Mailbag

‘Blind, exiled, brave’

Aug. 10 One New York University professor explained that school’s persecution of Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng by saying one shouldn’t “bite the hand that feeds you.” Here’s another saying: “Money corrupts.” —Peter S. Rosi, Missoula, Mont.

‘Remembering the Forgotten War’

Aug. 10 Thank you for recognizing Korean War veterans and their sacrifices. They kept South Korea free, and as a result South Korean missionaries have spread the message of freedom throughout the world. God remembers. —T.R. Mader, Gillette, Wyo.

My mom said Dad was different when he returned from Korea. After he died I heard from an aunt that, when the Chinese overran his base, he and another soldier survived by hiding in a frozen latrine. I often wonder whether that was a factor in his depression and drinking. While visiting the Korean War monument in Washington, I imagined Dad’s face on one of those sculptures and somehow came to know him more fully. I am proud of his service and ashamed of the way my government treated these men on their return. —Connie Rubin-Burt, Pisgah Forest, N.C.

‘From politics to education’

Aug. 10 It is nice to hear positive things going on in the world around us, but we really need to hear the news, gloomy or not. —Janel Flor, Phoenixville, Pa.

Jesus, through the church, is the answer to all social problems. Why then do we blame the heathen for our nation’s problems? If the church is the “salt of the earth” and the “light unto the world,” have we lost our saltiness and has our light gone dim? —Gary Schulz, Midland, Mich.

No one should begrudge our president and first lady for seeking the best possible education for their children; the tragedy is their apparent reluctance to support other families seeking such opportunities. But with dedicated parents and new technologies, academic excellence in a grace-filled environment remains within the grasp of millions of families. —Michael J. Kane, Portland, Ore.

‘Cut it off?’

Aug. 10 So many Christians resist even small “self-performed surgeries” to avoid impurity. Pornography is a huge problem in churches, but suggest that men trade in their smartphones for ones without internet access and people say you’re crazy. —Sarah DelliGatti, Harrisburg, Pa.

I liked Andrée Seu Peterson’s illustration about how, when prohibiting grandchildren from playing on railroad tracks, 99 percent compliance is not an option. I have a new take on my persistent failures and no more excuses for them. —Richard Armerding, Rohnert Park, Calif.

Like the elderly ladies in Peterson’s church, I too have “opposite-sex attractions.” I was wondering where her church is so that I might visit. I know many ladies my age are looking for a mate, but it is a task to find one serious about Christ, conservative, and interested in a 71-year-old widower. —A.J. Wilson, Cleveland, Wis.

‘Not only in Vegas’

Aug. 10 I agree; legalizing prostitution would only make it worse. The Bible commands us not to put a stumbling block in our neighbor’s way. Will the so-called libertarians encourage true liberty or sinful slavery? —Albert (Ted) Browne, Martinsburg, W.Va.

I just returned from Las Vegas, and it bruises my heart to be propositioned by young girls on the street. We need not more freedoms or more laws governing behavior but, as Janie Cheaney often says, changed hearts. Free people must govern themselves. —Joe Castillo, Atlanta, Ga.

‘Free retainer’

Aug. 10 Recently while I was teaching a class involving God’s heart for the “fatherless and the widows,” someone asked how to know whether charities are accomplishing God’s purposes. I described how WORLD highlights mostly unknown organizations that are doing it right. Someone wrote me to say how, when they read about “how much people are pouring out their lives, you realize how much more you could be doing with your own life and resources.” Thanks for challenging all of us. —R. Wiltrout, Silver Spring, Md.

‘A place at the table’

Aug. 10 You did not mention that Christine Quinn, the frontrunner in the New York mayoral race, is a lesbian who “married” her long-time girlfriend last year. That is significant regarding her opposition to Christians trying to rent school facilities for their worship services. —David A. Williams, Fort Worth, Texas

‘Old men can win’

Aug. 10 You state that “only five golfers have ever achieved a career Grand Slam” but fail to mention Bobby Jones. The term “Grand Slam” was first used in golf because in 1930 he won all four major championships (the British and U.S. Open and Amateur tournaments) in the same calendar year. —Phillip Woeckener, Tallahassee, Fla.

Dispatches

Aug. 10 WORLD is consistently keeping our attention focused on the issues in our country that resemble pre–World War II Germany, like Hobby Lobby’s fight against insurance laws and many others. However, the issue is less about keeping freedoms than about remaining faithful followers of Christ. —Jonathan Hickox, Allahabad, India

‘Remember the signs’

July 27 Having worked with the problem of sexual sin in our counseling program for over 20 years, I couldn’t agree more. I fear that the idea of cheap grace and the therapeutic culture, which treats sexual addiction as a disease, are as serious a threat to our faith as persecution was to the early Christians. —Harry Schaumburg, Port Washington, Wis.

Organizations like the Gay Christian Network take the commands to love God and our neighbor and then define love with no reference to the rules God gave us. Unfortunately, too many Christians, tired of being vilified, let them do it and so fail to help them find the eternal love of Christ Jesus. —Shawn M. French Sr., Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

‘A lesson from Iraq’

July 27 I very much appreciate Mindy Belz’s columns. Her style is easy to read and she has so much useful information about the world, particularly the Middle East. —Kathy Barrett, Gaston, Ind.

‘Blood on the streets’

July 27 I grieved with Diane Jimenez over the babies that would be aborted after school was out at Biola University, but isn’t she fighting the symptoms rather than the disease? —Jean Mader, San Diego, Calif.

Dispatches

July 13 I noticed the large photo of Brazilians protesting against corruption and other problems. Few people know (because the media failed to report it) that tens of thousands of evangelicals peacefully gathered during those same weeks to protest same-sex marriage and abortion. —Hope Owsley, Brasília, Brazil

‘Unfinished song’

July 13 I recently went to see Unfinished Song and loved it! Congo Dawn (Spotlight, May 4) was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Thanks for making me aware of so many books, TV shows, and movies over the years that I would never have discovered on my own. —Joni Halpin, Allen, Texas

I love WORLD magazine, especially the personal interviews! —Wanda Benge, Dripping Springs, Texas

Correction

Tiger Woods has won three Open Championships in Britain (“Old men can win,” Aug. 10, p. 64).

WORLD Around the World

Monrovia, Liberia Submitted by Mike Prom

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