Lord's name more than comedic shock
Letter to the editor
Jerry Irvin
Issue date: 5/11/09 Section: Opinion
Dear Editor:
I am writing this letter in response to your article about the ridiculous laws on the books of states and municipalities. I found the article amusing and entertaining. It was well written and well researched. (personal experience?) But as a reader , NIC student, tax payer and Christian, I must take exception to your use of the name of my personal Savior, Jesus Christ, as a purely sensationalist expletive.
I would point out that many of your readers will find this type of tabloid journalism offensive. Taking into account your target audience of young, maybe liberal students I can see how you might feel compelled to drop to the level of language used daily on campus. But I feel certain that a percentage of students are grounded in their faith and find this offensive.
As a journalist and editor you have an obligation to uphold a high standard in your writing. I once heard Bill Cosby say he couldn't understand why so many comedians had to use so much foul language in their routines. The comedians of his experience saved that language for the "bomb" nights when they just couldn't connect with their audience. Where does the comedian go when they start with vulgar language? As a journalist, where do you go when you have used up the bag of tricks?
We discussed this article in editing class before publication. I expressed my disappointment, as a Christian, of your use of Jesus Christ in the article. I certainly appreciate your dropping the expletive in the middle of His name but still find your usage in poor taste. The usage did in no way add to the article and I hope in the future you will consider the whole of your readership when writing articles. The use of tabloid journalism is inappropriate in anything other than tabloids.
As a nontraditional student of 60 years old, I may not reflect the opinions of a large percentage of your readership. I do hope I represent enough of them to be considered in your decisions as editor. I would like to have the readers write letters to express their views either way.
Jerry Irvin
I am writing this letter in response to your article about the ridiculous laws on the books of states and municipalities. I found the article amusing and entertaining. It was well written and well researched. (personal experience?) But as a reader , NIC student, tax payer and Christian, I must take exception to your use of the name of my personal Savior, Jesus Christ, as a purely sensationalist expletive.
I would point out that many of your readers will find this type of tabloid journalism offensive. Taking into account your target audience of young, maybe liberal students I can see how you might feel compelled to drop to the level of language used daily on campus. But I feel certain that a percentage of students are grounded in their faith and find this offensive.
As a journalist and editor you have an obligation to uphold a high standard in your writing. I once heard Bill Cosby say he couldn't understand why so many comedians had to use so much foul language in their routines. The comedians of his experience saved that language for the "bomb" nights when they just couldn't connect with their audience. Where does the comedian go when they start with vulgar language? As a journalist, where do you go when you have used up the bag of tricks?
We discussed this article in editing class before publication. I expressed my disappointment, as a Christian, of your use of Jesus Christ in the article. I certainly appreciate your dropping the expletive in the middle of His name but still find your usage in poor taste. The usage did in no way add to the article and I hope in the future you will consider the whole of your readership when writing articles. The use of tabloid journalism is inappropriate in anything other than tabloids.
As a nontraditional student of 60 years old, I may not reflect the opinions of a large percentage of your readership. I do hope I represent enough of them to be considered in your decisions as editor. I would like to have the readers write letters to express their views either way.
Jerry Irvin
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
Teri
posted 5/19/09 @ 10:28 PM PST
Dear Editor said, "I once heard Bill Cosby say he couldn't understand why so many comedians had to use so much foul language in their routines."
I personally, as a reader did not find the use of the word Jesus Christ to be foul language. (Continued…)
Heather D
posted 5/21/09 @ 10:38 AM PST
It's called not being ignorant and being sensitive to the fact that there are other people with different beliefs in the world besides you. Just because you don't find it offensive or don't understand how it could be offensive doesn't mean it should be printed. (Continued…)
ProCannabis
posted 5/25/09 @ 3:53 PM PST
Oh give me a break.
Religion is a cult. Get over it.
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