Rape is illegal and immoral

Earlier this year we made the case that words are influential. Although readers didn’t seem to buy it Jan. 10 when we opined in an editorial headlined “Words carry great weight,” we think perhaps this time readers will agree.

Since publishing online and in print a column in the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman on the Faith page July 19, dozens of readers have called, emailed and posted comments online condemning Ron Hamman for penning words that seem to support spousal rape and chastising us for publishing his views.

A concept called the “marketplace of ideas” comes to mind when we talk about democracy, freedom of the press and the responsibility that comes with it. It’s the notion that the best ideas come from the competition of various points of view. Ideally, the process of public discourse itself will winnow the wheat from the chaff.

Whether it’s through letters to the editor, opinion columns or Faith page submissions, we often find ourselves in disagreement with authors who write for our pages. It isn’t our responsibility to publish only viewpoints we agree with. Our job is to encourage public discourse, and to that end we try to include the broadest slice of views expressed by those living in the Mat-Su Valley.

Likely Hamman is not the only person in the Mat-Su Borough’s broad borders who holds the views of marriage he put forward as “Biblical.” We are far from experts on the various tenants of theology or the law, but we know enough to understand that rape is both illegal and immoral.

And so does Hamman.

“Without a doubt a man could abuse his wife,” he said by phone Thursday. He used the example of a man coming home drunk, beating up his wife and then forcing her to have sex with him.

“The Bible doesn’t teach us to do that,” he said.

He said his column was generated in response to an email a local female clergy member sent him after a July 12 submission that discussed the rape of CBS journalist Lara Logan. Hamman said the email accused Alaska pastors of covering up spousal rape.

Here’s how he references her email: “Apparently, as has been alleged, every pastor in Alaska is involved in a big cover-up for not only knowing that this goes on, but in not reporting it to proper legal authorities so that these errant husbands can be thrown in the slammer and their families can be added to the welfare roles (because of the absence of his income, of course).”

Rape victims called. Men who grew up here, moved away and read the column online emailed rebuttals. Readers posted comments to the column online and we received several letters — all taking exception to Hamman’s words and our publication of them.

In retrospect, we’re not sure printing Hamman’s religious viewpoint was the right decision. Publishing unpopular opinions is healthy for community debate and discourse; however, Hamman’s words can be interpreted as a defense for spousal rape, which is a position we would never condone or propagate. Rape is immoral and illegal, and we apologize for a decision that has offended so many.

As we talked on the phone and by email to our neighbors in the past few days — some who have been raped, drugged and raped, and women who were raped by their husbands — an unexpected grassroots effort has emerged.

These same women who called and emailed to hold us accountable are now working with us to organize a Summit for Equality: A Community Against Sex Crimes.

This idea is developing and we are still giving it shape, searching for panelists, nonprofits that will set up displays, looking for a venue and picking a date. The idea is a summit where we can come together, talk and begin to heal — a place where we can stand shoulder to shoulder and show our sons and daughters the way forward.

We will keep readers apprised as this community summit comes together. If you’d like to get involved, contact Managing Editor Heather A. Resz at news@frontiersman.com or 352-2268.