Two fine breakdowns

I enjoyed Marvin Olasky's reflections on the "One fine day" (Feb. 26) his and his wife's computer broke down. It was an interesting look at the daily work of the WORLD editors, and these things put our technological addictions into perspective. - Dianne Tant, Franklin, Tenn.

Death as art

The "goldfish in the blender as art" story ("Blending ethics and art," Feb. 26) sounds like something 7-year-old boys might have been tempted to do in years of yore-and then been taken to the woodshed, thus squelching any idea of repeating such an action later as an adult. Folks contemplating life and death would be better off taking some good literature outside to go read under a nearby tree. - Candace Banks, Richmond, Va.

Still

I wonder if the letter writers who were irate about your coverage of John McCain still hold him in such lofty regard after listening to him describe members of the Religious Right as "forces of evil." - Daryl Muir, Warren, Ohio

Touched by an actress

Despite the regrettable fact that the producers of Touched by an Angel probably can't present the full gospel on a TV drama, is "sticky, dangerous sentimentalism-as-spirituality" an accurate description of the show ("A minority share," Feb. 19)? I rejoice that a vast number of viewers hears of an even-handed, magnanimous God who loves us and uses sorrow, frustration, disappointment, and even angst to plow up the compacted soil of our hearts so we can receive His mercy and saving grace. - Nancy Bowman, New Canaan, Conn.

No match

I was glad you mentioned that Libertarian presidential candidate Harry Browne will not seek matching federal campaign funds this year (QuickTakes, Feb. 26). In 1996 he qualified for, but declined, matching funds, calling them "welfare for politicians." - Bill Everman, Aston, Penn.

Thumbs down

Thumbs down to Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy, who refuses to even interview male job applicants with earrings, on his shallow, antiquated notions of decency (Quotables, Feb. 19). - Chris Riley, Cleveland, Tenn.

More on the Sabbath

While I agree with the letter writers (Mailbag, March 11) who said, in reference to your Super Bowl coverage ("First things first," Feb. 12), that sport is idolized by many Americans, the fact that WORLD acknowledges the good along with the bad is just good journalism. - Scott Moore, Lincoln, Neb.

Tweak them back

I really dislike having to turn to page 34 or 61 or whatever to finish reading the letters to the editor, infuriating though some of them may be. Perhaps you could "tweak" them back to consecutive pages ("Tweakings," Feb. 12). I had the same feeling this morning at the grocery store when I discovered the waffles where the orange juice used to be, the orange juice where the blueberries used to be, and the blueberries about two feet down from where the waffles used to be. - Lindele Elliot, Alexandria, Va.

Too late

I am not renewing my WORLD subscription because I live in Guam and receive the magazine anywhere from one to three months late. I have enjoyed reading WORLD so much that I asked for gift subscriptions for my family. Your articles are generally just the right length to fit into my busy schedule. - Marie Meyers, Yigo, Guam

Adversarial

While I like what you have to say factually, the adversarial tone with which you write is offensive. If you decide to write in a positive, non-adversarial tone, I will subscribe. - Scott D. Carr, Akron, Ohio

Meets a need

I was an early subscriber to WORLD and it gets better all the time. It meets a real need when it comes to honest and straightforward journalism. - Clyde Dupin, Kernersville, N.C.

Full partners

I appreciate your articles on the reliable scientific evidence for the creationist view of origins vs. evolutionary hypotheses. One of the key points I stress to my students at Grove City College is that the paradigm should not be faith vs. science, but rather, as you put it, "Science vs. science" (Feb. 26). The underlying question is always, "Which faith guides your science?" Neutral inquiry is a myth, but there is objective evidence out there which supports a literal reading of Genesis. It is bigotry to deprecate creationists as less than full partners in the scientific enterprise. - John R. Hamilton, Grove City, Pa.

The best fit

I was encouraged by the articles on intelligent design (Feb. 26). But while critiques of Darwinism may raise the spirits of believers, they are not enough. Christians should also be developing a biblically based model of earth history that shows how natural science fits best with biblical information. - Eric Blievernicht, Terre Haute, Ind.

In combat

Timothy Lamer's proposal to abolish the House chaplaincy ("Abolish the chaplaincy," Feb. 26) is ill-conceived and lacks an understanding of the potential for ministry that the position affords. In the military there is a trust relationship between unit members and their chaplain, developed by shared experiences, that cannot exist with non-military clergy who are not "in the field." In combat, no one is really checking out your denominational bona fides-they just want help. I think the same is true of the House/Senate chaplains. - James M. Hutchens Chaplain US Army (Ret.), Arlington, Va.

Inadequate

Further secularization, by abolishing the House chaplaincy, cannot be an adequate answer to the difficulties of religious pluralism. It is similar to arguments used at universities to justify the removal of all traditional faiths from having a presence on university campuses. Not only will this stifle the legitimate and first amendment protected work of organizations like Campus Crusade, it is an injustice to all sincere expressions of faith, Christian or not. - John Hartung, Syracuse, N.Y.

Intimidated?

In "The mom on the dollar" (Feb. 26), Mr. Veith prefaces his praise for the Sacagawea dollar with two simplistic paragraphs explaining that the failure of the Susan B. Anthony dollar was because it "was just too annoying." Apparently, the most annoying things about it were her hairstyle, her "tight lips," and her tireless work for women's rights, such as the right to vote, a fair wage, and an education. She was also involved in the Temperance Movement, stridently pro-life, and vehemently opposed to slavery. Are we Christians so intimidated by the modern feminist movement that we are incapable of recognizing contributions of feminists like Susan B. Anthony? - Christina Stegall, Lawrence, Kan.

What if?

It is sad that so many readers believe that Elián Gonzalez belongs with his father in Cuba . How many would have responded in the same way if, while trying to cross from East Berlin into West Berlin, a mother was shot from a distance by a Communist soldier while her child escaped to the West? - Manuel Delgado, Athens, Ga.

More convinced

I thought early on that Elián should be returned to the custody of his father as soon as his father came to reclaim him, but not before. The more details I read in WORLD, the more convinced I am that he should not be returned to his father while his father remains in Cuba. I am also disappointed by how few people seem to be concerned with Elián's mother's wishes. Her desire for freedom for her son was so strong that she was willing to risk (and lose) her life for that end. - Ken Thwing, Mansfield, Ohio