Minister’s column divided community

Again I find it necessary to write and condemn the words of one of your guest columnists. The recent piece to which I am referring was penned by no other than the Rev. Ron Hamman.

Mr. Hamman is a frequent contributor to the Faith section of your paper and has often expressed his views on Biblical writings. As a minister, that’s his job.

By now, you and your entire staff are keenly aware of the controversy his “Will The Antichrist Be A Homosexual” article has caused. I’m making this assumption based on the hundreds of comments that appear on the e-edition of your paper. I hope you are pleased with the outpour of responses and the “hits” his article has provided. We both know these numbers are good to show prospective advertisers and also help a paper justify ad rates.

My rationale in condemning his column is due to the fact that I feel its effect might not bode well for our community. Nevertheless, his take on the subject is well-written if his purpose is to foster divisiveness and contempt. I believe his words are contrived to instigate fear and loathing, which is specifically directed toward a segment of our population. Why a person in his position would endeavor to foster such feelings is beyond me. Mr. Hamman’s justification for his choosing this subject and his take on it would best be explained by the good reverend himself.

I will say this about history. Time and time again, when one group of people hated or misunderstood another, they verbally demonized them. This often helped invigorate group members to take action against others, and even caused “bystanders” to become involved when otherwise they would have not. Once motivated, people would do things to others that only a madman could conceive. Words have and do cause an emotional response in people and that’s why I’m concerned. It’s very possible to conceive some folks could be “called to arms” because of Rev. Hamman’s words.

I would be negligent to my neighbors and community if I did not speak out against this column. I can only hope readers on both sides of the “homosexual” issue will step back, take a deep breath, and reflect.

The people about whom we are speaking are our neighbors and friends, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, and so forth. We know and love these people, even with their slight differences. We must not be moved by deceitful words that could cause some of the most atrocious parts of our history to be repeated.

It has long been stated, “controversy sells newspapers.” If the intention of the Frontiersman is to build (or save) its circulation numbers based on this premise, then I will not support your business plan at our gay citizens’ expense. Furthermore, I will not support your advertisers if you persist to go down this road. It is you, Mr. Editor, who is ultimately responsible for my hometown paper’s content.

If you wish to continue to provide ink to authors who propagate such divisiveness within our community, please don’t expect me to be party to your endeavor. I won’t. And it’s my hope other rational people won’t as well.

Bill Stanfill is a Palmer resident.