Letters
"Coming: Heaven on Earth"
Thank you for the marvelous good news in the Sept.-Oct. issue. All the articles were so moving and inspiring! I was reading the article "Coming: Heaven on Earth." There is nothing as encouraging as knowing that real peace and happiness will overtake and surpass the evil deeds in this wayward world. Please keep The Good News going by writing and encouraging believers with such interesting and inspiring articles.
—Mrs. E.I.I., Nigeria
Same-sex marriage
I loved reading your articles and have attended Church all my life. But the basis of religion is love and truth, and your magazine does not give either. After reading your articles in the Sept.-Oct. issue, I was shocked at the lack of intelligence that you sent out. How bad to try to tell people so many untruths with nothing to back it up. God/Jesus teaches us not to judge and to love all. Your magazine does not do this to me any longer since those horrible articles were so wrong.
Take me off your list and I am passing this along to all I know, The Washington Post and all the churches in the area.
—From the Internet
When I first saw the headline of your article about homosexuality, I thought at first "Oh no, not another gay bashing, hateful attack on homosexuals." But I was pleasantly surprised to see that you dealt with the issue in a very sensitive and caring manner. I am 20 years old and still struggling with being a homosexual and trying to be a Christian. So I have to say that the author was very accurate. My dad never had much to do with me while I was growing up and my mom overcompensated with smothering love. In every "relationship" I've had with a guy so far I am always looking for love and affection, but it always gets twisted into something sexual. Thanks for the very informative article.
—Reader from a southwestern state
I want to respond to your article on same-sex marriage. I am a heterosexual Christian woman who agrees that marriage is between a man and a woman. In your article you focused more on homosexual men than lesbians. Before I was saved I had experienced same-sex attraction and engaged in same-sex behavior. When I was five years old, I was molested a few times by a female neighbor.
I was having problems with normal relationships with other women because of my childhood. Praise God that I never became a lesbian. I have always been attracted to men, but had this same-sex tendency in the past.
I have been saved and healed from my childhood by the love and grace of God. I hope this letter will help other women who may be experiencing the same thing. Thank you, The Good News, for your articles.
—Anonymous, Phoenix, Arizona
Thankful for The Good News
"Can You Believe Bible Prophecy?" in the July-August issue was the article I've been searching for. The Good News is fortunate to have so many good writers.
—N.T., Forsyth, Missouri
Recently I picked up your magazine at a local restaurant and, in reading it from cover to cover, found biblical truths. Your writers are fantastic—to the point, honest and writing the truth, unlike media writers who tell us only what they want us to know.
—L.S., Kannapolis, North Carolina
I was walking down the street when I saw your magazine on a rack. At first I thought it was from some wacky religious group, but I was wrong. I'm so glad I came across it.
I have read it and it was very encouraging.
I would like to receive all the booklets you offered in The Good News. The more truth, the better. I really enjoyed the article about virginity. I'm happy to say that I am saying no to sex and yes to God. I'm much happier now.
—S.D., Los Angeles, California
Teen study of the Seventh Commandment
I was looking over your Seventh Commandment Bible Study (all of the teen studies have been great, by the way!) to see how it compares with other studies on the subject. It seemed to cover all the bases except one.
I think one of the biggest misconceptions among today's teens (even Christian ones) is that you haven't committed adultery unless you've actually had sex out of wedlock.
I have a number of Christian friends who believe it is okay to do everything but have sex. A lot of confusion tends to arise on the question of "how far can you go?" I haven't been able to find much in the Bible that specifically addresses sexual activity that doesn't constitute sex itself. I would love to find a Bible study that discusses this.
—R.U., Internet
Part of the difficulty is the common definition for "sex" today. Many see it exclusively as the act of sexual intercourse itself, yet "sex" between a husband and wife first includes intimate kissing, touching, caressing and cuddling that is vital foreplay to the final act of godly marital love (Hebrews 13:4). Unmarried couples who share this behavior commit fornication whether or not they actually engage in full sexual intercourse (Matthew 5:27-28; 1 Corinthians 6:18). We published an article addressing some of these issues in the Youth United e-magazine titled "Sex, Dating and You." Please check our website at www.verticalthought.org. You should also read the chapter on the Seventh Commandment in our booklet The Ten Commandments.
The United Church of God
You provide such easily understood information supporting the Bible and Christian belief. This is very good in today's world because it uplifts my spirit. It is really good to learn about the goodness of God, and to know that there is a better life to look forward to. The United Church of God has helped me to find what I was searching for. Thank you very much for your well-researched material. I would like to better understand the scriptural instruction about tithing. Please mail me a copy of What Does the Bible Teach About Tithing?
—R.D., Trinidad & Tobago
I can't thank you enough for your ministry of truth and publications. I am also so excited to have recently learned that there is a local church that I can attend with other similar followers and seekers of the truth. I truly respect your dedication and commitment, and hope to soon be a part of it more fully.
—D.P., Spring Lake, Michigan
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