Candidly

I want to commend you on your handling of the James Dobson/Ralph Reed misunderstanding ("Coushatta chronicle," "Tough questions," March 4). I heard Dr. Dobson's broadcast-and his frustration-and I knew that you would respond. I think the fact that you printed his remarks and your own explanation is the best demonstration of Christian brotherhood I've ever witnessed in the press. These days there is so much mudslinging, you all are a breath of fresh air. Thanks for being so candid. -Rebecca Terry; Custer, Wash.

I was very disappointed in the way you handled the reporting of this story. I believe Mr. Minnery of Focus on the Family was right in refusing to further criticize Mr. Reed. -Donna Mealoy; Cheboygan, Mich.

I concur that Dr. Dobson is telling the truth and that others likely are not. I also concur with Marvin Olasky's stand in demanding excellence in reporting, verifying sources, and asking the hard questions. It would be deplorable if we only asked "unbelievers" the tough ones, leaving weak scrutiny for the body of Christ. -Deborah Reed; Gastonia, N.C.

I am baffled that you continue to connect Focus on the Family to the Abramoff scandal. I do not trust your motives on this story. -Nwokoma Opaigbeogu; Upper Marlboro, Md.

Neither the Republican Party nor our Christian leaders should be blindly followed. We Christians would be well served by standing by our principles, as both WORLD and your courageous reporter Jamie Dean are doing in exposing the wolves among us. -Mike Holzknecht; Stockton, Mo.

I think Ralph Reed made a mistake by trusting a friend, and he grievously regrets that he was duped. I believe that Mr. Reed was genuine in his efforts to get rid of gambling casinos, and I do not believe he knew of his friend's wrong dealings. -Billie Hale; Savannah, Ga.

To fear or not

Because pro-homosexual groups who claim to be Christian reject the Bible's teaching, they are essentially no different from the Muslim group. Christian college presidents should allow them to come on campus ("Uninvited guests," March 4) but invite ex-homosexual organizations to be on campus, too, and have a panel discussion. These groups are like a mission field coming to the students. Christian colleges should have little to fear from traveling thought groups. -L.L. West; Bolivar, Mo.

If I were a president of a traditional evangelical Christian college and either pro-homosexual or Muslim groups wanted to visit, as discerner and protector of the college's doctrine you can be sure that I would turn them down flat right at the door. -Monica Schelfhout; Black Creek, Wis.

Because the Apostle Paul warns believers "not to associate" with sexually immoral people who claim to be believers, it is acceptable to host a homosexual group that does not claim to be Christian but not to host one that claims to be evangelical or Christian. -Beth Daranciang; Seattle, Wash.

Lost WORLD

We have been discussing whether to cancel our subscription. Your March 4 issue, with its Quotables item describing an internet sting that captured 13 sexual predators, sealed it for us. Why any reader needs to know this information is unclear to me. It is obvious to us that WORLD has lost its way. -David Houser; Granville, Ohio

R is for profit

Although R-rated films typically have a smaller box-office audience compared to family-friendly movies, this does not mean that R-rated films are less profitable ("Movies and the marketplace," March 4). So many "salacious" movies are getting made because they can cost far less to produce than blockbusters and so are often the most profitable. -Keyser Soze; Chicago, Ill.

Love with money

Thank you to Mr. Singer ("The Singer challenge," March 4), whom God used to remind us to love God with our money, too. -Esther Ziol; Pasadena, Calif.

Clear conscience

Thank God for the South Dakota legislature and Gov. Mike Rounds for passing a law banning all abortions except those required to save the life of the mother (The Buzz, March 4). Whether pro-life experts believe the ban was a step too soon or not, who can help but applaud the perseverance and principled leadership in South Dakota? Where do I sign up to buy land in the state with the clearest conscience in the union? -Keith Williams; Marianna, Fla.

Big spenders

Regarding your story about the federal budget ("Political malpractice," Feb. 18), I remember President Bush trying to make some big changes in Social Security, and Congress had a hissy fit. Congress also voted to pass the obese, bloated Medicare bill. Congress is of no mind to reform anything, including its pork-barreling practices, and instead is trying to clamp down on grassroots watchdog organizations. -Jean Whitmore; Okinawa, Japan

Overcome racism

I was shocked by NBC's racist coverage, and more so to learn of Bryant Gumbel's complicity, in the handling of the story of U.S. speedskater Shani Davis (Around the Horn, March 4). That he came from an impoverished area unknown for speedskaters is a good story, but leave his ethnicity out of it. This nation can overcome racism if we stop teaching it to our children. -Rich Thorne; Bettles, Alaska

Blooming

Andrée Seu's column ("The older woman," Feb. 25) was so encouraging to me, a sixty-something. I am privileged to mentor and share with several younger women in my church. -Joan G. Martin; Marietta, Ga.

Chicken out?

Anyone advocating the need to take drastic action to counteract global warming has the responsibility to provide evidence that the temperature variations of the last 100 years are any more catastrophic than ups and downs of the last 10 centuries ("Red light, green light," Feb. 25). I'm surprised no one is saying, "The sky is falling! The sky is falling!" -Glenn Tuley; W. Melbourne, Fla.

Does God want His people to trash the planet, using up all the resources on a lifestyle that the planet cannot sustain? Let's start thinking about our own greed and our own desire to possess and consume far more than we need, and Jesus was quite clear about God's line on this matter. If global warming is real, a more modest lifestyle will help; if it's not, we will still be doing God's will. -Richard Andrews; Oxford, England

Correction

State representatives Rick Nelson and Bob Damron are from Kentucky ("Born again?" March 11, p. 18).