Information Related to "Letters From Our Readers - Mar/Apr 2001"
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The Bible and archaeology
I would like to thank you for The Good News. I am so glad to read such rewarding items. My favorite has to be "The Bible and Archaeology." I am slowly turning into a believer despite all the sadness in my life. There were some dark times in which it was so easy to lose vision and faith.
- Reader from New South Wales, Australia
I've enjoyed The Good News. Being incarcerated and receiving your magazine brings a certain level of encouragement to me. I always find articles relating to something going on in my life, and that lifts my spirits. My favorite parts of your magazine are "The Bible and Archaeology" and "Profiles in Faith."
- J.D., Abilene, Texas
"When Will the Middle East Find Peace?"
I discovered The Good News magazine in a doctor's waiting room yesterday and appreciate its tone and content. I especially enjoyed the lead article on the Middle East. As a Muslim, I appreciate non-Muslim perspectives that acknowledge the value of Islam and represent it fairly. - J.K., Internet
"The Tiny Pill that Changed the World";
I'm confused about a paragraph in your article "The Tiny Pill that Changed the World." It reads: "... In marriage two people come together to form one economic unit. Both should contribute to the financial stability of the marriage."
I can't say that I have ever contributed to the financial stability of the marriage. On the other hand, I have a job that requires much more than what any salary could bring. I stay home and take care of my husband. Instead of handing my children over to day-care centers and nannies to raise, I stay home with them too.
I am so tired of church organizations subtly introducing these evil implications that if a woman does not contribute financially to a marriage she is worthless. To tell the truth, this is one organization I would not expect to see this from, however many times I have been disappointed in the past. Unfortunately for our children and husbands, unfortunately for the family unit in general, I am in the very slim minority in the world we live in. - J.G., Houston, Texas
We regret that this statement left a wrong impression. We did not intend to imply that a wife should always seek employment outside the home. We purposefully did not state that both husband and wife should contribute to the family's income, rather that both should contribute to the family's financial stability. As you so clearly pointed out, there are many other ways to contribute to the financial stability of a marriage. Financial stability is a shared responsibility for both parties.
As we state in our booklet Managing Your Finances: "When the extra expenses of child care, transportation, additional clothing, etc., are taken into consideration, some families find there is little difference in their household incomes when one of them remains at home to care for their children. Though some may view this as old-fashioned, it is precisely the approach assumed in the Bible." We encourage readers to write for their free copy of this important booklet.
The traditional home, in which the woman plays the main supportive role in the family as wife and mother, best meets the biblical ideal. We also realize that, in all too many cases, regrettable circumstances have forced reluctant wives into the labor market even while their children are growing up.
I enjoyed your article about the pill. I agree with everything you say, but it seemed just a bit idealistic. No matter what the home life, sometimes outside influences or peer pressure can lead a young girl into sex, even in a Christian home. Even if it's just once she'll likely be burdened with a pregnancy that she is not prepared for mentally and physically. Yes, I know that her sex partner should have used some form of protection for AIDS or pregnancy, but in the heat of the moment a lot of young lovers don't use protection.
Personally I think it would be better for her not to get pregnant at all than to have to deal with an abortion. One is birth control, the other is murder. In a perfect world (which will come only when Jesus returns) kids will listen to their parents and not have sex until marriage. Today, if some kids are determined to have sex, then it is better not to compound the problem with a baby that a girl is not prepared for. Even an older person who knows the Word by heart can slip into sexual sin. Isn't it easier for a kid to?- R.W., St. Clairsville, Ohio
We agree that in today's climate of pervasive promiscuous immorality it is easy for young people to slip into illicit sexual relations. That's all the more reason for parents to diligently teach their children God's way of life from infancy. Compromising with God's laws regarding sex will never resolve our serious societal problems; they will only get worse.
The only form of birth control 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy and venereal disease is abstinence. Read some good advice about biblical ideals in the next letter from Africa.
I came into contact with your magazine (November-December) through a friend, and I was compelled to read it through after perusing the table of contents. According to my observation, I believe that AIDS can be stopped only if governments, policy makers and people in general accept that the only way to stop this plague is through total submission to God's Commandments, especially the seventh one, which says, "Thou shalt not commit adultery." If this is not done, then greater darkness lies ahead for the human race in subsequent years. I commend you for such a superb magazine. - R.J.C.L., Gambia
Letters from Canada
I have received The Good News for some time now and found it to be helpful and informative. I don't always agree with the views expressed but have not found any other publication that enlightens me more.- D.W., Comox, British Columbia
Thank you for the wonderful magazine, booklets and Bible lessons you provide absolutely free of charge. You cannot imagine how these have helped inmates to whom I write and send these lessons and booklets.
- J.R., Etobicoke, Ontario
I surely enjoy and get a lot of help from The Good News. I am very thankful for this wonderful magazine. I'm 84 years old and really receive a lot of good teaching and happiness from reading the magazine.
- Reader from Winnipeg, Manitoba
Letters from South Africa
Thank you for your outstanding magazine. It has encouraged me to read the Bible more than before and put faith in it as God's Word. I take special interest in your articles of a practical nature and those on world news.
- V.V., Durban
I have just finished your booklet What Happens After Death? It was a real eye-opener. A person gets so involved in traditional beliefs that you do not realize you are on a wrong path until you read something like this.
- B.L., Klerksdorp
For years I have pondered the question of Good Friday-Easter Sunday, and have read articles disagreeing with the short period claimed by the church. Your article on the subject (March-April 2000) has certainly provided the answer that I overlooked in all my Bible readings. To think that it has taken me 84 years to find the truth on this subject really upsets me. - G.E.B., Port Elizabeth
What counts is getting there, not how long it takes. You may also be interested in our article about Easter in this issue. For readers who missed the article you mentioned, the same fascinating information is covered in our free booklet Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Really Matter Which Days We Keep?
Letters from Australasia
Thank you for sending The Good News. The illustrations are excellent, clear and understandable. Your magazine has helped me a lot in my understanding of the Bible. The magazine always conveys a sense of hope for us all.
- Reader from Papua New Guinea
Thank you for sending these wonderful magazines. I have read the Bible through but could not make much sense of it. But your magazines make it possible to understand. - Reader from Maryborough, Queensland
Please find enclosed a donation for your church work. I was most impressed with the insert Life's Ultimate Question: Does God Exist? in the March-April 2000 issue of The Good News and also Creation or Evolution: Does It Really Matter What You Believe? in the May-June issue. -Reader from St. Albans, Victoria
Both inserts have been reprinted as separate booklets and are available free on request from any of our offices.
Heaven-and-hell booklet
Thank you for sending me the booklet about heaven and hell. The Bible really does teach that God is a merciful and loving God who would never sentence any human being to an eternal punishment of fire, causing sorrow, crying and pain. This truth seems to have eluded the belief of some Christians (Revelation 21:4).
- J.F., Bruce, Wisconsin
Where to send financial help
You guys have a great magazine. I really appreciate all the good you are doing and have spread the message to a bunch of people. The only problem is that there's absolutely no information as to where to send tithes. Can you please provide an address giving whom I may make donations to? - T.S., Lake Forest, California
The Good News is informative and inspirational. We would like to send a donation. Please tell us where to send our gift. - Mr. and Mrs. M.G., Gallup, New Mexico
Thank you for your kind comments and your interest in sending a contribution. You may send donations to the United Church of God at the address below (tax-deductible in the U.S.A.), or to any of the international addresses listed in the PDF(1.5MB) version of this issue.
Published letters may be edited for clarity and space. Address your letters to The Good News, Box 541027, Cincinnati, Ohio 45254, U.S.A., or E-mail (please be sure to include your full name, city, state or province, and country).
© 2001
United Church of God, an International Association
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