Criticism is not easy to accept. Yet, it was a delight to see the Moderator's column printed in its entirety in the November/ December issue of The Presbyterian Layman.

What "mystifies" me, however, is the editor's suggestion that a person with my journalism training would not first verify information from at least two sources before submitting a piece for publication. Of course, if the editors of the Layman sat on the Advisory Committee of The News as I do, they would be held accountable for facts and innuendoes in the same manner as are those who serve on the Presbyterian Church (USA) news staff.

Upon referring to the Layman's Statement of Purpose as was suggested by the tabloid's editor, I discovered phrases that gave me pause such as "work for change in the policies of our denomination" and "separating Presbyterians in the pews from national leaders"-since 1965! Perhaps I need help with this since I was under the impression that policy and policy changes are generated by the Presbyterian people elected to governing bodies by other Presbyterians in the pew and in the pulpit.

For the record, there are ways of expressing a different point of view without incomplete quotes, character attacks, misleading photographs, or otherwise massaging the facts to fit the slant-even if you are outside the "official" church publication umbrella. The Presbyterian Outlook is a wonderful example of responsible journalism that often has a different point of view.

Which reminds me, while you are updating your church directory for the Layman, you might want to send it to Presbyterians, the new every household publication of the PCUSA. That way your family and friends can enjoy the "balanced" viewpoint advocated by the inspiring Lay Committee objectives.

Layman's response to moderator's comments