Wake up

I am appalled at the lawyers who are suing companies for the choices of individuals ("Smoking guns," March 6). I am even more appalled at the citizens who feel they must "make the manufacturers pay for my choices." I was not raised in a Christian home, but I was raised to take responsibility for my actions. Now that I am a Christian and am raising my own children as such, it is even more evident to me that we need to take responsibility for our own choices in life. Yes, the tobacco industry and, perhaps, the gun manufacturers are making deadly products and making packaging appealing, but the consumer still has a choice. Wake up, people! Take responsibility for your own actions, no matter what the consequences. What values do you want your children to grow up with as your legacy? - Amy Gibson, Seaside, Calif.

Let's be consistent

Blame shifting might not be so bad if it were consistently applied. If cigarette companies can be sued for the health care costs of their products and gun makers can be sued for the damages their products do, then abortionists can be held accountable for lost tax and Social Security receipts due to the prenatal deaths of over 35 million people. Balance the budget and rescue Social Security-liquidate the abortion industry! - Bill Brewer, San Antonio, Texas

Sticking up for big business

What a breath of fresh air to read "Smoking guns." It's about time someone stuck up for business. It's nice to know that as these companies come under legal fire for targeting a vulnerable segment of the community with manipulative ad campaigns, that there's someone looking out for the big guy. - Dylan Morgan, Belle Glade, Fla.

There's hope

I saw a ray of hope for Marlboro and Smith & Wesson in your March 6 cover article. Maybe they could get a few of their lawyers to talk to some of those sociobiologists ("Darwinism evolved," March 6). - Sherry Allen, Hood River, Ore.

An inside job?

Thank you for reporting about the incredible "tree hugging" article printed in World Vision's Together magazine ("A model response," March 6). You may have let Mr. Myers off too easily. The article is so blatantly pantheistic that few critically thinking Christians would mistake it for anything else. Unless this was an "inside job," it should have been caught a long time before it hit the streets. - Lou & Joann Phillips, Noblesville, Ind.

Trees in the family

I was disappointed by your article "A model response." Mr. Olasky's insinuation that "tree hugging" is unbiblical highlights an important problem. Does he suggest that trees do not "[share] an intimate, even sacramental place with us in the Body of Christ?" Why should the Body of Christ not include trees, which are a vital part of His creation, especially when He commands us to be stewards of His earth? Mr. Olasky's disdain for World Vision's article seems based more on a response to the left-wing environmentalism of the article than to its real Christianity. - Daniel Lassiter, Augusta, Ga.

Prove it

If the pantheistic views articulated in its magazine are truly "not World Vision's position" (as opposed to what it wants its image to be to its conservative donors), I hope the organization will prove it by its actions. - Honey Burke, San Diego, Calif.

Presumption of Parenthood

Thank you for publishing Lynn Vincent's "Irresponsibility.com" (March 6). I contacted the Teenwire site and left it feeling, among other things, disbelief and indignation. Such disingenuousness on the part of Planned Parenthood (in feigning an unbiased position) merits its renaming as "Presumption of Parenthood." - Mark Minegar, Otsego, Mich.

Crusade discreetly

Planned Parenthood's e-zine is yet another instance in its continuing parade of moral decadence dumped on our youth. Continue your crusade to shed light into darkness. But please, be discreet about what pictures are written in the minds of the readers. - Craig Schmidt, Fort Collins, Colo.

The opinion that matters

WORLD has stumbled onto the root of Bill Clinton's unrepentant behavior problem ("Darwinism evolved," March 6). If, as Roy Maynard suggests, Hillary is infatuated with sociobiology's shallow explanation of adultery stemming from evolutionary forces, then why should her husband bother to change? If she says, "It's all right, Bill, you're only an animal," then why should the opinion of anyone else matter? - John Longmire, Sugarloaf, Pa.

Free indeed

While reading "Unknown persecution" (March 6), I couldn't help but think of the Scripture that says, "the Word of God is not imprisoned" (2 Timothy 2:9). Many persecuted believers would attest to the fact that His Word is spread in times of persecution. It should motivate us to bring "the truth that shall set you free" to the lost. - Kathy Hodorek, Warsaw, Ind.

Photo-not

I was especially pleased with the March 6 issue of WORLD because there was not one picture of Bill Clinton in it. I have been so irritated and persecuted having to see this man perpetually in the media that I have resorted to turning off all offending TV programs and doodling with a pen all over his face in newsprint. I know I am not alone in this preoccupation. May God bless you for giving us a break from Clinton garbage. - Mary E. Traeger, Forsyth, Mo.

Shallow

Having been a journalist for the past 10 years, I'm a little disappointed with WORLD's content and shallow treatment of most of the news items. Please cancel my subscription immediately. - Kim Garn, Mooresville, N.C.

Pass it on

In various adult Sunday school classes of our church, I have found folks to be especially interested in WORLD when I circulate copies to them. A number of these people ask if there is information on how to subscribe. I encourage your readers to recycle WORLD by passing issues along to others. As a church pastor, I am most grateful for your consistent efforts at interpreting culture in light of biblical data. - John H. Hopkins, Columbia, S.C.

Finally, an answer

Thank you for Mark Joseph's moving essay "Struggling in Tokyo" (Feb. 27). As a 20-year fan of Amy Grant who leaned heavily on the support of CCM as a young Christian, I was very disturbed upon first learning of her impending divorce. But words failed me when puzzled friends asked why I would care so much about events in the life of a celebrity I don't even know. Now I can simply point them to Mr. Joseph's piece. - Joe Martin, Los Angeles, Calif.

Modern-day Baal worship

Have any of you been to a Christian concert recently? Am I the only one who has walked away wondering if I just witnessed modern-day Baal worship? Like it or not, the CCM industry is geared to make money and create "Christian stars" just like the secular music industry. Sometimes I wonder if the best thing that could happen to CCM would be for it to go under. Perhaps then we'd start reading our Bibles again and return to worshipping God, not the current heart-throb singing about Him. - Donna Clancy, Lebanon, Pa.

Use the tools

I was excited about your article, "Faith and all that jazz" (March 6). I am an amateur musician who plays in smoky bars. One of my early realizations as a new believer was that God's people had left a lot of tools and building materials by the side of the road. Satan quickly latched on to art, rock 'n' roll, jazz, TV, movies, and so on, as great tools and materials to build his house. God's people have turned their backs on these activities instead of recognizing them as wonderful ways to influence society. - Marvin Dolinger, Burke, Va.

Understanding the times

I lead a video course titled "Understanding the Times" (by Summit Ministries) to homeschooled high school seniors, and your magazine always has articles that pertain to our studies. Our course prepares these college-bound students to defend their faith with a biblical worldview and to identify the other worldviews that this world will be throwing at them. Thanks for a wonderful magazine. - Emilia Neudorff, West Hills, Calif.