Calvin said it best

Regarding Bob Jones's article, "Fighting the fever" (Feb. 27), I wholeheartedly agree that "the recent show trial of President Clinton [is] a timely reminder that Washington is not the source of hope for believers." In the article, former Congressman Dan Coats adds: "Too many have put too much faith in sending the right person to Washington." I think that, aside from Scripture, John Calvin said it best: "Even though all the princes of the earth were to unite for the maintenance of our Gospel, still we must not make that the foundation of our hope." - Brent England, State College, Pa.

King Bill's colonies

As we chasten our legislators for letting high crimes and corruption pass unpunished ("Though the heavens fall," Feb. 27), little has been said in the press about the notably European style of President Clinton's leadership behavior. Bill Clinton, who studied in the United Kingdom, clearly feels comfortable in a world where privilege demands that the ruling class be exempt from laws and standards designed to keep the masses in line. The lord of the manor traditionally had a free hand with the castle wenches, and he expected his servants to betray their honor, and even give their lives, in defense of the castle and its secrets. How many more scandals and craftily covered craziness will need to be revealed before we're persuaded that King Bill is not fit to govern these colonies? - Edwin A. Schwisow, Sandy, Ore.

Hip, hip, hurray

Three cheers for Tamir Goodman ("Hoops of fire," Feb. 27). Here's a young man I can respect. He's willing to take a stand for what he believes and will not play basketball for the University of Maryland on the Jewish Sabbath. It's sad that athletes who profess to know Christ, the one who is Lord of the Sabbath, don't have what it takes to do the same. When is the last time you printed an article about a Christian athlete who refused to play on the Lord's Day? Are there any? - Harry Heist, Verona, N.J.

Not just laymen

I'm writing to disagree with an assertion made in your Feb. 27 issue ("Struggling in Tokyo"). Mark Joseph argues that Christian musicians shouldn't be held to the same high standard as ministers since they are really just laymen who have been elevated above their real position. I disagree, not because I think Christian musicians as laymen should be held to the same high standard as ministers, but because I think Christian musicians are in fact (whether they desire it or not) ministers, particularly those who are widely known. The words sung by Christian musicians influence others, and in a very real sense they become teachers. Thus, they should be held to the higher biblical standard. - Alan Ogletree, Houston, Texas

Try Star Wars

While your article on Dungeons and Dragons was totally accurate ("Dark in the dungeon," Feb. 27), I felt that you had left out an entire side of role-playing games (RPGs). While many RPGs (like Dungeons and Dragons) are filled with demons and magic, there are some RPGs that are still fun to play and have little objectionable material. One example is the Star Wars RPG. It is fun to play, provides great challenges, and leaves out almost all objectionable content. The little objectionable content (use of the Force, which is very much like magic) can be edited out with little difficulty or loss to the game itself. - Dan Rollins, 17, Turlock, Calif.

Math-imagination

I think it necessary to correct any misunderstandings that may have arisen from the recent article on role-playing. At its core, it rests on a single idea-the application of mathematical principles to imagination. The essence of role-playing is not in the occult, nor in base violence, nor even in escape from reality, but in the systematic attempt to apply measurements and statistics to every aspect of existence. Hence, an injury subtracts a certain number of "hit points," personal charm adds a certain number of points, etc. Mr. Wegierski rightly critiques RPG systems which are in need of criticism, if not outright burning. However, the existence of a few bad role-playing games does not mean that the entire genre is merely an appeal to a "thoroughgoing nihilism." Hollywood is drowning in evil movies, but we do not condemn movie-making itself. We must not fall into the trap of condemning the concept of role-playing because it has been abused by a few twisted designers. - Raymond Erikson, Escondido, Calif.

If the shoe fits

I just had to respond to the last two letters in your Mailbag in the March 13 issue. I don't think your magazine is Democratic-bashing at all. I think it is "wrong-bashing," and if the shoe fits.... You can be sure the same two people would have been screaming for Bill Clinton's head if he had happened to be a Republican. Party loyalty seems to put blinders on some people! Keep up the good work. - Marv Knock, Sioux Falls, S.D.

It's not?

After taking the time to really look the magazine over, my husband and I do not want to subscribe after all. I am glad you are doing this and I know there are many people that would enjoy a magazine like this, but in our busy lives we would prefer to read articles that are more encouraging and, needless to say, the news isn't that, is it? - Carol Pollock, Juneau, Alaska

Enough jargoned prose

I have a suggestion. Have your contributors write in prose. According to Webster's New Collegiate, 1976, prose is the ordinary language men use in speaking or writing. There are too many words in each WORLD that, in my opinion, are not the ordinary language men use. In the Feb. 20 issue I noted: bard, tenets, vanguard, outsize, prevalent, implicit, culpable, sage, tentativeness, egalitarian, patriarchal, archness, circumspect, cryptically, bludgeon, eccentrically, jargoned, prose, subterfuge, cynical, empathy, and propitiary. I hope you will seriously consider this not only for my benefit, but for those like myself who I think are in the large majority. - Reuben Neiswander, Clute, Texas

Kudos to Columbus

By stating that the Columbus, Ohio, city council voted to quit offering health coverage to same-sex partners of unmarried municipal employees, the article ("The No-Comment Zone," Feb. 20) implies that such coverage was previously available. The ordinance was to take effect on March 1, 1999. However, upon becoming aware of the ordinance, Columbus residents quickly collected almost 8,500 signatures on a petition to put the issue on the May 4 ballot. Concerned that voters would defeat it, the city council repealed the ordinance before it took effect. Congratulations to the citizens of Columbus who recognize that a same-sex relationship is not the same as a marital relationship and should not be given marital status by civil government. - Joshua K. Baker, North Ridgeville, Ohio

Underwhelming artistry

Maybe I should read his book rather than review your review. But I noticed a paradox in Ms. Impson's observations on Charlie Peacock's new book on CCM ("CCM at the crossroads," Feb. 27). Our primary calling is evangelism, or to be "salt and light," she writes; our secondary one is to our vocation. I won't disagree with that, but isn't it possible that the primary calling is largely served by the secondary one? I think many CCM artists survive on making music for a strictly Christian audience because they are not compelling enough to enjoy a more general audience. If Christian artists are not engaging the culture, it is not because their Christianity is too overwhelming, but because their artistry is too underwhelming. - Drew Dernavich, Bedford, Mass.

Please don't change

I just renewed my subscription to WORLD a few weeks ago. Please, please don't change it. So many magazines have changed and not for the better. - Patti Jo Staples, Concord, Calif.

Can't catch a clue

Mindy Belz's informative article ("It takes more than a village to depopulate one," Feb. 20) made me wonder why Christians can't catch a clue regarding birth control. The UN and other agencies reject God; therefore, they reject His gifts. Children are a gift and a reward from God (Psalm 127:3). Likewise, he who rejects children, rejects God. Wake up, Christians, and stop shooting yourselves in the foot! Toss out the contraceptives and start reclaiming the world for Christ one child at a time! - Susan Grafton, Knoxville, Pa.

An honorable death

Your heading above Mr. Orr's letter, "Suicide with honors?" (Mailbag, Feb. 27) implies that the suicide of Field Marshal Rommel was less than honorable. I disagree strongly. Had Rommel opted for trial, Hitler would have most assuredly destroyed Rommel's family. There were two choices given Rommel by the Gestapo: his death alone, or his trial/execution and the deaths of his dear wife and son. Rommel chose to save his family by his sacrifice alone. You may draw whatever conclusions you will, but as for me, I believe Rommel was a gentleman and a soldier of honor. - Bob Dodge, Lake Stevens, Wash.