Urban calling

Regarding "Save our cities" (April 19/26): As a life-long and reluctant city slicker, I've loved my time out in nature, away from the stress and chaos of the city, and can't help but believe that is how the Lord intended us to live. But Christianity was founded in the cities and that makes the believer's call to the cities even more relevant. We as Christians surely can minister to the needs of those who live in them. -Jay Ryan; Cleveland, Ohio

In our land

It is sad to think that people in foreign countries see prostitution and human trafficking as a job option ("Caged," April 19/26), but it is worse to see it in one of the most prosperous nations, right here in our homeland. Kudos to Peggy Bilsten for all her efforts. -Chelsi Smith; Williamstown, W.Va.

My heart is bleeding as I think about the horror those young girls live through. I was equally disgusted when I read that three Arizona lawmakers fought against a bill aimed at closing the loophole the pimps use to protect themselves. The 13th Amendment prohibits slavery; those young women definitely fit the description of involuntary servitude. -Hannah Seyer; Albuquerque, N.M.

Wasting away

I read the article about Philip Mangano and his efforts to reduce homelessness with sadness ("Abolitionist," April 19/26). Having worked with the homeless daily for 22 years I cannot believe-or trust-that the same government that caused most of this disgrace will be the same government that solves it. De-institutionalization was supposed to save the government money and give dignity. We now see the devastating results. -Ronald Buchinski; Ferndale, Wash.

Reaching the lost

Thank you for the article about Leslie McMillan ("One woman's urban impact," April 19/26). It is encouraging to me that this woman is doing what God has called her to do: being a witness to Russian Jews. To have atheists come and leave as Christian believers is astonishing. -Lynn Toothman; Washington, W.Va.

Darwin's black effects

Thank you for your interview with Ben Stein about his documentary Expelled ("Mocked and belittled," April 19/26). He touched upon some of the consequences of Darwinism, specifically Nazism and Planned Parenthood. We Christians hear a lot about the fallacies of Darwinism and atheism but not much about the effects when these worldviews are put into practice. -Stephanie Nill, 16; Chesterfield, Mo.

While Expelled is entertaining, it regrettably blurs the distinction between theism as an extra-scientific conclusion reached from science versus theism as an active component of the scientific method. The former is eminently reasonable, the latter is a non-starter. By failing to observe this distinction and play by the rules of science, theists damage not only the credibility of belief itself but also their ability to counter some of the truly bad evolutionary science covered in the film. -Raymond Turner; Dallas, Texas

I went to see Expelled recently and just want to say how much I enjoyed and appreciated Ben Stein's effort. It was even better than I had hoped it would be. -Virginia DuBose; Grants Pass, Ore.

Return to substance

I was so glad Joel Belz clarified the mission of these two young men and their "Rebelution" ("Beyond bed-making," April 19/26). I saw their ad in your magazine and thought, as he did, that it was just another teen fad disguised as a cutting-edge evangelistic explosion. Yeah for homeschooling! Yeah for a return to substance in the evangelical church! -Aaron Friar; Boston, Mass.

Often we teens want to be given more responsibility, but if we find making our beds and cleaning our rooms are hard tasks then I don't know where our society is going to end up in the next decade. Teens like the Harris brothers give hope to our nation and encouragement to teens who want to make a difference. -Jared Stevens; Parkersburg, W.Va.

Nonsense

Now I understand why I find liberals so confusing. If they believe that people are generally good and that government is corrupt ("Right decision," April 19/26), why do liberals trust the government to take care of all the problems instead of allowing the good people to fix everything? It makes no sense to me. -Kathy Kay; Lolo, Mont.

Hopelessly broad

In an advertisement in the April 19/26 issue, the Evangelical Climate Initiative claimed, based on an Ellison poll done last summer, that "84 percent of evangelicals support federal legislation" to reduce carbon emissions that "cause global warming." It didn't tell readers that Ellison's definition of "evangelical" was hopelessly broad. A more recent Barna poll that distinguished between evangelical and non-evangelical "born again" Christians found that only 33 percent of evangelicals say that the issue is a major challenge. Of the 50 groups studied, evangelicals had the lowest level of belief that global warming is a critical problem. -E. Calvin Beisner, Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation; Broward County, Fla.

Blessing and cursing

Like most golf fans I have marveled at Tiger Woods' prodigious talent. I have also cringed at his occasional outbursts of profanity at a bad shot. I was equally impressed with Stephen Curry's great performance in the NCAA basketball tournament ("Tiger's tirade," "Spice of Curry," April 19/26). What an ironic contrast. While Tiger profanes the very God who blessed him with athletic talent, Curry acknowledges that God and praises Him. -Thomas Burley; Grand Rapids, Mich.

Think of the judges

It never ceases to amaze me how lightly some people are taking this election because their candidate is not on the ballot (Human Race, April 19/26). This race is more than for a presidency; the one elected will appoint judges who will serve for a lifetime. McCain has promised to appoint judges who are strict Constitutionalists. Obama or Clinton would certainly appoint liberal, left-wing judges who will attempt to change the Constitution to fit their own interpretation. -Bobbie Leab; Advance, N.C.

Winsome and varied

You have to don your reading glasses to catch his name because the only place to see it is in a tiny font running vertically along the edge of the pages, but Krieg Barrie provides a winsomeness and variety to WORLD that is lacking in other news publications. He captures the essence of an article with his practiced and inspired palette. The April 19/26 issue abounds with examples of his beautiful craft. -Keith Pond; Wichita Falls, Texas

Vanishing loyalty

I was shocked that although many people are leaving Christianity, 75 percent of Americans still consider themselves Christians ("Change-seekers," April 5/12). Considering our culture's "have it now" mentality, the rapid flip-flop between denominations makes sense. Megachurches are growing because people are comfortable being lost in a crowd. Small churches lose members because people dislike working through confrontation in this "tolerant" country of ours. Just as loyalty in the job market has disappeared, loyalty to denominations has all but vanished as well. -Jonathan Hodges; Hudson Falls, N.Y.

Enough tampering

"House rules" (April 5/12) correctly points out the Fed's central role in the subprime mortgage mess. This is the latest in a long series of economic problems it has caused. Contrary to what Marx thought, the boom-and-bust cycle isn't inherent to capitalism but to government tampering with the money supply. -Ethan Sudman; Gurnee, Ill.

Real change

Jill Nelson's "Men in black" (April 5/12) was excellent in scope and coverage. Messianic Jews have real hardships in Israel. Wouldn't it be refreshing if the United States cut aid to Israel until it shows real change and extends equal rights to our fellow Christians living there? -Dan Dendulk; Ft. Myers, Fla.