Mailbag

‘Tortured journey’

Sept. 3 Great reporting. I am very concerned about our national security, but it seems we should accept our share of these refugees. However, we need to have a plan to vet them and then to help them once they are here, and it should involve all of our churches.

—Jim Richardson / Oro Valley, Ariz.

When do we reach the point of losing our national identity because immigrants seek to live according to their own culture rather than assimilate? Witnessing to Muslims furthers the Great Commission, but bringing them here to do so is another matter, especially when Islam clearly contradicts our constitutional values and biblical beliefs.

—Laura Thomas on wng.org

‘The welfare of our cities’

Sept. 3 Donald Trump needs to moderate his rhetoric and explain that until we have a clear way to vet the refugees, it’s a good idea to restrict them. Hillary Clinton would be far, far worse for America.

—Dale Murrish on wng.org

Mindy Belz said we can determine legitimate refugees without turning our backs on all of them. I wholeheartedly agree; let’s get on with it. If elected, Trump will secure the border and sustain a rational refugee program that takes our national and cultural integrity into account.

—David Dileas on wng.org

Thanks to Belz for expressing so well my frustration with those who want to throw out the baby with the bathwater.

—Jennifer Schoenrock on Facebook

We must address the refugee crisis, but we also need to protect our own citizens. We see what is happening in Europe where citizens are losing their culture and safety. We should bring in people who, as Trump suggests, love our Constitution and our culture and want to be part of it.

—Barbara Parks / Spokane, Wash.

‘Jobs of the future’

Sept. 3 A marketable skill is a great thing to have, even if one later decides to pursue a college degree. Also, you can be highly educated even without a piece of sheepskin.

—Sharon Spence McCrina on Facebook

As a culture we need to get over the idea that working with one’s hands is less valuable than an office job. We all are created in the image of God, with different gifts, different skills, different aptitudes, and we honor God when each of us uses those abilities for God’s glory.

—Mary MacDonald-Murray on Facebook

‘First time here’

Sept. 3 Andrée Seu Peterson turned 64? Try 84! Some of my still-extant friends claim that 84 is the new 54. Of course, whether 64, 84, or 24, for a believer, is not the alternative actually better?

—Paul N. Zierk / Blue Hill, Maine

Peterson wrote that 64 is a “bummer only until you consider the alternative.” At 90 I’m thankful to be alive, and very aware of the faithfulness, grace, and forgiveness of God to an old sinner like me.

—David R. Christenson / Lynnwood, Wash.

‘Is silence golden?’

Sept. 3 Yes, many evangelical schools, churches, and even parents think you should teach kids to refuse to challenge authority. How different is Liberty University’s control over the student newspaper from countries that also suppress freedom of the press? And for what?

—Steve Shive on wng.org

‘Choosing my religion’

Sept. 3 This was a fluff piece for Hillary. At a time when this country is under God’s judgment, we need a serious discussion. Cancel my subscription!

—Phil Bates / Prospect, Ohio

I’m not sure what my world would be like without WORLD or starting each day without World Radio. You provide a perspective not available anyplace else. And I’ll take you up on your offer to get Mindy Belz’s Globe Trot delivered by email.

—David Jamison / Charlottesville, Va.

‘Dodging a bullet’

Sept. 3 The homosexual lobby intends to eradicate Christianity from all elements of society. Crushing Christian higher education is one step toward that end.

—Mark B. Blocher on Facebook

The near future for Christian higher education looks troubling, but there is a solution: sacrificial giving from Christians replaces and exceeds the millions of dollars Biola’s students lose in government loans and grants, allowing Biola to maintain and even expand its distinctive mandate in the face of governmental hostility.

—Nat Manzanita on wng.org

‘Glory days behind us?’

Sept. 3 Given how public schools help rocket-propel our culture into chaos, Christian schools and homeschooling are more important now than ever. Christians need to help other believers afford alternatives for their children, and churches should open up that building that sits vacant Monday through Friday. Or we can attend to our jobs and recreations and hope that spray-painting a little churchianity on the kids once a week will do the trick.

—John Nixdorf / Naperville, Ill.

‘Life and politics’

Sept. 3 Amherst professor Hadley Arkes noted that for Clinton and the left, “the ‘right to abortion’ is the first freedom.” In 2008 I sat at a table of highly educated, wealthy women discussing the approaching presidential election and one said, “Let’s not kid ourselves, ladies. Abortion is the only thing that matters.”

—Cherry Yarchin Neill / Fort Worth, Texas

‘Survivor’s guide’

Sept. 3 Olasky’s well-written column gave guidelines for interacting with teachers at secular universities; unfortunately, some Christian young people cannot find or afford a Christian university to pursue their chosen studies.

—William Wells / Columbia Station, Ohio

‘Chariot games’

Sept. 3 Good review of Ben-Hur. My husband and I watched it last night, and I agree that the chariot scene was well-done but the ending so rushed. And how about that amazing haircut Judah gave himself with those crude scissors?

—Michele Ebben on wng.org

‘Hush’

Sept. 3 Years ago we were trying to get the medical community to read the many studies that link breast cancer and abortion, and trying to educate women about the benefits of breast-feeding for both baby and mother. Ignorance is not bliss, and in this case it’s harmful.

—Kelly Mays Wilson on Facebook

More letters, emails, and comments that we didn't have space for in the print edition:

‘Back to the future’

Sept. 3 In minimizing Hillary's propensity to lie and maximizing Trump's, columnist Nicholas Kristof is, ironically, lying to himself.

Tom Burley / Alto, Mich.

Marvin Olasky’s piece here is so timely, particularly his observation that in failing to scrutinize candidates, that’s “where reporters are also letting us down."

Ben Kauffman on wng.org

‘First time here’

Sept. 3 This was a nice reflection on aging. I'm nearing 50 and have always dreaded aging while knowing that now I'm in a much better place than when I was younger.

Bill Ferguson / Tulsa, Okla.

‘Jobs of the future’

Sept. 3 I have mixed feelings about this. College is often costly, dumbed down, and insanely liberal, but some universities still offer worthwhile degrees.

Marcia McCorkle Pearson on Facebook

‘Is silence golden?’

Sept. 3 Accurate, honest reporting as always. Students need to learn that college and the real world, where they hope to eventually live and work, are nothing alike.

Jeff Dickerson / Morton, Ill.

‘Rethinking the restroom’

Aug. 20 The concept of sharing bathrooms for child safety makes sense, but my wife would be very opposed, for reasons of privacy and cleanliness, and I’d agree. Men are much more unsanitary when using restrooms.

Dean L. Peterson / Coon Rapids, Minn.

Good information, and interesting, but distressing in that “transgender” bathrooms deny creation in every building. The left must be laughing because to start accommodating this demand now means we've given up on this issue after only a few months.

William Peck on wng.org

‘Safe haven’

Aug. 20 Accommodating sin is never a "negotiable.” Building costly single-use bathrooms in churches doesn't address the problem; it just kicks the can down the road.

Kari Rimbey / Colfax, Wash.