Already apostate

In "Go forth and sin" (Aug. 2), you connected the current pro-homosexuality movement in some denominations to their decades-old practice of ordaining pastors who reject such doctrines as Christ's deity and resurrection. What can you expect from groups that are "Christian" in name and tradition but no longer in reality? A pro-homosexual stance is just a red flag that reveals an ever-deepening fall into apostasy. - Nancy Cayot Williamson, Pleasanton, Calif.

What difference does it make if denominations that reject the deity of Christ and other central doctrines ordain homosexuals? The ordination of homosexuals will just make their apostasy more obvious. - S.A. Morris, Saginaw, Mich.

Better there

Thank you to Joel Belz for pointing out the extremely low casualty rate our troops are suffering in Iraq ("It could be worse," Aug. 2). Considering the price America paid in lives for nameless Pacific islands or forgotten French towns during World War II, it seems that our collective national memory is short indeed. The hope of a stable and free Iraq as a beachhead of democratic reform in the Middle East also helps put this cost in proper perspective. And, as a combat veteran of the Gulf War, I say that it is far better that terrorists bring the fight to our all-volunteer army rather than to noncombat civilians. - Christopher Hutchinson, Statesboro, Ga.

Aghast and aloft

While we generally appreciate WORLD, we are aghast that you review secular, blatantly non- or anti-Christian videos, movies, and recordings. The sensual pictures that adorn these covers are not welcomed in our home. Please cancel our subscription. - John & Linda Hawkins, Gilbert, Ariz.

As a regular rider on USAir's New York to Washington, D.C., shuttle, I was encouraged and pleased to see WORLD offered as an in-flight magazine. It amazes me how any Christian or conservative could possibly make his way through today's biased liberal news without the anchored words from your pages. - Gary Scarano, Garnerville, N.Y.

Virtual doors

I found the columns on secularist strategic maneuvering ("Everything in its place," July 26) and the cross-cultural challenge of communicating biblical principles in a society unfamiliar with objective truth ("Waiting for the translation," Aug. 2) to be deeply insightful. My efforts, as I witness in Internet chat rooms and bulletin boards, to earn the right to be heard as an ambassador for Christ are complicated by exactly these obstacles at every turn. Yet there is a pervasive loneliness out there, even among the most staunch academics and bitter liberals. Everyone with an Internet connection should consider it an open door to millions of lost and searching souls. - Kristin Uhrig, Bellingham, Wash.

Erasing doubts

Recently my husband and I, concerned about the policies and curriculum in our public schools, decided to homeschool our forth-grade daughter. That evening I could not sleep and at 1:30 a.m. picked up the July 26 WORLD that had been sitting on my end table untouched and read "Erasing reform." It reaffirmed our decision and amazed me once again how God can speak so clearly to us when we listen. - Mindy Haines, Millersville, Md.

Betrayed

What a crisp, clear picture of where PBS is these days ("Making distinctions," July 26). I was once a faithful follower of the NewsHour. It's a shame that Jim Lehrer and the like have betrayed our trust, and a greater shame that so many are taken in by the bias and bigotry reported as news. - Mike Baynai, Sumter, N.C.

Blogwatched

My wife and I are both graduates of California Polytechnic who would not have known about the free-speech crisis there were it not for "Blog Watch" (July 19). I wrote the school a letter to inform them we will no longer support Cal Poly in any way. I am embarrassed to be associated with an institution that gives people good reason to call it Stalinist. - William J. Wright, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Faithful servant

I wanted to write to you just after I received my May 24 issue, but my emotions were too raw. You see, last Christmas I gave my brother and his wife a subscription to WORLD. Little did I know that a few months later I would read about him in your pages. He was Captain Eric B. Das, killed when his F-15E crashed in Iraq. He loved our Lord and lived a worthy life. As part of a squadron tradition, he was named "Chief Faithful Servant" in the desert shortly before he died. Thanks for honoring all our fallen heroes by name ("Heroes"). - Melody Das Neumann, Armarillo, Texas

Corrections

Tony Campolo, a speaker at the Amazing Grace conference, believes that homosexual practice is not biblically justified. He also opposes gay marriage (Aug. 2, p. 21). John Poindexter resigned as head of the Information Awareness Office (Aug. 9, p. 22). Danielle Teague entered Rachel B. Noel Middle School on Aug. 18 (Aug. 23, p. 16).

Friends forever

Your column on renewed compassion for homosexuals stirred my soul ("Saying hard truths differently," Aug. 2). I, who was quick to comment on the sin of homosexuality, was almost undone when a close friend shared his personal struggle. He dropped out of our conservative seminary and was practically ostracized. Not until a small group of older and godlier men counseled him and helped him apply biblical truth (that he already knew) did he begin to find freedom. I learned that love and truth are not enemies but inseparable friends. - T.J. Smith, Santa Clarita, Calif.

Thank you to Mrs. Seu for reminding us that we are accountable to God for our actions and our thought lives. To anyone who takes a quick look at their experiences, it should be obvious that feelings are not a dependable source for determining right and wrong. - Blue Tapp Scheffer, Ferguson, Mo.

As one of the "heterosexual spinsters" Mrs. Seu referred to (though at 46 I hardly feel like it!), I was very grateful that someone finally showed that the struggle to deny oneself homosexual pleasure is no more of a struggle than to deny oneself heterosexual pleasure. It is a cross to bear for anyone who needs love and intimacy, but it cannot compare with the cross He bore for us. - Joann M. Longton, New London, Conn.

I am disturbed that those standing for sound biblical standards do not defend God's Word as strongly as the homosexuals defend their positions. Bad teaching is nothing new, so the question of ordaining homosexuals or blessing homosexual marriages should be easy to answer: "No." - Diane L. Parker, Lynnwood, Wash.

Some homosexuals contend that their desire must be God-ordained since they have always had it. By the same reasoning, my lying is not wrong. I have always had a tendency to lie when it suits my purpose or when I feel like it. I guess I am bi-truthful, since truth is often an enjoyable option. - David King, Matthews, N.C.

The right thing

Serving notice to President Bush on the importance of opposing homosexual marriage to conservative Christians was the right thing to do ("Line in the sand," July 19). If he doesn't "get this one right," he simply does not deserve to be reelected. - Igor Shpudejko, Mahwah, N.J.

I commend Joel Belz for "Line in the sand." I hope his stand will give Christians encouragement to speak out, and that we will be more faithful to pray for those in our government making decisions about this important matter. - Evelyn S. Green, Atlanta, Ga.