Might have beens

I very much appreciated your Jan. 22 issue ("In the Roe v. Wade shadow: light") and your strong stance in defending the lives of the most helpless among us. What a privilege and responsibility my generation, which was born after Roe v. Wade, has been given. We who were allowed to be born and were welcomed by loving parents have much yet to do for the helpless ones, who we pray will be born tomorrow-unlike the friends, companions, and neighbors who might have been. -B. Lindemood; Salt Lake City, Utah

Thank you for your article on the successes of the pro-life movement in Mississippi ("Delta force," Jan. 22). I find it ironic that a state often perceived as a backwoods region is this enlightened in an area that matters so much. I hope pro-lifers in other states will use some of the techniques the Mississippians have applied to shutting down these modern-day death camps. -Bill Bader; Eden Prairie, Minn.

Great article on the Mississippi pro-life fight. I would add that a former abortion clinic in Gulfport is now a Bible distribution center for BEAMS, a ministry which ships Bibles to missionaries throughout the world. It's an amazing story of how God turned a killing field into a place that promotes eternal life. -Beth Fowler; Columbus, Ga.

Relying on the Supreme Court to restrain abortions is not effective. It would be far more helpful if major political and Christian leaders would publicly express pro-life views on a consistent basis. They should encourage people to make abortion a last, rather than a first, choice because of the adverse physical and mental-health effects on women. -Howard W. Busse; Eastlake, Ohio

Good libertarian

Kudos to WORLD for the two articles ("Collision course," "Small government, strong families," Jan. 22) describing libertarian principles as an alternative to the bipartisan big-government monopoly on American politics. These articles are refreshing assurance that WORLD doesn't acquiesce to the militant Republican-Conservative-Christian mentality that dominates much of the American Christian landscape. -Tim Wallace; Houston, Texas

Thanks to Dr. Jenny Morse for explaining the logic of how libertarians can be socially conservative and at the same time (gasp!) expect that government should protect marriage and family. Protecting the marriage covenant as a contract at least to the extent that other contracts are enforced is the key to clearing up my confusion. Now I can be a "good" libertarian. -Jan Haggerty; McHenry, Ill.

Us? You?

Andree Seu attributes the Jews' difficulty in accepting Jesus to reading the Torah "selectively and self-servingly" ("Behold the man," Jan. 22). Who else uses the Bible to justify wars and intolerance while forgetting to "turn the other cheek"? Who cannot accept new ideas, from evolution to equality, because of dedication to a select interpretation of the Bible? WORLD adherents, it's you. -Eva Smith; Concord, Mass.

Mrs. Seu's column about the young Christian working at the supermarket just melts you. I appreciate WORLD and her column very much. -Tom Muldoon; Philadelphia, Pa.

Taped up

Thanks to your trial subscription, I've discovered WORLD magazine. Just this morning I found myself taping "Mercy for the living" (Jan. 15) and "Tsunami atheism" (Jan. 22) into my personal journal for future reference. -Sharon M. Knudson; St. Paul, Minn.

The $50 protest

Marvin Olasky outlined his "ideal pro-life demonstration" in "The model protest" (Jan. 22). Here's mine: I'd park a suitable trailer as close as legally possible to an abortion clinic and offer to pay women seeking an abortion $50 for 30 minutes of their time. I would carefully and courteously explain that for $50 she would get: an ultrasound picture of her unborn child; an offer of medical care, prenatal counseling, and a mentor to help her through the pregnancy; printed material of abortion alternatives. What she wouldn't get: a lecture on sexual morality, prayed over, or thumped with a Bible. She wouldn't find intimidation, threats, judgmental speech, or condescension. This would be money and time invested rather than wasted on fines, bail, and jail, and it would demonstrate the love of Christ. -David B. Good; Pittsburgh, Pa.

Indecorous

The snippet about Martha Stewart not leading her team of fellow inmates to victory in a prison decoration contest should have stayed at People magazine's website, from which it came ("Balance sheet," Jan. 22). -Sara Jager; Buffalo, N.Y.

Christ alone

The article on musician Jeffrey Foskett ("Good vibrations," Jan. 22) raises a question: Is ministering to fellow believers really the best calling for Christian musicians, or should we take our God-given talents out into the mainstream? Seeking album sales, do some Christian artists tone down lyrics and feed Christian audiences a shallow, passive Christ, a self-enhancement tool rather than God incarnate? On the flip side, are Christians making mainstream music really living out their faith, or are they trying to slip godly messages in secretly, like hiding a dog's pill under a piece of bacon? Are they seeking notoriety or glorying in Christ alone? There is plenty of room for Christians on both sides of the music scene, but they must have a common goal-the Master's glory. -Caleb Svendsen, 17; Cameron, Wis.

Sympathetic eye

I found Mr. Coffin's review of Million Dollar Baby upsetting ("Taking a dive," Jan. 22). What those characters did was consistent with their characters. It's easy for us Christians to watch a film and play Spot That Sin, but can we sympathize with a sinner and think that, in that situation, I just might do the same thing? -Thomas Torrey; Mount Vernon, N.Y.

Shocked

I was shocked by Gene Edward Veith's column ("Our two towers," Jan. 15) that described America's left as essentially un-American-not by what he wrote, but that a journalist had the guts to write it. The people who cheer the death of their fellow American soldiers take their own freedom for granted. -Angela Riddle; Maple Grove, Minn.

Truthful take

Hats off to John Piper ("Mercy for the living," Jan. 15). What a truthful and overlooked assessment of the disasters that occur on this globe. -Melanie Recine; Baldwin, Md.

Helpless

The comic depicting Europeans as snobs who only help themselves is, in my opinion, dead on (Quotables & 'Toons, Jan. 15). They like their freedom but do not care enough about giving others that same freedom. -Josh Sullivan, 16; Vergennes, Vt.

Correction

The Supreme Court issued its Roe v. Wade decision on Jan. 22, 1973 (The Buzz, Jan. 22, p. 8).

Send letters to: Editorial Dept., WORLD, P.O. Box 20002, Asheville, NC 28802; e-mail mailbag@worldmag.com; or fax (828) 253-1556. Include full name and address. You're also invited to join the daily discussion at worldmagblog.com.