Champagne for 10,000th poster

Now is the time for me to express some gratitude to all the regular posters here, along with the visitors. I would like to thank you all for engaging so fearlessly in debate, for coming back time and again into the fray, even when some of you are metaphorically battered and bruised.

(pic by Sylvan)

(Update Monday 30th: the 10,000th poster was Tom Jackson, with a comment on child abuse posted on Friday. See latest blog for details.)

I write this because technowizards at The Times have informed me that this blog is close to clocking up its 10,000th comment, putting it in pole position among Times blogs. This puts me ahead even of Alpha Mummy, or Danny Finkelstein. It has to be admitted that those two successful blogs are a bit newer than Articles of Faith, however, and could catch up. So I am relying on all of you to keep me in front.

In fact, of course, it is not down to be at all. Or not much. It is down to the subject about which I am blessed to be permitted to write for this august institution, The Times. There is something about religion which makes it a "natural" for new media such as this. I find blogging completely addictive. So much so that I could easily spend all day and night doing this. It can be hard to find a balance. It's been a bit quiet on the blog this week because I've had to concentrate on writing for the paper, after not managing to get anything in for nearly two weeks. The paper still has vastly more readers than the blog, but it can be easy to forget that, as the "interactive" nature of blogging, with the immediate feedback from all of you and the ability to post "instantly", makes it seductively enjoyable.

One of our head technos, Michael Morgan, says: "The topic of religion is one that always gives rise to healthy discussion, even from those who do not necessarily associate themselves with a particular faith.  The blog format of Ruth’s Articles of Faith is well suited to bring these opinions together into a collective forum as proved by this blog becoming the first Times Online blog to receive 10,000 comments.  Since Articles of Faith was launched, Ruth’s posts have attracted an average of 33 reader comments per posting which equates to 526 per month."

At the same time, this blog has managed to get below the magic 10,000 figure on Technorati, and is now ranked at just over 9,000, which is pretty amazing considering how many blogs there are in the world today.

Actually, though, we are not quite up to 10,000 yet. We are a few off the magic figure. I'm not going to reveal exactly how many, but I'm offering a bottle of the best Times champagne to whoever happens to be the 10,000th commenter, plus an opportunity of writing a guest blog on a subject of your choice. Bit of a risk that, I know, so I'm relying on all my regulars not to let me down here. Anyway, thank you all again. And I look forward to hearing from you.

Comments

[Joshua]

Ruth, you are a saint.

I cannot imagine having to read all the stuff you have had to read to get to 10,000 posts - some are so long!

I am glad Tom Jackson won the champagne. He writes thoughtfully and clearly and to date has been one of my favourite posters to read.

Many thanks.

[Martin]

Are we nearly there yet?

If I happen to get the 10,000th post I'll drink the champagne but may have to pass the guest blog authorship to someone more qualified.

(rg writes: I am sure we are well past the 10,000 now, but I don't know how to check myself, as I am technically just a guest blogger on this site, I don't own the blog. I have just asked the relevant people here to check and will post the result as soon as I get it.)

[John Penta]

This is a blatant attempt at being 10k. Come on, come on, now.

[Jill]

Sylvan, the picture is charming!

[Mike Homfray]

I enjoy reading the blog, although I think you are as biased as everyone else is - how dull it would be otherwise!

[Sylvan Mason]

Thanks for all the hits I'm getting from you and Arthur's picture on your blog. It has doubled my traffic!!
Are we getting warmer?

[Frog]

Thanks for keeping us informed, especially during the Tanzanian Primates conference.

[Robin Bather]

I'm back! And I'm as angry as hell and I won't put up with this any longer......

Congrats. Ruth! Glad to see you are as popular as ever.

[John Cooper]

A stimulating and thoughtfull blog. Always great to read. Well done on comment total - if I'm the 10,000 comment then don't worry you can wait till next paycheck as I have a dissertaiton to get out the way first!

Regards
John

[Marcia Adair]

It seems that the offer of a guest post authorship and a bit of champers has proved a big enough carrot and I'm making my first comment. I've read your blog with much interest over the past 6 months or so and found it to be though-provoking and challenging. Well done you and keep up the good work.

[Stephen Marsden]

Hm . . . the subject of my choice . . .

Now there is temptation.

(Interesting how no one wants to comment on Fr Hunter's murder . . .)

[Julie Pain]

Congratulations, Ruth - that is an amazing Technorati ranking, especially considering you haven't been blogging for that long.

I am congratulating myself, too, as just today my blog has broken into Technorati's top 100,00 blogs - which is the magic figure for us 'little' bloggers in general (at least for the more competitive ones, then) at 99,745. Probably it won't be there tomorrow, but I will enjoy it for today - it will need a few more links to keep it on the best side of 100,000.

That is a bit of risk with regard to a guest blogger - especially if he or she drinks the champagne before setting about writing the post...have fun.

[David Ould]

hi Ruth,

great job all round. I don't always agree (being a nasty über-puritan Sydney type) but I always read and find myself stimulated.

And it's wonderful to have a regular broadsheet religion correspondant who isn't so clearly biased like some other people we could mention....

[Dave]

This is where all the shallow people who read but don't comment suddenly pop up and post something.

Not that I'm one of them of course.

Congratulations Ruth - here's to another 10000.

[Sylvan Mason]

I think you are absolutely wonderful, clever and beautiful inside and out.

It takes one to know one!

Sylvan xxx

[Emanuel Appel]

a letter from America

Dear Ruth,

Congrats. A lot of credit goes to you and to the more articulate contributors even though I may disagree with them.

Here's an idea about lightening your load: a guest blog contest. Publish the rules re topic and length and you'd be able to skate with blog and professional duties.

[Billy Corr]

A bit of warning to whoever wins the champers “Don’t drink and write”

[Paul]

I just desired to comment on the Italian court ordering the Vatican or that priest to prove the existence of Jesus Christ. Being a Charismatic Catholic- I have witnessed hundreds of Miracles- like cancers being instantly healed, the blind see, the deaf hear, & heart-lung-kidney transplants in minutes. Jesus is desiring for the world to open its eyes to HIM & only to HIM. Unfortunately - as HE said the blind leading the blind. The events of the Homosexual Priests violating the little children sexually has hurt the Body of Christ. Personally- I believe that the Catholic Church & all the other churches do what they want & not what Jesus demands to be done. Miracles are a Simple Act of God expressing HIS LOVE & MERCY upon someone. The Command of Jesus was to cast out demons- set the captives free & bring them the Good News that the Kingdom of God is at Hand. And the Church turns its head away & looks to the collection box. Millionaires eat great meals everyday- & never think twice about the poor & hungry. Inequality & injustice are the Hallmark of the Rich People. Every person will ask Judgment Day one question from Jesus & that is " What did you do for me? & there lies the TRUTH.

[Susan]

Your blog is always a fun and stimulating read--one of the best things about the Times! Especially good for keeping up with the vagaries of worldwide Anglicanism. Kudos on going over 10,000 posts and under 10,000 in the rankings!

[Peter Ould]

And once again congratulations. You see where I'm going with this don'tcha...

[Peter Ould]

And some more congratulations...

[Peter O]

Oh well in that case I'll comment to congratulate you.