. Make a list of key words from the definition.
6. Develop a list of examples and quotes.
7. Develop a bibliography. Many public libraries now have
computers for researching topics and printing out titles.
8. Collect information on multi-media files that could be linked
to the definition.
Now you're ready to begin sifting for nuggets, and forming a
definition that is accurate, interesting, informative and
linked to other facets of Belief Systems.
***
Example of the above process, using the word "system."
3. Look up the approved word in a dictionary and write down the
definitions.
Definition of Systems
"1. a set or arrangement of things so related or connected
as to form a unity or organic whole [a solar system,
school system, system of highways]
2. a set of facts, principles, rules, etc. classified or
arranged in a regular, orderly form so as to show a
logical plan linking the various parts.
3. a method or plan of classification or arrangement
4. a) an established way of doing something; method;
procedure
b) orderliness or methodical planning in one's way
of proceeding
5. a) the body considered as functioning organism
b) a number of bodily organs acting together to perform
one of the main bodily functions [the digestive
system]
6. a related series of natural objects or elements, as
cave passages, rivers, etc.
7. Chemistry a group of substances in or approaching
equilibrium: a system with two components, phases,
variables is called binary, one with three, ternary,
etc.
8. Crystallography any of the seven divisions (cubic,
tetragonal, texagonal, trigonal, orthorhombic,
monoclinic, and triclinic) in which all crystal forms
can be placed, based on the degree of symmetry of the
crystals
9. Geology a major division of stratified rocks comprising
the rocks laid down during a period
- SYN. see METHOD"
from Webster's New World Dictionary, Second College Edition
***
4. Look up the word in a thesaurus and write down the word's
variations and synonyms.
Synonyms of System
"system, n.
1. order, organization, arrangement, disposition,
structure, setup, layout, line-up
2. process, procedure, method, methodology, technique;
attack, tack, approach; way, wise, means, practice,
praxis, Latin. modus operandi, M.O.; common practice
rule, standard operating procedure,
3. course, line, plan of action, plan, scheme, design,
program; pattern, outline, delineation
4. cosmos, universe, world, all creation"
from "The Synonym Finder" by J.I. Rodale
***
5. Make a list of key words, pertaining to belief systems,
(or that *could* pertain) from the definition and synonyms.
This is brainstorm time. The only rule is to write it down.
Set
Arrangement
Components
Related
Connected
Form
Unity
Organic
Whole
Facts
Principles
Rules
Orderly
Show
Logical
Plan
Linking
Parts
Method
Classification
Established
Way
Doing
Procedure
Functioning
Acting
Together
Perform
Series
Objects
Elements
Group
Symmetry
Process
Technique
Approach
Practice
Course
Line
Scheme
Design
Program
Pattern
Outline
Cosmos
Universe
And so on
6. Develop a list of examples and quotes.
Examples of various types of systems (this list could
obviously be greatly expanded)
Belief system
In anatomy:
Circulatory system
Nervous system
Skeletal system
In nature:
Ecosystem
Root system
River system
Solar system
Developed by Man:
Accounting system
Automotive systems
Electrical
Fuel
Cooling
Computer system
Educational system
Highway system
Justice system
Political system
7. Develop a bibliography. Many public libraries now have
computers for researching topics and printing out titles.
For example, a bibliography on belief systems could start
with a list of books found at the library under the topic
"belief systems." There will be other topics related
to belief systems, so follow those leads as well. Browse
some of the most interesting books, and pick up any titles
from their bibliographies to add to your list.
Wonderful bibliographies can also be developed by doing
research using online information services, but it can
become expensive.
8. Collect information on multi-media files that could be linked
to the definition.
Some of the examples of various types of systems could be
used to illustrate the concept of a belief system, that is,
its components and their interrelationships.
Good graphics of anatomical systems or the solar system,
or illustrations of how the brain is made and how it works,
with some guiding text and/or sound can help us develop a
deeper understanding of the abstract concept of belief
systems, and how they affect our lives and relationships.
- end of file