Information Related to "Letters From Our Readers - Jan/Feb 2003"
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I was traveling the approximately 100 kilometers from Cape Town to Wellington in the Boland. We stopped at a truck stop for cool drinks and I picked up my first Good News there. I devoured it at the first opportunity. I read it from cover to cover, starting with the editorial, which was so powerful. I find the style and standard of writing and research top quality. You are right on top of everything. The insights are spot on and totally relevant to everyday living.
C.S., Cape Town, South Africa
I am writing about your November-December issue article on smoking. It was a wonderful article and very helpful. As a former smoker, I can understand how difficult it can be to stop such an addictive habit. But with God's help it is possible. I am glad to see a Christian ministry publish an article on the impact of smoking on society and the health problems associated with it. I wish I had seen an article before I let smoking harm my health.
C.D., Ronda, North Carolina
I just read your article about quitting smoking. I have to say that it is the best article I have read on the subject. I will give it to my husband tonight. He is a smoker and wants to quit. Hopefully, it will inspire him to quit for good.
Reader on Internet
The article "Vibrant Health: The Crucial Biblical Keys" in the November-December issue listed circumcision as one of these keys. Yet there is no mention in the Scriptures that males should be circumcised for health reasons. Perhaps a reference to male circumcision being considered by some as a health or hygiene issue would have been defensible, but to raise it to the level of a crucial biblical principle of health is biblically incorrect.
A.C., Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
We acknowledge that we overstated the case by listing circumcision as a crucial biblical principle of health. At the same time, there is a body of scientific and medical evidence on the benefits of male circumcision as a health issue. Much information about circumcision, both pro and con, can be found on the Internet, with medical professionals on both sides of the issue. Several sites that support circumcision as a matter of health include the following:
www.rj.org/beritmila/Articles%20and%20 Links.htmlWe cannot thank you enough for your bold exposure on the truth about Christmas. Years ago we became grieved about certain aspects of the holiday and never knew why until some people challenged us to look into it ourselves. A trip to a dusty library revealed the truth and ruined Christmas for the librarian who had come along on the journey with us.
At this time of year our family comes up against offense and persecution from family, friends and mostly other Christians who cannot possibly understand why we would not celebrate "Jesus' birth." As a family counselor I see the effects of children being lied to by parents. When parents teach Dec. 25 as an actual event, children believe this lie; and I wonder how many children grow up and reject God or anything else they are told by parents unconsciously because of being lied to.
Your article will certainly be making its rounds in our life and city, as it is the most concise, well-written exposé that we have ever come across. Praise to you again for your boldness to print the truth.
R.R., Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada
I received my first issue of The Good News two weeks ago and I found it very interesting. I am a student of the University of Zimbabwe and wanted to thank you for sending me the magazine. I found the article entitled "The Prince of Peace" very useful. With all the wars that are going on, especially here in Africa, I was beginning to wonder what would happen to end all these wars and bring lasting peace to the world. As for us in Zimbabwe, we are not at war, but our economic and social environment is currently unstable, making it difficult for Zimbabwean individuals to have personal peace. Now I have read about the Prince of Peace and have come to realize that there is hope after all.
T.T., Harare, Zimbabwe
I was thrilled to see your article "Ghouls, Ghosts and Goblins" in your September-October issue. It was well-written, with excellent background and history of this morbid and depressing day. We have several neighbors, family members and coworkers who don't understand why we don't celebrate this day. This article came in useful when the conversation came up. This is one day about which information is obviously lacking.
Many people, even Christians, don't see the harm. I appreciate that you had the courage to shed some light on a day that has a very dark side.
C.H., Seneca Falls, New York
I wanted to write and say that I really liked your article "Ghouls, Ghosts and Goblins." I may be only 12 years old, but I read your magazine. Thank you for your article. Maybe more people will understand what Halloween really is.
C.D.B., Corbett, Oregon
I appreciate receiving the free issues of your wonderful Christian magazine, even though I'm a born-again atheist. I find it hard to believe in a God who allows things like 9/11 to occur, or Bosnia, or the Arabs and the Jews killing each other. I was born and raised a Congregationalist but now consider myself a lapsed Protestant who believes the Ten Commandments are 10 nice suggestions, well worth following whenever and however possible.
P.J.K.,Winnebago,Wisconsin
We understand your concerns, and you certainly aren't alone. The reasons God allows such tragedies to occur are spelled out in our free booklet Why Does God Allow Suffering? We recommend that you write for it, along with The Ten Commandments and Life's Ultimate Question: Does God Exist?, also free. They offer a much-needed perspective in understanding the questions that concern you.
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 gninfo@ucg.org. GN
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Keywords: good news magazine smoking circumcision Christmas Jesus' birth Halloween Prince of peace born again atheism
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