CHRISTIA is a discussion group whose stated topic is `Practical Christian Living'. (Note: the name is a holdover from the days when computers used all-uppercase letters, and restricted things to an 8-character limit. For the rest of these pages I'll be writing the list's name as `Christia'.)
On these pages, you can find out how to:
Christia is hosted with LISTSERV software running at Arizona State University. To look over the archives of past submissions, or to manage your subscription, the easiest thing to do is aim your web browser at: http://lists.asu.edu/archives/christia.html .
There you will find links that let you join or leave the list, search the archives, browse the archives (arranged chronologically), or post a message.
Christia is gated to a Usenet newsgroup, which has the traditional Usenet heirarchical name of "bit.listserv.christia". The name is because Christia was originally on BITNET, and was managed by a LISTSERV. (I don't know if there was other software on BITNET which managed lists.) If your web browser has news-reading capability and is configured correctly, you may be able to read Christia by clicking here.
Note that submissions to Christia sent via Usenet are first delivered to the listowner/moderator for approval. This can involve some delay (as bad as several days if the moderator is away on vacation). If you are a subscriber, you can bypass moderation by using electronic mail and sending your articles directly to "christia@asu.edu".
Christia was founded, well, I don't know when, but it was a long time ago. It was founded by, well, I don't know that either. But anyway, the founder intended (or so I understand) that the list should be focused on actually living as a Christian, matters which are often independent of denominational affiliation or particulars of doctrine. Doctrinal and denominational issues do come up, and are welcome, provided that a respectful tone is maintained by all parties.
Since I wasn't around when the list was founded, and don't know by whom it was founded, you may wonder how I know this. The answer is that I read the charter and FAQ files. You can see them here.
Because articles sent to the list are redistributed to hundreds of people, some of whom have limited e-mail capacity, it is intended that long essays will be stored in the Christia Library. Those who are interested and have the time and computing capacity to manage these long essays can then be given the URL, and they can read the essays at their leisure. This balances the reality that some topics require long essays with the practical limitations and needs of our readership.
To visit the Christia Library, click here.
Darren Provine