Everybody struggles
Opinions
While participating in a planning session discussing ideas for stories in the newspaper, the topic of moral issues surfaced. Our newspaper has previously not carried pieces that discuss issues such as drugs, alcohol, or sex. They are dangerous topics, especially dangerous for us here at SWAU because we are a Seventh-day Adventist school, and as such must always keep in mind that we are constantly representing our religion. As representatives it is important that we are good role models, always presenting Christ to those around us.
I know and understand this and the reasoning behind our previous lack of attention in these types of areas. However, I strongly believe that as a school newspaper it is our job to create a safe forum for our readers (the students especially) in which all types of issues can be addressed. If there is an issue that is relevant and of interest to you, we want to give you information on it. My goal is to make those who are battling these types of issues realize that they are not the only Christians struggling. God does not promise us that we will not struggle against sin and temptation just because we are Seventh-day Adventists.
I also know that there are young Christians who have found themselves in difficult situations where they did not know what to do and felt unable to talk to anyone about it, because in many circles these things are simply not discussed. It is my hope to give those in question the knowledge they need to form their own educated opinions that will allow them to make good decisions. As young Christians we should understand that God knows the temptations we face. He knows about the desires we sometimes struggle with. He knows about the times we give in, and He even knows about those times we say no even though everything we are feeling wants us to say yes. He knows it all and yet he loves us, unconditionally.
These issues are real and I believe that they need to be addressed, but I want to know what you, as the readers of our online newspaper, think. One of our assets here at the Southwesterner is that our page allows you to make comments on the articles you read. So if there is an issue you feel needs some attention or something in the article you feel was unclear, or if you simply appreciated what you read, you can leave a comment letting us know. In this way we can make better informed decisions about the type of articles you would like to see in your school paper.