I read with interest your comments in the July 22 edition of The Alabama Baptist.
I agree there are a number of good reasons to read the Baptist state newspaper.
Your staff and you do an excellent job in presenting valuable information to Baptist church members across the state.
There seems to be one element missing, however. Where is the voice of average Alabama Baptists who have formerly been voiced in the Letters to the Editor section?
As I have read the paper, I have noticed the lack of letters printed from your readers particularly in the past several months.
The July 22 issue did not have a single Letter to the Editor. I think it is a valuable service to hear what our fellow Baptists are thinking about issues we face on a local, state, national and international level.
As you express in your slogan, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31–32).
Truth and insights are not only delivered by news stories written by your staff or “canned” articles provided from a news service —Christian or secular.
Part of your concern may be the space (or lack thereof) required.
May I point out in the July 22 issue, there was a two column section on page 4 that ran the length of the page on “Religion in America.”
I would think the majority of Alabamians are more interested in reading letters from their fellow Baptists than the Catholics wanting their bishops to stay out of politics.
Another example occurs on page 5 with a “canned” story about a Bible club in Maryland winning court approval to hand out fliers.
This story was approximately 10 column inches and could be better understood if the process concerned Alabama or even another Southeastern state that could directly affect your readers.
Additionally, you have sections for World of Religion and Baptist News Briefs, both of which could be easily replaced with letters from your readers expressing appreciation, concerns, outrages and make for more informative reading for your subscribers.
Don McConnell
Remlap, Ala.
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