My Big News
Wednesday October 28, 2009
Dear Readers, This is the most difficult (and surreal) post I've had to write. I'm leaving Beliefnet, the company I co-founded in 1999. In mid November, I'll be stepping down as President and Editor in Chief to lead a project...
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Big news indeed,you will be missed at beliefnet. From Sydney Australia I wish you and your family the best always
Take care
Jo
I not only use your site daily - I often return a few times during the day. Though the content is not always perfect, it is the best site for finding the information and opinions I need as a pastor. Many of my sermons have included references to material I have read on B'net and I have encouraged colleagues and students to check articles here. My daughter - who is minoring in religion in college - has used B'net to begin research on several subjects. This was a project that needed to be created and I appreciate the effort you have made to make it as comprehensive and user friendly as it is.
I have a suggestions for your final act as PooBah of B'net (this is sort of like Sam Malone straightening the picture of Geronimo in the last scene of the final Cheers episode). Could you get someone to spell the word "been" on the bottom of the commentary pages. It has been spelled "ben" for a couple of years and even B'net Tiger has not been successful in making the change.
Peace to you in your new endeavor; Joy in your new travels; Hope with each challenge; and Love, without which the other three are mere sentiment.
Will your new position be in any way involved in the possible reinstitution of the "Fairness Doctrine"? Given that your now former employer is one of the main targets of those behind the pushing of the Obama Administration and the FCC for reinstitution, and your listed duties are broad enough to easily encompass this...
Going over to the enemy side? How will you be comfortable with the administration's attempts to silence all speech with which they disagree?
Steven,
God bless and God speed.
You have brought a very high standard of journalism and good faith towards all to Beliefnet. I hope and pray this will continue in your absence.
All the best in your new endeavors.
Hey - you could always write a blog for Beliefnet! Give it a thought, I bet there'd be many readers.
Your
Panthera
Carol
October 28, 2009 5:12 PM
Going over to the enemy side? How will you be comfortable with the administration's attempts to silence all speech with which they disagree?
-----------------------------------------------------------
Critical question, Carol. His conscience will wrestle with this.
Steven,
The best of luck and longevity in your new position. Your work here at Beliefnet has been an occasion of blessing in many lives and is something for which you may always be extremely proud, and for which you will always be fondly remembered.
God bless you and your family as you navigate both this transition and the loss of your wife's father.
I, for one, am surprised, at once honored, at the power Panthera gives us -- that is, the power to "make" him go away. I did know I have that power. I didn't know he relinquished his power to choose, electing us to choose for him.
Well, it is what it is, and as long as he assigns that power to me, for one, I pledge to use it well. Like, in just over 12 months and, then, again, in three years, in the cause of Conservatives, so we can correct the major mistake of last November.
I did know I have that power. -- -- > I didn't know I have that power.
I'm guessing you won't miss the tedious political rants...some of them quite hysterical and incredible.
No, wait...you're headed into a post where you will get an even more steady diet of them.
God save ya, Steve!
And thanks for all your fine work.
Good luck to you, Steve. This site has meant a lot to me and I will continue to use it. Will enjoy reading the rest of what you have to say until your final post!
Steve,
I will miss you and your insights. I don't always agree with your positions but they always make me think and have led to hundreds of interesting and lively conversations. Best of luck in your new venture.
Hi Pagansister,
Long time. Hope you and yours are well.
Panthera,
Don't take the bait from Miss Incredible.
" How will you be comfortable with the administration's attempts to silence all speech with which they disagree?"
Carol, that sounds like exactly what happens here - on the Crunchy Con blog.
Gerard Nadal
October 28, 2009 10:26 PM
Panthera,
Don't take the bait from Miss Incredible.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Yes, keep on running away.
Steve, in three years, will you stay on after we vote the Obammy government outta office, correcting the mistake that was made last November?
Steve, how well do you think you will work with the Conservative president who will be elected in three years to correct the mistake that was made last November?
The fact that you have gotten a job with the FCC, as a result of your seeing a need and filling it here with Bnet,says much for your talents. Thanks for making this place what it is...Im sure your being a part of the FCC can only improve it, in ways we have yet to see.
Only the best! Sincerely... those of us who are grateful for having a place to voice our faith.
Steve, good luck, and fare-thee-well. The FCC needs good people like you.
Best of luck in your new position. You will be missed here, but go in the knowledge that you started something very, very good. We'll see how the next tenants do with what you have built.
God bless!
Congratulations Steve and best of luck with the FCC.
Hi! Gerard Nadal:
All is well in my neck of the woods...in fact, couldn't be much better. Appreciate you asking. Hope all is well with you and yours.
And I was worried that you'd been ill when you went so long w/o posting! All the best to you, Dear Friend. I'll be praying for you in your new position. Vaya con Dios.
Godspeed, Mr. Waldman. You've done a good thing here, with Beliefnet. May your good work continue!
God bless you, Steve, for making this website happen! I refer to it almost daily. I like that I can always count on finding an opinion on faith-based current affairs, one in which I may not agree with, but which can help start an informed discussion nonetheless.
It's also highlighted to me personally how much I just don't understand some people's worldviews! As a result, my own convictions are often reinforced but I find that the challenge is spiritually beneficial.
You must be thrilled to be embarking on a new career endeavor and I wish you all the best of luck with your future!
It's funny-- I've been noticing that bnet seems to have gotten really soft-- warm and fuzzy and not as edgy as it was in the beginning. I wonder if this is because of the changes in editorial management. Well, we've already started missing you Steve. Give them hell at the FCC!
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 on this site 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 can openly without judgment explore my faith; where all are welcome, regardless of what your religion is or even whether you have one at all.
It is because of you that so many people of any or no faith 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.
Thank you for providing this respite on the Internet where this poor sinner could stop and rest and find the Beloved of my soul. Best wishes to you in D.C.
I will miss working with you very much but am thrilled you will take on this crucial project and know that you and the Chairman will do great things. My dad says that this country has the opportunity to match what the Morrill Act did for the 19th century in creating the land grant colleges by using digital technology to transform media, universities, and workplaces. I can't think of anyone better qualified to lead this transformative process. And I look forward to having you in Washington!
Mr. Waldman, I want to first congratulate you! I just joined this community, but I love it. It is great for all kinds of people, going through many things. May you have much success in your future endeavors.
I hope this is heralded from the roof tops as an example of the type of broad reach and "other" perspective that is possible with new blood coming in to Washington.
Beliefnet was a revolution because it combined two thoughts - faith and venture funding...those of us that watched this new that in itself was a revolution.
You will be missed.... but me thinks this is a higher calling.... if in nothing else than your new frequency.
Keep true to your faith and the nation will be better for all your new sacrifice.
Dear Steve,
I feel the need to express how much you'll be missed by Beliefnet which to me was and is God's gift to the world through you and how your site has established interfaith communications and dialogue to help people of different religious backgrounds to interact and understand one another.It's not a stretch to say that this has been by far and still is the best Interfaith ministry that any one man could have launched.I pray every day for world peace and for the peace of Jerusalem.Through you and your website I learned a lot more than what I might have actually learned had it not been through your website.You will be missed indeed but your legacy will live forever.
Sincerely,
Alejandro Reyes,II
Dear Steve,
I bet this was a tough decision. I owned my own business for ten years and then I had to walk away, it was very difficult also. Beliefnet.com for me has been such a good place to pray and find some peace and serenity. I thank you for starting beliefnet, and I am quite sure you will be missed. I do wish you well in your new endeavour!
Warmly,
JoAnn M.
Well, sir, I wish you Godspeed and much success on your new project. I say that I have and continue to enjoy Beliefnet. Great information, provocative discussions, and wonderful, caring and thoughtful people who make up the Beliefnet community. I come here every day. I study about all the different faiths that sustain the spiritual needs of millions of people. What has made Beliefnet so different is that it presents these faiths with respect and equality. I appreciate that because it has taught me just how deeply spiritual humans really are and how, in their sincere search for spiritual sustenance and inspiration, they find their spiritual home. Thank you.
I don't know why, but I feel deep sense of loss that you are stepping down. I do hope all goes really well with you and your new job. Thanks for the personal note to all your beliefnet fans. God Bless You.
Pat yourself on the back for a job well done. This site has helped a lot of people. That puts a smile on my face and I hope it does for you also.
Always,
Debbie
Thank you all for your very kind comments. I've shared some of them with my children. They're definitely helping me with the emotional angst inherent in this decision.
Obviously, I was thinking of some of you when I wrote: "Beliefnet's character derives in significant part from the contributions of those who visit, participate, and very often comfort and inspire each other here with stunning eloquence. What a blessing it has been for me to watch this all unfold."
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best of luck & thanks for a wonderful site
Thanks for sharing your vision and making it a reality so that so many more would benefit. Continue to walk with God.
Wow- what a great read! Thanks for sharing that story with us, and may God be with you in your new endeavors. I would like to say thank you for Beliefnet. I've had a great time here & can't wait to see what's next!
Congratulations on both your success in co-founding this site and your willingness to move in another direction. Wishing you well!
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