Mailbag

Lifetime supply

With all that’s going on in the world today, you’ve managed to define in a cover portrait what is taking place under our noses and in some people’s hearts and minds. I’m thankful for your honesty in reporting.
     Fred Coffin / Salem, N.J.

Your cover illustration by Victoria Krylov gives a hat tip to the famous children’s author and illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans. It’s delightful!
     Janet Bavido / Claremore, Okla.

Shame on food banks, ­government, retailers, and manufacturers for caring more about donations, write-offs, and self-preservation than helping the needy break free of dependency. There must be a better, Biblically sound way to do this, and the Gospel Rescue Mission’s Rich Schaus appears to have that vision.
     John Wynn / Lutherville, Md.

This has been a problem for a long time. The Church needs to befriend, challenge, and help those who are getting free services—to build real community the Jesus way.
     Michael Bernardo / Newberry, S.C.

Sari Vatske of the Central Texas Food Bank said, “Food is a right.” Many Christians embrace this idea, seeing it as compassion. But the Apostle Paul wrote, “If any would not work, neither should he eat.”
     Nancy J. Rice / Culpeper, Va.

I know several food banks in our area, and your article is right on. At one food bank, the operator describes the ministry as food for the needy and greedy.
     Russ Gilliom / Churubusco, Ind.

Missed potential

Prospective college students should ask how a major leads to appropriate employment and how the institution helps them find internships. In addition, limiting student loans for majors that do not lead to employment that provides enough funding for repayment may be a good policy.
     Roger S. Rutter / Owego, N.Y.

Blanket immunity?

Even though you mentioned the National Embryo Donation Center, I was disappointed there was no reference to the Snowflakes Embryo Adoption Program. In December 2022, it celebrated the birth of 1,000 babies adopted as embryos.
     Dave Dahlke / Port Orchard, Wash.

Seeking justice

Lynn Vincent had insightful observations about jury duty. We have what I believe to be the fairest justice system in the world. But the effort to “afford Alvarez a fair trial” was not extraordinary. It should take place every time and in every court when someone’s liberty is at stake when charged with a criminal offense.
     Ed Stirman / Greeley, Colo.

Doors, not destinies

Sadly, the conservative Christian college I graduated from in 1982 uses diversity, equity, and inclusion language to justify sin. Janie B. Cheaney helped me articulate why I can no longer support that institute of “lower” education.
     Dave Petersheim / Goshen, Ind.

A step beyond surrender

I have never read a better opinion piece in your magazine than this one by Andrée Seu Peterson. Her approach in this column, I believe, is the beginning of the best way to understand the Bible.
     Daniel Wieberdink / Andover, Minn.

Thank you for Andrée’s encouragement to stop sinning. I spell sin “s-I-n.”
     Kate Schenck / Orrville, Ohio

Correction

Demonstrators protested former President Donald Trump’s speech at the 2022 America First conference (“The battle for America’s identity,” April 20, p. 45).