To the editor:

It has been very interesting to read the letters to the editor in the last two issues of the Clarion.  I was more interested in the mood of the communication than what particulars were being said.

An "educational experience" takes place when two or more sides can sit down and meaningfully relate to each other a point of view.  This relating involves not only a speaking but also a listening.  The letters seemed to not be following these basic ideas behind an "educational experience" and the failure was in the communication of their point of views.

I once heard that true communication can only take place when the opposing side must repeat back the ideas, expressed to the speaker's satisfaction.  This involves understanding, i.e. comprehension, of the other person's side.  I believe that this understanding was missing in most of the letters to the editor.

These letters express in a small way an attitude which is present at Bethel.  The lack of understanding toward anyone who does not possess the same views.  Or even the lack of caring about understanding.  Or is it we don't know how to care about each other--we have never learned about caring out of love.  Is it we are afraid of some kind of quantitative quality in caring for each other?  Caring involves a certain amount of vulnerability which is the beautiful thing about it--the admission of one's need of care.  Admission of a weakness is the first step in the strength of caring.

Arne Bergstrom '70