Sowing blood

It concerns me that the president has involved America in a civil war in the Balkans that has lasted for centuries over religious and national disagreements that a few cruise missiles cannot possibly resolve ("A war too far," April 10). It concerns me that this bombing is being conducted under the auspices of NATO, even though no NATO member has been attacked. It concerns me that the Russian Duma has condemned the NATO attacks. But what concerns me most is that President Clinton may be cultivating a generation of America-haters across the globe. By his bombing of Iraq, Yugoslavia, and others, is there a growing generation of disgruntled fathers, sons, and brothers of those killed by our cruise missiles vowing to extract vengeance someday by shedding American blood? - Steven Costello, Lake Jackson, Texas

Clarity required

We need clear objectives for our purposes in Kosovo, for the relief of Albanian refugees and peaceful coexistence in that land. We need to repeat the success of Desert Storm-the American people supporting those in leadership, as well as the troops shipped to Kosovo. - Stacy Scott, Hot Springs, Ark.

Real, but not unique

How refreshing it was to see Joel Belz raise the question of the unequal responses of our nation to other injustices, wars, genocide, and so on around the world ("Good cop, bad cop," April 10). The atrocities against the Kosovar people are real and horrific, but are they any worse than those against the people in Rwanda and other countries? - Sunnie Waggoner, Salida, Colo.

No distress, no problem

In your most recent issue, we were delighted to see Gene Edward Veith's article, "Tossing the last taboo" (April 10). It brings attention to a very important and neglected matter-the gradual push for normalization of pedophilia. Under the influence of postmodern normlessness, psychologists are being persuaded that if we observe no obvious distress and disability to a person, then his condition-however morally condemned-is psychologically normal. Thus we hear statements such as the following, from a well-known psychologist: "I know of no convincing evidence that even pedophilia is harmful to the boy." Another eminent researcher and author, Robert Stoller, has said that regardless of its psychological origins, sadomasochism is no more perverse than "dislike of zucchini." There is little open objection to such philosophies within the psychological profession, and NARTH is fighting a lonely battle which needs to be more widely acknowledged. To date, we have been prevented from even announcing our conferences in American Psychological Association publications, and even a paid ad was refused by the major psychoanalytic association publication. - Linda Ames Nicolosi, National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality Encino, Calif.

Circling the drain

One of the most troubling aspects of this study is the use of the victims' subjective feelings of no harmful effects as objective proof that no harm was done. Often the victim is the last to see harmful effects. What this proves is that psychology as a science is circling the drain. - Rich Asper, Watertown, S.D.

Out with the old ...

Homosexuality is not a "lifestyle" or a choice ("How homosexuals fight," April 10). What do you say to gay couples, that it's wrong for them to love someone of the same sex? What are they supposed to do, stay celibate because religious fanatics like you disapprove? You people are a joke. Old, intolerant ways will not be tolerated much longer in this country, guys, so I suggest you get used to it. And you know something? I'm not even a homosexual, but I'm almost obsessed with you anti-gay crusaders because I find it so hard to understand you. - Frances Del Rio, Oakland, Calif.

Battle after battle

Mr. Veith wonders how 3 percent of the population that is homosexual can transform culture while the 43 percent that go to church do nothing. A quick answer is that the homosexual movement is basically of one mind; the "church" in America is split into thousands of denominations and non-denominational groups all doing their own thing. Is it any wonder we get beaten in battle after battle? - Randy Harris, Midwest City, Okla.

Beats us

Praise God for WORLD. It is not just good; it is brilliant. I love Mr. Olasky's and Mr. Belz's editorial articles-worth their weight in gold. Your magazine contains more information than Time, Newsweek, and U.S. News & World Report put together. But why should I subscribe? My son and my two sisters each subscribe and I get it free from them. I feel guilty, but what can I do? - Neal Vanderwerff, Seattle, Wash.

Asking a bit much

Perhaps professor Ken Miller and his National Science Teachers Association colleagues are finding it increasingly difficult to fool the public with their "evolutionary education" ("Darwinian education on trial," April 10). To claim that the theory of evolution should enjoy the same respect as that of gravity is asking of the public a bit too much. Evidence for gravity is hard to avoid. Evidence for evolution is hard to find. Surely a few random transition forms in our museums would raise its credibility some. Besides, since modern science is not supposed to produce absolute truth, where did this absolutism for evolution come from? Perhaps more philosophy is present than our textbook authors want to admit. - Robert J. Hughes III, Dickinson, Texas

Zealous for the fakes

Their zeal to defend atheistic Darwinism against biblical religion may be the reason many textbook authors misrepresent the biological evidence. For example, they include drawings of embryos that are supposed to show that fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals all descended from a common ancestor, even though embryologists have known for over a century that those drawings are false. Or they include photographs of moths camouflaged on tree trunks to illustrate selection by bird predation, even though entomologists have known since the 1980s that those moths do not normally rest on tree trunks and all such photographs have been staged. As a biologist myself, I would not insist that science textbooks "tolerate biblical views," but I would certainly insist that they present the evidence accurately. - Jonathan Wells, Ph.D., Berkeley, Calif

Be moved

Thank you for the supportive words for those called to use gifts of mercy for those living with HIV/AIDS ("Who is a widow?" April 10). The parallel with abortion is valid. For the most part these are people who fell into sin and now have a high price to pay. Just because we could have avoided their particular sin and its consequences is no godly reason to stand apart and unmoved to show compassion. We have a small joint effort of Christian churches doing this in Santa Cruz county under the name "Project Grace." May those called to do more be moved by your excellent words. - John Haak, Los Gatos, Calif.

That word again

Recently you ran a cover story on homosexual marriage. I had no problem with the story, but your continued use of the word gay bothered me quite a bit. WORLD has received letters concerning this problem and I hoped that the matter would be resolved. Unfortunately, in your April 10 issue you used the word gay in your article, "Homosexual Activism: How homosexuals fight." I must ask that you cancel my subscription and refund the remainder of my money. - James A. Holden, Garland, Texas

Stay feisty

I am sometimes astonished at the fierce tone professing Christians take in writing to you. As grumpy criticism comes, it may cause you to wonder if you are really being as wickedly judgmental as your thoroughly unjudgmental, awesomely spiritual critics claim. Don't back down. Don't become bland or lukewarm. Stay feisty! Christians as a group ought to be down on our knees to God in gratitude that your magazine is attempting to take every thought captive to Christ. Of course, I don't always agree with you. But when I do disagree it is an argument with a friend I respect and love. - Carl Wells, Brownstown, Ind.

Don't call him doctor

Jack Kervorkian's medical license was revoked by the Michigan State Board of Medicine ("Dr. Death gets his verdict," April 10). Please do not refer to him as "Dr."-he's a disgrace to the profession. - Alice Johnson, Madison Heights, Mich.

In the eyes of the beholder

Hi! I am a 14-year-old girl who really enjoys your magazine. It is our one updated source of news from our home country. I was wondering why in your list of new video releases for 1999 Ever After had such a low rating? I saw the movie in the theater with my parents, both in their mid-40s, and I loved it and my family really liked it. - Shelby Tobler, Abidjan, West Africa