Letter to the Editors
Departments
Rev. John Burow 4-01-2012
Thank you for your articles on human trafficking (“Ending ‘The World’s Most Savage Cruelty,’” February 2012). They played an essential role in shaping my sermon last Sunday; Jesus’ work of freeing those who are possessed makes a powerful connection with the work of rescue and restoration you highlighted.
Ronn Garton 4-01-2012
I appreciated Jim Wallis’ plea for more precision in how the word “evangelical” is used in our society and especially in the media (“Defining ‘Evangelicals’ in an Election Year,” February 2012).
John McRae 4-01-2012
I appreciated Jim Wallis’ plea for more precision in how the word “evangelical” is used in our society and especially in the media (“Defining ‘Evangelicals’ in an Election Year,” February 2012).
Rosalie G. Riegle 3-01-2012
In “Critical Mass” (January 2012), Karen Sue Smith’s summary of changes in the U.S. Catholic Church since Vatican II, I was dismayed not to see any mention of the profound influence of the sections on peace in “The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World.”
Jeffrey Faust 3-01-2012
I was delighted to see the article on forgiveness by Brittany Shoot (“Forgive and Forget?”) in your January 2012 issue. Since she mentioned Archbishop Tutu in her article, I thought your readers would appreciate seeing an original quote from one of his 2007 speeches. The archbishop said, “Forgiveness does not mean ‘forgive and forget.’ It stares the beast in the eye, names the hurt, and refuses to return it, seeking not to punish but to heal.” There could be no better description of the amazing and Christlike response of the Amish community in the face of tragedy.
Belle Fox-Martin 3-01-2012
We are the lay of the land— / pocked, hilled, knowing every ember / and seed imprinted on our bones.
Jake Terpstra 3-01-2012
The fact that the February 2012 issue contained three articles about human trafficking (“Humankind’s Most Savage Cruelty,” by Stewart Burns; “Here?” by Abayea Pelt; “Works of Mercy” by Sylvia Yu) is encouraging. However, none of them mentioned the International Convention on the Rights of the Child. Nothing will completely stop the evil of trafficking, since it is so profitable, but the Convention has potential for reducing it more than any other device or activity. The Convention was developed in 1989, and 194 U.N. countries have ratified it.
Steve Bisset 3-01-2012
Harry Potter is no Gandhi. Though Bill Wylie-Kellermann (“Harry and the Principalities,” November 2011) believes that Harry “never kills anyone,” the whole mission of book seven was to find and destroy Horcruxes, parts of Tom Riddle’s (Voldemort’s) soul. Harry is not opposed to the use of force, even if it reluctantly leads to his enemy’s demise.
Steve Bisset
Laurel, Maryland
S. Holmgreen 2-01-2012
Jim Wallis packed a lot of ideas into “An Open Letter to Occupy Wall Street” (December 2011). I’m hoping he will expand on his final statement that we need to think in terms of a new spirituality. To me, that means basic changes in our everyday lives. I don’t think most people realize how much their thinking has been influenced by advertising and other media. We have become obsessed with having the newest, latest clothes, toys, tech stuff, cars, etc.
Norm Mundhenk 2-01-2012
Certainly it is questionable for our government to be keeping contract soldiers in Iraq behind our backs (“A Stunning Victory,” by Phyllis Bennis, December 2011). But I nevertheless find Bennis’ arguments disturbing. Assuming it is true that the Iraqi government is “weak and corrupt,” is that a reason for us to leave? If we save money by getting out of Iraq, is she seriously suggesting that our government would spend the money instead on health care for children?
George Mitrovich 2-01-2012
Soong-Chan Rah’s article on “Salt, Light, and Social Change” in the November 2011 issue was of special interest. I take no fault with it, save this: It is a mistake to use “evangelicalism” as an all-encompassing word. Evangelicalism as practiced by Sojourners and evangelicalism as practiced by fundamentalists are not the same.
R.M. Blair 2-01-2012
While he was in jail, two policemen / came to his apartment, took / all his books, sat at his kitchen table / drinking his coffee, and cut out / the forbidden words: kitchen / was first to go;
Kelly Keller 1-01-2012
Bill Wylie-Kellermann’s “Harry and the Principalities” (November 2011) gave voice to my family’s deep disappointment with the final Harry Potter movie. We had looked forward to the movie for months, but emerged in shock at how the ending completely missed the point! My 14-year-old son simply shook his head in disbelief.
Debra Michels 1-01-2012
I found Tom Getman’s article “Holy Land Farce” (November 2011) to be very one-sided in its perception of Glenn Beck’s Rally to Restore Courage in August. I am a Jewish person, almost 62 years old, who became a Christian when I was 50. I have always been more liberal than conservative, but I must say that as I watched Glenn Beck and Pastor Hagee, I felt understood, supported—and, yes, loved.
Marie Marchand 1-01-2012
I found Tom Getman’s article “Holy Land Farce” (November 2011) to be very one-sided in its perception of Glenn Beck’s Rally to Restore Courage in August. I am a Jewish person, almost 62 years old, who became a Christian when I was 50. I have always been more liberal than conservative, but I must say that as I watched Glenn Beck and Pastor Hagee, I felt understood, supported—and, yes, loved.