BEST OF THE WEB
Before going on to the list, I would like to single out the Havienu L'Shalom page. This virtual synagogue is still a work in progress; but unlike all the other sites, it is trying something truly extraordinary: the creation of a truly worldwide religious community, with the Web and e-mail binding its congregation together.
Any site devoted to organized religion or a philosophy of life is eligible for this category. We evaluated each site on how well it served its audience; the ratings in no way reflect on the beliefs any one site presents.
 Anglicans Online! |
Anglicans Online! isn't so much a religious site as it is a living, breathing, weekly Web publication. In some ways, it has more in common with the San Jose Mercury News than it does with the other sites here. Oh, don't worry, here you'll have access to theology, Bible studies, related newsgroups, and more. What you'll also find is daily updates on news relating to Anglicans (better known in the U.S. as Episcopalians) from Canada, the site's home; the U.S.; and the world.
The site is a delight to travel, with its easy system of links from section to section and from idea to idea. It feels like you're reading a well-organized Web magazine instead of having to wade through the disorder that characterizes so many Web sites.
Like any other such site, Anglicans includes numerous links. What makes this site stand out from the others is that everything, from the expected Web sites to a system that lets you automatically subscribe to any mailing list you might find interesting, is here. This isn't just a collection of well thought-out descriptions of Web sites and their URLs�it makes all of the Internet Anglican religious resources easily, quickly, and clearly available to you. There are other excellent sites; but for now, this is the one that sets the standard for religious sites for me.
 Welcome to The Orthodox Christian Page! |
As good as Anglicans Online! is, in some ways, the Orthodox Christian Page is even more impressive. Behind Anglicans Now! stands a staff of caring writers and editors. However, behind the Orthodox Christian Page stand only a few volunteers, the most noteworthy of whom are Michael (David) Vezie and Efthimios Mavrogeorgiadis. Their efforts in putting up and maintaining this site, and its twin in Greece, are truly an act of faith.
This site features an easy-to-use navigation system that lets you quickly access all the fundamentals of the Orthodox faith. Like the Anglicans page, it offers access to far more than just Web sites. Here, you'll find informed opinions and addresses for mailing lists, news groups, Gopher server documents and FAQ files. There's far more here than just links to other resources. On the server itself, you'll find the Orthodox liturgy, prayers, and other important Orthodox religious documents.
The site only lacks one thing: an Orthodox news service. It used to have one, but there's not a journalist to be found on the current staff. I suspect that any Orthodox journalist who wants to gather information for the site would find a receptive audience here. In every other way, though, this site is a joy to Orthodox believers. At the same time, people who wouldn't know an Orthodox Christian from an Orthodox Jew will find this site extremely useful for understanding who the Orthodox are and where their beliefs spring from.
 Catholic Information Center |
It shouldn't surprise anyone that the Roman Catholic Church also has an impressive Web site. This particular site is the result of the efforts of the Church's Path to Peace Foundation, a group devoted to guiding the steps of both Catholics and non-Catholics into the path of peace.
With that in mind, the Information Center does an admirable job of disseminating information and documentation on statements and initiatives of Catholic organizations aimed at building a world of justice, charity, and peace. The structure that the PPF uses to do this is a very simple but effective navigation system that starts with a brief but attention-grabbing front page, with straightforward hypertext menus right behind it. Whether you use Lynx or Netscape, you'll get full access to all this site's resources.
The resources are, to say the least, impressive. You'll find local copies of church documents, a search engine for you to find what you need when you need it, and the usual assortment of links to appropriate sites. One especially important addition is the site's own clearly worded statements on the Catholic position with regard to modern-day issues. These are not restricted to "safe" topics. When reviewed, the issues at hand were abortion, the role of Pius XII and the Jewish Holocaust, and evolution. All in all, this site is a model of clarity, information, and a "no-apology-needed, this is who we are" stance on the Catholic church in today's world.
![[Best of the Rest]](bestrest.gif){kind=small}
| 4. Havienu L'Shalom |
Imagine a community of believers who exist in cyberspace rather than at a synagogue or a church. Well, actually you don't need to dream it, because that's exactly what's happening at Havienu L'Shalom, a congregation of Chasidic Jews bound together by the Web.
| 5. The Hindu Universe |
What do Hindus believe? You'll find the answers in this site, which covers everything from the Mahabharata to current Hindu religious and political news. Interestingly enough, the site also contains links to well-done sites covering the Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh faiths.
| 5.(tie) Facets of Religion |
This listing presents the best 25 religious sites on the Web. Germany's Armin Muller goes much farther with his remarkable annotated listing of important religious sites throughout the Web.
| 7. Christian Internet Directory |
The Christian Internet Directory lives up to its name. It's more than just a simple list of every possible site; each link also contains a well-balanced, albeit short, description of each site.
| 8. BuddaNet |
You can reach Nirvana on the Net, or at least explore some of the pathways at this excellent Australian-based site. Here, you'll find everything: links to important texts, simple answers for newcomers, and an illustrated guide to Buddhist art and its symbolic meanings.
| 9. Vodou Information Pages |
This detailed site is a great place to learn about vodoun (also voudon, or voodoo). The beliefs and practices of this lively religion are clearly written. The glossary is linked throughout the text for easy access. The black-and-white photos didn't translate well, and they're rather slow. Otherwise, it's a grand site -- and the disclaimer is a kick.
| 10. Shamash |
This site's organization could stand some work, but overshadowing that flaw is its masterful bringing together of Jewish sites. Both for Jews and for anyone who wants to know more about the Jewish religion and community, this site is invaluable.
| 11. Finding God in Cyberspace |
Well, it's possible! This site brings together an impressive collection of links with mainstream religious information resources both on and off the Web. Religious scholars will find this site to be especially interesting.
| 12. Pagan Resources Page |
Links and still more links -- that's what you'll find at this site. Unlike many such pages, though, this one really does try to do a complete job. It covers the pagan world from Web sites to news groups to mailing lists to miscellaneous resources of all types and descriptions.
| 13. Islam's Homepage |
This Ahmadiyya Muslim site looks great, especially in Netscape Navigator, but lacks the substance of a top-flight site. The pages could also stand updating more often than they are currently. Still, it's an excellent introduction to the Islam mainstream as well as the Ahmadiyya faction.
| 14. Zen@SunSITE |
A reader came to the site and asked, "Please teach me." The site said nothing. The reader read on, and left puzzled. Someone asked him, "did you find enlightenment?" He replied, "no." And, at that moment, he was enlightened.
| 15. Shi'a Homepage |
In the U.S., members of the Shiite branch of Islam have to deal with fear and distrust. This site doesn't directly address this issue, but it does a decent job of revealing the reality of the religion that many Americans automatically assume is always behind a terriorist's mask.
| 16. Project Genesis: Torah on the Information Superhighway |
This site springs from the Orthodox, but its purpose is the general education of Jews around the world about Judaism. It welcomes both Conservative and Reformed Jews to its doors. While the site is still incomplete -- and its eye-blasting Netscape Navigator enhancements are major disadvantages -- the information behind the day-glo graphics is well done.
| 16.(tie) The Church of Scientology vs. The Net |
This is where Ron Newman presents, in almost overwhelming detail, the case against Scientology as religion. While difficult to navigate, the abundance of editorial commentary and links makes it a must-read for anyone who wants to know more about Scientology.
| 18. Leisa Goodman's Home Page |
The Church of Scientology is one of the most active religions on the Internet. Although its Web site is nothing special, it does give you access to basic church information -- or at least its version of the basics.
| 19. The Observer Cult Page |
Everything you always wanted to know about cults, but were afraid to ask. The write-ups on the cults tend to be short, darkly humorous and often on target. This page, produced by the editorial staff of England's Observer newspaper, does miss the mark at times -- since when is Zoroastrianism a cult?? -- but most religious skeptics will find this site a delight.
| 19.(tie) Bibles |
This plain-looking site does exactly what it promises: gives you access to multiple versions of the Bible in several different languages. It is a solid reference that Christians will want to keep on their hot lists.
| 21. The Baptist Faith and Message |
There's no interactive Baptist site here, but if you want to know all about the foundation of this popular church, this is the place for you.
| 22. the Baha'is |
The Baha'is Magazine is, for the most part, successful in telling you about the core of the faith. The site falls down in keeping its links up to date, and not providing you with routes to the Baha'is news group (soc.religion.bahai), or an e-mail connection to ask for more information.
| 23. LDS Info on the Internet |
This list o' links points you to almost everything of value about the Latter Day Saints that's available in mailing lists, news groups, and Web sources. The site suffers from the same problems of every page that's made up almost entirely of links: It's visually dull.
| 24. Wicca Resources |
If you're a practicing Wiccan, you'll like this site of links. While the site itself is just one long stretch of link-enhanced text, it does do a comprehensive job of covering online Wiccan resources.
| 25. How to Talk New Age |
This site is one long text page with a few cartoons; but it skewers the excesses of some New Agers perfectly.
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