Voting on abortion

Religious conservatives who won't support pro-abortion candidates regardless of their positions on any other issue are making a big mistake ("A shot across the bow," Oct. 13). A third-party candidate would only empower the Democrats. There are other important considerations. If we are weak and do not vote as a bloc for a righteous man, we will be inviting Hillary Clinton into the White House. -Darlene Bennett; Salt Lake City, Utah

I am a 20-year-old college student. I wouldn't mind another Clinton takeover if the Republican Party got the point that it can't count on our vote. I believe we are called to stand for what is right, not just what is righter than the other guy. If we support a pro-abortion Republican candidate who wins, the blood of thousands of unborn infants will be on our heads. -James Kliewer; Rapid City, S.D.

Every election cycle we hear from well-meaning people that we don't want to lose by voting for a third party. Well, voting like that makes me sick. It's time to get some guts, stand up and vote our beliefs, and let God take care of the outcome. -Charles Andrew Wright; Clark Fork, Idaho

Randall Terry has said that it would be better to have Clinton rather than Giuliani in the White House. This would galvanize the pro-life troops to greater levels of grass-roots activity. On the other hand, the difference between a Clinton and a Giuliani presidency might be, for example, an additional 100,000 abortions per year. Yes, it's bean counting, but 100,000 lives are 100,000 lives. Clinton is beatable, but it will take a lot of work in the field, even more prayer from the saints, and unity within our camp. -Bob Brown; Belcamp, Md.

Frankly speaking

I'm sure I'm not the only one who wishes Frank Schaeffer would grow up. A 300-page book telling us that his parents (Francis and Edith Schaeffer) are human is a terrible waste of trees ("Growing up Schaeffer," Oct. 13). -Bill Crouse; Richardson, Texas

It's refreshing to read a "frank" memoir from an insider who tackles the phoniness ubiquitous in evangelicalism. Indeed, our side has its own cult of saints, complete with hagiographies. But the Schaeffers themselves never attempted to candy-coat their own human failings, and Frank actually honors their memory by showing them to be real people, just like the rest of us, who served the Lord in their own way. I can't wait to get a copy. -Jay Ryan; Cleveland, Ohio

I couldn't care less how Frank Schaeffer lost his virginity and that his parents were not perfect. But I am glad that, as he says, he's "thrown overboard the cultural baggage." Does that include tell-all memoirs? There are better ways to resurrect a flagging writing career. -Thomas J. Ramundo; Jackson, Mich.

I'm glad to see that one of the thoughtful evangelical insiders agrees that truth should always trump policy, polity, and image in the religious world. Francis and Edith may not have been perfectly wise, but may we all accomplish so much for Jesus. They stood alone against the tide in their generation and bore the wounds and scars of furious spiritual battle. It seems that Frankie has given us the true picture of his parents, in the midst of the storm, without the plastic halo that we too frequently hang on the people who work in the trenches. -Dave Withe; Newbury, Mass.

Turn back the clock

The use of tax money to pay for multimillion-dollar stadiums is an outrageous example of the fleecing of America ("Welfare kings," Oct. 13). Multimillion-dollar salaries to professional athletes is a shameful symptom of our society's spiritual malaise. Is it too late to turn back the clock? -Joseph M. Hopkins; New Wilmington, Pa.

It is not unreasonable for sports franchises to expect cities to help finance a new arena or stadium. In many instances the presence of a sports team brings enough financial benefit to a city to justify the expenditure of public funds to create the necessary facilities. -Nathan Sweigart; Concord, N.C.

Cradle-to-grave security

The issue of huge health-care costs is so interesting ("The new, new deal," Oct. 13). Fifty years ago we had excellent health care without health insurance when our five children were born. The doctors I talk to blame the costs today on technology. Maybe that's part of it but, given the expectations people have (as if we are entitled to cradle-to-grave care and security from an all-powerful government) and just plain greed, the outcome is obvious. Only One can give cradle-to-grave security: Jesus. -Dick Muller; Oak Ridge, Tenn.

I'm sick and tired of management and their toadies pointing to labor unions as if they were bogeymen. The unions were, when first formed, desperately needed to stop runaway corporate abuses. Christians should never agree to a negotiated contract and then tell their subordinate managers to violate it. "The worker deserves his wages," as Paul wrote in 1 Timothy, and his wages are whatever was agreed to. -Mike Mendez; Raleigh, N.C.

Safe?

I loved Marvin Olasky's comment that "there are dangers all over, and we are always safest when we follow Christ, wherever He leads" ("Urban calling," Oct. 13). I am working at a school in South Asia that was attacked by terrorists back in 2002, and I get so tired of people who think I would be safer staying at home. Most of the time I feel safer shopping in Islamabad than I do in Houston. I told the kids I was with while our school was under attack, "God called each of us to here, we are in the center of His will, and there is no safer place to be, I don't care how many bullets are flying around outside." And where do we get the idea that God wants us to be "safe," at least in this life? -Nancy Stewart; Murree, Pakistan

Destroyers of traditions

Your review of Laura Ingraham's book (Noteworthy Books, Oct. 6) suggests that she loosely defines elites as "those who disagree with her." This obscures one of her most important arguments: that many in positions of influence are trying to run the lives of the rest of us because they think we aren't competent to make sound decisions. These are the elites, she suggests, who are destroying tested, established, workable traditions of our society. -Robert B. Taylor; Las Cruces, N.M.

A time to drip-feed

As Chairman of the Board of SAT-7 PARS, thank you for reporting on the openness of the people of Iran to the gospel via satellite TV (Bulletin Board, Oct. 13). With so much saber-rattling regarding Iran, Christians should understand the ways of our sovereign God in opening the hearts of Iranians to His love. Nearly 40 million Iranians have access to satellite TV, and SAT-7 PARS is drip-feeding a great spiritual awakening. It is not the time to invade Iran, but a time to saturate Iran with the message of Christ's hope. -Tat Stewart; Aurora, Colo.

Non-starter points

How can Barack Obama, with his aggressive outreach to Christians ("Leap of faith," Oct. 6), hope to start any collaboration with Christians when support for abortion and homosexual marriage are the starting points? -Pat DiPalma; Blairstown, N.J.

Too common

I am very glad that you reported on coach Mike Gundy's press tirade ("Good for the goose," Oct. 6). I respect Gundy for his bravery, and for standing up for one of his players. The Oklahoman article is a common example of media attacks that are so prevalent. -Jed Estrada, 18; Gillett, Pa.

Corrections

Bob Fischer, who organized the Salt Lake City meeting of pro-family activists, is from Rapid City, S.D. ("A shot across the bow," Oct. 13, p. 26).

The animated characters Flora and Meriwether ("Respect the emotions," Oct. 13, p. 43), from the Disney version of Sleeping Beauty, are trying to choose a color for Princess Aurora's dress.

`0 Dennis Ross is the former U.S. envoy to the Middle East under Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton ("Making or breaking peace," Oct. 13, p. 17).