There is a common perception in the publishing world that newspapers are a vanishing medium, subject to the increase by the consumer for digital news. The statistics are readily available by simply asking the question on your favorite search engine, but since I’m not a fan of statistics that do not support my personal narrative, I tend to avoid them.
At one time in America and around the world, newspapers supplied the information and opinion their readership craved to learn, and in the interest of holding onto that readership, they wrote to the wants and needs of those who purchased their product; a supply and demand sort of thing.
A dissenting voice would occasionally appear in print that is contrary to the social norm, this done to only rile the reader. In actuality, it was with the conscious intent of fueling the fire for the next issue and a thorough lambasting by the editor. It wasn’t exactly a “bait and switch,” just good marketing and salesmanship: think of someone from Fox interviewing someone from CNN or vice versa.
During the process of writing an Opinion and/or Editorial piece for publication, the author has certain factors to take into consideration if they wish to be successful. It’s very much like farming or any other endeavor of self-employment. Constant decisions and forethought on a multitude of levels will hopefully deliver the desired results. Sprinkle in some good ole’ fashioned luck and the bounty is worthwhile.
Having received numerous diplomas from the University of Trial & Error, I have learned that three topics which are sure to attract attention – both positive and negative depending, are sex, religion and politics. Testing this hypothesis through the years at dinner parties or family gatherings, it behooves one to know the crowd before any utterance can derail a peaceful vibe. It’s okay to skim the outer edges of these subjects in a sublime form, but delving into the inner nucleus of any will almost certainly bring either adulation or condemnation, neither of which are precursors to a simple happy existence.
As Christians, we all have the same goal in mind and that is to achieve God’s grace and blessing with our admittance into his Kingdom. The exact path by which this is accomplished is viewed differently dependent on denomination but it doesn’t alter the objective. Praise Jesus that we are free to make the choice of which road to travel.
We’re also free to make the choice – or to not make a choice, on who has the better Sunday Soup Dinner.
(Pause) This is for literary effect. You may be thinking to yourself with bated breath, “He’s not going to go there is he? Oh Lord.”
To lessen any anxiety or dispel any anticipation about the direction of my thoughts, all I can say is that it doesn’t matter. Are there differences? Yes, some. Not many. The fine men, women and children who put in the time and effort to host these community events are not trying to win any prize or coveted trophy. They are raising money for either education of the youth, some sort of pilgrimage or retreat, or a church improvement – all in the name of and for the glorification of Our Savior. The quality of the loose meat taverns or chili is important, following a distant second however to the raisin cream pie.
I wish there were more churches in town; sampling the food, service and ambiance of some other denominations sounds like an enjoyable way to spend some time. Personally, there are very few things I haven’t eaten or wouldn’t try, as long as they are a normal and customary part of a certain culture’s cuisine.
When the meal is finished and I've returned home for an afternoon nap, I would then sit in my Lazy Boy and open the local newspaper, praying that God will keep both the Sunday Soup Dinner as well as the presses running for a long long time.
