Short-sighted

I am still waiting to hear a good reason for why the Republicans lost their majorities in the House and Senate ("Election issue: Iraq and terrorism," Nov. 11). A third of evangelicals voted for Democrats to teach Republicans a lesson? How short-sighted is that? What was everyone thinking? With Nancy Pelosi the House speaker, we are now subject to San Francisco values. Thanks, evangelicals. -Mark A. Stevens; Zelienople, Pa.

Get into the marketplace

If Muslim cabbies want to refuse passengers carrying alcohol, fine; but they should be prepared to lose their fares, their places in line, and even their jobs ("Get out of the cab," Nov. 11). The free market will separate religious sincerity from political posturing, and Christian bus drivers who conscientiously object to driving buses with gay-themed advertisements can become drivers for cab companies weary of losing money on Muslim employees. -Leslie Morrison; Wickenburg, Ariz.

I am not Muslim, but I fully agree with the idea that a privately owned company has every right to choose whom they will or will not serve as a customer. Why would anyone ask them to do something that violates their religious beliefs? After all, we Christians demand this same right when it comes to pharmacists dispensing RU-486 and similar issues. -Frank Phillips; Auburn, Maine

The U.S. State Department may not be officially watching the Muslim Brotherhood, but many other agencies are. Extremist Sunni Islamists founded the Muslim Brotherhood in 1928 in Egypt. Hassan Mohamud must know that the Muslim Brotherhood is indeed the progenitor of Hamas and many other similar Islamic organizations with charitable-sounding names. -Karl R. Crantz; Nineveh, N.Y.

Not good enough

Thank you Joel Belz for "Deceptive truths" (Nov. 11). The good can often take attention away from the best and this seems to be the case today, not only with Reader's Digest and other publications but also with a great deal of talk that comes out of conservative media. While much of the discussion is "moral," indeed touted by moralists, the moralism does not end up serving the gospel by showing man that he is a sinner and in need entirely of God's grace. It rather tries to convince (and even inspire) others to be simply a good person. -Markus Klausli; Dallas, Texas

Belz argues that pragmatism as a means of making decisions is like poison. Unfortunately, this attitude has separated Christians from engaging in productive dialogue with nonbelievers for centuries. The Bible is in no way opposed to pragmatism; it says that one reaps what one sows. Christians should rejoice when researchers and journalists come to conclusions that support Christian perspectives. To criticize them because they don't use God's Word as the foundation is like cutting off your nose to spite your face. -Wayne McDaniel; Lawrence, Kan.

Wanted: honest politician

After reading "Auction House" (Nov. 11) I was so angry I wanted to spit! The only solution is to elect honest politicians. Does anyone know where I can find one? -Michael F. Schefke; Fraser, Mich.

Blessed reunion

I hadn't thought about my POW bracelet in over 20 years. I'm sure the emotional reunion for Vietnam POW Galati and Denney, the woman who prayed for him, was truly a blessed event ("Full circle," Nov. 11). -Sherry Malloy; Del Rio, Texas

A great joy

I first heard of Samer and Abeer months ago ("Apostasy rules," April 9, 2005) and about the need for prayer for their safety and passage out of Jordan where they were not allowed to live as Christians. I had their picture taped to my desk for a very long time, and I confess that at some point I removed it, wondering if I'd ever know what happened to the family. What a great joy to hear that they have been relocated to Texas ("Free at last," Nov. 11)! -Elaine Neumeyer; Big Canoe, Ga.

Purpose in pain

I'm so glad that I have resumed my subscription to WORLD just in time to read "Prayer trek" (Nov. 11) by Andrée Seu. I have been laboring for nearly five years under the weight of chronic inoperable pain resulting from a complicated coronary bypass. I cannot count the times that the pain has driven me to tears but, after being comforted reading "Prayer trek," I have a renewed sense of purpose in continuing to pray to the Lord. I am also a Star Trek fan and remember that episode well, and the implications that the Star Trek crew faced by tampering with history. -Joseph M. Gates; Mount Prospect, Ill.

Serendipitously, I just read "Prayer trek" on a night, one of many, when sleep was not coming in answer to my prayers. Thanks for reminding me of the higher calling in the night, and for blessing me (and I am sure many others). Let's take a few notes now and compare them in heaven to see how He answered our nighttime prayers. -Cindy Spengler; Bethlehem, Pa.

Who matters

In "Unstoppable growth" (Nov. 11), about embryonic stem-cell research, you wrote that the "stem cells used in the experiment were taken from embryos, which died in the cell-harvesting process." Embryos are people and should be referred to by the relative pronoun who, not which. This might be a small thing, but by using the right terms we reinforce our claim that embryos need our vigilance and protection. -Shelley Tuttle; Superior, Wis.

What's next?

Daniel Ortega is elected president of Nicaragua ("'A big, historic transition,'" Nov. 11). The Democrats take over both houses of Congress. What's next? The rebuilding of the Berlin Wall? -William Ferguson Jr.; Cincinnati, Ohio

Tax break for adoption

More children may be adopted ("Homeward bound," Oct. 21) if more people know about the federal tax credit available for qualified adoption expenses. The credit greatly offsets the high adoption expenses for many families. -Eugenia H. Kornegay; Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

All made up

I was edified by "Plucked out of the burning" (Oct. 21). As a homeschooling mom I am constantly in need of remembering that Moses couldn't speak well, Noah got drunk, Peter denied Christ, John Wesley wasn't a good husband, and yet God used them mightily because they loved Him. Every one of my inadequacies is glaringly apparent in my children and homeschool, yet I am so thankful that the Holy One will make up for my shortcomings as I pray to Him each day. -JulieBeth Lamb; Oakdale, Calif.

The phrase "a brand plucked out of the burning" did not originate with Suzanna Wesley, as some believe. John Wesley's godly mother was quoting the prophet Zechariah. Praise God that He, by His sovereign grace alone, has plucked all of His people from the fire of hell. -Butch Rumble; Conyers, Ga.

Cutting-edge church

Back in 1993 I visited All Saints Church in Pasadena one Sunday ("Pulpit politics," Oct. 7). Just past the table with "Justice Bread," baked in the inner city, was the abortion-information table, hosted by a grandmotherly type who in former days would have been teaching Sunday school children about Jesus. When I commented with surprise about an abortion-rights table at a church, she said brightly, "Oh, yes! We're on the cutting edge!" I thought that was a particularly appropriate comment, considering the subject. May God hold the Episcopal Church accountable for its activities. -Cheryl Scharlach; Canyon Country, Calif.

Correction

President George Bush campaigned for Iowa congressional candidate Jeff Lamberti ("Tactless tactics," Nov. 11, p. 34).