Only God

Thanks for Lynn Vincent's article, "The harvest of abortion" (Oct. 23). I, for one, truly appreciate your Christian muckraking. This article is Christian journalism at its finest. As much as we need to protest abortion and pass laws restricting it, those things are ultimately futile unless we pray. May God use this information to shock His people about the depravity of the human heart and our need to pray for an end to the practice of abortion. Only God can change the hard hearts of those who abort babies and coolly dissect their bodies for profit. Only God can change the hearts of the politicians who pass laws permitting these things. Only God can bring an end to this horrific practice. - Dave Sarafolean, Midland, Mich.

Complicit

I am sick after reading "The harvest of abortion," not only because this is happening but because people who call themselves Christians are profiting from such a terrible tragedy. As my family discussed this article, my 13-year-old daughter said, "The Bardsley children must be ashamed of their parents." I read her the rationalization, that it's making the best of a bad situation, and started to say, "It's like telling your children that stealing is wrong ..." and she finished for me by saying, "and then you profit from what someone else has stolen." - Jane L. McAtee, Charlotte, Mich.

More than voting Republican

I was not surprised that "embryonic cadavers" (a.k.a. babies) were being used for medical research, but I literally became nauseated as I read "The harvest of abortion." I look into the eyes of my 4-month-old daughter ($150 worth of research material) and fear the day she asks me what I was doing while living "orphans ... in their distress" were being chopped into pieces and then marketed by "Bible-reading Christians." Will my best answer be, "I voted Republican"? - Shaun LePage, Lewisville, Texas

Tiny and helpless

As I read, I almost started crying at what is being done to these tiny, helpless, innocent human beings. I'm ashamed and angry that so many of our nation's leaders, including our president, support the measures in favor of abortion and all it is linked with. God help us. - Marie Schumack, 16, Detroit, Mich.

Juvenile or cruel?

"On the eve of saints" (Oct. 23) comes very close to Catholic bashing. Ms. Seu's patronizing portrayal of her grandparents with their devotion to the Saints was juvenile at best and downright cruel at worst. - Robert H. Walsh, Eaton, Ohio

A feast

Andree Seu's articles always touch my heart and give me food for thought. "On the eve of saints" was a veritable feast. - Anne Frazer, Keystone Heights, Fla.

Proud to stay

As director of operations for Mr. Bauer's presidential campaign, I read your article ("Ex-staff sour on Bauer," Oct. 23) with considerable interest. It seems unfair to present primarily the views of disaffected and departed staff members. I stayed. I am proud that I did and consider it a privilege to lend my support to a great cause and a great man. The mental and physical demands of a presidential campaign are staggering, yet I have heard him only once raise his voice. He is the consummate professional and a gentleman. He is not perfect, but he is far better than his "friends" have portrayed him. - Joseph A. Dalfonzo, Springfield, Va.

Shouldn't be surprised

Thank you for your straightforward article about the red flags in the Bauer campaign. I, too, was saddened to hear how poorly the situation with Ms. McClard was handled. When a presidential candidate who is outspoken about his faith is confronted by various members of his staff about his behavior, he should not be surprised when they are disappointed and angered by his lack of attention to the matter. - Rebecca De Groot, Spencer, Iowa

Snipers

I am overwhelmed at the meanness and sniping of the people who left Gary Bauer's campaign over this. The only thing he did wrong is to have accepted the services of such creeps in the first place. - Rose Kehoe, Zionsville, Ind.

If art were food

Thomas Kinkade is right when he says that contemporary art should bless, not alienate the viewer ("Escaping to a simpler world," Oct. 23). But as a believer and professional painter, I question his means. God warns against a nostalgic escape to "simpler times." Rather than offering escape to a make-believe past, art should reinvigorate us to press on toward our real and glorious future. If art were food, the church would be starving. In the past the church produced enduring works by artists like Rembrandt, Durer, and Vermeer. Sure, there is money to be made in the cotton-candy business, but how long will we be content to serve only fluff in Jesus' name? - David Slonim, Chesterfield, Ind.

Go with Manilow

You asked if Thomas Kinkade might become a "visual Barry Manilow," insinuating that would be a bad thing. Why do you have to join the ignorant who make a joke out of Barry and his music? Leave the man alone. By the way, I truly love Thomas Kinkade's paintings. Who wants "reality" in paintings when the world is so depraved and far from God? When you have a great product, why not make it available to as many people as possible? I still love your magazine, but I resent the whole tone of that article. - Judy Bankert, Citrus Heights, Calif.

Big spender

I loved your article "King of the forest" (Oct. 23). I would spend $340 million evangelizing and bringing the message of salvation to the world, $170 million efficiently feeding and providing for those in desperate and immediate need of food, shelter, and medicine, $170 million educating and training the poor so that they are better equipped to take care of themselves, and $170 million to educate the church on the Jewish roots of its faith and the rich Jewish heritage it has left behind. - James F. Adler, Kansas City, Mo.

To the country

Rather than millions more for our 50 largest cities and ghettos, I would build and nurture 1,000 sustainable, self-reliant, rural communities with $1 million each: $300,000 to buy land for 65 families, $350,000 to get started with housing and infrastructure, $250,000 for a classical Christian school, and the final $100,000 for literacy and self-reliance skills. - David E. Rockett, Monroe, La.

Spread it around

I'd give $250 million for a scholarship fund for medical students committed to serving in Christian medical relief work in the inner city and poor rural areas; $100 million (on a matching basis) for short-term mission work trips for Christian students; $150 million to Christian graduate students and beginning faculty serving at non-religious colleges; $150 million to establish visiting science teaching chairs at religious colleges and seminaries; $100 million for a good science curriculum from a Christian worldview; $50 million to promote old-earth Christian views of creation; $100 million for Christian counseling scholarships; and the remaining $100 million to buy out the top 20 televangelists so they promise to stay off the air. - Jim Hood, Cincinnati, Ohio

To the poorest

The money should go to the poorest among us, most of whom are not in this country. I would give it to those poor countries which would most likely get it to those in need. In addition, I would give not just directly to the individuals, but also provide funding for building small business, building democratic systems, and building the church. - Ken Berger, Union City, N.J.

To the persecuted

I suggest we include the persecuted church. Ninety-six cents of every dollar given in the United States by Christians stays in this country. Yet one of three Christians in the world is being persecuted in 42 countries (murdered, imprisoned, tortured, raped, enslaved).There are many Christian ministries serving our persecuted family for whom a little money would go a long ways. - Bob Ahlers, Fredericksburg,Va.

Too much power?

Your cover story on Alan Greenspan ("Are the good times too good?" Oct. 16) failed to ask: Does this man have too much power? Neither elected by nor directly accountable to the people, Mr. Greenspan can manipulate Wall Street and instantaneously affect the retirement monies and jobs of millions of us simply by mumbling ambiguous words. He has indeed become legendarily opaque, and so instead of being bemused by his speaking abilities, we should view the power this para-Constitutional chairman wields as inherently dangerous. - Robert York, Rancho Cordova, Calif.