The publication of “The Most Evil People in the World” by Doug Soderstrom seems to have stirred up quite a hornet’s nest. I am not in the habit of commenting and responding to angry “letters to the editor,” but after reading a few reactions following the printing of the above mentioned article, I must add my input.
I found the article by Soderstrom to contain some strong language and rhetoric, but as a Christian, I did not see the article as a vehement and deliberate attack upon Christianity per se. Rather, I read it as a criticism of the way Christianity is interpreted and practiced by Christian fundamentalists. To me, the main focus of the article is on how the basic tenets of Christianity are contradictory to American domestic and international policies. Soderstrom writes, “What is it that seems to have motivated such people [Christian fundamentalists] to have become so depraved, to have chosen a style of life so opposed to everything that Jesus taught?” Soderstrom’s problem is not with Christians or Christianity or Jesus Christ in particular, but with how certain fundamentalists choose to ignore His radical teaching of “Love your enemy,” when it comes to American conduct in the domestic and international realm. Ultimately, the article asks the questions Christians should ask. Are we living and practicing life the way Christ would? Are we really asking ourselves “What Would Jesus Do?” Do we blindly follow fallible men-led governments without questioning their actions even though they contradict Christian principles?
At this point, I would like to thank the editor and crew of the Morung Express for providing the public with reports and articles that are not bland and people-pleasing. This is the only way we can realize that there is a world out there that holds beliefs and ideals that are different from ours. Is this a bad thing? Not necessarily, because we stand to learn by being exposed to various viewpoints, and in the end, I see it as a strengthening of our Christian faith.
I firmly stand by the Morung Express and its statement that no apologies will be issued for the printing of Soderstrom’s article. In the “About Us” section of the website, it clearly states: “The Morung Express is free of any governmental or personal influence.” Why should this newspaper compromise its principles because of the protests of a few? Let us not forget that our cries of freedom extend to freedom of the press and freedom of speech.
My very best wishes to the Morung Express,
A. Naga (on email)
