The responses are as diverse as Virginia Baptists. One morning not long after publishing David Gushee's reflection on terrorism, we received two phone calls within 15 minutes of each other -- one from a reader horrified by Gushee's conclusions that Americans will have to “kill or be killed,” the second from a subscriber asking how to contact Gushee and thank him for his keen insights. Welcome to the Herald's world.

A common theme runs through most of these responses, though. Almost invariably we're asked why we're advocating the views held by our opinion writers. The short answer is -- we don't, necessarily. But we're baffled that the question continues to be asked.

For most of its 175-plus years, the Herald has offered its readers opinion and analysis as a ministry to help them clarify their faith in Jesus Christ and and to reflect on what it means to live it out in the world. But it has never claimed those opinions hold “official status.” They are the views of the writers -- not necessarily those of the Baptist General Association of Virginia or of the Religious Herald and its trustees, editor or staff.

Nevertheless, many of our readers clearly believe that the views on our “Voices” pages carry a sort of official imprimatur. Perhaps our readers' experience with daily newspapers -- and the role that editorials play there -- impacts their reading of the Herald. And it's likely that the prominence and layout of our editorial page imply that the opinions expressed there are something more than personal.

At any rate, in this issue you'll find a new statement associated with our opinion pieces: “The opinions expressed on this page are offered to help our readers reflect on issues critical in the life of a disciple of Christ. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the Religious Herald.”

The statement isn't an attempt to disassociate ourselves with any particular view expressed this week or at any point in our history. Nor does it imply that our writers held a different attitude in the past. It merely states what has been Herald policy for the better part of two centuries.

So keep calling and writing us with your reactions to what you read in these pages. You may not like an opinion you read here, but remember -- we might not like it either.

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