Mailbag

Open communication

I was excited initially to see Mary Jackson’s article on the Spellers Method used by nonspeakers (autistic or otherwise) to communicate. Our family marvels when observing this tool in action in the life of Henry, a 15-year-old boy we love. Unfortunately, a few paragraphs into the article, I found myself grieved and disappointed. Even the subtitle of the piece suggested doubt: “Critics say the words they produce aren’t theirs.” Why not offer another example or two of success? Interview a Speller who is simply grateful to finally tap out a birthday message to his brother, or express grief at the loss of his grandfather.

This tool allows nonspeakers and their families to finally experience the daily life conversations most other families take for granted. This is an Anne-Sullivan-with-Helen-Keller opportunity for nonspeakers. To quote the pastor interviewed in the article about non-­speakers: “Presume competence.” I would add, presume hope. Presume this tool is worth a try. Henry would agree with me!
     Katie Moss / Palouse, Wash.

The lure of Rome

I read this article with great interest. I myself was raised Protestant and spent about a dozen years in Protestant ministry before eventually becoming Catholic. I felt the article was well written and did a good job in presenting a balanced view as well as capturing a number of reasons why good, solid Protestant Christians decide to become Catholic. I did find some slight discrepancies that do not accurately reflect Catholic faith, such as the treatment of indulgences or papal infallibility. But overall, I thought it was a nice piece, and I was encouraged to see that Protestants are thinking about these things.

For myself, I was drawn to the Catholic Church because historically it can make the case for being the church founded by Christ and that its teachings have not significantly changed in nearly 2,000 years. The stability and intellectual rigor of the faith continue to keep me thoroughly grounded in the Catholic Church.
     Keith Johnson / Wadsworth, Ohio

As a student of history, I am fascinated by the article about young Protestants converting. As a Reformed Christian, I have delved into the Heidelberg and Westminster Catechisms and wonder if those who convert have ever read the Roman Catholic catechism. In it they may learn that sincere followers of any monotheistic religion will arrive in heaven after sufficient purging in purgatory. Only Protestants will go to hell. In addition, the sale of indulgences continues, especially in South America. Finally, the Catholic position on the Eucharist would require one to worship the Christ present and that indeed occurs as a part of the Mass, prompting Protestantism to refer to the Mass as an “accursed idolatry.”
     Bruce Nelson / Byron Center, Mich.

Music reviews

For decades now Arsenio Orteza’s delightful music reviews have introduced me to scores of albums and artists I’d have never come upon otherwise. His writing is crisp and playful, and underneath is an aficionado who obviously knows and loves his subject. Thanks for sharing his insights with your readers all these years.
     Carl Petticoffer / Ephrata, Pa.

When your faith requires faith

Thank you for printing Andrée Seu Peterson’s column and thoughts. Even though she feels she is rather clumsy in her faith, aren’t we all? I loved that she so gently words her doubts. It speaks to my, and many others’ I’m guessing, faith walk. I feel we should all be reminded that we are saved by faith, “that not of ourselves but it is a gift of God.” We can fully trust Him each step and misstep we humanly take.
     Ruth Solow / Highland Village, Texas

Bedside faith

Woo-hoo, you’re back, Whitney! Thank you for this column. I’m cutting out the paragraph near the end with all the promises … and sticking that one where I can see it.
     Jeannine Ramer / Alliance, Ohio

Steal

I question the reason for putting this review in your magazine. You write, “There is violence, but it is more restrained than what’s typical for American shows. The series also contains some objectionable language, though again, not as much as one would expect from a TV-MA show made in America.”

I must disagree. The language was objectionable throughout, and the violence left a very high body count, much of it gory and gruesome. Another concern is that the lines between good and evil were blurred. I was almost rooting for the perpetrator to go free. The ideology was definitely not biblical.
     Barbara Landers / Portland, Ore.

I agree that it is a “good example of a modern British crime drama” with a “nail-biting first episode.” However, I won’t see the solution of the mystery or the answers to the many questions raised. After the third episode, my wife and I stopped watching because of the increasing frequency of foul language. The reviewer’s comment about “objectionable language, though not as much as one would expect” I find quite misleading. I didn’t keep track, but by the third episode the language in almost every scene, sometimes every sentence, was “objectionable” to say the least. Even IMDb rated the language as “Severe,” a more accurate indicator that I should have checked. I hope future reviews in WORLD will provide more discriminating and helpful information.
     Michael Wiebe / Centennial, Colo.

Cold war

Since the IVF embryos under dispute at the NEDC are clearly persons—being 7 days and nearly 100 cells past conception—how can Dr. Keenan claim to own them? I thought the right to own persons as property was abolished by the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. These embryos should be treated as orphans, not slaves.
     Daryl Sas / Fort Wayne, Ind.

Searching for something real

I may not be in the right demographic, but I can contribute to the “go here, not there” conversation. Not long ago I was extolling the benefits of visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park and recommending it to folks making travel plans for the summer months. The visitor center on the east end has a huge parking lot with ample room to stay overnight and a breathtaking view of the Badlands. It is also a trailhead. And the bison viewing inside the park is delightful.

In addition, the town of Medora has a volunteer program with lodging and food benefits for those helping out with trash pickup and other tasks. And I can’t neglect to mention the Medora Musical. On summer evenings, you can take a seat in the outdoor amphitheater and enjoy a patriotic program that highlights the life of Theodore Roosevelt. Thanks for highlighting such a noteworthy location in your article.
     Darla Dykstra / Kansas City, Mo.

Just another animal?

I really appreciated seeing a book review by Wesley J. Smith included in your February issue. He has a wealth of expertise in the areas of human exceptionalism, end-of-life issues, bioethics, and animal rights issues.
     Carol Wu / Clayton, Calif.

The rock ’n’ roll world’s legendary losses

Kiss was to music what professional wrestling is to athletics.
     Bruce McKechnie / Honey Brook, Pa.

Prospects for peace in the Middle East

Travis Kircher’s interview with Ambassador Huckabee was genuine and refreshing, and even those not up to date on the news would understand every word. My only wish is that it would have been longer.
     Jonathan Damon / Gap, Pa.

Lessons that last

Theresa Haynes says it was not until recently that “evangelical Christians … [offered] Bible-based education during school hours.” However, in the late 1950s a group of us walked from our school to a church building in Minneapolis that was not Jewish or Catholic (not even Lutheran, which was dominant in the city) for “release time” Bible lessons.
     Kathryn Hendrix / Knoxville, Tenn.

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