To the editor:

I am an elder at Paoli Presbyterian Church in Paoli, Pennsylvania, although currently I am not on session. I write in response to Professor Berry Craig's letter which compares the Presbyterian Layman and the Confessing Church movement to allegedly intolerant and narrow-minded 17th century Puritans. This post represents my views only, and does not purport to represent the views of Paoli Presbyterian Church, or of any pastor or other member thereof.

It seems to me that Professor Craig's letter serves only to feed the fire that fast is consuming our sad denomination. In a fashion that has characterized far too many participants in the G-6.0106b debate, Professor Craig has chosen to demonize the opposition. I regrettably do not see in Professor Craig's letter the slightest notion that one might treat those with whom one disagrees with a modicum of basic respect.

Professor Craig - I too disagree with certain views espoused by others in our denomination. But I do not see that as giving me license to attack other Presbyterians with a broad-brush polemic. I do not see what is gained in constructing a dark, foreboding stereotype of 17th century Puritanism, and then equating others in our denomination with that stereotype. Are you so sure of your history that you can suggest that the Puritans were an unqualified failure in all respects? And even if you indeed are blessed with such all-knowing comprehension of 17th century Puritanism, could you share with us your credentials that make it appropriate for you to pan your fellow Presbyterians in this fashion?

So that it is clear I am not simply disenchanted with Professor Craig's letter, I would add that this is only one of a legion of such missives - from all sides - that have "graced" the Amendment A debate over the past months.

There is no question that passions - indeed tempers - have run high in the wake of Amendment A. But regardless of where we find ourselves in the theological spectrum, should we not ask ourselves how non-Presbyterians would view us if they saw some of our posts on this website? Would they see the image of Christ, or would they see anger-blinded people lowering themselves to being petty and mean-spirited? Would we want someone who is not a Christian to freely peruse the Amendment A debate at presbyweb? Would our posts tend to attract people to our faith, or would they do just the opposite?

Remember the refrain from the song "They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love"? All of us should think about a number of the things that have been posted at presbyweb over the past months. How would people "know us" from some of these posts?