Religious News,
Perspectives & Debates
The Need
Population Growth & Cultural Diversity
Florida is experiencing a major population growth. It has the 4th highest state population in
the United States. In 2007 the population was estimated at 18,251,243.The growth rate went
from 321,647, or 1.8% from 2005. On average the state grows 26,803 every month, 6,700
every week, and 957 daily. In comparison it is the third‐fastest‐growing state. Miami‐Dade
County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County, are the state's three most populous
counties. Far as cultural diversity South Florida is booming. Florida's weather and past job
climate made it popular for immigrants. Florida's public education system identified over 200
Contents
first languages spoken in the home by students other than English. According to the 2006
ACS Estimates, Florida's population is:
Population Growth & Diversity 1
Religious Diversity 2
• 76.1% White American ‐ includes 15% White Hispanic,
• 15.4% African American Delivery Points 2
• 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native Development Phases 2
• 2.2% Asian American Income Generation 3
• 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
Mission 2
• 4.3% Some other race
• 1.8% Two or more races Letter To Religious Leaders 3
• 20.1% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) Website Features 3
Magazine Topics 4
Many black residents are beginning to move back since the “Great Migration North” (1910‐ Writers Expectations 4
1940). There are also many black immigrants coming from Haiti and Jamaica. This major
Contact Information 4
population boom and diverse culture climate means that South Florida is ripe to be a
communication hub for the outside world. The ideologies and values developed in South
Florida will shape many nations and communities. People of South Florida are looking for
truth, spirituality and a practical religion. But many are looking to compare perspectives,
examine doctrinal creeds, worldviews, and even visit houses of worship to evaluate the
impact upon their hearts. SouthFloridaFaith.com will be that first step for these seekers,
because of its objective nature, aggressive advertising and wide variety of spiritual voices.
Bottom line this online and print magazine will be provocative, intelligent and attractive.
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Religious Diversity
There is a huge need for religious • Roman Catholic, 26%
leaders to present their various • Protestant, 40%
o Baptist, 9%
perspectives on social, cultural, and
o Methodist, 6%
theological issues in laymen’s terms. o Pentecostal, 3%
Florida is mostly Protestant, but Roman • Jewish, 3%
Catholicism is the single largest • Muslim, 1%
denomination in the state. There is also • other religions, 2%
a sizable Jewish community, located • non‐religious, 16%
mainly in South Florida, unlike any other
state in the south. The statistics People want to know the perspectives of
concerning Florida's current religious these faiths and how they are interrelated,
affiliations are: yet different on key issues.
“There are a wide variety of intelligent religious leaders and scholars whose ideas need to be
heard and engaged with by South Florida citizens”
Magazine Mission
Magazine Delivery Points:
• The online magazine shall be made available free of charge to the international community.
• To Introduce South Florida Citizens • The print magazine shall be distributed free of charge in the South Florida Counties on a
monthly basis. Venues of distribution shall be bookstores, business parks, schools, shopping
To The Diversity Of Religious
centers, major events, subscriptions, etc.
Leadership, Perspectives & Houses
Of Worship.
• The print magazine shall be made available free of charge to download in pdf. format.
format online.
• To Be An Inclusive Online & Print
Magazine Covering Relevant
• The website shall be promoted on popular search engines (Google Adwords) and social
Spiritual And Community Issues Of networking and news sites such as youtube, facebook, etc.
South Florida From Diverse
Religious World‐Views & Opinions.
Magazine Development Phases:
o Official articles are
submitted by local • 1st Phase (Nov‐Dec 2008):
clergy, scholars, o Establish Writing Team
journalist and activist Local Clergy
on the writers’ team. Local Scholars
Local Faith Based Leaders
o Online Magazine Launched ‐ January 1st 2009
o Unofficial article
comments, blogs, forum
• 2nd Phases (Jan ‐ Mar 2009):
o Establish Distribution Venues
entries, embedded
o Print Magazine Launched ‐ March 1st 2009
videos, & calendar
events are submitted by
registered online Magazine Income Generation:
members. Income shall be generated through advertising sponsors. Religious organizations and
businesses shall have first priority. Non‐religious sponsors shall be considered based on
product or services. Advertising Packages shall vary in price and space.
Note: As a matter of conscience and intellectual freedom, advertisers shall not dictate the
content of the magazine. The content will be determined by the writers and chief editors of
the magazine.
3
Website Features
The online magazine will take on many of
the styles and features of popular websites
like: cnn.com, csmonitor.com, and
newsweek.com. Some key features of the
Dear Religious Leader, magazine will be:
I am blessed by God to be a husband, father, mentor, writer, activist, print and website
designer. Yes, most probably like you a person with many hats. Born in 1973 to Armenian and
• Membership Registration\Profiles
Liberian parents this cultural mixture has made me deeply sensitive to the issues of diversity in
an increasingly globalized world. As a Christian I keep having to learn how to respect and • Internal Instant Messaging
lovingly communicate my perspectives on a wide variety of issues with my neighbor who has a • Blogging & Commenting
different ethnic , economic, cultural or religious background. The changing times demand that
people understand their neighbors world‐views and thoughts and be able to respond • Discussion Forum
respectfully in mutual dialogue. What better place to model this then in South Florida and • RSS Newsfeed
through a simple magazine like, www.SouthFloridaFaith.com. Our cities are a haven for
diversity and cross‐cultural, religious exchange. • RSS Email Subscription
• Document Uploading\Downloading
Also, as a Cross‐Cultural Studies graduate from Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena, Ca) I am
• Links & Member Link Submission
excited about the friendship that will be developed amongst clergy, scholars and faith‐based
activist outside of their normal domains. I know some leaders and church members may not be • Clergy Interview (Written & Video)
open to the idea of presenting their ideas through a medium that has such different theological
voices. They may see this as compromising their own religious values or confusing their • Church Service Video Submissions
innocent flock. My response is simple. If a religious communities belief systems and teachings • Community Online Store
are “true” and “relevant” why wouldn’t a religious person share those ideas with others on the
outside. Especially to a neutral reader, like an open minded college student who is seeking a • Classifieds Sections
religious faith that makes sense intellectually or seems to fulfill a spiritual longing. • Church Directories
• Photo Page & Submissions
Such seeker is either going to read about the perspectives of your faith from a reliable source
like you or some other biased person who distorts the true nature of your doctrines, • Calendar & Events Submissions
perspectives and spiritual practices. Also, through a leaders example parishioners learn how to
• Prayer Forum
talk and love their cross‐cultural and religious neighbor about spiritual and a social issues with
respect. True tolerance does not abdicate compromise and association does not equal guilt. • Counseling Referral Page
Join me and our operations team in the struggle of stimulating religious discussion in our cities!
• Search Functions
Let us work together to engage people with relevant data, stories, debates and religious news.
South Florida is hungry for religious leaders to articulate their perspectives and promote their
•
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houses of worship so they can visit and experience community firsthand. Thank you!
Sincerely
Jack Hakimian
Founder & Director
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www.SouthFloridaFaith.Com Magazine Topics
8362 Pines Blvd Suite 130 The magazine will be dealing with a diversity of relevant issues such as: economics,
Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024 family, dating and marriage, education, social justice, theology, textual interpretation
1‐800‐719‐0360
(i.e Koran, Torah, New Testament, etc), racism, sexism, sexuality, science, psychology,
1‐866‐734‐4373
support@southfloridafaith.com philosophy, history, local and national policies, humanitarian crisis, community events,
contextualization, generational issues, elderly life, child development, counseling
“Intelligent & Provocative Literature” theories & practices, ecclesiastical issues, music, movies & all artistic expressions.
Find us on the Web:
www.southfloridafaith.com
www.southfloridafaith.org Writers Expectations
Writers should submit their article as a Microsoft Word Document on attachment via email
to articles@southfloridafaith.com. They should submit a minimum of 1 article per month, by
st
the 1 of the month. A topic request will be sent 30 days in advance. Standard Articles
should be 600 to 1200 words. Perspective Articles should be 200‐400 words. Debate
Responses or Points should be no more then 300 words. Sources should be referenced in
endnote format. All copyright laws should be followed. Writers should submit with article a
cover page with the following data: 1) Article Title 2) Date of Submission 3) Full Name 4)
Email 5) Organizations Name 6) Address & Phone 7) Religious affiliation (i.e. Conservative
Evangelical, Charismatic, Orthodox Jew, Shiite Muslim, etc.) . See Sample Cover Page.
www.SouthFloridaFaith.Com
8362 Pines Blvd Suite 130
Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024
