We Learn a Lot from One Another Through Discussion

I can’t really remember how long I’ve been writing for The Monticello News.

I am concluding my eighth year as pastor of the First United Methodist Church and I think I began writing during my second year in town but the memory is a little fuzzy.

I suppose I could slog my way through some back issues and figure it out but I have some more important things to do today like re-arranging my sock drawer.

I wrote a column a number of weeks ago concerning some comments that radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh made on his program in regards to Georgetown University law student Sarah Fluke. I need not rehash that column or that controversy. I will stand by what I wrote in my original piece.

What delighted me was that the column prompted someone to write a letter to the editor. I was thrilled to know that someone actually read what I wrote! In fact, I was so thrilled that I wrote a letter to the fellow that wrote the letter to thank him for writing his letter!

Over the years I have gotten some feedback on what I’ve written. Usually it’s an “I liked your column” from someone when I’m in the frozen food section at Ingles. Occasionally, I’ll hear a compliment at church the next Sunday.

Rarely, have I ever heard anything negative because as a rule folks in Monticello are pretty nice folks and just leave you alone when they disagree with you.

Once I did get a letter written to me and mailed to the church concerning a column I had written. I didn’t answer the letter; I should have and do not know why I did not. I can’t remember the fellow’s name who wrote it but if you are reading this please accept my apology for not writing back.

Yet, now my column has prompted a full blown letter to the editor. Further, that letter prompted a response from some one else. The writer of the original letter then responded to that. Now we have a full blown discussion on the pages of this newsletter.

Thomas Jefferson once said, “If my choices were government and no newspapers or newspapers with no government I would choose the later.” Jefferson believed that discussion of the issues of the day in a public forum was vitally important in our society. We cannot argue with that.

While the newspaper business may be in decline I have to believe that Jefferson would appreciate the many forums that are available for public discourse today.

I believe Jefferson might have had his own blog and looked for a little discussion of important issues. Heck, he might have even had his own talk show because discussion of the issues was that important to him. I think “The Jefferson Factor” has a nice ring to it.

The prophet Isaiah said something similar to Jefferson in Isaiah 1:18 saying, “Come now, let us argue it out, says the LORD.”

I propose that God calls upon his people to use their minds and to have genuine, sincere discussions about the issues of the day in a civilized manner.

The truth is that we a lot to learn from each other. Good give and take is important and it is also healthy for our society.

Now that I’ve said that I think I will try to figure out how long I’ve been writing for this newspaper. Those socks can wait another day.