Editor
By Daniel J. Lehmann
Bring on good dose of civility
Time to put polarization to rest P
erhaps the best gift ELCA members could give this Christmas is being living examples that civility still has a place not only in our church but in our nation.
This issue went to press on Election Day, so the
outcome of the presidential, congressional and other ballots was not known. It doesn’t matter. Anyone paying any attention the past few months experienced a deluge of accusatory news releases and negative advertising from across the political spectrum. Someone foreign to our election campaigns could easily assume our politicians are scoundrels and likely liars and thieves. Among numerous quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. on civil-
ity, this one rings true: “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” Henry G. Brinton in The Welcoming Congregation (page 42) touts the need for civility’s cousin, hospitality, because we live in such a polarized society. And most importantly, there is Martin Luther’s explanation to the eighth commandment: “[W]e do not tell lies about our neighbors, betray or slander them, or destroy their reputations. Instead, we are to come to their defense, speak well of them and interpret everything they do in the best possible light.” Imagine a nation heeding these admonitions, with hyper-partisanship and self-righteousness held in check. Pray that it be so. This issue marks the last for “Pass the faith” columnist Diana Dworin (page 41). Since January 2009, the former parenting magazine editor cranked out consistently readable, reasonable advice columns to help in raising children of faith. Topics ranged from summer camp and choosing day care to more deli- cate subjects such as picking godparents, addressing explicit online content and dealing with death. Her combination of journalist and active church person was perfect for The Lutheran. But columns are finite creations, and Dworin wants to move on. Thank you, Diana, for a job more than well done. Her departure gives the magazine a chance to say things are changing (we’re
always reforming) and welcome readers’ likes and dislikes, your opinions on what you “can’t live without” and would just as soon “let go” in the pages of The Lutheran. We must hear from those beyond the magazine’s walls as we dream about the future and refresh the magazine. A brief or detailed email or letter will do. While admittedly unscientific and we should be careful what we ask for, we’d like to hear from you. Finally, Merry Christmas to all from the staff as the magazine completes its 25th year of publication within the ELCA and its 182nd year of operation through its predecessor denominational publications. May 2013 be a blessing to all.
Imagine a nation ... with hyper- partisanship and self-righteousness held in check. Pray that it be so.
4 The Lutheran •
www.thelutheran.org
MICHAEL D. WATSON
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