Now that's change

Barack Obama as "Messiah" ("The waiting game," March 22/29)? Hmm. The last time I checked, the Messiah I worship actually healed a multitude of sick people, actually fed a multitude of hungry people, and actually brought back to life a dead person before actually sacrificing His own body to provide the entire human race a way of escape from imprisonment. Now that's change, and a not-too-shabby record to run on. -Bob Yeazel; Elmhurst, Ill.

You do not need to hear Reverend Wright's entire sermons to interpret, as Hillary Clinton did, his ministry as one of hate. One should seriously question the religious faith and moral compass of anyone who would sit under that ministry for 20 years. -Nolan Nelson; Eugene, Ore.

Obama's promised change will be about the same as Jimmy Carter's "change," only with more partial-birth abortions and an expansion of terrorist activity. He is bad for Illinois and will be even worse for the nation -Jim Vanne; Aurora, Ill.

Forgotten to flavor

Joel Belz seems to portray accurately the present mood in East Tennessee ("Gloomy conservatives," March 22/29). I am a pastor recently returned from international missions work. My students and friends in East Africa were concerned to see a photograph of an American flag in the sanctuary of a church I once pastored. I explained that the flag was to express patriotism, but they were concerned about the corrupting influence of politics on the church. Could we be so concerned about capturing places of leadership that we have forgotten to flavor the culture in meaningful ways? -Doug Brown; Morristown, Tenn.

I have no trouble understanding why "conservatives" couldn't agree on a presidential candidate. There are too few real conservatives remaining in our country and those left, like Ron Paul, are labeled "kooks." -Mike Wahl; Athens, Ala.

"Gloomy conservatives" was an accurate portrayal of how conservatives view McCain and recent events, but I do not agree with the two jabs Belz made at conservatives and their "inactivity." As he mentioned, Christian conservatives have been fooled by evangelical politicians and their own leaders, so it is very appropriate that they reflect on this and perhaps for once refuse to jump on board with a candidate who is not true to their values and true to his word. -Debbie Pearcy; Tulsa, Okla.

Unworthy

I agree with Marvin Olasky that we should recognize it is "not the end of the world" if our favorite candidate loses ("Intoxication before God," March 22/29) and that good citizens vote. However, I have become convinced that there are times when it is better not to vote than to choose the lesser of two evils, and this may be the time. If the Republican Party only wants our votes but is ashamed of our values, then it is not worthy of my vote. -Tom Burley; Grand Rapids, Mich.

Indeed, God is sovereign and we are totally dependent upon His grace! Thank you for taking me through the "glass darkly" and letting me see the big picture. -Liz Bewley; Royal Palm Beach, Fla.

As a Lutheran Christian, daily I must pray, "Father, forgive me, for I know exactly what I am doing." -John Mark Pepoon; Lewisville, Texas

The green monster

"The green dust" (March 22/29) reminded me of the poem by Alexander Pope that describes vice as a horrible monster that, seen too often, "We first endure, then pity, then embrace." It is hard to imagine that people can call evil good and good evil, but this is the fate of those who lose their moral compass. -G.H. Thompson; Thornton, Colo.

"The green dust" was very meaningful to me. Our second daughter has been in Spain for the past three years. Although it has been a wonderful experience in many ways, she too has found it very difficult to find meaningful fellowship with true believers. Her co-workers can speak of religion but often it's only to convert her to the Catholic church. I am relieved that her contract is over in September; I can hear the spiritual fatigue in her voice. Your article helped me understand why it is there. -Gladys Wittman; Worden, Mont.

PC, well done

Emily Brooker's experience in a social work education program ("Unfriendly visitors," March 22/29) is far from rare, unfortunately. In my 10 years as a university professor training family therapists and counselors, I dealt with political correctness as a matter of course and regularly ran afoul of colleagues, administrators, and even students who could not tolerate diversity of thought or political perspective. I won't be surprised if mental health professionals are eventually required to adopt the prevailing ideology (the Marxist-based view that all problems are the result of parental, racial, sexual, economic, religious, or government oppression) or leave the field. If that happens, hopefully Christian professionals will choose wisely. -Mark Odell; Kalispell, Mont.

Insight into blessing

Thank you for the article about Russia ("A war for souls," March 22/29). There is a Russian community near my hometown, and the article gave me insight into the blessing those folks enjoy of having the freedom to have their own church here in America. Those who sometimes wonder why so many Russians are coming to our area should see the beauty of people taking advantage of our freedoms, instead of complaining that they don't know English very well. -Sarah Pringle; West Plains, Mo.

Fussing and fait accompli

I don't think same-sex marriage is a good thing, but no-fault divorce has damaged far more children and families than same-sex marriage ever will ("Beyond partners," March 22/29). When one of our parishioners leaves his wife for a "trophy wife," instead of declaring the new marriage invalid in the eyes of God and at canon law, we fulminate and fuss and then accept it as a fait accompli. Maybe that's one reason our divorce rate is as bad as that of the world. -Howard Ahmanson; Irvine, Calif.

After-office effects

John Adams regarded his post of vice president as "the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived," but now it's become a hot topic for debate ("The race for No. 2," March 8/15). Few former vice presidents have left lasting impacts on our country. Some, like Al Gore, have impacted our social or political climate more after leaving office than when they were in office. -Linda Brown; Deptford, N.J.

Remember Hillary

I could hardly believe it when I saw your cartoon of Hillary Clinton's "campaign headquarters" at the Alamo (The Buzz, March 8/15). Just days before the Texas primaries, I was in the ladies' restroom at the Alamo and a woman in a Hillary '08 T-shirt came in and started handing out fliers. Later, we saw Alamo security tell a group of about 15 people handing out Clinton fliers to leave, but about 30 minutes later I saw some of them going back in through another entrance, fliers tucked under their jackets. -Katherine Fehl; Pittsburgh, Pa.

Photo taker, album maker

I had to laugh a little uncomfortably at myself while reading "Fighting over scraps" (March 8/15). When my family moved to New Orleans from Belfast, Northern Ireland, we could only have one suitcase each. We had precious few photos of our family and no aunts and uncles around telling family stories. Dad's death six years later left more untold stories. I became the photo taker and album maker long before stickers and alphabet fonts were available. It is important to tell my children (and myself) what the Lord has done for us. -Susan Burlingham; Asheville, N.C.

Attitude is everything

I agree wholeheartedly that Christians should accept and respect all musical genres, regardless of whether or not we personally like the music ("Joyful noises," March 8/15). I think that musical style and abilities are not important to worshipping God. I believe that the importance lies in one's attitude of worship. -Joey Clark; Colorado Springs, Colo.