We will regret it

Christians should not embrace becoming marginalized outsiders ("End of an era?" Nov. 1). We will come to regret lukewarm support for politicians we can at least partly agree with and clumsy opposition to those we can't. Sure, defeat has a way of curing complacency, but diminished potential is a very high price to pay. May I recommend instead a little more thoughtfulness, a little more vision, and a little more prayer. -James Reed; Lucas, Ohio

What brought about the demise of the "Reagan Era" is the inability of its proponents to understand its essence. Instead of communicating in Reaganesque style a few core principles, evangelicals and conservatives substituted issue politics for values and principles. We should have formed coalitions with others who agree with the core values, so that even when there is disagreement on individual issues we can still win elections. -Richard M. Sybrandy; Mount Vernon, Wash.

A distant memory

I applaud Joel Belz's column on how socialized education is destroying this country's commitment to free enterprise ("Children of the state," Nov. 1). Government policies have led to many of the crises this country has faced over the past 100 years or so, including the most recent financial crisis. Until we educate people about the nature of the economy, I'm fearful that freedom in America will be nothing but a distant memory. -Paul A. Cleveland; Birmingham, Ala.

The recent California ruling that state universities can deny course credit to applicants from Christian high schools that declare the Bible infallible and reject evolution was one more step in the process of the state trying to eliminate thoughts that do not fit its ideology. If the state has the minds of our children, the freedoms for which our Founding Fathers fought could easily be given away to our government. -Natalie Polutta; Acworth, Ga.

Politically, the odds against our preserving and expanding freedom of choice in education seem as great as those facing Wilberforce. But he recognized the possibility of the "immediate interposition of Providence." Our responsibility is, surely, not only to pray that these liberties are preserved but also to seek a new generation of Wilberforces who understand what is at stake and will work equally tirelessly to expand this liberty. -Michael J. Kane; Portland, Ore.

My oldest is a sophomore at the local secular university. The garbage she must sit through to receive her degree is truly unbelievable. The majority of these students have been sent off to college because it is the next thing to do and, wow, are they being indoctrinated. -Christine Anne Monaghan; Meridian, Idaho

The saddest part

I have been one of those isolated Christian single-issue voters for a long time ("In praise of single-issue voting," Nov. 1). I work in a crisis pregnancy center and see the consequences of poor choices and irreversible decisions. The saddest part is meeting young women who have no concept of the preciousness of the baby inside them. Life is sacred, and if we continue to vote for abortion and for candidates who support it, God will judge us. -Robin Gray; Bakersfield, Calif.

I am so sick of washing used baby clothes for pro-life women's centers while the legislators debate whether it is right or wrong to dissect a live baby and then vacuum out its parts. Are we insane? -Carla Keys; Belle Center, Ohio

Jesus-awareness

Thank you for the article on Sally Lloyd-Jones ("A writer's life," Nov. 1). Our family cherishes our copy of The Jesus Storybook Bible and we're thankful for Lloyd-Jones' ability to bring "Jesus-awareness" into the whole Bible in a way that is understandable to children. -Shelley Kemp; Harleysville, Pa.

Her own part

Thank you for your delightful interview with Max McLean about his presentation of The Screwtape Letters ("Dramatic faith," Nov. 1). We saw the show last April in Washington. Yvonne Gougelet as Toadpipe revealed her training as a dancer with her most effective body language and other-worldly vocalizations. A drama of this intensely philosophical nature requires some kind of interaction to pull it off, and Gougelet made the part her own. -Maureen Kerce; Lake City, Fla.

Not that way

Thank you for "Hard times ahead" (Nov. 1). I have been a patriotic American for all my life, yet when I read, "Blessed is the nation whose god is the Lord," I must admit that the way we are going as a nation will not lead to God's blessing. -Kenyon Knapp; Montgomery, Ala.

Not so proud

The blood of millions of abortions is on our hands, and Obama's aggressive support of the pro-abortion movement is a sure thing. Maybe I am one of those fanatics on the right, but I find it difficult to be proud of our country ("From Nov. 4 to Nov. 11," Nov. 1). -Nathan Maack; South Orange, N.J.

No surprise

I appreciated seeing Frederick Moyer's new CD highlighted (Notable CDs, Nov. 1). You commented that no one would have noticed the "sleight of ear" technology used to create the CD had he not pointed it out. My family knows Fred and we are not surprised that he didn't try to minimize the effects of the technology. He brings grace and humility to every part of his music and his life. -Tom Hanks; Coal Valley, Ill.

Money machine fuel

Don't expect any change in the official attitude toward compact fluorescent light bulbs any time soon, despite the news that they do more environmental harm than good because they contain mercury (Quick Takes, Nov. 1). Carbon dioxide fuels the global-warming money machine; mercury doesn't. -Allen Brooks; Sheridan, Wyo.

Designed for Twitter?

The Twitter phenomenon ("Tweet, tweet," Nov. 1) shows how we were designed for relationship with God and with others: We are constantly looking to be heard and to feel connected. This exposes a void that may in part be due to the isolation so prevalent in our fast-paced culture. As for whether Twitter should be included in worship services, 1 Corinthians teaches us that worship should be orderly, not a free-for-all where everyone just says what he thinks. -Deborah Zimmerman; Dallas, Ga.

Why on earth would a pastor allow the use of an electronic device that takes the focus off the worship of God during a worship service? -Curt Lovelace; Acton, Maine

Large hearts, small wallets

Thank you for "'True religion'" (Nov. 1). November was National Adoption Month, and for those with large hearts and small wallets there is a way to adopt. Many children in the United States, some older and some with special needs, are waiting for a home. -Phil & Madelyn Higby; Towaco, N.J.

A dangerous road?

Regarding High School Musical 3 ("'Anti-pressure for kids,'" Nov. 1): Girls today do need to hear about romance apart from sexuality. But our culture is a sad one indeed to declare stories "wholesome" merely because they let children go over adult boundaries up to a certain point. Purity starts with the heart. If romance-especially teenage romance marketed to girls-has become only an entertainment package, we are on a dangerous road. -Bailey Bergmann, 14; Shawano, Wis.

Simple, really

Andrée Seu asks "why?" regarding the current economic crisis ("Songs on the Titanic," Oct. 18). I think the answer is pretty simple: It is because God's people will not genuinely repent, but make a great show of humility. -Steve Aivazis; Surprise, Ariz.

Tim Lamer's "Anatomy of a crisis" (Oct. 4) provides a good summary of the current economic situation. However, he failed to emphasize the impact of the Community Reinvestment Act passed by Congress during the Carter administration. The CRA called on lenders to loosen their underwriting standards and make risky loans. In the '90s, ACORN helped pressure Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae into the pattern of high-risk loans that lie at the heart of today's financial disaster. -Steve Carter; Simpsonville, S.C.

Correction

Nov. 22, 2008, was the 45th anniversary of John F. Kennedy's assassination (Looking Ahead, Nov. 15, p. 9.)