Bible Talk

By :)

March 19, 2008 12:42 AM | Link to this

I think we need more articles on religious statistics… some with real credibility like from Barna Research. Also, there is way to much advertising and I don’t really remember the last time I looked in a newspaper to find a new church so does it really work??? I guess that’s how the publication makes their money and that’s ok but, there needs to be some balance with some real stories that benfefit the religious community as well commentary that will allow other individuals that are not of the majority religion, get a glimpse of what we are about.

By KDF

March 19, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this

I would like to see an article every week from a Trib writer who actually attends a worship service. This would be very local, and would give good church representation, as long as the writer attends as many different denominations as possible.

By Todd

March 19, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

This comment is a little viral marketing on my part. I was religion editor and feature writer for the Temple paper and would love to contribute to the Tribune-Herald in the same capacity. In Temple, we had at least one long local feature, sometimes two, a section of briefs and a regular pastor’s column that rotated columns from area pastors and other clergy each Saturday. So perhaps you’d put a good word in for me.

By Kyle

March 19, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

Todd: That is about what the Trib used to do in Waco. I sorely miss it. Plus I enjoyed the Teen Trib. C’mon editors — we need you now!!!!

By Carlos Sanchez, editor

March 19, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

Since Kyle said he needs me, I felt compelled to step into this conversation.

First, thank you Rev. Carbajal for investing in the newspaper and recognizing that, on the important level of public discourse, this publication belongs to all of Central Texas.

Rev. Carbajal and I have had several discussions — some of them tense — about what to do with our Religion page. Throughout this, I have found him to be a wonderful advocate on behalf of the spiritual community.

What Rev. Carbajal has done with his blog is precisely what I envision as the future of the Religion page. He had engaged the community on a variety of not-so-comfortable topics through the prism of theology and it has so far been a fascinating journey.

And for a preacher, Rev. Carbajal has been wonderfully restrained in preaching to our readers, something that I believe was happening far too often on our Religion page. Instead, he has effectively led discussions and given voice to our community.

I would challenge anyone to name a time when our Religion page has been more engaging than this blog.

The challenge for me is to transfer the energy and spontaneity that is found on this blog to the printed pages. I assure you, we continue to explore the most effective way to do it and the feedback here helps.

By legion

March 21, 2008 1:30 AM | Link to this

get rid of it and print something that is logical and not based on mythology!

By LARRYE

March 21, 2008 3:53 AM | Link to this

MYTHOLOGY TO SOME BUT HARD EVIDENCE TO OTHERS ESPECIALLY THOSE OF FAITH.THE SCEPTICS SCORNERS, REPROBATES DISILLUSIONED AND MEN PLEASERS ARE THE REASON WE NEED THIS SECTION IF YOU DID NOT HAVE THIS TONE IN OUR SOCIETY IT WOULD BE AN HEATHEN NATION AND GOD WOULD MORE THAN LIKELY HAVE TO SHOW SOME OF US THE POWERS UNLEASHED. SO LET US CONTINUE TO IN FORM THOSE WHO WILL READ TE WAYS AND MEANS OF THE LORD’S WAYS.

By Fred

March 21, 2008 5:24 AM | Link to this

Keep an open mind and attitude. The Baylor Baptists definately don’t have a monopoly on God. However; Baylor does take the lead on narrow-mindedness about their preception of God. And they sing about it every Sunday (the first and last stanzas…that is).

By KDF

March 21, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

Fred, you are a blog-baiter, and you have successfully “blogged” me. Your comments are usually very vile, and I pray that if you have children you are not teaching them this attitude at home. Children are to be children, and experience childhood, well before they are shown the problems of our world. My uneducated guess is that you are not a father, but if you are a father, the man of a firm foundation with your wife, Christ would have a firm hold on your heart, which your blogs don’t confirm.

By GJ

March 21, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

As long as religion plays a role in people’s lives, it needs coverage. Just make it news and information, not preaching. Please make sure all of us are represented. 16% of Americans say they have no particular religion - would you like to hear what we have to say on the topic? That is unless LARRYE is right and our speaking up causes God to “SHOW SOME OF US THE POWERS UNLEASHED.” That would be bad.

By KDF

March 21, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

GJ, the Religion page is based on “Religion”, which are beliefs held by many. I would not look for US News on the State News page, nor do I expect cartoons being reported as Sports. When I read the Religion page, what I expect is what is often written, stories on different cultures and beliefs.

John 18:37-38(NIV) is well worth reading for the definition of the word “truth”. <><

By RD

March 21, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

I like Todd’s idea…I think it would be awesome to hear from other local pastors who are willing to address the tough real life issues. Also, I think it would be great to have a “dear abby” kind of section on the page. If you have a question, can we ask “Dear Pastor” and get some feedback. This could help others going through similar issues. Not to mention, it is encouraging to find out, you’re not alone…someone else can relate.

By Nelson

March 21, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

I like the example of this blog for the “religion” page. Early Christians gathered together and openly discussed the teachings of Christ and the old testament. It wasn’t led by one man imposing his own ideas or the ideas he might have been taught along the way. It was done in a group setting, exchanging in a truly corporate way. Open to debate and questions. Above all praising and worshiping God without man-made constraints and the rhetorical speeches of one man. No offense intended pastor.

By GJ

March 21, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

I just want NEWS in my newspaper, not proselytizing. I have a different way of looking at the world than you, KDF. If your views get a forum, so do mine.

Do we need a new weekly section of the Trib called “Reality” so we can be heard? We are a large and growing segment of the community (and we’re getting better organized).

By KDF

March 21, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this

GJ, I’m sorry to say but your “Reality” page begins on Page one of the first section of the Trib. Also, read the editorials, and most of the rest of “reality”. I ask for one page, and you get the rest of the paper.

I mean this politely. My voice inflection is accomanied (?) with a smile. <><

By Fred

March 21, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this

Hey KDF: When you get to heaven; you’re going to be surprised to discover that Jesus Christ will be shooting a friendly game a pool with the Buddha. Who do you think will win? I’ll bet you two Saint Peters and a Saint John that the Buddha allows Jesus Christ to win that game of pool. You see, the Buddha has no desire to win.

By KDF

March 21, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this

Ah Fred; and where do you draw your conclusions from??? Sounds like the “created” has formed the “Creator”.

By Fred

March 21, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this

From where do I draw my conclusions you ask? From all five major religions on this Earth (and other religions to boot). There is a little bit of God in all religions. The Bible (that you quote) is only a fraction of the tip of the ice-berg of who God actually IS. I will not comdemn any man’s religion. No one is wrong about God. But you’re right about one thing……a few religions have created the Creator. I find a common thread of truth about God in all religions. Study all of them……in some ways all religions are very much….the same.

By GJ

March 21, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this

Hey KDF - as I said, I have no problem with religion having its own section in the paper. I just want it to be a fair look at the topic, not a sounding board for one point of view. I think there has been a good amount of balance there so far. I’ve never been offended by the content - there have even been excellent articles on the rise of the “New Atheism”.

Instead of “Reality” how about calling it “Without Superstition”. Trust me, I’d be happy to pontificate. :)

By KDF

March 21, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this

GJ — Pontificate?? Only in the bathroom!!! :)

By Pastor Joe A. Carbajal

March 22, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

Hey fellow Bloggers,

I never want to supress dialouge on this blog, However, the last few entries seem to be hinting at pesonal attacks. Thats one thing I do not want. It is my opinion that once we start attacking each other rather than hearing each other’s beliefs, we get away from the vision of this blog which is to “see what we believe and how that lines up with scripture”. It is my belief that this blog is attracting both believers and non-believers which is awesome!Just because a person makes a point that they don’t believe we should have a religion page, doesn’t take away from the topic.I’m trying to empower every blogger to voice their opinion so that the Trib can hear what the community wants. If we do not stay on the topic, the editors will never know what we want. Personal attacks only hinder Dialouge and the effectiveness of this blog.We can debate one another’s beliefs and the bible, but lets not hinder those voices in the minority by personal attacks! Keep the ideas for a great “RELIGION PAGE” coming in!

By Brian Hearn

March 22, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

Why don’t we step outside the Theological box and step into real needs that the Body of Christ can address.
How about a section devoted to people who have problems or situations that need to be corrected. Christians and other groups could then use a Blog or chat area to network together to find solutions and offer help. If even a small percentage of the Body of Christ would choose to respond and work together to solve the problem, it would be eliminated and then another problem situation could be be dealt with. The paper could then print stories about how God’s people reacted to a need and helped solve it. That would be news worth reading.
Let’s for once forget our Theological differences and get about acting like Christians.

Acts 21:19: When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things God had done.

By Just Me

March 22, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

Well since you asked…

I’d like to see more feature stories on the spiritual formation of Waco’s youth.

Also, I’d like to read about all different faiths, not solely mainstream Christian religions. With all due respect to the strong Baptist majority in town, there are other religions out there. A little bit of enlightenment and education can’t be a bad thing.

And since a religion section would apparently be offensive to some readers, maybe it should be a pull-out section. ;)

By KDF

March 22, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

The old Religion section usually had pastors of different denominations write an editorial. Then stories of different denominations and other religions were carried.

I do like the “Dear Abbey” approach mentioned by RD.

By :)

March 23, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this

I personally don’t mind featuring another religion other then my own in the Trib weekly. Some of you bloggers assume that the Religion section of the paper is only reserved for Christianity, or at least presume that it is. Br assured, I have seen adds and articles from other religions in there so please, lets quit attacking the Christians on this blog just because it is the majority religion in our city, and of course our nation. If you want other religious articles, advertisement, etc… then pay the fee, and advertise. No one is stopping you. Its amazing at the people that come on this blog with their heart filled with all this hate, critisizing Christianity for its faults. For someone that does not like Christians, it sure seems like they spend a lot of time blogging with us. Its ok, but lets just not be so darn insulting here.

:)

By :)

March 23, 2008 12:35 AM | Link to this

I like the Dear Abby approach too. Allow people to write in questions that they may have about divinity or someone that may need personal pastoral help. I think featuring some of our blog entries is also a great idea. It will let many people see the true side of individuals in our community and see how deep this blog gets.

Prayer Request for Community: I blogged on an article this week about the boy whos parents didn’t want to comply with the Midway ISD dress code by cutting his hair because it was against their beliefs to do so. You would not believe the hateful, racist majority that came out of the Hewitt community against this kid. Pray for all community because there is some real racism that is very much in our town and the surrounding communities. Even from educators in that district.

:)

By GJ

March 23, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

How would you guys feel if the Trib sponsored a Qur’an Talk, Book of Morman Talk, Śruti Talk, Dianetics Talk or Tipitaka Talk pages? Would you be content to let folks expound that your view is wrong, or would you want to chime in to defend your views?

This is not a flippant question. Should the majority rule? Should the minority be heard from?

By Just Me

March 23, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this

:) - was your comment “let’s quit attacking Christians on this blog just because it is the majority religion in our city” addressed to me? I, by no means, was attacking Christians. I am one. I am not interested in “advertising” my religion in the paper. I am interested in reading about others’. Yours too. :)

Heart filled with hate? Goodness! I don’t see how you get that from my post, but shrug I apologize. I thought the intent of this blog was to get people’s opinions on what the Trib should put in the Religion section. I therefore expressed my opinion and am sorry it was insulting. I didn’t realize this was not an open blog.

And to KDF - I didn’t mean just an editorial. I meant “news”. I’d like to read about what different churches/synagogues/temples are doing… outreach programs, educational programs etc. That’s what I meant. Thanks for your reply.

By TS

March 24, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

I would like to see & read articles in the Religion section that relate to daily life issues and hardships that people face and how to cope with those issues from a Biblical perspective. Examples of issues to be addressed could include relationships, marital, childrearing, health /physical, spiritual and emotional issues/needs, as well as address financial management, and so on. I do hope that the Waco Trib will take steps to make positive changes to the paper, resulting in contributing to positive and lasting change for our community . So what are you waiting for, Waco Trib?? This is a good thing that Pastor Joe Carbajal is presenting for our community!! I hope to see changes to the Religious section of our paper real soon!!!