Tell it like it is

Forced prostitution overwhelms me with a sadness mixed with rage ("No sale," March 25). It is good for you to raise our awareness of these tragedies. I am disconcerted, however, by the language you used to explain the plight of the two abducted women featured in the article. You say they were "serving at least 30 clients a day." I find that phrase to be offensively watered-down for such a serious matter. Please be more accurate next time and say something like, "they were raped 30 times a day." - Brian Stewart, Shoreline, Wash.

Tragic reality

Thanks for the cover article on the slave trade of women. It is tragic how many women live as virtual slaves. - Lewis Codington, Sheffield, England

Spare me

"No sale" went over the line. Hollywood offends my sensibilities enough without having to see photographs of abused women and detailed descriptions of the horrendous atrocities they endure in a Christian news magazine. - Jennifer S. Preston, Douglasville, Ga.

No more

I disagree with Joel Belz's assessment of Howard Phillips and the Constitution Party ("In an ideal world," March 25). Mr. Phillips's commitment to act on principle, rather than pragmatics, is a breath of fresh air in the pathetic poll-watching politics of our day. For years I've been told that I'm wasting my vote. I say that I've wasted my vote on do-nothing candidates for years. No more. I am voting for a principled man; the results belong to God. - Steven Warhurst, Huntington, W.V.

Under the delusion

I was relieved to see you mention a presidential candidate other than the Republican and Democrat offerings. I was dismayed, however, that Joel Belz is under the delusion that those two are the only game in town. WORLD and other organizations that could actually help change our course of government (instead giving in to the status quo) do us a disservice by covering the "anointed" candidates that are likely to win, instead of endorsing early the candidates who should win. - Deborah A. Mackall, Pasadena, Md.

No siphoning

I object to Mr. Belz's assumption that, as a supporter of Howard Phillips, my vote is being siphoned off from another candidate. If George W. Bush and Al Gore were the only two choices, I wouldn't vote. - Tammy Alger, Carthage, Mo.

The Keyes to victory

I believe Chris Cox, John Kasich, or Rick Santorum would make excellent vice presidents, but my main man, Alan Keyes, was not even mentioned in Mr. Olasky's column ("Looking for No. 2," March 25). With his pro-family, pro-America, pro-Constitution eloquence, Mr. Keyes would quench all the fiery darts launched from the Gore camp and protect George W.'s back (and maybe stiffen it a tad). Moreover, when he finishes a speech, you won't hear anyone commenting that there is no real difference between the parties. - Len Berube, Ozark, Ala.

Pro-life baggage

I hate to burst your bubble, but now that he has the Republican nomination locked up, Mr. Bush no longer has any need of the Religious Right. I don't believe that he will pick a pro-life veep because his advisers will say that he cannot win with the Christian conservative baggage that would accompany such a pick. Pat Buchanan is the only presidential candidate that has sworn to appoint only Supreme Court judges committed to overturning Roe vs. Wade. Whether conventional wisdom tells us that he can win or not is irrelevant. - Michael Rampy, Fort Worth, Texas

Santa Claus, the networks .

In "God, the networks, and Bob" (March 25), Mr. Veith shows how the name of the Lord is being trivialized by NBC and the culture at large. Incredibly, leading publishers of curricula for Christian youth also make common the name of the Lord. We have seen God described as "The cosmic Santa Claus" and "a rock 'n' roll party dude." We believe that God is also demeaned with slogans such as "God is like Coke ... He's the real thing." - Audren McKeever, Cathy Mickels

A pattern?

It appears that if you are poor or a professing Christian you have little say in what happens to your tax dollars. As I read about how a judge denied 53 Pensacola children vouchers to attend a private school, it reminded me of how the National Endowment for the Arts provides money to promote artwork that many people find extremely offensive ("Choice survives," March 25). - Susan Worley, Ithaca, Mich.

Take a pill

You did a disservice to many people struggling with depression in this country ("Prozac eclipsed," March 25). It is not a matter of expecting medicine to solve personal problems. Antidepressants such as Prozac and Zoloft help restore chemical imbalances in the brain so that people can function "normally." As a therapist, I know the difference these drugs make in the daily lives of those suffering from depression. - Patty Bertrand, Geneva, Ill.

Illogical

The excellent article by Nancy Pearcey on the claimed evolutionary basis of rape, "Darwin's dirty secret" (March 25), reminds me of a Chuck Colson quote that I hung in my dining room: "When believers are selfish, they are acting contrary to their own beliefs. By contrast, when secularists are compassionate, they are acting contrary to the internal logic of their own worldview." - Pete Andreas, Cerritos, Calif.

Now you know

As one who is history-challenged, I was thrilled by Andree Seu's description of a legacy in St. Patrick I never knew I had ("By the skin of its teeth," March 18). While I knew much of the story about his missionary wonders, I had never understood its place in the story of Christian advancement. And yes, I had a wonderful St. Patrick's Day. - Peter Young, Anderson Air Force Base, Guam

Somebody had to

I applaud your suggestion that Christian colleges should remain distinctive and strictly adhere to the Bible in their teachings, and that professors at denominational colleges should agree not to oppose decisions of their general assemblies, denominational conventions, and so forth ("The distinctives," March 18). It's interesting that you would even have to suggest that. That's certainly what I expect as a parent of children attending Christian colleges, but my experience tells me that this expectation is a mere hope. Many in these institutions have raised the specter of "academic freedom" to undermine the distinctives you speak about. However, I find it disheartening that you would recommend these folks go into the secular realm, where I believe they will do more harm than good. - Ron Braaten, Woodstock, Conn.

More than monkeys

Congratulations on your article on intelligent design ("Science vs. science," Feb. 28). As an anthropologist, it was refreshing for me to read something that went beyond the intramural evangelical debate over "young earth" vs. "old earth." You got it right in stressing the overwhelming evidence of intelligent design over chance-driven evolution. Also, only man was created in God's image so that man is separated from animals by characteristics that indicate a difference in kind rather than degree-man is a tool-maker, has language, abstract thinking, and cranial capacity three times larger than that of the largest primates, gorillas. Such differences are unexplainable by evolutionary theory. - William J. Kornfield, Sebring, Fla.

No place like home

Thanks for a great magazine. Although it can be discomforting at times, like that article on the selling of fetal parts, I really enjoy it. The articles make me realize just how blessed I am to be sitting at my desk in a warm house, with two loving parents, homeschooled, and sheltered from most of the evils in this world. - Hannah Elizabeth Garland, 14, Manheim, Penn.

Reactionary

Cal Thomas's recent commentary on gas prices ("What's up with gas prices?" March 11) seemed more reactionary than rational. Lowering gas taxes may help in the short run, but long-term solutions are needed. A serious effort to develop alternative energy sources could free us from the vagaries of OPEC and also address pressing environmental concerns, like clean air and global warming. - Mark Pelham, Ames, Iowa

Exalting the good

I enjoyed "The Hermitage heritage" on President Jackson (March 11). Exalting righteousness is just as important as exposing evil. I appreciate your new "Faces" feature for the same reason. - Esther Kemalyan, Acampo, Calif.