Journalist caught living in the 1910s and 1920s era

Frank Lockwood, religion editor at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, inquires about a journalist who recently slipped up in an obituary in the New York Times. The incorrect usage of one word in the obituary was not only wrong in its context but it also insulted the deceased person.

In the 1910s and 1920s, the term referred to a Christian who believed in the "fundamentals" of the faith -- the Virgin Birth of Christ, his sinless life, his atoning death, his bodily resurrection and his second coming in the clouds of glory.

Nowadays, when the term "fundamentalist" is used, it is used in a derogative manner. Unfortunately, for Johnny Hart's family and friends, this term was used in his obituary to blindly describe his religious views.

Editor Bill Keller summed up this mishap by saying, "Too often we label whole groups from a perspective that uncritically accepts a stereotype or unfairly marginalizes them."

Included in the five part ethical system, rights were clearly violated here. Mr. Hart was discriminated against due to his religion. Also, the honesty guideline was broken because it is evident to many that Mr. Hart was not a fundamentalist, instead he was a devote Presbyterian. It also appears that this obituary was not written in an objective manner. Instead, it seems as if the columnist used too much emphasis with their own opinions/feelings toward Mr. Hart.

Hopefully the obituary columnist has learned their lesson and knows next time to double check their choice of words. People today seem to be way too concerned with placing precise labels on people. What's wrong with simply referring to Mr. Hart as being a "Christian"?