Mailbag
Full immersion
Whether describing South America or, as in the last issue, Asia ("Focus on Asia," June 14), your special reports transport me to the region on which you're reporting. You immerse me in the region's culture, politics, religion, economy, and current events. In a word, you educate me. And for that, I'm grateful. - Troy Powers, Santa Fe, N.M.
Not only do revealing swimsuits cause men to stumble, but we girls struggle with becoming preoccupied with our own bodies; are our stomachs flat enough, and do our legs look perfectly sculpted? It can become almost a competition among girls-"I am skinny enough to wear this and look good in it. Are you?" This issue is a great reminder, as Peter wrote, that feminine beauty should come from a "gentle and quiet spirit." - Allison Platter, Bloomington, Minn.
If Joe Maxwell had asked me why I used to wear skimpy stuff, I would have told him it's about power. Young girls have no clue what they wield in the mind of the looker, but they know they like it. Dangerous, isn't it? - Esther Ziol, Pasadena, Calif.
Public nakedness is shameful, and women, especially Christian women, who lead men to lust ought to be confronted with their sin. The men in their families who permit it ought to face their own responsibility. - Timothy Murray, Dublin, N.H.
Shame on Randall Terry for his attempt to finance his $432,000 Florida home with contributions from sincere pro-life people. Shame on Alan Keyes for allowing his name to be used in Mr. Terry's fundraising campaign. And shame on WORLD for renting its mailing list. No wonder my mailbox is filled with unsolicited appeals. - Janet E. McPherson, Whiteville, N.C.
Dire situation
Maybe the evangelical Christians around the table were too timid to call Islam what it is, but I am not ("Debating society," June 14). Islam is an evil and wicked religion, not because it was the excuse those murderers used to justify their deeds on 9/11, but because it leads its followers to hell. - Steven T. Loose, Dallastown, Pa.
Christian spokesmen must be able to defend what we know to be true without resorting to public use of pejorative terms. But, we need to encourage one another not to soft-peddle the dire situation of lost folk. - Stuart Brogden, Houston, Texas
Too soon
I agree, up to a point, with Cal Thomas's column "Starvation policy" (June 14). If all we have is biotech food, then send it to the starving. But because we eat it willingly, and have done so "regularly since 1996 ... all with no ill effects," means nothing. Ill effects do not necessarily show up quickly and seven years is a drop in the bucket. - Dayle Johnson, Amesbury, Mass.
More Grace
I appreciated the review of Grace at Bender Springs by Vinita Hampton Wright (Bestsellers, June 14). I am looking for books by Christians who are striving to leave the "literary ghetto of Christian bookstores," as you once described it. - Janet Abuhl Stroethoff, Missoula, Mont.
Learning to abide
I am so inspired by Andree Seu's column "What is the victory?" (June 7). When I'm having a hard time in my life, I am tempted to ignore God and not trust Him. This life is about learning to abide, to "fall into the arms of Jesus" no matter what. - Marjorie Rothermund, Oakley, Calif.
Create options
Staying home on Election Day is pointless unless we advertise it ("Prophet or politician?" May 24). A better choice is working to get an alternative party on the ballot. We must work prudently within the system, but we must not let Republican leaders believe that we have nowhere else to go. - Joseph Thornton, Austin, Texas
Correction
Turner Network Television (TNT) had no involvement in the production of Gods and Generals or a recent film about Benedict Arnold (July 5, p. 52). Also, the British general who became one of Jeff Shaara's characters was Charles Cornwallis.
Being there
My husband is an Army chaplain serving in Baghdad. Your article rang with truth and honesty that I have not previously seen in the news ("The thin green line," June 14). I could finally picture what our wonderful and brave soldiers are encountering as they perform their duty. My husband tells me the most important part of his ministry is praying for his soldiers going out on patrol and being available at all hours for those who are shaken up when they come in. Suddenly, I realize why it is so important for him to be with these men. - Katherine Hoover, Grunberg, Germany
All of the possible Christian influences on ancient Japan can be explained by ideas acquired in China and brought to Japan by non-Christians ("Buddhism meets Shintoism in Japan," June 14). That doesn't mean that no Christians came, simply that no hard evidence remains. I think that there is a 50 percent chance that Christian missionaries or merchants stepped foot in Japan (there were so many contacts between Japan and Tang China that it is hard to imagine no Christians moved from China to Japan), but I also think that they had no significant impact. - Bradford J. Houdyshei, Osaka, Japan
Thank you for the article on Buddhism. At first, I didn't think it was applicable to me. But the next day when I invited an old best friend to a wedding reception, she was sharing with me how her boyfriend held Buddhist beliefs. The article helped me to witness to her. - Heather Simpson, Buffalo, N.Y.
Your amazing article on Japan did more for me, a 52-year veteran Japan missionary, than reading 300 books on the subject. Your tremendous gift of concise condensing is must reading for the 2,000 missionaries in Japan. - Kenny Joseph, Tokyo, Japan
Gasping as well
I appreciated Joe Maxwell's article about teenage girls' fashion habits ("Bathing suits or birthday suits?" June 14). A few weeks ago, my friend and I went shopping, and as a dare, we both tried on bikini tops. The first sentence out of my mouth was, "How can anyone in their right mind wear something like this in public?" I'm glad to know that my friend and I are not the only ones gasping at bathing suits these days. - Laura Fulmer, 17, Dallas, Texas
As a 17-year-old girl, I can relate to the girls' desire to be considered attractive. However, too many fail to realize that being viewed as sexy does not produce the honor and respect we want from guys. There is nothing cute, exciting, or desirable about lust. - Karen Williams, Midlothian, Va.
It is very disconcerting that Christian parents are failing to teach their children not only about modesty from Scripture but about purity. - Denise Grimes, Valencia, Calif.
Valuable service
I wonder if you realize what a service you render to your readers in the occasional exposŽ of unfaithful Christian leaders ("Appalling appeal?" June 14). Of course we don't like to hear these things. They hurt. But their mass mailings give us only the heroic story, and to make sound judgments we need the rest of the story. Regarding Randall Terry, I want my money back. I assumed I was giving to a godly, dedicated family man and now discover him to be involved in an unbiblical divorce and remarriage. - Beulah Williamson, Dexter, Mich.
I participated in the Rescues 14 years ago and admired Mr. Terry's leadership. It was, therefore, very disappointing to read of his raising money to fund his new and expensive home. Also, it is wrong for anyone who is called by God to sacrifice to later decide that he "is owed." - Stan Yonashiro, Orlando, Fla.
Comments
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