Mailbag

‘The edge of extinction’

May 17 Your cover story on the persecution of Christians in Iraq was excellent. According to the World Christian Encyclopedia, over 70 million Christians have been martyred since Christ walked the earth, and 45 million were martyred in the 20th century alone. Finally, the war against Christians is receiving the press it deserves. —Jerry Bergman, Archbold, Ohio

‘Life in the shadows’

May 17 I was very disappointed by your report on the deportation of illegal immigrants. You suggest that such heartrending stories are common and Maria’s family is “one of millions” separated by the Obama administration’s program of increased deportations. However, Sen. Jeff Sessions reported recently that 98 percent of those deported in recent years were either convicted criminals, caught attempting to cross the border illegally, or fugitives. —Grant Zimmerman, Cleveland, Ohio

We live in a time when there is respect for neither this country’s laws nor its sovereign borders. People here illegally should go back to their home countries with their children and return through proper legal channels. Then they would no longer be “in the shadows.” —Thomas Edward Long, Winter Park, Fla.

Maria and Angel “decided to stay” beyond their visa. They made a decision that was illegal and unethical. When assigning blame for their current predicament they need look no further than their bathroom mirror. —Gayle Robinson, Raleigh, N.C.

While we all agree our immigration system needs to be fixed, badly, we cannot start off pardoning those who knowingly break our laws. —Dale Shattuck, Lansing, Mich.

‘Water resistance’

May 17 The plight of drought-ravaged California farmers reminded me of the bumper sticker that reads, “NO FARMS, NO FOOD.” I see that and say to myself, “No fooling!” —Peter Kushkowski, Portland, Conn.

I appreciate many things about WORLD, such as Mindy Belz’s fearless reporting, but this article presents only the views of those who are opposed to the federal and state restrictions on water use. Couldn’t you have quoted a government official or Christian environmentalist who supports those restrictions? —Kevin J. Kennedy, Haslett, Mich.

‘To train up a Pharisee’

May 3 The main tenets of the Pearls’ teaching are love, respect, relationship, and affection. They emphasize that training in an atmosphere of parent-child fellowship eliminates the need for much discipline. If this is their prescription, and yet the parents administered abuse, how can we blame the doctors? —Elizabeth Tesone, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

The ominous tone of this article is unjustified. I’ve examined To Train Up a Child, and it advocates nothing like what those criminals did. And allegations from unnamed “critics” and “media voices” are hardly convincing. —Hannah Malone, Austin, Texas

I am very familiar with Michael Pearl’s materials, and he seems to assume that if people just do what he does they will get the same results. But he is a rare breed, both strict and adoring of his children, and he has underestimated the impact the parents’ personalities have on parenting. —Sandi Dallaba, Verona, Pa.

Christian parents know that, bottom line, parenting is about their child’s heart, not how obedient he is. You cannot reason with a 2-year-old, so gradually parents shift from chastisement to counseling their children about heart issues, grace, and everyday gospel living. The Pearls’ book helped us develop a Christ-centered home instead of a child-centered home. —Richard Driggers, Fort Worth, Texas

‘Silent submission’

May 3 The silence concerning creation in the Christian community is astounding, for the creation account is critical to our Christian faith. Churches should put this issue on the front burner and Christian parents should expose their children to the powerful evidence of a Creator. —Oscar Thorsland, Liberty, S.C.

The statement that “others who are so restrained that they publicly commit to nothing more specific than intelligent design” seemed off to me. WORLD has reported on scientists and others in academia who have lost their jobs because of such a commitment. It is no small thing. —Meghan Bowker, Wasilla, Alaska

I believe Christians are scared of the doctrine of creation because they don’t know what the evidence for creation is or that it’s overwhelming. Secularists have done a great job suppressing it. —Jim Scrobko, Glastonbury, Conn.

‘Coat of many dollars’

May 3 I appreciate the financial struggles Christian colleges are facing, but you didn’t answer whether their programs are worth the high costs. Although there is an element of sticker shock when it’s time to pay the bills, for our four children the benefits of a Christian education—from good friendships to dedicated faculty and staff to opportunities for growth and ministry—make the price one we and our kids are willing to pay. It’s about so much more than money. —Sara McKay, Fulton, N.Y.

‘Sexual propaganda’

May 3 Consider how so much of students’ debt goes to pay for classes promoting sexual propaganda that have nothing to do with preparing for a career. Given the high cost of college, perhaps it is time to reconsider the whole concept of a liberal arts education. —Russell Guetschow, Vicksburg, Mich.

‘A pox on Mother’s Day?’

May 3 Initially, I was disgusted and outraged by the pro-abortion showcase at the University of Michigan and Amanda Marcotte’s article, but the last paragraph reminded me that “such were some of us, but we were washed.” So I didn’t stop at outrage, but I stopped to pray for these women who have been taken captive by this present darkness. —Raenel Mathews, Payson, Ariz.

Human Race

May 3 Your obituary for Mickey Rooney accurately recounts his failures but ignores his later conversion, which he credited with freeing him from his addictions. Even mainstream media acknowledged the redemptive impact of evangelical Christianity on his life. His story is a reminder of God’s rich grace. —Alan Amavisca, Yorba Linda, Calif.

‘Publisher changes’

May 3 I help choose books to review for a church librarian’s newsletter. Thank you for the news clip about WaterBrook Multnomah’s new imprint, Convergent Books. I won’t be recommending books from Convergent. —June Ruyle, Sun City West, Ariz.

‘Talking around the problem’

April 5 Very well done column, and to expand a point from Dr. David Powlison: If love cannot hate anything, He cannot protect us from evil, and what kind of love is that? To suggest love cannot hate at all is the world’s vapid wisdom. —Donald Woolery, Rockford, Ill.

‘From gay to joyous’

Feb. 8 Out of a Far Country by Christopher and Angela Yuan is one of the best nonfiction books I have ever read. It wasn’t just a thoughtful account of dealing with homosexuality, but a beautiful prodigal son story, a book full of miracles! —Anne S. Johnson, Fort Myers, Fla.

I am a 14-year-old boy who has read WORLD for many years with my parents. I have recently been learning how to see the Christian worldview in your articles. They have blessed me and my family in so many ways and influenced my thinking for the better. —Hudson Sheets, Frisco, Texas

Correction

An electromagnetic railgun can launch projectiles with the energy of 32 megajoules (“Sound and fury,” May 17, p. 61).

WORLD Around the World

Saitama, Japan Submitted by Russell Board

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