Letters to the Editor – are they important? You bet. They promote healthy journalism and provide a venue for grassroots citizens to share their points of view. Yes, Letters to the Editor are important, but must they be mean and condescending? I think not! 

 

Each week I read, with interest, the Letters to the Editor found in Grainger Today and too often come away disheartened and offended. It’s not the content of these opinions that most offends me. It’s the unkind way many of these opinions are stated.  

 

It is neither healthy nor helpful when a writer reverts to ridicule, mockery, shaming and name calling to state a point of view. Such ploys typically don’t sway readers. Instead, readers are often turned off by the abrasiveness of this kind of smear journalism. If the intent of the writer is, indeed, to sway opinion, he or she would best be served by a kindly, well-stated argument, not an angry tirade.

 

As a pastor, I am especially offended when op-ed writers suggest that their opinions are godly and that those who hold differing opinions are godless. Seemingly, these writers think they have an inside track to the mind of God. I, myself, cannot boast of such divine confidence. I often struggle when trying to understand the will and ways of God; but according to Scripture, my struggle is to be expected. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” If Isaiah is right (and I believe he is) mere humans delude themselves whenever they believe they have an inside track to the ways and thoughts of God. 

 

I also struggle when opinion writers make blanket prejudicial statements about particular groups of people. Whenever a writer suggests that all Democrats, or all Republicans, or all Muslims, or all news networks share an identical point of view I want to cry “foul.” Nothing could be further from the truth. In every group you will find people with differing opinions; and it’s simply unfair to suggest that one size fits all.  

 

If I could simply state what troubles my heart most it is this. We’ve forgotten what it means to be kind. We’ve forgotten how to disagree respectfully. We’ve chosen to make enemies of those with whom we disagree and have chosen to belittle them instead of entering into constructive dialogue with them. In our increasingly polarized society we’ve forgotten the importance of civility. In the end, we’ve forgotten that despite our differing points of view we desperately need each other.  

 

Even as I write these words I brace for the backlash I’m sure will come, but that’s okay. If everything I write is embraced positively perhaps I’ve not offered any real food for thought. In fact, I welcome opposing points of view (especially when stated kindly) because they help me to learn and to grow and to view life from a more balanced perspective. 

 

I conclude by thanking Grainger Today for their open forum, and I encourage readers of every opinion to let their voice be heard. But may I make a request? When you share your point of view please do so kindly – especially if you want to be taken seriously.