A blog’s popularity is largely down to the amount of conversation that occurs surrounding the topics it raises. If we think of blogs as little living creatures then they will almost inevitably tend toward controversial topics in order to stimulate conversation (i.e. the number of comments can be seen as one measure of ‘fitness’).

This might explain why we tend to see (or, at least, notice) more politically, religiously and scientifically controversial blogs.

Blogging can be a relatively combative form of dialogue… it doesn’t take long for “fights” to develop and for people to be pushing back and forth strongly on their views.

I would say that a large number of people attracted to blogging are those who feel comfortable with and are willing to give time to that form of engagement.

My over generalised observation is that it is these people from all persuasions that dominate the blogging world. In terms of Christianity and politics, it tends to be those with a more “conservative” and “right” leaning political pursuasion that tend to be more willing to debate, argue and combat around their ideas. This isn’t always the case, but I think that a cursory look around the blogosphere will reveal it.

Christians at the more liberal end of the political spectrum (as I believe liberal and conservative are being defined here) tend to be less willing to engage in debate and argument… they are generally more passive and get frustrated with such discussions.

It’s an interesting discussion and as always the labels can cause many a headache since liberal in popular terminology denotes the left when the classical definition puts it “right” in the libertarian camp – where there are quite a number of Christian thinkers.

(I’m also interested to hear Frank’s thoughts on this in response to Ken’s question).

Madeleine has mentioned her efforts at compiling a rating list of NZ Christian Blogs. Now, it seems to me that religious groups/individuals have been quite prolific in blogging. More so than secular ideological groups/individuals. Maybe that has something to do with a perceived need to proselytise.

Anyway, my observation is (and I might be quite wrong – correct me if I am): Most NZ Christian Blogs I come across appear to me to be politically/ideologically conservative (I won’t use the left/right terminology because I think it has little meaning these days – if it ever did). Perhaps Frank’s blogs are an exceptions (I judge them not to be politically conservative).

But, Frank. If my observation is correct why is that so? Surely there are far more liberal Christians out there than evidenced by the blogs? Why aren’t they participating?

My earliest mature contact with Christianity was in the peace movement – initially with people like the Quakers but later (particularly during the Vietnam war) with liberal mainstream Christians. I always got on well with them – there was a unity of purpose there.

But I rarely see this form of Christianity represented in NZ blogs.

Maybe I am wrong. Maybe Madeleine needs to differentiate here list along the liberal/conservative divide?