Backfired

Many thanks to Lynn Vincent for her reporting on the National Organization for Women ("Worse NOW than ever," July 24). However, it is not that the group's politics "skew ever further to the left." Rather, the reasonable-seeming veneer of equity feminism has merely been eroded to show the statist core that was there all along. The National Organization for Women has followed the practice of all radicals from the Bolsheviks to the present. They address a legitimate concern having broad appeal and then ride it to credibility, power, and influence, and then they drop the disguise. We can thank God that the plan seems to have backfired a bit, at least this time. - Nancy J. Rice, Hackettstown, N.J.

Blame men, too

It was an inspiring display of boldness for a Christian reporter to go to a NOW conference. I agree with the former NOW activist who works at Focus on the Family that women who hate men do so for a reason. Abortion, pornography, and the overall feminization of our culture are just as much the fault of men abdicating their roles as loving leaders as of the women who have been abused and abandoned. - Gary A. Gaskins, Apex, N.C.

No kitsch?

Thanks for Mr. Veith's article on shopping as America's real religion ("Money mysticism," July 24). This was brought home for us after our congregation's living nativity scene. Over 2,000 people took the tour of a busy Bethlehem marketplace where bread, live chickens, and other "wares" were "sold" by actors on their way to register, pay their taxes, and discover the Christ child. The only complaint? Visitors wanted more time for shopping and a chance to buy souvenirs. - Don Neuendorf, Frankentrost, Mich.

A bad combination

I was surprised that your reviewer thought that the Pokémon show was harmless ("Poking into Pokémon," July 24). I saw two episodes and one was full of psychic stuff like telekinesis and psychic power. Poor animation, a boring script, and a demonic storyline are a bad combination. - Anne Crozier, Harrison, N.Y.

A better fad

So what if Pokémon isn't a work of art? I have seen all the episodes with my children and positive values are reinforced as the main character learns about accepting responsibility, the danger of acting hastily, and so on. As fads go, I much prefer Pokémania to others that have swept this country. - Jayne Soohoo Berg, Mission Viejo, Calif.

Squirtle surprise

The statement that the Pokémon TV show is "not particularly offensive" caught my attention. Pokémon are genetic mutants that kids find cute. If we find nothing offensive about a "squirtle" (a cross between a squirrel and a turtle) then we should not be surprised to see a test-tube squirtle crossing the street someday. - Aaron Edelson, Jacksonville, Fla.

Leagues ahead

Like Ross Perot, Sen. Smith may well be taking a principled stand against liberalism, but if he has even moderate success his candidacy may well ensure that more liberal candidates get elected ("Mr. Smith leaves the GOP," July 24). It may seem unprincipled, but often our second choice is leagues ahead of our most dreaded choice. - Billy Johnson, Natchez, Miss.

A stretch

Joel Belz's column is a glowing approval of the theology of Charles Colson ("Colson's magnus opus," July 24). Yes, he has done some great social work and some popular Christian writing. But to declare him one of the top two Christian writers at the end of the century is a bit of a stretch. Remember, he is one of the authors of the "Evangelicals and Catholics Together" documents that set aside orthodox Christianity in favor of a hybrid ecumenism. - Jim Scanlon, Rancho Tehama, Calif.

Testifying

Joel Belz mentioned that Francis Schaeffer's writing helped "a host of middle-aged Christians get their thinking on the right track" and that Mr. Colson's impact will be the same. I can testify to that. When I was 23, The Body opened my eyes to the importance of a Christian worldview. I do not agree with everything Mr. Colson says or does, but God uses his life in a mighty way. - Andrew Treece, Grove City, Ohio

Utterly inconsistent

Your article on schism ("Schism? Simple as ABC," July 24) provides another example of people who want to change their basic beliefs and not be dissociated from their former co-believers, even though their new beliefs are utterly inconsistent with their old ones. The General Board of the American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A. is to be commended. - John B. Degges, West Valley City, Utah

Almost always

Your article on bioethicist Peter Singer was misleading ("Professor Death," July 17). Given the choice between hitting a baby or a dog with your car, Mr. Singer says that you should almost always hit the dog. - Nathan Nobis, Rochester, N.Y.

Dual citizens

As an active pastor, I, too, wrestle with the problem raised by the Thomas/Dobson book ("Full-strength church," July 17). I think that the tension arises from the fact that Christian Americans are citizens of two countries-the United States and heaven-and we are called upon by both to be "politically active." Pastors should urge their people to vote and be active because that is being a good citizen, not because Christians should control the country. - H. Fred Nofer, Reno, Nev.

Inspiring

I was very excited to see your list of Books of the Century ("WORLD's Top 40, July 3/10). Rarely are we challenged to read something of real depth and virtue. As a buyer for the bookstore where I work, I have decided to do a display featuring "WORLD's Top 40." Thanks for the inspiration to offer more thoughtful books. - Jason Short, Baltimore, Md.

Elementary ...

How pleasing to see Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions listed among the century's 40 most worthwhile books. But the book doesn't merely say that science changes. That would be elementary. Mr. Kuhn demonstrates that when people think in paradigms, the paradigms are hard to change, but when they do change the effect is sudden, the result of a long and gradual growth in the evidence. Imminent change may not be apparent at all. That is comforting because we could be on the threshold of a shift of society's paradigms on God and Jesus and abortion without a hint of its coming. - Mark Robinson, Glenville, W. Va.

Stunned

I was stunned to see Thomas Kuhn's book included in a list promoting a biblical worldview. Mr. Kuhn's work would be more appropriate in a list of the top 40 books promoting a postmodern worldview. Christians who look to the likes of Mr. Kuhn to overthrow the cultural regime of science will have to stop cheering when they realize that they've lost any basis for making objective truth claims at all. - John Fraser, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Real miracles

Is Jan Karon, in her quote, "Look for the miracles in your life" ("Sometimes, hope sells," July 3/10), asking us to anticipate with some regularity "an event or action that contradicts known scientific laws" or is she rather suggesting that we be perceptive regarding God's providential use of natural means? The term miracle is used so loosely by many Christians today that it has come to denote something very different from the events recorded in the Bible. - Vicky Craig, Lufkin, Texas

Open wide

I loved the article "Nice" (July 3/10). I attend college with too many "under a bushel" Christians who are too afraid to speak their beliefs for fear of offending someone, nodding at clichés like "As long as you believe in God, everything's OK." Meanwhile, our attempts to be "nice" are opening the gates of hell wider and wider. - Michelle Stephens, Forney, Texas

Those unreliable inerrantists

I have decided not to renew my subscription because I can't believe that anyone who claims to believe that the Bible is inerrant can be trusted to tell the truth about things outside the Bible. - Saul-Paul Sirag, Eugene, Ore.

Spicy

Although I certainly don't always agree with your editors, I keep on subscribing. Your feisty and devotedly Christian worldview paired with a true attempt at some intellectual rigor makes for a spicy little weekly. - Mary Lou McManus-Richter, New Gloucester, Maine