SOF 52 / March 2002 Pullman doesn't think of his work as fantasy, but as story, indeed 'as stark realism’ in that it looks at the world. ‘I very much want to reach readers whv don't normally read fantasy I want to reach readers who know very well that they don't like fantasy at all. I don't like fantasy. The only thing about fantasy that interested me when I was writing this was the freedom to invent imagery such as the damon [something like an animal like incarnation of the soul]; but that was only interesting because I could use it to say something truthful and realistic about human nature.’ This is not to say that 'stark realism’ excludes myth. He says "Underlying the trilogy there is a myth of creation and rebellion, of development and strife, and so on. I don't make this myth explicit anywhere, but it was important for me to have it clear in my mind. It depicts a struggle: the old forces of control and ritual and authority, the forces which have been embodied throughout human history in such phenomena as the Inquisition, the witch-trials, the burning of heretics, and which are still strong today in the regions of the world where religious zealots of any faith have power, are on one side; and the forces that fight against them have as their guiding principle an idea which is summed up in the words The Republic of Heaven. It's the Kingdom against the Republic. continues on page 15 questionnaire The magazine has been running for a number of years and has developed a distinctive style in that time, but members and outlooks change, and it is worthwhile to take stock. A change of editor provides a good time to do this, without the fear that constructive criticism might cause offence. As this magazine has an established readership, of members and subscribers, we invite your responses to these questions.
Some of the questions have been phrased similarly to the successful 1995 survey, to help us compare them to see the change. But while questionnaires can focus on specific issues, they can be limiting, and so you are also invited to add your own comments on the magazine or network.
SECTION 1 YOUR OPINIONS AND JUDGEMENTS By the given questions, please underscore the answer of your choice, or if you mark the wrong one by mistake, please encircle the correct choice. The numerical key represents the level of agreement with the statement. (1= strongly agree, 2 = generally agree, 3 = no opinion either way, 4 = generally disagree, 5 = disagree strongly) | am pleased with the current magazine style of the publication (A4, full colour cover, gloss paper) | would be happy for a change in quality, layout and/or style (reflecting cost and content considerations, in line with the results of the survey).
The magazine SOF and Portholes fill two different and important needs.
The magazine SOF and Portholes should be combined.
The magazine should primarily be a members and readers forum; a place of exchanging views, sharing opinions, interests | would like a members/readers poetry column.
The magazine should primarily seek to advance and promote the idea of ‘religious faith as a human creation’.
The magazine doesn't do enough to promote SoF ideas, raise SoF's public profile and attract new members to the network.
The magazine should primarily be provocative. | would like more articles to be invited from ‘high profile’ known and/or respected writers | would like more articles by members and readers to be included The magazine is too humanist/atheist.
The magazine is often too exclusively ‘Christian’. | would value more articles about faiths other than Christianity | would like occasional ‘educational’ articles to be included, introducing new thinkers and other religious faiths. | find the magazine too intellectual/academic.
The magazine has too many long (or many too long) articles. | would value longer and more in-depth articles.
The magazine doesn't seem to be written for people like me. | would be interested in buying SOFware binders or folders in which to collect past magazines. 21) I would like occasional themed magazines, like this one on ‘Fantasy’ (e.g., on desire, mythology, psychology, rites and rituals, environment/ecology Please suggest other themes here:- SECTION 2 YOUR VALUES AND IMPRESSIONS "| value the different parts of the magazine as indicated below". The numerical key represents the level of agreement with each statement. (1 = very valuable, 2 = generally valuable, 3 = sometimes valuable, 4 = usually not valuable, 5 = never valuable): opening editorial general articles reviews of books reviews of other events (movies, TV shows, festivals, etc) Beachcomber Postbag (letters to the editor) Seafarer's 'Postscripts' Dot comma SOF 52 / March 2002 The following is range of words that might describe a magazine such as ours Creative, critical, punchy, inspiring, argumentative, quirky, reflective, thought provoking, narrowminded, open-minded, scholarly, shallow, heavy, light, entertaining, radical, spiritually uplifting Please use one or more of these, or your own words, to give your impression of the magazine over the last few issues.
Please use one or more of these or similar words to describe how you would like the magazine to be.
SECTION 3 YOU AND YOUR POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS Please answer only those questions you feel comfortable answering. The purpose is to have a profile that might reveal areas of general interest and some of the special interests of magazine readers. 1. If amember (rather than a magazine reader only) how long have you been so? yrs What is your present age group? 79 Do you have access to email and the Internet? E-mail yes / no Internet yes / no Do you visit the SoF Web Site (www.sofn.org.uk yes / no What is or was your main trade or profession?
Broadly speaking, please state if there is anything that you practice that you might describe as a form of ‘religious’ or ‘spiritual’ exercise or activity (including meditation, meditative reading, intercessory prayer, contemplation, study, spiritual counselling, social action, voluntary work, etc.) Please list affiliation with any religious and/or other organizations other than SoF (e.g.: Religious, political, theological, etc.) SOF 52 / March 2002 Subscriptions to other journals or magazines (e.g.: Modern Believing, Philosophy Now, New Humanist, New Internationalist, Freethinker, TLS, THES, etc.) Do you regularly support a charitable organization, other than Sea of Faith Development Trust (1079975) (eg. environmental charities, interfaith networks, or campaign movements) Have you ever submitted an article for consideration to SOF?
Would you be willing to submit an article?
Would you be interested in reviewing a book?
If you have answered "yes" to either of the last two questions above, please add your name and address/email in this space:
Your Name & Address Your Email We will contact you regarding your areas of special interest /expertise Alternatively, if you prefer to keep your responses to this questionnaire confidential, please contact the editor separately, at 61 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, overend@cf.ac.uk SECTION 4 Please use this space, if you are so inclined, to add any further comments on the questionnaire, magazine, local groups, network or thoughts on other possibly relevant things. (Additional sheets may be added) Many thanks for your most valuable help in completing this questionnaire. All comments will be held in confidence and none will be disregarded. General agreements will be noted, and talents and interests recognised, so helping the editor in the development of the magazine. Photocopies are acceptable, if there is more than one reader of your copy or if you prefer not to remove these pages.