Mailbag

‘Into the last laps’

Sept. 22 I’m an old codger and I have not been so concerned about a November election since World War II. This choice for president places individual freedom and the recovery of our Constitution against government domination of our lives, lost world leadership, and lower living standards for all. Never before have the stakes been higher for our families and for the world. —David L. Shanks, Oconomowoc, Wis.

‘Wastebaskets in heaven?’

Sept. 22 I appreciate the discussion about how much continuity we will experience between this age and the next, but I doubt there will be wastebaskets in the new heavens and earth. This is not because wastebaskets are intrinsically sinful, but because human resourcefulness will be fully redeemed. Just as apple peels help create new soil, God has marvelous designs for recycling the matter He proclaimed to be “good.” —Carol Leonard, Statesville, N.C.

It’s a good thing we have wastebaskets here on earth, because that’s where I’m going to throw this column. —Marvin Richter, Bucklin, Kan.

‘One-way dialogue?’

Sept. 22 Thank you for covering the wavering posture of the National Association of Evangelicals regarding theistic evolution. As the church weakens without spiritual renewal, errant philosophies new and old find opportunity to take root. —Roger McDonald, Naperville, Ill.

Evangelicals need look no further than to science itself to discredit Darwin. The utter lack of evidence in the fossil record along with brilliant work from scientists and thinkers such as Michael Behe and Stephen Meyer show that macro-evolution has never been anything more than a paper vampire. —Bob Brown, Bel Air, Md.

‘Powerful inferences’

Sept. 22 This column was refreshing yet troubling. I agree that the Lord still heals today and speaks to His children through many means. However, the pitfalls of inferring too much from a scriptural passage are legion, especially if done without humility and godly counsel. —Joe Edwards, Crystal Lake, Ill.

The danger of inferring is in taking a verse out of context. Not all inferences are wrong, as Peterson shows from her examples, but trusting in “promises” that He did not intend to be promises is not biblical faith. —Nate Meiers, Mansfield, Ohio

‘Hollow at the core’

Sept. 22 I agree with the premise of Janie B. Cheaney’s column on educational standards. As the vice president of the Nebraska State Board of Education, I would like to point out that Nebraska has not adopted the Common Core curriculum. And to bolster her point about federal coercion, Nebraska’s decision was one reason Washington gave for not awarding Race to the Top funds to our state. —Mark Quandahl, Omaha, Neb.

‘Shallow Courage’

Sept. 22 Megan Basham’s review of Last Ounce of Courage does not do the movie justice. This moving story portrays the erosion of our religious freedom and presents a very real picture of America today. —John H. Huber, Myerstown, Pa.

‘Beyond the flow charts’

Sept. 22 I was grateful for your articles on the overpriced American healthcare system and those courageous souls providing alternatives for the uninsured. Our son, a teacher in the Dominican Republic, has no medical insurance but there, unlike here, he will be able to afford knee surgery. I don’t like Obamacare for many reasons, but at least it’s an effort to provide medical treatment for those who can’t afford it. —Marc Mailloux, Pompano Beach, Fla.

‘Simple solution’

Sept. 22 The clinics that James Payne endorses have a fantastic way of providing low-cost healthcare for lower-income families. However, he concludes that the government should give these clinics preferential treatment regarding liability. That would be just another form of government interference in the market, which is what produced our current mess. —David Venable, Austin, Texas

‘Megachurch high’

Sept. 22 Thank you to Thomas Kidd for asking the obvious question about whether something “spiritually significant” was happening at the megachurch services in the study. It put the research in proper perspective. People forget that megachurches often start as small churches where something is happening, and that attracts more and more people. —Dan Holgate, Peoria, Ariz.

‘Mother of all battles’

Sept. 22 I was disappointed by Mindy Belz’s column on the mosque controversy in Murfreesboro. She warns about jihadist tendencies and there is nothing wrong with honest questions. But instead of treating Muslims with suspicious mistrust, let’s follow Christ’s example and welcome the aliens among us with love, respect, and hospitality. —Chris Byrd, Tulsa, Okla.

‘Untimely disclosures’

Sept. 22 Regarding the article on Mitt Romney’s connections to a medical waste company that handled the remains of unborn children: Pro-lifers know they have only one choice on Nov. 6. —Stephen Leonard, Colorado Springs, Colo.

‘The ultimate hybrid’

Sept. 22 Each time my family receives a new issue, I try to read it right away. I even hide it from my parents until I finish it. And thank you for your article on homeschooling co-ops. —Robert Cathcart (13), Laurens, S.C.

‘Fatal decisions’

Sept. 8 Some questions regarding the Independent Payment Advisory Board, which is intended to control Medicare costs: Would in-utero testing be mandatory? How many treatments for “defective” unborn children would not be covered? Would abortion be an acceptable treatment? Would there be a cut-off age for treatment? Would assisted suicide be an acceptable treatment? —Pat Neff, Holtwood, Pa.

‘Doubting Thomas’

Sept. 8 Perhaps Jefferson was like some politicians of our day who claim to be Christian but whose words and deeds give us reason to wonder. I believe David Barton is trying to balance the historical record distorted by those who deny that most of our Founding Fathers were mostly orthodox in Christian beliefs and not Deists. —Albert Browne, Martinsburg, W.Va.

‘He meant what he said’

Aug. 25 I appreciate your magazine, but to imply that President Obama doesn’t believe in individual effort and ingenuity is just political bias. Our culture often is too individualistic, and it shows up in the church. Can’t you just admit that every now and then Obama may have something good to say? —Fred Miller, Dillsburg, Pa.

When I finish reading Time I often want to wring my hands in despair, move to a compound in Montana, buy lots of guns, and wait for the Apocalypse. When I read WORLD, I sigh deeply; God is still on His throne and good people are still doing good things, whether in politics, education, or medicine. —Brenda Phillips, Madison, Wis.

Clarification

At its convention last month the Democratic Party removed from its 2012 platform the statement, “Jerusalem is and will remain the capital of Israel,” but on Sept. 5 restored it (“A radical Democratic platform,” Sept. 22, p. 12).

WORLD Around the World

Boa Vista, Brazil Submitted by Ron Crews

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