Mailbag

Inspiring stories

Thanks for recalling the personal memories of several people who were there when Chinese soldiers killed so many people ("Tiananmen massacre," June 6) and describing how a government seeking to crush freedom helped many of its ­people find Christ. Their stories should inspire Americans to rediscover the words, "All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights." -Robert L. Oberst; Syracuse, N.Y.

Our government rightly protested the massacre of thousands of innocent Chinese in Tiananmen Square. That event pales in comparison to the ­millions of innocent babies aborted every year, yet abortion gets the seal of approval from our current president and his party. -Thomas Burley; Alto, Mich.

It was most disturbing that a Christian publication would print such a photo on the cover. Where is the respect for the dead? -Gregory R. Poston ; Houston, Texas

My first thought on seeing the June 6 cover was that WORLD will be barraged with unhappy reactions to it. Upon reading how adamantly China refutes even the existence of the massacre, what better proof than a valid photo of it? Thanks for presenting the news as it is (or was) with no whitewashing. -Barbara J. Ortler; Chelmsford, Mass.

Thank you for your cover story. Indeed, many Chinese became Christians after Tiananmen Square. Nevertheless, I would point out that quite a few ministers have expressed concerns about whether China's younger generation, which grew up in a more affluent China with greater power, many Olympic medals, and space exploration, is receptive to the gospel. -Samuel To ; College Park, Md.

It's all good

Joel Belz is right that "there's no way 14 out of 50 Americans even 15 years ago would have said that homosexual marriage was an OK thing with them" ("Going with the flow," June 6). Since the American Psychiatric Association decided 36 years ago that homosexuality was no longer a mental illness, the media have dished out megadoses of propaganda that define the issues in the way most positive and favorable to the homosexual agenda. -Daniel D. Nave

"Going with the flow" was fascinating. Perhaps one of the many complex reasons Americans have become so permissive is that they are deriving their worldviews from the cinema rather than a biblically sound church. -Shelby Vafinis ; Memphis, Tenn.

One thing kept nagging at me as I read the column: What business does the government have in legislating God's sacred institution? Let the churches and those who attend them be the ones to recognize and ordain whatever marriages they want. I guess that comes from the libertarian in me. I think it's wrong for anything outside of "one man, one woman," but the implication that I'm giving empty approval hurt a bit. -Tracie Simer; Jackson, Tenn.

"Going with the flow" hit the nail on the head. Sadly, the same permissiveness is also often true of the Christian community. We need to consider carefully the reasons behind our beliefs so that we are not carried out with the tide of popular opinion. -Brandon Guest, 15; Woodland Park, Colo.

Call today

I appreciated Edward Lee Pitts' article on the moderate Democrats in the Senate who are the true "Power players" (June 6). These 13 moderates may feel their conservative district constituents watching their every vote for the 2010 elections, and we can also call the offices of our Democratic senators to voice our preferences on upcoming votes. If enough of us do that, few senators would dare vote against that voice. -Joni Halpin; Allen, Texas

Toward the day

Thank you for your articles about providing parents with an educational choice for their children ("Ticket to learn," June 6). They are a great encouragement to persevere toward the day when most American families, not just the privileged few, have the liberty to choose the most appropriate education for their children. Our president and first lady are one of these privileged families yet, as you note, the current administration apparently plans to deny that same choice to less privileged families who live in Washington, D.C. -Michael J. Kane; Portland, Ore.

Demand more

I thought "Patronizing the arts" (June 6) was wonderful. At the mention of Damien Hirst, I knew where the column was going. True art has something meaningful to say even if the words are hard to hear. Isn't it unnerving to think what a dead, formaldehyde-drenched tiger shark says about our culture? I wholeheartedly agree that we need to demand more. -Tricia K. Schoon; Valparaiso, Ind.

Well-illustrated

WORLD and its readers have greatly benefited from the Olaskys' move to New York City, as the stroll through the Metropolitan Museum of Art with Christian artist Robert Zeller well illustrates ("Different strokes," June 6). Thank you for the introduction to Zeller. -Barbara Masoner; Los Angeles, Calif.

The same grace

Pete Seeger lacks humor ("Unfunny man," June 6)? Come, come! What about "Way Down Yonder in the Yankety Yank" and "Puttin' on the Style"? In all my years of following his career, he has always seemed both g­entle and cheerful. Let's give liberals the same grace we give ourselves. -Margaret Harris ; Whittier, Iowa

A fitting nod

Although it was a huge disappointment in general, what I had most hoped to see in Terminator Salvation was present: a fitting nod to the title ("Man and machine," June 6). At least twice throughout the film, the cybernetic Marcus Wright appears in spread-armed restraints that are no set-design coincidences, and once even with a chain-chewed brow. He is also an analogy for the human condition, in which the corruption we fight springs up most powerfully within ourselves. Marcus' revulsion with his machine core is convicting; why do we not respond with the same agony when we catch sight of our own sin? -Clara Meath ; Adelphi, Md.

Doctor-ordered

Thank you for the valuable review of Up ("Charm & grace," June 6). I saw this well-made film and agree that it "entertains kids and pulls on grown-up heartstrings." I hope writer Pete Docter will provide more like it. -Joan G. Martin ; Marietta, Ga.

They know

Thank you to Edward Treski for his courage and example, and thanks to Edward Lee Pitts for sharing his story ("To hell and back," May 23). Both my grandfathers served in 20th-century wars, and my husband is currently deployed with Operation Iraqi Freedom. These men defy a culture that increasingly knows not what it means to be a man. -Angela Buursma; Louisville, Ky.

I just read, then tore out for safe keeping, "To hell and back." This story is incredible. I am captivated by his faith and his mother's memory that he held on to with fervor. -Samantha Bird; Wilmington, Del.

Pathetic

Christian viewers sided with worship leader Kris Allen in giving him a surprise victory in this year's American Idol finale, where a record-breaking 100 million votes were cast (The Buzz, June 6). So Christians will vote in droves for a relatively meaningless flash-in-the-pan entertainer but sit out crucial elections and allow liberal politicians to implement their radical, anti-Christian social agenda. What a pathetic commentary on today's Christian citizens. -Kurt Schrampfer; Appleton, Wis.

More like redemption

One of the things I liked best about the movie 17 Again ("Happy returns," May 9) was the way the protagonist was placed in his journey. Mike O'Donnell didn't create another past in which he could just substitute events to fix his troubles; instead he grappled with his mistakes and the things he neglected, making the end more like redemption than magic. -Elsa Wilson ; Tallahassee, Fla.

Hello, WORLD I am so glad my wife introduced me to WORLD two years ago. I value the Christian focus that runs through your publication. I am saying goodbye to Newsweek after reading it for 30 years. Its new, hard-to-read format leaves a cold, detached feeling, and its writers' views are certainly toward the left. -Richard Feist ; Grants Pass, Ore.