The Mail Bag Runneth Over

Several dozen readers responded to the July cover photo from the annual Adventist religious liberty banquet in Washington, D.C. A few thought the meeting should not have taken place, because Adventist leaders were probably overly influenced by clever politicians. Others believed the meeting was fine, but the story should not have included a photo of a political leader because other readers would take that as an endorsement.

The largest number of readers responding thought a legislator’s face was OK with a news story, provided the photo was not on the cover. And many thought the event, the story and the photo of a political leader would have been fine if it just hadn’t been Hillary Clinton. And still others were thrilled with the cover for varied reasons.

For the record, neither the Recorder nor the Seventh-day Adventist Church endorses any political candidate or party. The cover photo was chosen for conventional journalism reasons: it was related to an important story inside the magazine and it was a high quality photo. No endorsement was intended.

For more on the relationship of the church and political leaders, read Alan Reinach’s “Speaking Truth to Power: Adventists and Hillary Clinton,” on page 16.

Letters

Last night when my Recorder came I almost lost my supper when I saw the cover. When did we as a church go political? If in fact she did what you claim she did, that is news and should be on the inside with the story. Putting her on the cover puts a stamp of approval on her and her socialist ideas for our country.

Anna Selk

Via e-mail

Hillary Clinton does not represent the voters of the PUC and is certainly a very controversial person at best. A summary of NARLA activities in D.C. is informative but a full page picture cover makes one wonder if this was only another chance to be seen by a specific group before the next presidential election, and the editor fell for it.

Floyd S. Brauer, M.D.

Via e-mail

I believe [this cover] was sending the message to the constituents that the “church” endorses Hillary Clinton! As you should know, the church has no business in politics.

Holly E. Johnson

Loma Linda, Calif.

We were taken by shock to see Hillary Clinton on the cover of the current issue. She is using her support of the WRFA to attempt to hide her true self. Shame on you!

Robert & Janice Lease

Via e-mail

I hope the article that accompanied the picture will awaken in pastors a renewed interest in religious liberty. Hillary is sure to generate knee jerk opposition from those who want our church to join the religious right and bring about moral reform by force of law. I'm so thankful for the leadership of the religious liberty department, constantly emphasizing that God is the only One who can change hearts.

Deborah Messer

Fresno, Calif.

I was thrilled to see the picture of Michael Peabody with Senator Hillary Clinton on the cover of the Recorder. I was at the banquet and was very proud of my church that night. The North American Religious Liberty Association is doing a wonderful job of building bridges with our elected leaders, and I overheard many positive comments from church leaders that night. No doubt, some will criticize the church because of their own hostility to Senator Clinton. Critics don’t appreciate how important it is to build bridges with both Democrats and Republicans. When we visited Congressman Jerry Lewis’ office, he said we were the first Adventist group ever to pay him a visit, despite the fact that he represents the Loma Linda area, which is teeming with Adventists.

Allison Agins

Via e-mail