January 23

‘A time for plain speaking’

I was shocked, not that Planned Parenthood violated some law, but that aborted babies were being cut up for research. The next thing will be a market for breeders, sellers, and buyers. The organizations and attitudes are already in place; we’ll just have to get over a few antiquated scruples.

Bill Powers on wng.org

#ShoutYourAbortion? These individuals did not want another human being to interfere with their mobility or future. They are without reason or excuse.

Willis L. Bourquin on wng.org

Abortion is still legal in this country, and a majority believe it should stay that way. My advice to those of you who disapprove of abortion is simple: Don’t have one!

Sally Cookman / Harpswell, Maine

When we tell others what a brutal practice this is, we need to remember that there is forgiveness for those who repent and that God changes hearts.

Sheri Bailey on Facebook

‘In God’s hands’

It is only a matter of time before assisted suicide is mandatory for the terminally ill and the elderly. It can be as simple as denying medications, but there will be other methods.

Dave Dahlke / Port Orchard, Wash.

If rights are the highest moral good, then sure, I have the right to die, and eventually somebody else will have the “right” to take my life if it infringes on his rights. But I do not have the right to take my life, because it is in the image of God and is sacred.

JennyBeth Gardner on wng.org

Promoters of assisted suicide have worn out their thesauruses implying that it is legal in Montana, but it is not. Our state Supreme Court ruled that a doctor charged with homicide might have a potential defense based on consent, but vacated a lower court ruling that assisted suicide is a constitutional right.

Bradley Williams on wng.org

‘No-confidence vote’

Christians who did not vote are guilty of allowing the most pro-abortion leader ever to run our country. As Bonhoeffer wrote, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless.”

Kelly Denoyer Russell on Facebook

I was one of those 38 million Christians who did not vote for president in 2012. I could not in good conscience vote for a man who thinks that the Book of Mormon is true. I have been earnestly praying God would raise up Christian leaders we can respect. So far this year looks promising.

Charles Burge on wng.org

I am so angry I could hardly finish this article. Are we to thank those 38 million for the last eight years and the downhill slide of our nation? Inconvenience? Disdain for politics? They should blame themselves.

Rhonda Stark / Palmer, Alaska

‘Sailing into history’

I have puzzled over Donald Trump’s lead in the polls, and this column makes sense of it. The correlation between past movements and historical lessons is intriguing.

Lea Ann Brookens / Colorado Springs, Colo.

I am saddened to see my favorite Christian magazine attack Trump. He says what has needed to be said for a long time. Perhaps God will put him in office and show mercy to our country.

Stuart Latimer Sr. / Taylors, S.C.

‘The ABC scientist’

I would love to take a class from a professor like Joel Brind. It would be fun, but it could be hard to separate his expertly crafted conclusions from attempts to stir up hornets’ nests.

Neil Evans on wng.org

If I had just read a profile of a “zany” professor who belonged “in a nutshell” according to colleagues, I would be inclined to agree with the writer. But as I caution my own students about drawing conclusions from published reports, readers should beware of nonobjective language.

Joel Brind on wng.org

‘Keep it quiet, please’

I love WORLD but I wonder about your “reliable statistic” that 1 in 3 American women has suffered “sexual intrusion or offense.” Does the definition include things like a co-worker brushing past a woman in a hallway? If so, it plays into feminist ideology and trivializes true sexual offenses like rape and human trafficking.

Becky Kempf / Eureka, Ill.

Joel Belz got it right. A young relative, raised in church, was recently charged with the sexual exploitation of a minor. It came as a complete surprise, for he was living a secret life.

James Marshall / Concord, N.C.

‘The happiness specialist’

What a great issue for Sanctity of Life Sunday. I especially appreciated Dr. Camilla Hersh’s comment: “To kill the victim doesn’t really treat the crime.” So many people think it’s OK to have an abortion after a rape or incest.

Paul Matlock / Pagosa Springs, Colo.

I’m still reeling at the implications of the incest story. Praise God for Hersh and others like her, who get inside the story to protect life and bring justice to abusers.

Carol Robinson / Centennial, Colo.

‘Away from the big city’

My father’s 30 years of ministry in Montana included visiting nursing homes, typing bulletins, and shoveling snow. Mom taught Sunday school, played the organ, led the women’s group, and did whatever else needed doing. Small-church ministry is a full-time venture that pays very little in material benefits.

Lois Droegemeier on wng.org

I also am from Montana, and my husband is an associate pastor at a small rural church. I wish the article had been longer; these congregations face more challenges than just paying the pastor and building community.

Katie Powner on wng.org

‘Rules of the road’

Michael Cochrane made some valid points but also asked, “And who among us always comes to a complete stop at stop signs?” Well, I do, and he should.

Douglas H. Carlson / Vestal, N.Y.

‘God so used a stick of wood’

Mindy Belz spoke of how effectively God used a stick of wood. He was also very effective with two sticks tied together to form a cross.

Dick Muller / Oak Ridge, Tenn.

‘The riddle of Isaac’

Could God have tested Abraham’s faith to show mankind that God would require and accept only one human sacrifice—His Son, Jesus?

Dotty Hash / Wylie, Texas

‘The Big Short’

This entertaining movie blamed Wall Street greed for the mortgage collapse, but a more accurate portrayal would include the irresponsibility of those who lied to get loans they could never repay and utopian policies that pressured banks to give out bad loans. The Big Short came up short by not showing that you reap what you sow.

Joe Kesler / Missoula, Mont.

December 12

‘Unconquered’

The cover of the Dec. 12 edition fits perfectly with your abortion issue. The dark, hulking figures leading Christians to their deaths powerfully remind me of what people are doing at Planned Parenthood, and what our culture is doing. WORLD’s graphics are the best.

Malcolm Powers / Ann Arbor, Mich.

Correction

Total U.S. giving by individuals, foundations, and businesses is now more than $360 billion (“Love and charity,” Feb. 6).

WORLD Around the World

Oberwesel, Germany Submitted by Chris and Lori LaPlatney

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