In a time when political views are becoming increasingly divisive, the right of free speech makes it possible to have civil discourse and debate controversial issues. Unfortunately, with individuals such as Charlie Kirk being assassinated for debating his political and spiritual beliefs, and Jimmy Kimmel, whose show was temporarily suspended due to criticism from the Trump administration, the freedom of expression is under heavy surveillance. It is in times like these that journalists must reestablish their values and vision to uphold the freedom of expression and diverse perspectives; the opinions staff is no exception.
Known for insightful commentaries, lived experiences, and witty poetry, the freedom of expression is essential for the opinions section of The Chimes well. The opinions section hosts a variety of perspectives on topics that carry local and global weight, playing a central role in representing different groups and ideas within our student body. For years, the opinions section has served to highlight different aspects of campus-life, offering new perspectives and a chance for greater conversation on happenings throughout Biola’s campus. Now, more than ever, we must reiterate our commitment to transparent, truthful and diverse storytelling amidst mounting social divides to keep accountable to God and our readers.
This year, we, as the opinions staff, want to continue carrying on the legacy of the opinions column that has served Biola for so many years, while also striving to dive deeper into the more diverse perspectives found within the Biola community. The current cultural moment has made sharing diverse stories and holding civil discussions more important than ever. To have these discussions, understanding is essential. Central to the core philosophy of Biola is the value of “Unity Amidst Diversity”, as stated in the university’s Theological Statement on Diversity. Many socioeconomic backgrounds, denominations, ethnicities, and regions are represented on campus, yet many go unnoticed and unrecognized. Biola’s unique student body reflects the unified diversity found within the body of Christ. Each individual in the body has a unique story, and we hope to use our platform to share your stories, experiences, and ideas through the art of the written word.
To ensure that we give exposure to the diverse stories that exist within our campus, we want to employ our right to express our thoughts and opinions freely. However, amongst the chaos that is transpiring in our nation, the freedom of expression has been on a short leash. The opinions staff believes that the freedom of expression is a right, and it should be vigorously exercised. While we stand by this, we also believe that the employment of our free expression should be done with attentiveness, benevolence, and the utmost compassion and respect. For quite some time, the opinions section has served as an outlet for free expression, and we intend for it to remain so for years to come.
As writers, we are committed to approaching our work with humility and truth, so that we may emulate Christ and uphold the way in which He has called us to live. The task of representing the people of God in the world which He created for the purpose of His glory is no light task, and we are committed to remaining steadfast in continually submitting our work to Him. We intend not to assert condemnation upon people, but to be used by God to speak His truth and allow for His message to foster conviction within the hearts of people. Additionally, we seek to illuminate each individual in the same light that God sees them, as people made in the image of God and deeply loved by our Lord Jesus Christ. We are not here to be judges of the world, for that role has been occupied since Creation; rather, we are here to be vessels for the truth of the Almighty God.
As we commit to the highest standards of journalistic professionalism and Christian integrity, our prayer is that our readers are able to engage with our articles in a productive and Christ-like way. Let us embark upon this academic year together, with the goal to emulate Christ in all that we do. Let us put on the attributes of His nature, so that we may further love and understand one another in a world of increasing conflict and opposition. We pray our hearts continue to grow in empathy and compassion as we present different topics through The Chimes this year and beyond. We look forward to serving Biola as The Chimes’ opinions staff and growing in Christ-like understanding together.
