Opening up minds

As a Caucasian mother of two African-American children through adoption, "Black genocide" (Jan. 17) wrenched at my heart. I thank God every day that my children's birthmother chose life. But I am saddened that far fewer families are willing to adopt African-American children than white children. Those in the Christian community really need to pray about opening up their minds as well as their hearts. -Mary Schauer; Bovey, Minn.

My heart bled as I read "Millions cut down" (Jan. 17). Now, more than ever, is a time to pray for a softening of President Obama's heart, a breakdown of Planned Parenthood, a rise in crisis pregnancy centers, and that (somehow) the Freedom of Choice Act will not go into effect. -Tim & Tama Shoemaker; Harrisonburg, Va.

As 2007 Daniel of the Year recipient and director of the Pregnancy Care Center, I applaud your research and depth of coverage on abortion and the pro-life movement in America. -Wanda Kohn; Leesburg, Fla.

What a poignant and convicting cover image that told simply and piercingly the story of an aborted child's life. It was beautiful, and tragically accurate. -Kristine Wessler; Yorktown, Va.

The articles about abortion were excellent. We have long felt that a nation that grants a population the right to destroy its citizens through abortion has lost its soul. -Bill & Doris Heyns; Cape Coral, Fla.

Pivotal strategies

I was deeply moved to see the references to Guy Condon and his impact on the pro-life movement ("Pro-life pivot," Jan. 17). Guy was my son-in-law. He had an absolute commitment to life and deep concern for fathers, who in many cases felt the grief of an aborted baby that was his as much as that of the mother. His vision encompassed the whole family. -Donald R. Striffler; Willow Street, Pa.

Successful social reformers-from abolitionists to Gandhi to Dr. King-worked to change how people perceived the injustices at hand. We who are the messengers have to accept short-term persecution and stay on course to achieve long-term cultural transformation. -Stephanie Gray; Calgary, Alberta

The history of abortion in America in the 19th century ("Lessons from the past," Jan. 17), the history of the last 20 years of the pro-life movement ("Pro-life pivot"), and my favorite, the article on outreach to New York Muslims ("Quiet witness," Jan. 17) were all excellently researched, original articles. -Rick Randall; Broomfield, Colo.

But they work

Joel Belz recommends dumping fundraising appeals from nonprofit organizations and carefully picking one or two to support ("Trash it," Jan. 17). But fundraising letters are a very cost-efficient means of letting the public know of our efforts. Our letters tell how the gospel works to free the addicted and help those who have been run over by circumstances and economic downturn, and of their recovery and new life. How else would the public know of the good work we accomplish? -Robert K. Gehman; Baltimore, Md.

Thank you for "Trash it." As the executive director of a strongly evangelical nonprofit organization, I have had the same thoughts regarding the high cost of many of the mailings I see my contemporaries send out. They look beautiful, but I wonder how much more direct service could have been done with the tens of thousands of dollars spent to look impressive. -LoriJo Schepers; Zeeland, Mich.

As an executive director of one of those nonprofits sending out appeal letters to drum up new donors, I have many wonderful, long-term donors who found us just that way. Spending $50,000 to acquire potential long-term donors is the backbone of many nonprofits, especially in a world where Christians do not tithe. -Bob Sweeney; Dallas, Texas

I could not disagree with Belz more. Just because one can't give to all the appeals is no reason to "trash" them. Small gifts are all that some of us can give. -Sue Henry; Lynchburg, Va.

No better deal

Regina Herzlinger's suggestions for improving health care are generally good ("Healthy competition," Jan. 17) but the art and science of medical practice cannot be "transparent" in the same sense as the food, clothing, or housing industries. She is naïve to suggest that statistics such as "the death rate of a surgeon" would actually help. Surgeons work on human flesh, and that has too many variations in its response to surgery to suggest that their capability can be reliably measured by "the death rate." -Carol K. Tharp; Winnetka, Ill.

I don't want any part of a third-party-payer medical system. I put my health-care dollars in the bank. Sometimes I take some out to pay a doctor, the rest I get to spend on other things. When my body eventually stops working (it's getting close now), I will go to heaven, and the leftover money will go to charity. Neither the Swiss nor the government can offer me a better deal. -Tom Pittman; Bolivar, Mo.

I agree with Herzlinger that the U.S. health-care system is badly broken. "Consumer driven" care would be theoretically ideal but I don't see that happening in the United States. We need change but as a surgeon it frightens me to think that these changes would originate in Washington or in the halls of Ivy League medical schools. There is a significant disconnect between the view of health care in those places and what we work with daily in the heartland of the United States. -Keith W. Miller; Muncie, Ind.

Teens can

Regarding "Inkblot data" (Jan. 17) about the study suggesting virginity pledges have little impact: A recent Wall Street Journal column pointed out that the teens in that study who took virginity pledges were compared to teens who did not take virginity pledges but hailed from conservative families who already taught, modeled, and encouraged abstinence until marriage. Teen pregnancy rates in both groups of teens were low. The take-home message was not that virginity pledges don't work but that teens can and do abstain from sex when abstinence is taught and encouraged. -Kerry Dean; Henderson, Nev.

Would be nice

I was shocked at the high percentage of Protestants and Catholics in the House and Senate noted in "Faith on the Hill" (Jan. 17). The laws churned out by our Congress indicate that many of these legislators don't understand a biblical worldview. Wouldn't it be wonderful to see legislation on par with their claims to faith? -Lisa Meek; Bothell, Wash.

A godly example

I was thrilled to read "Way out on a limb" (Jan. 17), as I have been reading a biography of George Muller by A.T. Pierson for the last few months. I have been challenged and encouraged to "take God at His Word" by this godly man's example. -Kelly Bolduc; Boscawen, N.H.

Illogical and unrealistic

If the Arabs would put down their weapons, there would be peace. If Israel would put down her weapons, there would be no more Israel. Hamas' demands for a one-state solution and the destruction of the Jewish state are illogical and unrealistic ("War without end," Jan. 17). As long as this terrorist organization insists on an unattainable "solution" we will truly have a war without end and the Gazans will continue to suffer. -Irving E. Friedman; Irvine, Calif.

Dares to review

I just finished reading my latest issue from cover to cover. As usual, it was fascinating and informative and thought-provoking. My favorite section is The Buzz, and I love that WORLD dares to review the culture from such an intelligent, Christian perspective. -Kira Davis; Gary, Ind.

Corrections

The engineer who sent a text message seconds before slamming into a freight train outside Los Angeles was driving a Metrolink train ("Texting ban," Dec. 27, p. 61).

Hugo Chavez is president of Venezuela (Looking Ahead, Jan. 31, p. 7).