A blow to freedom of speech
I would like to correct some misinformation printed in the "Political Notebook" section of the Oct. 2 newspaper. The sub-heading stated that I had been confronted over the primary leaflets. That is incorrect. It was another Willmar pastor who was confronted.
Also, the letter sent out in September by attorney John Burns was mailed to pastors of churches in the Willmar area.
I do believe pastors (along with the churches they pastor) are being targeted, in an attempt to intimidate us from speaking to the issues of the day. I am not alone. Some of the other pastors I have talked to who received this letter also felt that it was an attempt to intimidate.
Historically, pastors have made a wonderful contribution to our nation's well-being by addressing the moral and ethical issues we face, using the Scriptures as our guidebook. The anti-slavery and civil rights movements, along with other major changes (Great Awakenings) in our nation's history, have been inspired by pastors speaking boldly to their congregations and the public. Some historians have stated that the "spark that ignited the American Revolution" was a sermon preached in Boston by the Rev. Jonathan Mayhew in the year 1750.
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It was not until 1954 that legislation was enacted revising the Internal Revenue Service's code to prohibit nonprofits (churches included) from endorsing or opposing candidates. We have Lyndon Johnson to thank for that.
I, for one, believe that our pastors should be free to speak the truth. If those of you who read this agree, encourage your pastor and let us work together to see that this intimidation and threat to freedom does not succeed.
Wayne Cook
Willmar
