EDITORIAL:
Why we print letters to the editor
___Letters--written about other letters-- have created an interesting trend at the Baptist Standard this year.
___Some of you don't like how other readers express themselves. "Can't you do something about the harsh tone of letters to the editor?" is a common plea we've been receiving.
___Our letters column, Texas Baptist Forum, historically ranks as one of the best-read, most-popular features of the paper. The letters page has been a magnet for attention since Editor E.S. James initiated it more than 40 years ago. Quite often, readers still report that they turn to the letters before they dig into the rest of the Standard each week.
___Yet this year, readers have written, called and stopped Standard staff members at Baptist meetings to complain about the stridency of many letters. Some readers want us to discontinue publication of letters altogether; others want us to consider only "nice" letters for publication.
___Such sentiment is understandable. Many letters in recent months have expressed a harshness not usually present in former times. One questioned the editor's salvation. Another compared the executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas to an idiot. Others went downhill from there. Such letters are not uplifting, even for folks who are not the objects of disagreement and disapproval.
___Still, the Baptist Standard has a strong respect for and commitment to letters to the editor. Several reasons stand out:
___
Texas Baptist Forum belongs to the people. This is the one place where Baptists of all backgrounds and perspectives can express themselves. It is the largest platform for Baptists to speak to issues--at least 13 times the size of the crowd that gathered to listen to debate at this year's Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting.
___The editors write and/or solicit all the other copy that makes up the paper. But the readers supply the material for the letters column. Their voices are heard, as they should be.
___ The letters column demonstrates Baptist theology. Baptists affirm the competency of each soul and the priesthood of all believers. We believe every Christian is able and accountable to stand before God and thus suitable and capable of speaking to all others. Letter writers exercise that precious freedom.
___ Letters reflect a cross-section of Baptist thought. Even when we disagree, we do well to know and to seek to understand the thinking of fellow believers, especially fellow Baptists. Letters selected for publication in the Standard reflect the views of readers who care enough about their ideas to pick up a pen or sit at a keyboard. Sometimes, readers claim letters are selected because they express viewpoints with which the editor agrees. Anyone who has paid attention to the letters knows this cannot be true, for (a) a person would have to have a personality disorder to agree with all the letters and (b) letters often attack positions previously expressed by the editor in editorials. Letters are chosen to present a fair representation of the views expressed in letters week by week.
___ Letter writers uphold the strong Baptist tradition of dissent. Because we affirm soul competency, defend the priesthood of all believers and uphold religious liberty, Baptists historically have been dissenters. Our forebears suffered persecution in England and the Colonies because they dissented against majoritarian religion. We honor them and carry out their legacy when we protect the right of modern Baptists to dissent, to speak their own convictions, even when--especially when--they are in the minority. And that means we protect the rights of letter writers who sound harsh and question the salvation of the editor.
___ Letters provide a valuable resource of ideas. Of course, some letters are cranky. But many letters provide unique insight not previously expressed. Others offer new ways of thinking about serious issues. Some offer fresh approaches to faith and life and ministry.
___We would be much poorer--even if happier--if we did not have letters to the editor.
___ Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!