Mailbag

‘R-rated libraries’

April 6 As a Christian librarian working in a public library system, I do not consider it my job to monitor what a child checks out of the library. That’s the parents’ job. Christians can and should exert their right as citizens to influence their public libraries, but they shouldn’t expect them to be Christian libraries. —Lonnie Elliott, Midlothian, Va.

We are already in dire need of repentance and revival, and provocative “children’s” literature will merely increase the rate of our degradation. Having this material accessible to all library-goers is playing with fire. —Philip Abernathy, Waxhaw, N.C.

As a Christian working in a public library, I object to being labeled as “ideologically committed” to pushing R-rated material to children. We get no financial support from the ALA and are free to choose the materials we make available. But our community of library users includes Christians and non-Christians alike. Should we engage in censorship? —Bonnie McClain, Rochester, Pa.

Even if children’s literature is free of R-rated material, parents should also consider what lifestyles, prejudices, attitudes, and worldviews they promote. Librarians are not censors of literature, nor are they babysitters for 12-year-olds while mom runs to the mall. —Barbara Crane, Loudon, Tenn.

‘Automatic employment’

April 6 I enjoyed the article on the effects of automation on employment and global competition. Having been involved in manufacturing and engineering for over 40 years, I am also grieved to observe so few youngsters inclined to replace the retiring old-timers in the field. —Steve Churchley, Twin Lake, Mich.

Although automation does initially lower employment, it produces more jobs and higher employment rates as more efficient companies expand production. Countries that refuse manufacturing advances on the grounds of saving jobs will not be able to keep up. —Abigail Sobanski, Stevensville, Mich.

The story goes that Milton Friedman was puzzled to see thousands of workers digging a canal using only shovels. When he asked, a government official explained that using shovels instead of excavators created more jobs. “Then,” asked the economist, “why not use spoons instead of shovels?” —Bob Gutjahr, Sanford, N.C.

Another benefit of robots: They have little baggage compared to the workers usually available in a poor-quality labor market. —Jim Burge, Crownsville, Md.

‘Southern strategy’

April 6 Has WORLD considered that perhaps Pope Francis was chosen because of his holiness and commitment to the poor? The Catholic Church is the single largest charitable organization on the planet. Why such a surprise that it chose a champion of the poor as pope? —Joe Marincel, Flower Mound, Texas

I just returned from Asuncion, Paraguay, where I attended a 12,000-seat evangelical church and every seat was full. The evangelical church is exploding in Latin America. The only way for the Roman Catholic Church to keep up is to preach the gospel, for that is what is bringing remarkable growth in that continent. —Stephen W. Leonard, Vidalia, Ga.

‘Peter’s identity crisis’

April 6 Thank you for a clear presentation of the identity crisis Christians face in the midst of the pressures to conform to this fallen world. I too, at the end of the day, with all my failings and shortcomings, am “a servant” of the Lord Jesus Christ. —Michael S. Kelley, Escondido, Calif.

‘Rough water ahead’

April 6 All the characteristics of healthcare this article cites that make it difficult for the free market to provide are true—and make it even more difficult for government. Sweep away those regulations, restore the user-pays principle, let people make decisions based on reality, and we’ll get far better solutions than anything government can deliver. —E. Calvin Beisner, Burke, Va.

‘Young reformer’

April 6 What an encouragement Sarah Fowler is. She’s just one of the many godly, sensible, capable young people emerging. Let’s pray that more of them step up to fill positions that will transform our society for truth. —Katharine Raiche, Sheldon, Vt.

‘Sowing confusion’

March 23 The illustration of President Obama crying, “Wolf!” and the reference to the “Washington Monument Syndrome” (“Cut and dried,” March 23), regarding the Obama administration’s attempts to evoke public outcry against the spending cuts, suggests his strategy should be called “ObamaScare.” —Betsy Hauenschild, Crete, Ill.

‘Lament for a bride’

March 23 My wife and I were amazed how well this column described our church. It probably describes quite well the burden of the pastor and family of many small churches. I wonder often if folks who attend our church wonder what we are doing in the service when they are not there. —Arlie Rauch, Glendive, Mont.

We think praise hymns will bring in the lost, but the lost that do come through our doors hear praise songs before they hear the gospel of forgiveness. And how often do we ask the “Ethiopian eunuch” or the one wearing the “Rahab the harlot” T-shirt (“Journey of grace,” March 23) how they are doing, and really listen to what they have to say? —Roger Rehbein, Oakdale, Minn.

I sympathize with Christa Sutherland. God’s people must realize that worship is an all-day, everyday activity. It should not be relegated to a once-a-week service where a handful of people do all the work and the rest sit and try to stay focused on the performers (oops, I mean Jesus). —Racheal Ankeny, Nampa, Idaho

‘A great delusion’

March 23 Thanks to Andrée Seu Peterson for referring to Proverbs 16:31. Not just the young are guilty of denying that “Gray hair is a crown of glory, [if] gained in a righteous life.” —David Hoff, Barron, Wis.

‘Model behavior’

March 23 As a missionary in a little village tucked into the hills an hour from the Zimbabwean border, I wanted to say how refreshing and encouraging Mindy Belz’s column on human flourishing was. Thank you. —Melinda Schlehlein, Mbhokota Village, South Africa

‘Bound and released’

March 23 Thanks for the insight about the meaning of Jesus’ prayer for the forgiveness of those who crucified Him. William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army, once wrote, “The chief danger that confronts the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, heaven without hell.” It seems he had insight from on high. —Mark E. Cook, Madison, Va.

‘Words search’

March 9 Regarding the phrase “compassionate conservatism,” we need to find a way to educate people concerning the strengths of real, historic conservatism. Part of the problem is perception, in that liberals are perceived as compassionate when, in fact, they are cruel. Just examine the results of their policies. —Robert Persons, Waynesville, N.C.

‘12 worried men’

March 9 It’s unfortunate that Rep. Broun would give the big bang theory such a bad rap by referring to it as a “lie” from hell. Many evangelicals feel it’s a wonderful tool for evangelism because its main concepts, such as the ex nihilo beginning for all matter, were first mentioned in Scripture. —Bob Taylor, Templeton, Calif.

Correction

The North Dakota personhood amendment that would, if voters approve it in a 2014 referendum, ban nearly all abortions does not include exceptions for rape or incest (“Legalizing personhood,” April 20, p. 10).

WORLD Around the World

Los Lamos, Nicaragua Submitted by Ted Alexander

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