READER'S EXCHANGE

 

The current series on using the mind is so important --- in our faith as well as in all areas of our lives. I hope you are being heard. --- Lee A. Miller, 923 S. Providence, Columbus, Mo. 65201

The Jail Episode

I was back at the Disciples of Christ Historical Society last week and I read a Ph.D. thesis which had been done on the 1969 lecture series at Freed-Hardeman, at which I was present. I was interested to learn from this thesis that you had been jailed in Henderson for attempting to speak at the lectures several years ago. It was certainly brave of you to try to speak out there and I admire your courage and conviction. - Name withheld

(I met this young lady while both of us were doing research at DCHS in Nashville, and we found instant friendship in both Jesus and history. In further research she has learned that her new friend is a jailbird, jailed by the authorities of Freed-Hardeman College. Without passing judgment as to why any university would allow a Ph.D. thesis on an FHC lectureship, I will only say that the Ph.D. did not do his research on that particular episode. I was jailed, true, but not for trying to speak at the lectureship. One official said my crime was in being there, even though I was invited along with other alumni of the college. The arresting officer, who read the warrant, at my request, with hundreds standing by, said it was for “disturbing the peace,” a charge that was withdrawn after a night in the cooler. Lawyers in both Tennessee and Dallas told me I could sue for false arrest, but I decided against it. I had too much fun in jail to hold anything against anybody, and all is forgiven, even if they never asked. But if our scholars are going to be writing about it, they ought to get the facts straight.

I did not “try” to do anything that was illegal or out of order. The most amusing part of it all was when I was taken out to eat under armed guard, which was quite a sight in Henderson, Tennessee. The officers allowed me to call Ouida from the restaurant. When I told her what was up, she responded with a hearty What??? Jimmie Lovell afterwards described it in his paper as the most disgraceful thing ever to happen in the Church of Christ, or some such words. I always viewed it as an irrational act motivated by fear, and since I sort of understood, it never bothered me much. --- Ed.)

Your freedom from partyism prompts this letter. From reading your journal we are aware of only a few of the difficulties you have had from persons in the Church of Christ because of your refusal to be a party to the Church of Christ concept of brotherhood. My husband and I have recently been exposed to the response that the “establishment” makes when its beliefs and traditions are questioned. The reaction to our belief that there are Christians in other church groups and that the Church of Christ is not the “only church” was shocking. We were called false teachers and anti-Christ. We find it increasingly difficult to continue being part of a group which allows no room for differences. The only unity they understand is agreement with their interpretation. Having come from a Church of Christ background, we know how right they feel they are. Our problem is knowing how best to serve. - Name withheld, Texas

(I suggested to these people that their circumstance has given them the opportunity to be Christ-like in a special way, for this is the way Jesus was treated, and for similar reasons. Apart from looking to Jesus, I haven’t much of an answer to such a predicament, which is not uncommon among us. --- Ed.)