A House divided

[ Oct. 27 ] I am always amazed (but shouldn’t be) that the cornerstone of the Democratic platform is the slaughter of children. Equally surprising is how the party of unbridled sex suddenly becomes prudish if it helps destroy a Republican. —Rick Flanders on wng.org

Shadow of death

[ Oct. 27 ] Sen. Cory Booker is going to the Bible to defend ripping children from their mothers’ bodies? Using Scripture to attack righteousness reminds me of Satan’s temptation of Jesus. Perhaps Booker should read his Bible rather than just pound it. —John Cogan on wng.org

The upshot of pot

[ Oct. 27 ] If FOMO stands for the “fear of missing out,” WORLD’s series about the inevitability of nationwide marijuana legalization driven by the corporate pot industry makes me GIMO—“glad I’ll miss out”—on the coming world of legal dope. —Jay Ryan / Cleveland, Ohio

I am leery of making addictive substances easier to obtain. But because this train seems to have left the station, it should at least be labeled properly. If it is to be treated like medicine, it should list dosage, side effects, and so on; if as a recreational substance, with warnings and age restrictions. —Elizabeth Jones on wng.org

As a state representative, I struggled but finally voted to legalize medical marijuana after observing the benefits for a lady struggling with the side effects of chemotherapy; I oppose it for “recreational” uses. What Scriptural principles apply and what tools are there to help parents and teens facing down this fast-approaching monster storm? —Steve Holmes / Alton, N.H.

Mere sponge cake

[ Oct. 27 ] Marvin Olasky’s review of Andy Stanley’s Irresistible helped me understand my own discomfort with the book. As Jesus said, if we do not listen to Moses and the prophets, we will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead. —Ted Ludlow / Georgetown, Texas

I believe Stanley has considered why younger people are not embracing the beauty of God’s unfolding redemption through Jesus Christ and is adjusting his delivery to re-engage that group. Maybe the Old Testament is not a good starting point for those who consider themselves “nones,” and I don’t believe he is undermining a single word of the Bible. —Holly Suddath / Smyrna, Ga.

If the Old Testament doesn’t tell us that humanity is utterly sinful, what will? It shows us through the history of Israel that sinful man has no possibility of avoiding God’s judgment unless God Himself intervenes—and the New Testament tells us of that intervention. —Christine A. Jones / Carlsbad, Calif.

McDonald’s and McGuffey

[ Oct. 27 ] I must push back on the idea that public schools should teach ethics. I’ve been in public schools for most of my life and watched their ability to educate deteriorate because people expect them to make up for the ills of society. It’s not possible. —Carole Makowski on wng.org

I sympathize with educators who don’t want to touch subjects like morality with a 10-foot pole. Given our culture, I wouldn’t want to either. It is our parental responsibility to teach our children to tell the truth in every situation. —Karrie Pope on wng.org

Christian parents should have demanded school choice and vouchers decades ago. If the vast majority of our children continue to be indoctrinated in public schools by “progressives,” the future looks grim. —Donna Needham on wng.org

Back to the sources

[ Oct. 27 ] I concur that Ann Voskamp technically plagiarized Cynthia Occelli. But the debate reminds me of Jesus’ teaching in John that a grain of wheat must fall into the earth and die to bear fruit. I think that if it were possible for the apostle to roll his eyes from the grave, he certainly would. —Carolyn Schlicher / Elizabethtown, Pa.

Christian writers, actors, musicians, and even pastors who rely on their public presence to sell books should be honest and public with their apologies, not hide behind publishers and lawyers. Millions of Christians look to them for guidance or encouragement. —Deborah M. O’Brien on wng.org

The Hate U Give

[ Oct. 27 ] This review saddened me. Bob Brown dismisses this film for containing too much “cop-bashing” and for lacking “substantive solutions” to race issues in America. But our black brothers and sisters in Christ have painful stories to share; are we willing to enter into their experience? —Lindsey Gutbrod / Grand Rapids, Mich.

China’s coming

[ Oct. 27 ] I enjoyed the professor’s scenario of China taking over the United States nonviolently. The student who wondered, “What reason would we have for fighting?” shows that our schools are failing to teach students the history of communism and its crippling effects, or to teach them to cherish our First Amendment rights and personal freedoms. —Robert Francis / Wakefield, Mass.

Every tribe and tongue

[ Oct. 27 ] The stunning photos and the touching story of the Hmong people left me with such a warm feeling. I was captivated by their beautiful, joyful faces. —Cheryl Irish / Bastrop, Texas

Shop of horrors

[ Oct. 27 ] I strongly encourage pro-lifers to see Gosnell. It tells a powerful story without being unnecessarily graphic or sensationalized. Abortion was, and is, a powerful and well-funded industry of evil that has bought the protection of government officials. —Terry L. Brown on wng.org

Growing heavenward

[ Oct. 27 ] I’ve never seen observations like Barbara Duguid’s. My favorite: “He glorifies Himself with His relentless patience with weak, terrible people.” What a refreshing voice! —Arlene Deans / Mission Viejo, Calif.

Clarification

Marvin Olasky’s three-part series on Prohibition included two columns (“Beer bashing,” Sept. 29, and “Prohibition days,” Oct. 13) and a feature article (“The upshot of pot,” Oct. 27).

More letters, emails, and comments we didn’t have space for in the print edition:

The upshot of pot

[ Oct. 27 ] This is an informative article, but I am disappointed that you described the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes as a “good compromise.” It’s a pure concession to proponents of unrestricted use. —Ken Douglas / Gardnerville, Nev.

For the sins of the patriarchy

[ Oct. 27 ] Regarding the accusations against Brett Kavanaugh, those who say we must always “believe women” are in effect saying, “don’t believe men.” That is sexist. Both men and women sin, and we all need the Savior and His grace. —Nathan Zoschke / Thomas, Okla.

Echo churches

[ Sept. 29 ] You scolded evangelicals who “condone politically divided Christianity” by preferring churches that reflect their political views. But preferring a party whose values reflect Scripture more closely than the opposing party is part of being salt in our culture. —Rex Stairs / Smyrna, Tenn.

Are churches with clearly defined doctrinal standards to which their members are expected to adhere theological “echo chambers”? Yet if our theologically informed worldviews affect every area of our lives, including politics, why is it a “gospel contradiction” that church members who think alike theologically would also think alike politically? —David Schneeberger / Raymore, Mo.