What I hope for in this blog

Benjamin Franklin, in his autobiography, describes a group of friends that he drew together for debate and mutual edification:

I should have mentioned before, that, in the autumn of the preceding year, [1727] I had formed most of my ingenious acquaintance into a club of mutual improvement, which we called the JUNTO; we met on Friday evenings. The rules that I drew up required that every member, in his turn, should produce one or more queries on any point of Morals, Politics, or Natural Philosophy [physics], to be discuss'd by the company; and once in three months produce and read an essay of his own writing, on any subject he pleased. Our debates were to be under the direction of a president, and to be conducted in the sincere spirit of inquiry after truth, without fondness for dispute or desire of victory; and to prevent warmth, all expressions of positive opinions, or direct contradiction, were after some time made contraband, and prohibited under small pecuniary penalties.

I must admit that since the first time I read about B.F's Junto, I was envious of his ability to get together such a group. This is really what I hoped for in this blog. So far I have mostly sent invitations to friends to read and reply to my ramblings, and except for two replies (one from my wife to humor me) I have seen no other response except for a word or email here or there that said "that was good". Though I appreciate the comments, I was really not so much looking for a pat on the back so much as a dialog on more weighty issues. At work, nobody is allowed to discuss anything that will cause controversy or offense. At church, one must limit most discussion to things that are in accordance with good doctrine and more speculative ramblings are (appropriately) discouraged.
Where are the debater's clubs of old? The talks that gave rise to the Federalist Papers? The polite discussions among friends in the library with your compatriots, sipping brandy, smoking cigars, and discussing politics & religion? (I would personally do without the drinking and smoking, but you get the image...) Imagine what it was like at the Junto meetings, or perhaps the the Inklings with C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Charles Williams and their friends. On Facebook there are tidbits and mental flotsam, but no discussions of any worth. I am beginning to wonder if I am the only person who enjoys discussing philosophy, religion, and things like that.
I guess that the main point of this post is to say - if you read any of the essays I have written and it stimulates a thought, please feel free to post a response. If you start a blog, send me a pointer and I would be glad to follow. And, to my 'secret' follower out there, feel free to drop me a line and say hi!
And anyone who is interested in starting something more regular and formal, say so in response to this blog.

aTdHvAaNnKcSe!