Goodbye, Big Cheese Boss

Heard the news late yesterday. All hail Steve Waldman, all the best to him. Yeah, captcha, and the numerous popups, are a royal pain. But a minute technicality in comparison with Steve's apparent encouragement of diversity of opinion. A man I respect, and he will be missed.

I joined Beliefnet within days of its launch around New Year's 2000.
I was a practicing Buddhist at the time. By year's end, I had returned to the Catholic Church.

I believe it was after reading an essay by an American Buddhist writer who noted that the Dalai Lama encouraged westerners to remain true to their faith traditions rather than convert to Buddhism that I began to seriously ask whether I could do it. Could I become a Catholic? I credit Beliefnet in part to my reversion. It was here that I could ask questions in forums, read essays from a variety of religions, and read up on the practices of my newfound faith. This site convinced me that this progressive, cosmopolitan advanced degreed "liberated" woman could find the way to God in the Catholic Church.

I remember writing in the forums with breathless joy about the graces I experienced upon my return to Catholicism. To this day I breathe deeply and frequently the fragrance of the Holy Spirit in liturgies and celebrations and it's as heady now as it was nearly 10 years ago.

I am deeply grateful to Steve Waldman for providing such a wonderful site where a seeker like myself openly can without judgment explore my faith; where all are welcome, regardless of what your religion is or even whether you have one at all. Anything you could possibly want to know to begin a faith journey can be found here on this site.

It is because of Steve Waldman that so many people of many or no faiths can engage in discussion on so many topics of the day so civilly, learning from each other and having the freedom to believe or not believe as we see fit.

I will miss him and I think I will copy this note over to him since in the 10 years I have been coming here, I never saw fit to thank him for all that he has done for me.

Rod, you should apply for the editor position.

It appears from this outsider it better fits your personality in life and (I'm guessing) would mean you could work from home. Heck, you could even make that home back in Loosiana, right?

Possibility?