Divided we crash

"Divided we stand" (April 5/12) could have been more aptly headlined, "Divided we crash." The GOP has fractured and divided Christian conservatives so that now evangelicals have nowhere else to go. Christian leaders should be asking themselves some questions: Why was the people's choice in Iowa not heeded? Is a seat at the GOP table more important than coalescing behind a candidate who truly shares our values? -Mary Kerr; West Columbia, S.C.

While I appreciate the tone and overall accuracy of the article, the statement attributed to me misses my point. I did not question anyone's choice in the presidential process merely because they disagreed with me. Rather, having watched the process firsthand, I was absolutely astonished at the reasoning various leaders gave for their choices. I do not know how any person can call himself a social conservative leader and support candidates who reject our views on human life, traditional marriage, and other key issues. -Michael Farris; Purcellville, Va.

Unlike Phil Burress, I do not care if a Democrat wins the Oval Office. If we as the pro-morality, pro-family majority cannot come together early enough with enough clarity and commitment to the principles we "believe" in to field a good candidate, then we do not deserve the Oval Office. The baby-killing, morally corrupt, and fiscally irresponsible members of our society have fielded two persons who represent their core values. We, on the other hand, can only put forward a John McCain. What a sorry commentary on the supposed power wielded by the religious right. -Ken Hatten; Melissa, Texas

Just how long will we have to endure WORLD lamenting Huckabee's loss? Wouldn't Christians be better off discerning the liberal slant he has in politics, religion, and philosophy? -Laurie Paramore; Rocky Mount, N.C.

Let them come legally

We politically conservative Christians who speak out against illegal immigration ("Pathetic trade-off," April 5/12) are not heartless bigots. We see the big picture and realize that our country has immigration laws for a purpose. Are we opposed to all immigration? Of course not! Allowing immigrants to enter our nation illegally is not only an affront to my father-in-law, who endured much waiting and red tape, but to the many others following proper procedures. Let them come, but let them do so legally. -Regina Silva; Rural Retreat, Va.

I congratulate Joel Belz for his excellent column pointing out the GOP's losing strategy on immigration. It's fine to talk about border security, but we need to do so in a way that doesn't alienate Hispanic voters. Conducting workplace raids and breaking up families through deportation doesn't help our cause. -Andre Traversa; Park Ridge, Ill.

What many Americans, like myself, want is a secure border that allows reasonable screening of immigrants and a system of giving them citizenship and work skills that will allow their assimilation into the American culture. My wife and I, both third-generation immigrants, are not xenophobic or anti-immigrant. Neither should we be chastised for believing that this country has created a problem that is out of control. What is pathetic is that in the current system we pander to voters hoping that this will result in votes for one side or the other. -Robert Shillingstad; Hayden, Idaho

In Virginia's Prince William County, some Republicans have based their political fortunes on taking a hard line against illegal immigrants, resulting in an exodus of Hispanics from the county. With houses empty and business receipts down, the county is being starved of much needed revenue. Now Republicans are seen as hateful bigots presiding over a homogenous and fiscally strapped ghost town. -Thomas M. Beattie; Mt. Vernon, Va.

As a conservative Christian I hold no ill will toward immigrants or those seeking to improve their lot in life. I do, however, believe we need to hold to the letter of the law. Those who are here illegally should be deported and our borders made more secure. -Don Cherry; Hedgesville, W.Va.

We should regard our illegal residents as refugees from the failure of Mexican socialism and work toward assimilation. -Bill Coates; Eckert, Colo.

Drilled out

I was a bit disappointed to find WORLD describing a movie, Drillbit Taylor ("Knocked out," April 5/12), that contained "crude sexual references . . . and partial nudity" as a "good way to spend a Saturday afternoon." -Judy Shields; Lilburn, Ga.

Since my introduction to Tyler Perry in Madea's Family Reunion ("No quiet believer," April 5/12), I have come to rely on his films as thought provoking, realistic, and most importantly, based on faith. My whole family, none of whom is African-American, by the way, waits in anticipation for the next Tyler Perry production. -Michelle Martinez; Florence, Ariz.

Your recent two-page spread on Tyler Perry prompted our family to watch Madea's Family Reunion. Your glowing description of his style of filmmaking was way off the mark. Two or three references to being saved and being a Christian do not negate the vulgar language, vulgar "humor," and otherwise offensive parts of this film. -C. Irmen; Swanton, Ohio

What do we expect?

When churches reject what the Bible has to say about church government, life, and sexuality, can we expect them to ever stop debating any response to sinful behavior? This could go on until these denominations no longer exist as Christian churches ("The unending debate over gays," April 5/12). -Kenley Leslie; Bay St. Louis, Miss.

Jackson on trial

Marvin Olasky's "romantic realist perspective" ("A Passover lesson," April 5/12) on historical figures resonated with me. I was ill-prepared to encounter the considerable dissonance between the Andrew Jackson of my youth (influenced by a movie called The President's Lady, a tour of his Hermitage estate, and my grade-school texts) and the one implicated in the source material that my high-school daughter brought home. Perhaps some "wise, yet patient son" will one day comment on this hero/villain. -Susie Richardson; Reading, Mass.

Don't get it

I appreciated Mindy Belz's "Islamo-ignorance" (April 5/12). I think it emphasizes a great failing in our culture. We have dismissed ties to any holy book as being backward, antiquated, and unscientific. This has rendered us incapable of recognizing how anyone can be so committed to religious beliefs that they will not only die for them but see themselves as obligated to force everyone into the non-negotiable position of either compliance or the grave. I think this is one of the major failures of our left-wing politicians. -Byron T. Bezdek; Lisbon, Ohio

Say it ain't so

Thank you for Janie B. Cheaney's thoughts on current popular memoirs ("Their so-called lives," April 5/12). My book group recently discussed this issue after we read Night and The Hiding Place. I find it sad that people (and publishers) find it necessary to embellish a story or create a false story. It almost makes me, as a reader, feel stupid and gullible to believe in such stories. I also find sad my pessimism in knowing that every time I read a memoir I'll have the looming doubt of its authenticity in the back of my mind. -Kathi Bonham; Aloha, Ore.

Building on sand

"An inconvenient winter" and the sidebar, "Fashion statement" (March 22/29), did a good job summing up the climate-change rhetoric: A hot summer makes headlines, but a cold winter is relegated to the back page of the travel section. Mark Bergin's sidebar had me shaking my head. I'm not surprised the Southern Baptist Convention issued its Environment and Climate Initiative. It speaks of stewardship of God's creation and compassion for the poor. However, it grounds these actions on an erroneous foundation. The SBC is doing the poor no favor by promoting a climate-change crisis that will divert attention, effort, and money away from genuine ministries to help the less fortunate. -Mark Saito; Lee's Summit, Mo.

Corrections

The Boston church featured in "Houses of God" (April 19/26, p. 91) is Park Street Church.

The author of a World on the Web commentary called "Watching Obama" is Peter Wierenga (The Buzz, April 5/12, p. 12).

Pat McCrory is the Charlotte mayor running for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in North Carolina ("Those other races," May 3/10, p. 60).