Hard at work

Thank you for "Reining in the UN." The feminists and the pro-abortionists are definitely hard at work. The UN is increasingly overstepping its bounds by attempting to overrule nations' and states' rights on such issues as "women's health" and "children's rights"-something the UN was never designed to do. I applaud groups like the Heritage Foundation and the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute for keeping a watchful eye on the UN and its activities. We should keep these issues in our prayers, and voice our concerns and our opinions on the new appointments to the UN to our senators. - Julie Riley, Phoenix, Ariz.

Skyscrapers of the mind

As a former educator and parent of two school-aged children, I feel that you did not accurately portray "constructivist education" ("Teach something," Feb. 17). The author described it as "sharing feelings and doing fun activities," but I would say that the method provides a framework so that students can use their accumulated knowledge to manipulate and construct. Properly used, it is not "puzzles and games" but the process of assembling building blocks of knowledge into an intellectual skyscraper. While I agree that students are not established in the knowledge of science, math, and history, and may even spend too much time sharing how they feel about numbers, I can hardly point my finger entirely at the prevailing educational theory of the day. Perhaps the answer lies in our children's response to hard work and responsibility and in their desire to learn. Maybe it is time to remove our gaze from the educator's teaching style and onto our own parenting. - Rachel S. Kimmel, Kertih, Malaysia

The end of sin

The blind faith that led to the untimely deaths of the infants Samuel and Jeremiah reveals the magnitude of the leaders' arrogance and ignorance ("Fatal revelation," Feb. 17). True biblical submission to authority does not include stripping oneself and one's family of the fundamental rights of life and liberty. Christians are meant to be ambassadors to the world for Christ, not victims of self-imposed rituals that result in destruction. The tragic leadership of the Attleboro cult may initially have been well-meaning, I suppose, but it seems that the lust for power to control the lives of their family members destroyed those they love. Sin is always progressive, and the story illustrates how "when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin, and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death." - Peggy Kelley, Sodus Point, N.Y.

Gripping

"Feeding the beast" by Tim Graham was wonderful (Feb. 17). It is important for Christians to know the workings of both our government and the media. Clearly Mr. Graham has a handle on both. - Paula Shira, Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Invaluable

I am at 36,000 feet and thought this is as good a time as any to write a long overdue note of appreciation. Since discovering your magazine, through the gift subscription of a church member, I have greatly benefitted from your excellent product. I gather news from various sources, but WORLD helps me put current events into perspective, and as a Bible teaching pastor your magazine is invaluable for my weekly preparation. - Andrew Coleman, St. Augustine, Fla.

Eye-opener

I have been on over 30 in-prison ministry trips, but "Brutality behind bars" was still an eye-opener for me. - Robert Buri, Roseburg, Ore.

Blessed

Our Wednesday night prayer group at Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville has been praying for Dr. Chip Morgan and his family for a long time. Imagine my surprise when I saw his column in the Feb. 3 issue ("Daily blessings"). It blessed my heart, and was a testimony to God's grace and faithfulness. We will continue to pray for Dr. Morgan. - Avice Kaiser, Brentwood, Tenn.

Renew with joy

Thanks for keeping my eyes and ears open to the battles being fought in our nation and around the world. WORLD helps me look at the news from a biblical perspective, but without shying away from the dark realities of our culture. I have been inspired and brokenhearted by WORLD, and it is with great joy that I renew my subscription. - Cynthia L. Gamble, Independence, Mo.

A chance

The column by Joel Belz on Mayor Bret Schundler of Jersey City was a nice profile of a fine Christian man ("A new Jersey," Feb. 17). However, we believe he does have a chance in the gubernatorial primary against acting governor and former N.J. Senate President Donald DiFrancesco. As for finances, the local press reports him to be attempting to raise $6 million, with additional potential support from Steve Forbes. - John and Mark Weller, Jersey City, N.J.

Spurred

Thanks for having the stomach to do the tough reporting in the article on prison brutality ("Brutality behind bars," Feb. 3). As the press made fodder of the tragic murder of James Byrd, it is a shame they did not expose the injustice that fanned the flames of John King's rage. The article spurred me to keep supporting, with my prayers and pocketbook, ministries like Prison Fellowship that are a voice for those on both sides of the prison walls. - Mike Brewer, Deland, Ill.

Not only maniacs

When I picked up the Feb. 10 WORLD, I wasn't expecting the article "Rated E for evil." But I wasn't surprised by it, because this kind of music has been around for a long time. Although it seems that only maniacs would listen to it, I'm finding out that that's not always true. Let's hope that in the future this kind of music is out of reach of not only teens, but adults as well. - Rachel Sterk, Grand Rapids, Mich.

One hope

At the risk of being labeled negative by my well-meaning Christian friends, I find it necessary to comment on President Bush's quote that "The role of government is to help social entrepreneurs" as a way of promoting the general welfare ("In from the cold," Feb. 10). Using the subjective criteria of promoting the general welfare has been how politicians and the courts have enlarged the power of the federal government. Also, President Bush states, "I hope this country is on the verge of a religious revival of all faiths." As a Christian I can only hope for a revival of the one true faith in Jesus Christ. - Jim Hitch, Charlotte, N.C.

Everyone does it

"In from the cold" mentioned that "Some panelists and questioners attacked the idea of the government funding any group that engages in 'proselytization.'" I think it is helpful to point out to people that everyone operates on some type of faith, and everyone engages in proselytizing. - Tracy Smith, Lansing, Ill.

Going global

Thank you for your excellent article exposing the UN for what it is, a socialist bureaucracy ("Reining in the UN," Feb. 17). It's hard to understand just why the clear UN agenda isn't headlined daily, given its goals and its total failure to maintain global peace. The UN is seeking global sovereignty (including the power to tax) over you and me, as well as sovereignty over financial, law-enforcement, judicial, trade, and especially environmental matters. It even wants to tell us how to raise our children. - Bob Chidester, Cary, N.C.

Needy

Thanks to Mindy Belz for the revealing article about the UN. I believe its agenda is anti-family, anti-life, anti-American, and anti-God. Anyone in the Bush administration who is trying to stem the tide needs our prayers. - Jackson Smith, Mill Spring, N.C.

On paper

Gene Edward Veith is on to something in his column, "Teach something." Our son is a junior at a college that was recently rated one of the top 50 universities in the country. On paper, he is a political science major; I call him a "debate major." He has learned almost nothing about various government systems, major historical documents such as Hammurabi's Code, the Magna Carta, or the Constitution, or even political campaign organization. He spends most of his classroom time debating topics such as oil drilling, same-sex marriage, and world peace. To his credit, he unashamedly shares both his Christian and his conservative political views, but he gained far more objective content in his eighth-grade civics class at our local Christian school. - Susan Tirone, Milpitas, Calif.

Now Robidoux

I wept as I read "Fatal revelation." I have lived during the tragedies of Jones, Koresh, and now Robidoux. The common element, as you noted, is the abandonment of the Bible and traditional faith for the words of men. The same thing is happening in our country. - Gardner Koch, Rock Hill, S.C.