Mailbag

‘Nowhere to Hyde?’

Sept. 17 Ironically, the party that calls Republicans “racist” promotes a culture of death and destruction that oppresses our poorest neighborhoods. How can one not see opposition to the Hyde Amendment as a racist attack that continues the vision of Margaret Sanger? Planned Parenthood will be the winner here, not mothers and certainly not those little ones who never get a chance at life.

—Darla Dykstra / Kansas City, Mo.

Hillary Clinton’s comment that “the unborn person doesn’t have constitutional rights” is quite revealing. At least she recognized that a baby in the womb is a person. Does she realize that others denied rights by their governments include American slaves and Jews in Germany?

—John Ireland / Murfreesboro. Tenn.

‘Free and equal?’

Sept. 17 Because of my mother’s example of contentment without bitterness, I never gave much thought to who had what. My wife and I tried to teach that to our children, and especially the idea that the more God gives you the more responsibility you have.

—Allan Cage / Sarasota, Fla.

My wife and I raised our children to believe in equality, so they were dismayed when black kids mistreated them, even telling them, “This is our bus. We don’t want you white kids on here.” I have hope, but I am weary of those in my generation who look at me with suspicion.

—Mike Mann / Sylvania, Ga.

Another excellent column. This is why I subscribe.

—Janet Piccione Klepper on Facebook

‘Hamilton’

Sept. 17 Thank you for this review. This musical seems to call out the American narrative for casually disregarding people whose impressive contributions are erased because they were immigrants. I am so thankful that Lin-Manuel Miranda and Ron Chernow told this story so beautifully.

—Megan Fowler on wng.org

The Hamilton soundtrack is absolutely stunning, both in the modern application of history and the raw emotion one feels from the Founding Fathers.

—Faith Elizabeth Hunter on wng.org

‘Chaos driven life?’

Sept. 17 Christians need to study the sciences and challenge evolution, but we should remember that scientists who view life and creation through a Christian worldview commit career suicide. So sad.

—Todd Finch on wng.org

‘Consider the humble bee’

Sept. 17 Mindy Belz’s thoughtful column about patience and bees is both startling and beautiful. I will never think about bees the same way again.

—Aiden Sexton / North Augusta, S.C.

‘Jobs solution’

Sept. 17 What a refreshing article! I will pray for the Joseph Project jobs program and Sen. Ron Johnson. A list of the participating manufacturers would be great. I would support them; Kohler will be one.

—Joni Bryant on wng.org

‘Bearing the image’

Sept. 17 You report that a sociologist was shocked to discover that those who believed humans bear the image of God held more humanitarian attitudes than those who did not. It is so obvious that I am shocked that he is shocked.

—Robert Casteel / Lynnwood, Wash.

By the Numbers

Sept. 17 It was so sad to read about the 11 babies aborted in England and Wales because of a cleft lip or palate. In 1914 my father had three operations to correct a double cleft lip and a cleft palate. Photos from before and after the operation went into textbooks. He married and had three children, including me.

—Nonie Moody / Topsham, Maine

‘Restless art’

Sept. 17 As a 47-year-old mom I’m not your typical rap aficionado, but I’m a fan of Shai Linne because he plumbs the depths of what he calls “lyrical theology.” His lyrics call me to worship and to think deeply upon my Savior.

—Stephanie Hoopman / West Chester, Pa.

‘Deep Oceans’

Sept. 17 Megan Basham’s careful, poignant descriptions give me just enough detail to make a firm decision about whether I’ll watch a movie. Thank you so much for wading through the inane and offensive to find the gems for us.

—Beth Ramirez on wng.org

‘Fighting the war on terror’

Sept. 17 I appreciated Sebastian Gorka’s comments on how to wage an ideological battle with ISIS. One way is to show the kind of society they say they would establish; what kind of freedoms would it have?

—Richard Mayforth / Clayton, N.Y.

‘First time here’

Sept. 3 I’m 62 but could relate to Andrée Seu Peterson’s column about turning the bewildering age of 64. I recall as a small child marveling at my grandmother’s soft but very wrinkled skin on her arms and hands. Recently I looked at my arm and was surprised to see her skin. She went to be with the Lord many years ago; but whenever I see my arm, it’s like she’s right there with me.

—Wayne Kaminski / Cuero, Texas

When my mom was in her late 60s she was ready to go home, except she worried about who would pray for her children. She did go at 101, and 16 years later her prayers still resonate here.

—Glenn Strautins / Ridgewood, Australia

‘The welfare of our cities’

Sept. 3 I love Mindy Belz’s reporting, but Trump’s statements about refugees were not inflammatory. He was saying what most Americans felt at the time. Also, Trump only opposes refugees who wish to do us harm.

—Jim Richardson / Oro Valley, Ariz.

‘The devil’s bad news club’

Sept. 3 The After School Satan Clubs can’t compete against the Good News Clubs, and they know it; but that doesn’t prevent them from trying to demoralize Christians. Secularists have long owned the entire public school system, yet they are not satisfied if there is even a hint that Christianity still has some influence.

—Greg Mangrum on wng.org

‘Dodging a bullet’

Sept. 3 As a 1953 graduate of Biola University, I was taken aback when I first heard about the California legislation to deny state funding to biblically sound colleges. After reading your article, my prayers are going to be really specific.

—Nancy Grover / Portland, Ore.

‘Faith and Olympics’

Sept. 3 Let’s remember also that divers David Boudia and Steele Johnson declared where their medals rank in their lives, saying that their identity is not in their success as divers, but in Christ. It’s a profound statement.

—Stephen Alex Stout on wng.org

‘“Love,” not rights’

Aug. 20 Your otherwise excellent article on the LGBT strategy for cultural acceptance omitted one key tactic: the positive portrayal of homosexuality on TV. From Soap to Will and Grace to Modern Family, the gradual mainstreaming of gay characters in network comedies did more to influence American acceptance of this lifestyle than almost any political maneuvering.

—Stefan A.D. Bucek / San Jose, Calif.

Corrections

In New York City, more African-American babies died in abortion than were born alive in 2013 (“Nowhere to Hyde?” Sept. 17, 2016).

Hasidim are one kind of strictly ultra-Orthodox Jews (“Jumping in the deep end,” Sept. 17, 2016).

Aleppo is Syria’s largest city (“In extremity, opportunity,” Sept. 17, 2016).