Good for us

So Barack Obama thinks it fine for Christians to compromise in favor of his unbiblical views of abortion and "alternative" lifestyles, but he won't compromise ("Preach it," Oct. 6). That tactic has been around a long time, but godly conviction is part of the fabric of authentic Christianity, and we don't live in an alternative universe where it doesn't matter. Obama presents dangerous views on elemental human and societal foundations. -Bruce Henne; Kenosha, Wis.

You quoted a pastor comparing John the Baptist to Barack Obama. How ridiculous. How can he claim to be a Christian and at the same time support any law that makes legal the murder of babies, unborn and sometimes even (through partial-birth abortion) born? -Christie Perkins; Columbia, S.C.

For years conservatives have monopolized religion and it makes me sick. Republicans are not the only people who believe in God-this may come as a surprise to you gas-chugging good old boys. Have you forgotten, "Do not judge others lest ye be judged?" -Kyle Williford; Orlando, Fla.

As a Baptist pastor, I would never feel comfortable with someone using the pulpit as a platform for his political agenda. Obama clearly does not see the Bible as the Word of God and criticizes conservatives for not neglecting their strongly held convictions in order to support his cause. -David Neeley; Greencastle, Ind.

Reasons why

I was gratified to read Andrée Seu's "Confessions of an insomniac" (Oct. 6) on why God seems elusive while ignoring our pleas. Why should it be so difficult for God or His heavenly hosts to cure a little insomnia, solve a financial crisis, or provide a little courage when needed? Though I may desire sleep this night, God may decide that I need to work through some truth that will ultimately allow me to find rest when truly needed. Though Seu may be caught in a struggle, her ability to articulate the darkness of the night and the joy of the morning is an inspiration to us all. In the times of silence, we need to keep moving forward. -Bob Finlayson; Huntingtown, Md.

God is doing battle on our behalf everywhere. Those battles sometimes take us into a physical war in the here and now that we humans don't understand, and so we want to extract ourselves from it. Yet we still have to live our physical lives to the end to see and experience the peace people seem to think is possible here and now. -Hank Wayman; Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

To me, unanswered prayer is only our perception. God answers in His time and in His way for our best and for His glory. Job, one of my favorite books, has the leading character dealing only with God and not even mentioning Satan, even though he appears to be the cause of the trouble. -Richard Brewster; Cutchogue, N.Y.

Nervy decision

The issue of increased postage rates strikes a nerve with me ("When 48 ÷ 2 = 26," Oct. 6) as a subscriber and an employee of the USPS. May I point out at least two other factors besides God trying to get your attention? The rising cost of oil has been a burden for us all, and we have a somewhat disproportionate distribution of costs involved in mailing whereby major mailers get deeply discounted rates. I don't know that the recent increase was radical but it certainly was not handled well. As for me, feel free to bill me for the additional postage it will take to get WORLD to my door. -Dennis Zimmerman; Greenville, S.C.

Kudos to the WORLD staff on your decision to go to 26 rather than 48 issues. We love the magazine and are certain the content of the expanded issues will continue to be as valuable in the future as it has been in the past. -Bill Swenson; St. Louis, Mo.

Dangerous work

Blackwater guilty before the facts are in ("Enemy of the people," Oct. 6)? Armed guards of dignitaries are not "mercenaries," nor are they enemies of people other than terrorists out to kill Americans. Roads not traveled by Americans are safer not because of dangerous Americans but because those roads have fewer bombs intended for our fellow Americans. Our prayers are needed, not lopsided judgments. -Ralph Melling; Norton Shores, Mich.

The article shows a lack of understanding of the terrible conditions of war and the dangerous job the Blackwater agents are hired to do. My son is a Marine intelligence officer. The rules of engagement soldiers have to follow put his men at risk and embolden the enemy because they know the rules, too. Blackwater guards are used so extensively because they can do the very dangerous work of protecting one person in a violent world that will do anything and use anyone to kill. -Ted Gillary; Beverly Hills, Mich.

Twisted minds

The article about abortionists using legal lethal injections troubles me ("Deadly substitute," Oct. 6). What twisted minds we have in our society! I wonder how many of these same states won't execute criminals using lethal injections because it is inhumane? -Renny Gazy; Baltimore, Md.

The true Spirit

Since our bodies were designed to be temples of the Holy Spirit, I can see that there might be specific reactions in our bodies to the Holy Spirit ("Mind over matter," Oct. 6). Part of my conversion process was an experience of the Holy Spirit. He was a different spirit from that which I experienced in eastern religions, although perhaps if I were wired up at those times by researchers no difference would have been discerned in my brain between the experiences of the True God and the false spirit. -Jeff Alexander; Visalia, Calif.

What does it mean to be a person? What is the relationship of the brain to the mind/soul and how does our increasing knowledge of the brain's activity shape our understanding of personhood? As neuroscience reveals more about the brain and its capabilities, questions and issues related to who we are are likely to become an increasing focus of debate both within the Christian community and outside it. Without an opportunity to learn how to integrate neuroscience and a Christian worldview, the next generation of Christian young people may be left trying to constantly retrofit their theology to new discoveries in neuroscience. -Ralph E. Davis; Orange City, Iowa

Heads up

I went to The Jane Austen Book Club because your review stated that this "might be one of the sweetest, best-written movies this year" ("Clever club," Oct. 6). I am perplexed as to why you neglected to mention the somewhat startling lesbian relationships in the movie. And you stated the PG-13 rating was for language, but the rating was for "mature thematic material, sexual content, brief strong language and some drug use." I would expect WORLD to provide a better heads-up about subject matter clearly contrary to Scripture. -Jeannette Davenport; Essexville, Mich.

Your exceptional article about the upcoming movie The Golden Compass (Spotlight, Sept. 22) was right: Parents need to be prepared to discuss this perilous movie with their children. Aimed at children, books like His Dark Materials try to undermine the Christian values so carefully taught them by their parents. Is there any good modern fantasy/fiction left? -Mary Kizior; Newark, Ill.

Duty and delight

Delight can be found in everything we do and experience ("The uselessness of delight," Sept. 22). My job is labor intensive, sometimes injurious, and always wearisome, yet I delight in the ability to shelter and protect my family. I delight in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, going to movies with my children, and the hummingbirds sipping nectar from the feeder as I sit on the deck with a beverage. Is duty ever to be put on hold? Is delight? They are intertwined, and the more I know God the more they become one and the same. -Rich Reis; Mill, Ky.

Count some votes

It's fascinating to watch the Democratic National Committee threaten to ignore the delegates elected in primaries from states like Michigan and Florida ("States of confusion," Sept. 15). The states simply want to move up their state's primary date so they have more of a say in choosing a presidential nominee. Whatever happened to the Democrats' mantra of "count every vote"? Can you say "hypocrite"? -Ken Vasquez; Chino, Calif.