Mailbag

Greatly missed

I was greatly saddened to hear about the passing of one of contemporary Christianity's most sincere and outspoken voices: Johnny Hart, the author of the comic strip "B.C." (The Buzz, April 21). Hart's clear and forthright expressions of his Christian faith in his excellent (and often gut-bustingly funny) comic strip reached millions of people every day. His voice, like that of one "crying in the wilderness," will be greatly missed. -Kirk Hastings; Somers Point, N.J.

Illegality

I don't think many Americans care ("The other side," April 21) that "illegal immigrants feel the animosity." After all, they are "illegal," aren't they? I believe that Americans, in general, don't have a problem with legal immigration. It's the illegal variety that is rightfully upsetting. -Michael F. Schefke; Fraser, Mich.

The foreign workers on my southern California farm average more than $450 per 50-hour week. Their contribution to our economy is incalculable. The idea that these people will work for a peon's wages is nonsense-their services are in demand and they know it. If this country wants to be dependent on foreign food and see our economy in ruins, then get rid of all the immigrants. -Drew Belk; Indio, Calif.

It grieves me that WORLD has opted for the politically correct term "illegal immigrant" instead of "illegal alien." Those coming illegally from the south are aliens; they will earn what they can then go back home to live. -Richard W. Hawkins; Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

I marvel at the quandary Christian leaders have regarding their views on illegal immigrants. Perhaps I am too simplistic, but in America, when someone violates a law, there is a penalty to be paid. They should be sent home as soon as they are caught. We have become so nauseatingly politically correct. -Frank Nolton; Lodi, Calif.

About the lies

Just got my first home issue of WORLD, and "Seven big lies" (April 21) was a home run. After 40 years in education and pastoral care, I've had to deal with the social and relational tragedies of so many who believed the lies. -David Hillis; Norfolk, Va.

Thanks to Joel Belz for exposing the liberal media and their lies. The media continuously distort the truth by the words they use, the facts they omit, and the slant they give the story. A few more spiked stories to consider are the links between abortion and breast cancer and the so-called "separation of church and state." Bev Cielnicky; Fountain Valley, Calif.

Belz promotes a false dichotomy when he presents "evolution" as the alternative to "think[ing] 'God' had something to do with where everything came from." Claiming that God used gradual processes (i.e., evolution) to shape His creation is not the same as saying that God did not create it. -Mark Witwer; Royal Palm Beach, Fla.

I think more of the problem comes from ignorance and laziness than lies. Journalists work no harder than most other people we complain about, and combine that with a certain view of the world and you get some pretty poor reporting. This is worse than if journalists were liars, in my opinion. -Christopher Taylor; Salem, Ore.

Sin, a crime, or both?

In his apparent zeal to distance himself from those brethren who would endorse civil penalties for adultery, Richard Land ill-advisedly invokes "soul liberty." While to lust in the heart and to engage in extramarital sex are both sins, only the latter is rightly subject to civil sanctions. If ministers of the gospel are comfortable acting as co-agents of the state in solemnizing marriage covenants, then how is it that Land would not permit, much less insist on, the state's involvement in bringing civil sanctions upon those who violate those contracts? -Randy Neal;Red Lion, Pa.

At its founding, America was a Christian republic because its civil laws were based on the moral code of the Christian faith, not because the majority of the citizens were Christians. We are becoming a pagan republic because we are changing our civil laws to reflect the moral code of paganism and its god, Satan. Someone's morality will be legislated and that morality is rooted in someone's religious faith. We have a choice: God's law, or chaos. -Lucius B. "Cap" Pooser; Marianna, Fla.

Good to hear it from someone from Land's denomination. I teach history in a Christian school and am sick and tired of videos from amateur historians who pretend that America was founded by evangelicals as a Christian nation. -Nathaniel Osborn; Stuart, Fla.

Afraid to be wrong

Andrée Seu's gentle admonition ("A little kindness," April 21) is timely, given the dominant tone of internet discourse. She is right to imply that we hold our opinions a bit too tightly because we're afraid to be wrong, and afraid to laugh at ourselves. One of the blessings of aging has been the freedom to laugh more at myself. -Bill Broughton; Centerville, Va.

Walking well

Regarding Zach Johnson's triumph at the Masters ("Higher master," April 21): It was amazing to hear the name of Jesus glorified on national television! My mom refers to golf as "a good walk wasted," but what a blessing it was to see that God glorifies His name in all things, clearly seen through this excellent golfer who did not waste a good walk, but turned it into a Christian ambassador's march of victory. -Amy S. Burback; Kearney, Mo.

Unacceptable scenario

When I read "Acceptable targets" (April 21), I was outraged! How could a safety procedure become a cause to stereotype? Whoever wrote this scenario was asleep when other attacks were taking place on school grounds and when the killers were identified. -Maryellen Busch; Parker, Pa.

Just say it

As a long-time jazz fan, I wish that instead of buying Harry Connick's "Oh, My Nola" CD (Bestselling CDs, April 21) I had spent 99 cents on iTunes. Connick's piano playing was muted. His renditions of classics like "Bill Bailey," "Jambalaya," and "Hello Dolly" were awful, so melodically disjointed. And Arsenio Orteza's synopsis of Diana Krall's latest CD was too understated. Why doesn't he just say that "I'm Walkin'" was butchered and she couldn't find her key to save her life in "Day In Day Out"? Finally, thanks for the heads-up on Pat Metheny's and Randy Crawford & Joe Sample's latest CDs. -Liz Bewley; Royal Palm Beach, Fla.

Science of frustration

I very much appreciate author Bjorn Lomborg calmly putting the global warming "crisis" in perspective ("Cool-headed," April 21). It frustrates me to see how many people respond to so-called "scientific facts" fed to us by anchormen and journalists. -Rebekah Hamilton; Tulsa, Okla.

The end, or not

We've subscribed for at least 10 years, off and on, with pleasure. But I'm tired of wading through the news of pop culture. Please end our subscription. -E.F. Isaacs; Salisbury, Md.

Our family, including all of my children, now teens, has been reading WORLD from cover to cover for many years. Lately I've tired of it because it's become daunting in my heart to read, over and over, how Satan, the world, and our sin nature are messing things up. I just wanted something whimsical or light. But you courageously keep speaking the truth, in love. Thank you. -Joseph Badger; Peninsula, Ohio

Correction

Eric Volz was arrested on Thanksgiving Day and accused of raping and murdering his ex-girlfriend ("Final verdict," May 12).