Mailbag

"Delivery from shame" (April 23)

Dr. Catherine Hamlin is worthy of admiration for her lifetime of work in Ethiopia on behalf of women suffering from fistula. As a missionary nurse working in West Africa for 10 years, I often saw the problem and the social rejection this condition causes. Most Muslim girls I saw were married off in early puberty when they lacked an adequate pelvis for delivery. For them fistula is almost predictable, if they survive delivery. When patients came to Christian hospitals, they knew that we would care for them properly and fairly, regardless of gender. Priscilla Weese; Wheaton, Ill.

I was so excited to see the article about Dr. Hamlin. I hope to pursue a medical career, and she is such an inspiration to use my gifts to honor the Lord and help others. Anna Remer; Fairfax, Va.

"My pledge dilemma" (April 23)

I enjoyed Joel Belz's column about whether to pledge to NPR. I too like the in-depth coverage from NPR and listen frequently. I wasn't convinced by his reasons not to pledge, but I don't either. I've convinced myself that I only listen a little bit, but I think deep down that I am just a free-loader and should at some point square the books. Robert Masters; Rochester, N.Y.

I believe NPR sincerely tries to be fair, but with its obvious left-leaning, secular slant it fails to address issues that I regard as central. For example, a recent call-in show featured a discussion of dehumanization, how otherwise sane humans can justify killing others they regard as less than human. It never occurred to host, author, or callers to bring up the most obvious example: abortion. Dale Talsma; Fort Wayne, Ind.

I agree with Belz; NPR does not deserve support from Christians. I use NPR stories as a teaching tool for my children, using it as my go-to radio station as the best example of over-the-top leftist bias, especially its careful story selection. For example, when George W. Bush was president, the homeless situation was dire and NPR made sure you knew it; when Barack Obama became president, the homeless vanished overnight. Terri Rice; Pasco, Wash.

"The magic word" (April 23)

I really enjoyed this column. As the side effects of my chemotherapy have increased with each treatment (although still not really severe), I find myself wrestling now and then with my attitude. I sign most of my letters, "Resting in Jesus," and have had to ask myself the question, "Am I, really?" He has certainly been precious through this experience. John Hosie; Pearl River, N.Y.

I read Andrée Seu's column in the ER with one of my 15-year-old twin sons waiting for the surgeon to arrive for his appendectomy. Earlier that week, a bankruptcy lawyer advised us on the closure of our family's underwater contracting business. The next day we discovered my debit card number was hacked and a thief was enjoying my bank account. The column was so timely. I feel empowered in my rebuke of the Enemy, with thanks and a heart of gratitude even for fleas. Rita Bush; Ballston Spa, N.Y.

"Earth day" (April 23)

What a beautiful, stirring piece of prose by Janie B. Cheaney. The way she described Earth's reaction to Christ's life, death, and resurrection shamed me. Where is my blissful reaction to the fact that death could not hold Him? Dianne Danielson; Dayton, Ohio

"What the veil reveals" (April 23)

I agree with the French law banning the hajib because I think that women shouldn't have to dress like that. They are covering up the real person that God made them to be. Johnetta Jenkins, 16; Columbia, S.C.

"Hop" (April 23)

Your magazine is so good in every way, except for the movie review of Hop. Toddy Burton called this delightful movie a "muddy mess." Nothing could be further from the truth. Seeing the movie with my grandkids and a theater full of joyful adults and kids was wonderful! Gregory A. Olson; Fort Dodge, Iowa

Thank you for your movie reviews. They have been very helpful by giving me a glimpse of what I am about to see in the theaters. David James Schreur; Kanawha, Iowa

"Showing, not telling" (April 23)

Marvin Olasky observes that the "greatest value" of Richard Sherlock's book, Nature's End, is in the last chapter in which he "notes that rational arguments are not sufficient to change hearts and souls" about important bioethical issues. Rational arguments often may not be sufficient, but they are very often absolutely necessary. After decades of myopic focus on "the heart," too many in churches ignore the command to love God with all one's mind. Melissa Stahlecker; Rapid City, S.D.

"Give chikin a chance" (April 23)

After reading about the campaign to punish Chick-fil-A for supporting a marriage seminar in Pennsylvania, my education was expanded to include new categories of lifestyle in this brave new world. I do not know if I am more horrified that I do not know what the QIA in LGBTQIA means or that the University of Missouri-Kansas City has a staff member who is paid to coordinate LGBTQIA programs. Jeanne Kuhlman; Edmond, Okla.

"Liberal 'love'" (April 9)

Both the Christian who says Gandhi is in hell and the pastor who says there is no hell are guilty of the sin of presumption. Both go beyond what the Bible has revealed. Some find it incredible that God would allow anyone to go to hell. I find it just as incredible that God would allow anyone into His heaven, based on what I see in the world and know about myself. The cross remains God's definitive statement to mankind regarding the seriousness of judgment and the possibility of hope. Mike Carlson; Weeki Wachee, Fla.

"I didn't hear it on NPR" (April 9)

Timothy Larsen tries to cut NPR some slack over A Prairie Home Companion. He'll have to look a little harder; that program comes from the unrelated American Public Media. Jimmy Alexander; Fountain Inn, S.C.

"Another iAttack" (April 9)

I was shocked and confused by Apple's removal of an Exodus International iTunes app regarding same-sex attraction. Truth Wins Out can say what it wants, yet TWO wants to muzzle opposing viewpoints. Exactly what is TWO afraid of? The truth? John Walker; Island Falls, Maine

"Support by another means" (April 9)

I lived in Africa for 20 years, and Susan Olasky was right-on with her report on gift-in-kind aid projects. Some countries charge import duties higher than the shipping costs, and some of what is sent ends up being sold in the local markets. Sending money through well-researched and reputable aid organizations results in the best use of the gifts. We should keep giving-just do it responsibly. Judith A. Olson; Minonk, Ill.

"Paralyzing nobility" (March 26)

This column came at just the right time. My Dad is 94 years old and beginning to need help with important matters because he gets confused. However, I am finding that the Privacy Act and other legislation may be putting limits on what I can do to help him. It is so frustrating. I am praying that the Lord will let no one take advantage of him in his increasingly vulnerable state. Wendy Boyd; Sequim, Wash.

All of it

I enjoy WORLD very much. I read all of it. I love the news, the articles, everything. Thank you for your hard work. Fulton Carmichael, 11; Louisville, Ky.

Corrections

David Harriman resigned from Frontiers in August 2009 ("Inside out," May 7, p. 47).

In February three local Pennsylvania franchises of Chick-fil-A donated food to a marriage seminar produced by the Arkansas-based nonprofit Family Life. The event was hosted by the Pennsylvania Family Institute, an associate group of Focus on the Family ("Give chikin a chance," April 23, p. 51).

The one fatality from a March 23 bus-stop bombing in Jerusalem was Mary Gardner, a British citizen and a Wycliffe Bible translator (Quotables, April 9, p. 18).