‘Anti-bullying bait and switch’

Sept. 2 Anti-bullying advocates claim their programs are about family diversity and inclusiveness but not about sex? Right. They are about sex. But will they be honest about it? No way. —Rexann Bassler on wng.org

I don’t normally downplay the underhandedness of LGBTQ advocates, but the redefinition of the family in public schools has been going on openly for decades. The time to be upset is long past. Public schools simply do not provide an environment conducive to developing a Christian faith and worldview. —Tessa Blackstad on wng.org

It’s interesting how the definition of “inclusive” has become “exclusively pro-LGBTQ.” —Kenneth E. Isgrigg on wng.org

‘Civil war at a Christian college’

Sept. 2 As a Bryan College senior, I have seen the grief and anger but also a resurgence in student unity and greater transparency from the administration. At the start of this semester, nearly a quarter of our students gathered with faculty and staff to pray and discuss the bitterness many feel. “Civil war” is a poor descriptor of our campus today. —Abigail Brown / Bryan, Tenn.

The photo of President Stephen Livesay with an oil painting and an oak table presents an image of Bryan College that bears no resemblance to the institution I remember with fondness from 1990-1992. When hiring practices do not reflect an organization’s unique character, trouble will usually follow. —Bryan Regier / Westboro, Wis.

‘Seed of war’

Sept. 2 Charlottesville will be associated with neo-Nazis for years, but I am prouder than ever of this town and its churches. Our local counterdemonstrators bravely stood up to an armed group of radicals, and many churches opened their doors for prayer services. Martin Luther King Jr. would have been proud. —James Alan Avery / Charlottesville, Va.

Our freedoms of religion and speech are under relentless attack not by the hapless, insignificant white supremacists at Charlottesville, despicable as they are, but by the hard left and its accomplices in the liberal media. President Trump was right to call out both the white supremacists and antifa thugs for promoting hate. —Igor Shpudejko / Goodyear, Ariz.

‘We, the People’

Sept. 2 Excellent column. Godly people should indeed shun racism, and pastors teach against racism from the pulpit. The left’s claim that Christians are racists is a deliberate misrepresentation, and it is hypocritical that the supposed “tolerance” of counterdemonstrators does not extend to believers in traditional marriage, the sanctity of life, or redemption through Christ. —Mike Bricker on wng.org

It has been very disturbing to hear Christians unable to condemn racism without a lot of qualifications to deny or justify the hate of the alt-right. That prevarication enables white supremacy groups to get away with posing as Christians. —Elizabeth Cole on wng.org

What is the best way to confront racism among the ungodly? Do we really think that confronting them on the public square will change anything? There should be a better way, and maybe it is to “love your enemies.” —Pat Ruiz on wng.org

‘Supervised schooling’

Sept. 2 Thank you for bringing light to a troubling situation. We sought out every therapeutic residential Christian program out there for our son and chose one that misled us on many fronts; our son ended up more damaged. A database for information on all such programs would save many families from our heartache. —Debbie Whitcomb on Facebook

Three months ago I didn’t know such programs existed. Parents have to choose quickly, starting from zero knowledge, so it’s easy to hoodwink desperate parents who are making life-or-death decisions on the spot. —Stephanie Anderson on wng.org

‘Uncertain sources’

Sept. 2 We who work in aviation often find news coverage of our industry like the gibberish of a madman. If the media can’t get that right, why should I trust any news that requires specialized knowledge? I am encouraged that WORLD and your radio show approach reporting with more humility than most media. —Dmitri Smirenski / Atlanta, Ga.

I read WORLD to get the other side of the story after events hit the main media, to see what answers were ignored and how the event could be seen from a Christian perspective. Thanks for your work. —Joellyn Clark on wng.org

‘Lord and friend’

Sept. 2 I thank Janie B. Cheaney for clarifying “relationship versus religion.” It is so easy to latch on to a convenient way to explain our faith in Christ without understanding it. —Lora Hamer / Ocean City, N.J.

I have a relationship with Christ, and the “religious” part—church, prayer, tithing, good works—is part of that relationship and is indispensable, according to Scripture. —Janet Anderson / Otego, N.Y.

‘Atomic bluff?’

Sept. 2 Trump should have said that a North Korean attack on the U.S. or its allies would result in the total destruction of North Korea. Kim Jong Un may not be rational, but China is, and that is where the leverage lies. The free world cannot allow a renegade nation to intimidate it with nuclear weapons. —Randy Crews / Spokane, Wash.

‘Living stones’

Sept. 2 Thank you to Mindy Belz for specific examples of the Light in a world of darkness. They inspire and encourage those of us who waffle on our sense of purpose and calling. —Dave Clarke / Gulf Breeze, Fla.

‘“He could do it all”’

Sept. 2 I loved reading this: a musical obit of my all-time favorite artist, Glen Campbell, written by my all-time favorite reviewer, Arsenio Orteza. —Nathan Carpenter on Facebook

Correction

Heidi Linton began working with Christian Friends of Korea 22 years ago as a volunteer (“Death-defying acts of kindness,” Sept. 30, 2017).

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

‘Atomic bluff?’

Sept. 2 Even if tens of thousands die in a nuclear attack by North Korea, the wisest response is not nuclear retaliation. Kim will have handed Trump the ultimate diplomatic weapon, the one thing certain to shame China into removing the dictator and allowing Korean reunification. —Aren Henize on wng.org

‘Phoning it in’

Sept. 2 As a radio veteran I am disappointed with the “professionals” who treated Andrée Seu Peterson so poorly. To have good guests, you must treat them well, and listeners tend to recognize when hosts have no regard for others. —Mike Hawver / Bedford, Ohio

Peterson always challenges me with her cultural relevance and worldview, literary references, master vocabulary, sharp perception, and honesty. Thank you. —Janis Viren / Billings, Mont.

‘Four novels by Christian publishers’

Sept. 2 I appreciate your reviews of Christian fiction, but your review of Just Look Up seemed to miss a main point: Brooks pursued Lane, despite her “prickly nature,” because he knew her when she was overweight and shunned, but he saw beneath the surface and loved her anyway—just like our heavenly Father. —Cindy Bassler / Dixon, Ill.

‘Creating a new pattern’

July 1 I was ecstatic to read that T. Mac Howard’s school in Mississippi, Delta Streets Academy, won the Hope Award. As a college student he volunteered at a neighborhood Bible study for boys that met in my home. T. Mac was a wonderful teacher, example, and friend.—Linda Roberts / Starkville, Miss.