Community News

Many Beliefnet members--along with movie fans across the world--were shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of actor John Travolta's 16-year-old son Jett on New Year's Day. You can discuss the Travolta tragedy with other Beliefnet members here.

John Travolta is one of Scientology's most famous adherents. Do you want to know what Scientologists believe about death and the afterlife? Ask your questions and get answers here. Or ask other questions about Scientology and its celebrity adherents on our Scientology forums.

We have an intriguing discussion going on over in our Pets forum: What do you do for your pet during the holidays?

This thread was started by member appy20, who writes, "My pets love the holidays...My dog gets positively delirious whenever I give her presents." Do your pets get delirious this time of year? Share your stories!

Some other highlights from our Pets forum:

• Holiday Pet Dangers


• How to Help Homeless Pets This Season


• Do Dogs Feel Envy?

Vampire novelist turned Christian author Anne Rice is stopping by Beliefnet this week to answer YOUR questions. Ask them here and check out this thread to see her responses so far.

Plus: Check out Anne Rice's profile.

Beliefnet has 20 copies of Rick Warren's new book to give away! Does one of them have your name on it?

Just enter our Christmas book contest for your chance to win. What does Christmas mean to you? Share your thoughts on the meaning of the holiday, as well as your favorite Christmas memories, and you could win a copy of "The Purpose of Christmas."

Click here to enter the contest. Good luck!

Join Beliefnet Community and Children's HopeChest in supporting orphans this November, and win a chance to visit Africa in 2009! Just fill out this entry form to be entered into a drawing for the free trip (more info below).

For the month of November, Beliefnet is hosting a Children's HopeChest campaign to raise funds for orphans in Africa. All month long, we'll be encouraging people to donate through special badges that appear on member profiles, blogs, and other places online. (Get the code to place the badge on your own page under the "Share" tab here).

Our goal is to raise $500/day. You can donate as little as $10, and can make a one-time pledge or become a regular supporter. Your money will buy food, clothes, and medicine for needy children in Africa--many of whom are sick with AIDS and have no means of support. Your extra cash can save their lives!

Whether you donate or not, you can enter the free drawing to win a trip to Africa in 2009. (Your donation does not affect your chances to win.) The winner will be hosted by Tom Davis, president of Children's HopeChest, and accompanied by other CHC team members and volunteers, as well as people from orphanages and churches in Africa. (The date and length of this trip is to be determined.) For several days, the winner will visit orphans, meet the people who care for them, and discover the world-changing work that is being done by Children's HopeChest and their partners.

The drawing will be held on December 1, 2008. The winner will be announced on this blog. Complete rules and regulations can be found here.

Good luck, and thanks for helping us answer the call to support children in need.

Enter the Beliefnet Community Halloween Photo Contest! Upload your favorite Halloween photo for a chance to be featured on our upcoming Wall of Fame! Be sure to tag it "Halloween" Check out the adorable photo below from member Crox4dT then...

Enter the Beliefnet Community Halloween Photo Contest! Upload your favorite Halloween photo for a chance to be featured on our upcoming Wall of Fame! Be sure to tag it "Halloween" Check out the adorable photo below from member Crox4dT. Click...

Economy & Personal Finance Let the Beliefnet community help you through these uncertain financial times. Join our new Economy & Personal Finance forum! Share cost-cutting tips, plan a budget, discuss the economy and receive support from other members. Join one...

Later this week, Beliefnet is unveiling a new design and some new functionality for several major areas of the site. Take a sneak peek here and let us know what you think on this forum....

These members need your prayers: A mom's teenaged son is struggling with depression and the beginning stages of drug abuse. Offer prayers of support Tubby is a single mom returning to school and facing homelessness. Offer prayers of encouragement Rene...