Mailbag

‘Scouts in the balance’

May 18 I am a chaplain with the Boy Scouts and “homophobia” is a smokescreen. This debate is not about hate, it is about morality, a question that has been decided by God. The last two points of the Scout law are that they be clean, morally as well as physically, and reverent. If we throw these out, Scouting means nothing! —Gary F. Bentley, Sellersville, Pa.

This article was sad indeed. To think that a group of people would disrupt such a beloved American institution is almost unthinkable. —Ernest Shivers, Snellville, Ga.

‘As she lay dying’

May 18 As someone who recently buried a parent very much like Marvin Olasky’s mother, thank you. This column accurately portrayed the importance of honoring your mother and father, even when it is complicated. My own father’s journey with dementia turned an angry bully into a man who was humbled and confused—and somehow a lot nicer. I can only pray that somewhere in that foggy place of need, he met Jesus. —Ruby Hinds, Dandridge, Tenn.

The editorial voice coming through most articles in WORLD is joyously Christian but not head-in-the-sand Christian. After reading this column I got a smile, a reason to reflect, and encouragement to carry on. —Thayer Allison, Charlotte, N.C.

‘Odd man out’

May 18 While I respect NBA player Jason Collins for his decision, I don’t understand why his “coming out” as homosexual was considered such a brave act. He should have expected what he got: praise and designation as a hero from the media, fellow athletes, and even the president of the United States. —Cindy Fassler, Dixon, Ill.

Thank you to ESPN analyst Chris Broussard for speaking out for the biblical view of homosexuality. I hope it doesn’t get him fired. —Hilda Blatt, Jonestown, Ga.

‘Abigail and Samuel’

May 18 Thank you for your tough and honest article about difficult decisions during premature births. You pointed out the struggle for parents as well as the struggle for Christian doctors, who are often forgotten in such a scenario. —Joshua Burba, Nashville, Tenn.

Notable Books

May 18 Justin Lee’s personal journey is touching but it also illustrates the self-deception and rationalization people use to justify sinful behavior. His book does a disservice to all who struggle with same-sex attraction. —Igor Shpudejko, Mahwah, N.J.

‘Terror-fighting tangle’

May 18 I must take issue with your statement that the Boston bombing was “the first successful terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9/11.” It was the first bombing, but have we forgotten the terrorist shootings at the El Al ticket counter at Los Angeles airport in 2002 and in 2009 at a military recruitment center in Little Rock, Ark., and at the Ft. Hood military base? —Neil Johnston, Grand Prairie, Texas

‘Builder and giver’

May 18 Thank you for the obituary of Bob Perry. He was a great benefactor to our ministry in El Salvador, helping build a school, an orphanage, and a large medical center that he asked us not to name after him. Though we often tried to meet him to thank him personally, he said, “Save the cost of the ticket to use in your work.” —Don Benner, San Salvador, El Salvador

‘A bit rusty’

May 18 I think the reviewer missed the not-so-subtle warning in Iron Man 3 against stem-cell research. It showed how something that begins with honorable intentions can turn into an out-of-control wreck when coupled with mankind’s evil. —Danielle Kinberg, Lingle, Wyo.

‘Courtroom horror’

May 4 Thanks for covering the Gosnell trial, unlike the mainstream media. I remember how ABC broke into its programming to report the false speculation that the Aurora, Colo., shooter might belong to the Denver Tea Party. That was news, but a killer of many babies—not so much. It’s laughable and yet so frustrating. —Jack Pavie, Sumneytown, Pa.

Thank you for such thorough realism and hopefulness in Andrée Seu Peterson’s series on the Gosnell trial. —Michael MacCaughelty, Monroeville, Ala.

I am praying for Peterson. It must have been painful to endure the testimonies and proceedings of Gosnell’s trial. Her many important observations have challenged us to think thoroughly about the state of our society, one mired in a culture of death. —George A. Damoff, Farmers Branch, Texas

Peterson illuminated the hypocritical nature of the whole business: the abortion industry splitting hairs over who is on their “team” and who isn’t, and especially the craziness of laws protecting doctors who kill infants in the womb and convicting doctors who kill infants outside their mothers’ bodies. —Karen Hess, Philadelphia, Pa.

This type of coverage, along with a refusal to water down or avoid testy topics even within the Christian community, keeps me reading WORLD regularly. —Frank Nicodem, Geneva, Ill.

‘Line drills’

May 4 With his latest survey at an airport, Joel Belz proves merely that location and audience dictate the most pressing concerns. Had he performed the same drill at a homeless shelter, perhaps his audience would vote for jobs. If at a public school, his audience might vote for education. And in an evangelical church the answer just might be abortion or gay marriage. —Phillip Woeckener, Tallahassee, Fla.

‘Heartbreak Hill’

May 4 It seemed to me quite crass to put “Boston terrorthon” on your May 4 cover. Other than that, your recent issues have been very well done. —Jim Valentine, Troy, Mont.

‘Unstoppable’

April 20 The definition of marriage has been eroding for quite some time. It has gone from a commitment between a man and woman to form a lifelong union for the sake of building a family to a commitment between two individuals to stay together for an undetermined period for the sake of meeting their personal needs. At this point it seems of little importance whether the individuals are of the same or different genders. —Russell Board, Saitama, Japan

Marriage seems to the gay community a rational and fair inclusion into normality, but marriage is not legalized friendship with sexual benefits. For those in the thicket of sexual confusion, we as believers need to remember that there but for the grace of God go we. —Earl Piper, Greenville, S.C.

I am so grateful for WORLD. Your articles on current topics addressed from a biblical perspective are so interesting, informative, and encouraging to me, including the online items such as John Piper’s two messages on homosexuality. —Joyce Roberts, Hudsonville, Mich.

‘In all the noise, sounds of silence’

April 20 Thank you so much for Mindy Belz’s very courageous column. Sometimes I feel that most Christians are being silent and unwittingly sliding down the slippery slope. —Betty Nelson, Riverside, Ill.

Although I have used the word gay myself, I think we as Christians forfeit ground to the world when we deviate from biblical terms for sinful behavior. It should be for WORLD another way to show you don’t “buy” the gay marriage construct. —Michael Mallie, Kalona, Iowa

Correction

Christ refused to answer Pilate (“Persecution myth?” June 1, p. 54).

WORLD Around the World

Egbe, Nigeria Submitted by Jim Loscheider

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