\nAn Argument in Defense of the Serial Comma<\/a>
The Friendly Atheist<\/strong>
by Hemant Mehta<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
A serial comma is the comma you use before the last item in a series of three or more things. With the serial comma: <\/div>\n\n
I went to the store to buy oatmeal, milk, and cookies.<\/div>\n<\/ul>\nWithout the serial comma:<\/div>\n\n
I went to the store to buy oatmeal, milk and cookies.<\/div>\n<\/ul>\nThere are arguments to be made for and against it. Why do I bring this up? There’s an article by Jay Lindsay<\/strong> of the Associated Press called “Evangelists target spiritually cold New England<\/a><\/strong>” making the rounds. There’s nothing overly special about the piece — the headline summarizes it well enough. But reader Jon<\/a><\/strong> brings it to my attention because of the comma issue. Here’s a direct quotation from the piece. The lack of a serial comma gives it an entirely different [and very entertaining] meaning:<\/div>\n\n
They say a reason for the region’s hollowed-out faith is a pervasive theology that departs from traditional Biblical interpretation on issues such as the divinity of Jesus, the exclusivity of Christianity as a path to salvation and homosexuality<\/font><\/strong>.<\/div>\n<\/ul>\nJon points out:<\/div>\n\n