Mailbag

‘Here they stand’

Feb. 9 I commend Jamie Dean for her in-depth article on the contraceptive mandate and how it is affecting many Christian companies. However, I find it sad that we do not have more Christian companies willing to take a stand on such an important issue. Fourteen Christian companies have filed lawsuits, but surely there are more than 14 out there with more than 50 employees. —Joyce Jones, Belleville, Ill.

If all Christian-owned companies and organizations would sue the government over the contraceptive mandate instead of sitting back and waiting, it might do more good. — Shari Salzman, El Paso, Texas

As a Christian business owner it seems to me that a great solution for those who object to providing “emergency contraception” for their employees is one of the Christian organizations that provide a network of healthcare cost-sharing for their Christian members. These are exempt from the mandate. —Aaron L. Johnson, Phoenix, Ariz.

‘Prayers for the future’

Feb. 9 The column about the military man’s concerns for his oath to the Constitution and his concern for his children’s future was very moving. Prayers for our military personnel are going out from this household. —Winston Slider, Chugwater, Wyo.

My grandmother’s heart is asking the same question that the young officer posed because one of my grandsons is in Officer Training School now. What could he be called upon to do that is against his Christian faith? —Martha Wood, Kansas City, Mo.

I pray that our brave soldiers, who joined the service to protect their fellow man, will be able to discern treachery afoot and do what is right. —Carolyn Anne Venable, Houston, Texas

I’d like to offer some alternatives to Joel Belz’s points: First, don’t follow the crowd. How you respond to unlawfulness is a matter of individual conscience. Second, pray that when conflict comes, God’s people will defend the laws of nature and God rather than the rules of men. Finally, we should pray that God’s people, when their freedoms are taken away, will not treat those freedoms lightly but will reclaim what our forefathers fought for. —Jerry Thompson, Livonia, Mich.

‘Culture creep’

Feb. 9 Andrée Seu Peterson’s column is an insightful, perceptive exposé of the way cultures evolve and adopt moral change by subterfuge. The acceptance of pedophilia is nauseating. We need another great revival. —Carl Abbott, Holmesville, Ohio

My wife and I suspected it wouldn’t be long before polygamy, pedophilia, and bestiality would be seen as an “alternative lifestyle.” As Christians it should not surprise us how debased and evil the world is becoming. —Paul Balluff, Orlando, Fla.

Curing the malaise Seu Peterson is writing about would require, as one writer put it, the wholesale excision of postmodernism from American culture, which in the short run is sadly impossible. —Dave Grooters, Canon City, Colo.

Only those adults who are open to pedophilia have “little agreement” about it. The young victims have no such disagreement. They have to bear the trauma of it for the rest of their lives. Shame on any adult or “professional” who wavers for even an instant on how sick and perverted this behavior is. —Sharon Peske, Bemidji, Minn.

‘Don’t waste your medical mistakes’

Feb. 9 Marvin Olasky’s experience provided yet another reminder of how much easier it is to preach it than walk it. Both my wife and I have encountered similar wake-up calls from God and are, I pray, becoming more adept at recognizing His tests of faith. —Fred Berkheimer, Pinehurst, N.C.

This column reminded me of my 5-year-old grandson’s response to my husband’s death. We told him how wonderful heaven was and how much his grandfather would enjoy it, but he would have none of it. He repeatedly told us that he liked it here and did not want Jesus to take him to heaven. That’s not so different from how we Christian adults view death. —Emma Walton, Belle Plaine, Kan.

I am faithless a lot and this column helped me see I’m not alone. —Laura Smith, Mishawaka, Ind.

‘Cycle of lies’

Feb. 9 I loved the headline. Your comment that Lance Armstrong “seemed to truly care” only for himself was a picture of us all who, without the amazing mercy of our Heavenly Father, cannot think of anything but ourselves. —Diane Hirt, Yardley, Pa.

‘Soldiering on’

Feb. 9 When I read about Lt. Gen. Boykin, I realized that I have been guilty of moaning and complaining about the track our country seems to be on, yet I am apathetic and expect someone else to defend my beliefs. I am guilty of not being out there fighting! Because of WORLD, I will be looking for opportunities to stand up for God and country. —Shirley Kelso, Olathe, Kan.

‘A little hypocrisy, please’

Feb. 9 A New York Times column suggests that we “give up on the Constitution.” We genuflect to the Bible but do not do what Jesus teaches in it. I guess the Bible has also become an “archaic document, cobbled together by dead white guys” two millennia ago and “can’t meet the needs of an evolving culture.” —Joe Marincel, Flower Mound, Texas

‘Cleaning out the farm’

Feb. 9 Up until now, have farmers been allowed to force their workers to take care of all of their “elimination” needs in the open fields? And no one thought this might be a contamination problem? My husband’s construction-related business must supply an OSHA-specified number of portable toilets. Sometimes it’s inconvenient and expensive, but it’s a federal requirement, not to mention respectful of the needs of workers. —Beverly Parrish, League City, Texas

‘Broken arrows’

Jan. 26 Although I was a bow and arrow hunter, I never did understand that verse in Psalm 127 about how children are “like arrows in the hand of a warrior.” Why do we only understand these things when we are great-grandparents? —Lyle H. Nelson, New London, Minn.

‘From this day forward’

Dec. 29 This was just what I needed. I was involved in prison ministry for 13 years and appreciate what Mr. Peterson said about losing 30 years in addiction and 12 years in prison. I just turned 50 and the devil uses that phrase, “It’s too late now,” in my life as well. —Steve Lyon, Lansdowne, Pa.

Dispatches

Dec. 1 I am a bit behind in catching this but noticed that the Supreme Court upheld a ruling allowing public school students to receive credit for off-campus courses in religious schools. Christian schools should become pro-active about this. Many concerned parents with children in public school would be thankful to have their children take single courses in Bible as literature, or as history, or even as the foundation for civil law. And having a broader base of citizens with a stronger biblical knowledge—priceless. —Sandy Gleespen, Prospect, Ohio

WORLD around the World

Boali Falls, Central African Republic Submitted by Tom Berg

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