Confused

The Dept. of Justice and Dept. of Education video Healing the Hate is getting the victims confused with the perpetrators ("Dept. of Reeducation," June 26). It is Christian students who are being shot; first at W. Paducah, Ky., and next at Littleton, Colo. None of the assailants has been Pentecostal or Baptist. - John Goertzen, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Shamed

I'm in junior high school and felt I should write after reading "Baptist to Baptist" (June 26), where our president declares June to be "Gay and Lesbian Pride Month." I'm outraged at his lack of morality. Although Mr. Clinton declared June to be a month of pride, I, as a Baptist, Arkansan, and American, have never felt more shame. - Katie Eldridge, Siloam Springs, Ark.

Happy anniversary

This is my first anniversary with WORLD. I am delighted to renew for another year. Although I do not always agree with your theological perspective, I do praise God for your willingness to lay it on the line socially, morally, and ethically. - Howard Johnson, Lake Butler, Fla.

Stunned

I was stunned when I found out how much was spent on church building projects last year ("Religious construction on the rise," June 12). How many hungry people would the $6.4 billion have fed? How many people could it have clothed? How many homeless people could it have sheltered? I am at times ashamed of whom we are serving. - John Pejchl, Des Plaines, Ill.

A brave step

It is very refreshing as a college student studying English at a public university to see a canon of 20th-century works that reflects my own opinion about what is good literature ("WORLD's Top 40," July 3/10). I do not agree with all the names and titles on the list, but who would? Although the secular literary community acknowledges the works of T. S. Eliot, Flannery O'Connor, and Graham Greene as a cut above the fray, they would never allow many of the authors on your list on their curricula. Bravo for this brave step for classical Christianity. I would also like to suggest Humanae Vitae by Pope Paul VI. Written in 1968, it has been a moral compass for conservative Christian theologians and laypeople, speaking out against promiscuous sexual behavior and upholding life. - Josh Lovetere, Springfield, Mo.

Get down

It was especially gratifying to see some real "downers" on your Top 40 list. Books like Brave New World and Lord of the Flies are dark in their themes but necessary for us to see the depths of our own depravity and how quickly the veneer of society can be stripped away without God's law and grace. And to include Van Til and Hayek is outstanding. Keep up the good work. - Michael Paul Tuuri, Livermore, Calif.

Relevant titles

I greatly enjoyed the Top 40 article. I was delighted to see that I have read quite a few of them myself and look forward to reading many of the others. I value the integrity of the World staff and appreciate the critique and insight into these books. One of the things that interested me was that some of the choices were not "Christian" books but contained relevant issues that we face in today's world. - Diane Beckham, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

A brilliant writer

Your listing of the best titles of the 20th century constituted a leap of bravery and noble assumptions. I'm pleased that you included a short novel by Flannery O'Connor, The Violent Bear It Away. A brilliant writer with a powerful message, O'Connor exposed hypocrisy and spiritual impotency in her own Roman Catholic Church and in Protestantism. - Paul Friesen, Hillsboro, Kan.

Genius

I have not read most of the books you mentioned; however, I was very pleased to see my all-time favorite books included: The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien. The genius involved in their creation deserves much more notice than it often receives. - Sarah Decker, 15, Hood River, Ore.

Care deficit

Candidate Gore speaks of the "care deficit for our little ones" ("Al the deficit slayer," June 26). He and Mr. Clinton have the largest care deficit when they are unwilling to fight against abortion, even vetoing legislation outlawing late-term abortions. - Tommy Cheng, Torrance, Calif.

Telling retailers

Regarding "Retail responsibility" (June 26), Mr. Veith is right: This is a positive way to let the scum merchants know we don't want it and to support the businesses who support us. The other side of the coin is the American Psychological Association's article on pedophilia ("A step too far, for now," June 26). I want to be a part of the public that "bombards" them. Thank you for a great magazine. - Steve Fogler, Tucson, Ariz.

Drifting

It seems as if parents, even Christian parents, have lost their way regarding a biblical view of parenting and discipline. Your articles chronicling the recent public debate concerning public-school shootings such as the Columbine High School tragedy and your most recent article, "The death of discipline" (June 26), demonstrate just how far astray we have drifted. - Ann M. Watkins, Vero Beach, Fla.

Death and discipline

I just finished reading your article, "The death of discipline." Discipline is not only biblical but vital if parents want to have a successful family. My parents have used strict but loving discipline with my 15-month-old sister and I have been amazed at how well she responds to instruction. To the world, there are ways that seem right. But the Bible tells us that the end of those ways is death. And that's exactly what happens without discipline. - Kyle Puelston, 16, Farmington, Minn.

Slow to pulverize

In an otherwise good editorial, Joel Belz denounces the Clinton administration's seeking Russian help for peace in Kosovo as "a sad symbol of our nation's weakness" ("Ain't over till it ends well," June 26). Mr. Belz is wrong. Seeking the aid of the most influential friend of your adversary isn't a commentary on your own weakness but on your reluctance to go ahead and pulverize the adversary and let the chips fall where they may. - Robert Dunbar, Dixon, Ill.

Last respects

I really enjoyed the article on Star Trek ("Into the final frontier," June 26). I am a Trekkie and really liked the "country" style of the doctor. Even though Deforest Kelley's passing away was sad, I was glad that we can still enjoy the movies and TV shows he made. - Jennifer Stovall, Felton, Calif.

A great service

Mr. Olasky's periodic glimpses at historical figures in government, business, and culture have been most enjoyable ("Woodrow and Bill," June 26). Many Boomers in my generation received a very questionable education in Western history and you do us a great service by publishing such articles. By the way, don't ever abandon your provocative style. You cause me to think the issues through carefully even though I do not always agree with your conclusions in a particular article. - Michael A. Shaffer, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.