Conservapedia: Difference between revisions
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Like Wikipedia, all contributors can freely edit articles unless the page has been protected, and [[anonymity]] is permitted. In line with its [[religion|religious]] and [[Christianity|Christian]] theme, Conservapedia's editorial policy consists of "Commandments", a reference to the [[Ten Commandments|two sets of laws]] the [[Bible]] says were handed down to [[Moses]] from [[God]]. The Commandments require, among others, that "everything... be [[truth|true]] and verifiable" and also enforce a [[family]]-friendly policy.<ref>''Conservapedia'': '[http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Conservapedia:Commandments&oldid=207247 Conservapedia:Commandments].' June 23rd 2007.</ref> Until March 2007, Conservapedia required by Commandment that "As much as possible, American [[spelling]] of [[word]]s must be used",<ref>''Conservapedia'': '[http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Conservapedia:Commandments&oldid=55263 Conservapedia:Commandments].' March 21st 2007.</ref> but now the site's "Manual of Style" presents American spellings as being preferred, with [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] spellings possible depending on the [[context]].<ref>''Conservapedia'': '[http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Conservapedia:Manual_of_Style&oldid=252988#Spelling Conservapedia:Manual of Style - Spelling].' July 27th 2007.</ref> | Like Wikipedia, all contributors can freely edit articles unless the page has been protected, and [[anonymity]] is permitted. In line with its [[religion|religious]] and [[Christianity|Christian]] theme, Conservapedia's editorial policy consists of "Commandments", a reference to the [[Ten Commandments|two sets of laws]] the [[Bible]] says were handed down to [[Moses]] from [[God]]. The Commandments require, among others, that "everything... be [[truth|true]] and verifiable" and also enforce a [[family]]-friendly policy.<ref>''Conservapedia'': '[http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Conservapedia:Commandments&oldid=207247 Conservapedia:Commandments].' June 23rd 2007.</ref> Until March 2007, Conservapedia required by Commandment that "As much as possible, American [[spelling]] of [[word]]s must be used",<ref>''Conservapedia'': '[http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Conservapedia:Commandments&oldid=55263 Conservapedia:Commandments].' March 21st 2007.</ref> but now the site's "Manual of Style" presents American spellings as being preferred, with [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] spellings possible depending on the [[context]].<ref>''Conservapedia'': '[http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Conservapedia:Manual_of_Style&oldid=252988#Spelling Conservapedia:Manual of Style - Spelling].' July 27th 2007.</ref> | ||
Conservapedia also emphasises that it does not "attempt to be [[neutrality|neutral]] to all points of view". This seems to potentially allow for descriptions which ''favor'' one side rather than none; its own example of how "[[terrorism|terrorist]]" is preferable to "militant", in contrast to what Wikipedia might use, presupposes that the subject ''is'' a terrorist.<ref>''Conservapedia'': '[http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Conservapedia:How_Conservapedia_Differs_from_Wikipedia&oldid=239880 How Conservapedia Differs from Wikipedia].' July 18th 2007.</ref> | Conservapedia also emphasises that it does not "attempt to be [[neutrality|neutral]] to all points of view". This seems to potentially allow for descriptions which ''favor'' one side rather than none; its own example of how "[[terrorism|terrorist]]" is preferable to "militant", in contrast to what Wikipedia might use, presupposes that the subject ''is'' a terrorist.<ref>''Conservapedia'': '[http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Conservapedia:How_Conservapedia_Differs_from_Wikipedia&oldid=239880 How Conservapedia Differs from Wikipedia].' July 18th 2007.</ref> | ||
Conservapedia administrators frequently have to block [[vandalism (wiki)|vandals]] attempting to insert inappropriate material.<ref>''Conservapedia'': '[http://www.conservapedia.com/Special:Ipblocklist IP block list]. | |||
According to this list, in June 2007, administrators blocked 1,598 accounts and [[IP address]]es; in the same period, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Ipblocklist English-language Wikipedia blocked 8,574], despite the latter having about 100 times more articles. Citizendium [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Special:Ipblocklist blocked four], with about 2,400 articles.</ref> | |||
Liberal commentators have made fun of the obsession of Conservapedia readers with [[homosexuality]]<ref>The Young Turks, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCV158ln_zk How Ridiculous are Conservatives?]</ref>, as well as the entries on [[creation science]]. | Liberal commentators have made fun of the obsession of Conservapedia readers with [[homosexuality]]<ref>The Young Turks, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCV158ln_zk How Ridiculous are Conservatives?]</ref>, as well as the entries on [[creation science]]. | ||
Revision as of 09:59, 24 January 2009
Conservapedia is an internet encyclopedia project that attempts to present information from a conservative and pro-American viewpoint. It is a wiki project using the same Mediawiki software as Citizendium and Wikipedia; the site has set itself up in opposition particularly to Wikipedia and its perceived "liberal bias".[1] It was founded in November 2006 by Andrew Schlafly, son of conservative commentator Phyllis Schlafly, and originally began as a class project by homeschooled students.[2] As of October 2008, it had about 26,000 articles.[3]
Editorial policy
Like Wikipedia, all contributors can freely edit articles unless the page has been protected, and anonymity is permitted. In line with its religious and Christian theme, Conservapedia's editorial policy consists of "Commandments", a reference to the two sets of laws the Bible says were handed down to Moses from God. The Commandments require, among others, that "everything... be true and verifiable" and also enforce a family-friendly policy.[4] Until March 2007, Conservapedia required by Commandment that "As much as possible, American spelling of words must be used",[5] but now the site's "Manual of Style" presents American spellings as being preferred, with Commonwealth spellings possible depending on the context.[6]
Conservapedia also emphasises that it does not "attempt to be neutral to all points of view". This seems to potentially allow for descriptions which favor one side rather than none; its own example of how "terrorist" is preferable to "militant", in contrast to what Wikipedia might use, presupposes that the subject is a terrorist.[7]
Conservapedia administrators frequently have to block vandals attempting to insert inappropriate material.[8]
Liberal commentators have made fun of the obsession of Conservapedia readers with homosexuality[9], as well as the entries on creation science. In its first year, Young Earth creationism held sway, but now Old Earth creationism is an equal partner.
Footnotes
- ↑ Conservapedia: 'Examples of bias in Wikipedia.' July 25th 2007.
- ↑ Conservapedia: 'Conservapedia:About.'
- ↑ Conservapedia: 'Special:Statistics.'
- ↑ Conservapedia: 'Conservapedia:Commandments.' June 23rd 2007.
- ↑ Conservapedia: 'Conservapedia:Commandments.' March 21st 2007.
- ↑ Conservapedia: 'Conservapedia:Manual of Style - Spelling.' July 27th 2007.
- ↑ Conservapedia: 'How Conservapedia Differs from Wikipedia.' July 18th 2007.
- ↑ Conservapedia: 'IP block list. According to this list, in June 2007, administrators blocked 1,598 accounts and IP addresses; in the same period, the English-language Wikipedia blocked 8,574, despite the latter having about 100 times more articles. Citizendium blocked four, with about 2,400 articles.
- ↑ The Young Turks, How Ridiculous are Conservatives?