Letters From Our Readers

Readers of The Good News share their thoughts

The Bible and Harry Potter

I applaud you for taking on the subject of Harry Potter because I feel that a lot of parents are not aware of the negative themes and images in these books. I have been doing some research myself, and I'm coming to question the Pokemon craze as well. My main impetus in writing this letter is because a lot of kids read Harry Potter and are also involved in trading Pokemon cards, which are filled with occult themes. My hope is that, as parents become more aware of the messages and themes of Harry Potter and Pokemon, they will discourage their children from partaking of them.

G.B., Eureka, California

Please remove me from your mailing list. The blather about Harry Potter was just too much.

K.K.S., Tucson, Arizona

We received animated and interesting comments on all sides of the Harry Potter issue. Our aim was to treat it fairly while pointing out potential dangers—to help parents evaluate the matter. For a more thorough evaluation of the Harry Potter phenomenon, see the book What's a Christian to do With Harry Potter? by Connie Neal. For those not that familiar with the biblical side of witchcraft and spiritism, request our free booklet Is There Really a Devil?

Comments about The Good News

I want to keep the November-December issue on my coffee table along with other special publications regarding the historic and tragic times we are living through. In fact, what struck me was reading about Palestinians praying in thanks for another successful suicide bombing attack. I immediately thought of the article "Whose Prayers Does God Hear?" I hope this article has proved beneficial to many.

L.D., Kernersville, North Carolina

Thank you very much indeed for sending me The Good News. I found it very useful and very knowledgeable. I am a philosophy student, and I can firmly say that I got many things from your Good News that I didn't find in any of the philosophy books.

S.T.H., Pakistan

Precisely four hours ago I got my first copy of The Good News. I love the quality of the paper and printing and, most important, the contents. I would have loved to download some of the contents, but we are more than 24 people on one single computer, so my access time is limited.

E.D.G., Nigeria

The Good News on radio

On Dec. 22 at about 9 p.m. I was listening to WWL 870 and faintly heard a program on Christmas celebration. Is a tape of that program available?

R.D., Waupun, Wisconsin

You can listen to or download The Good News Radio Program about Christmas from our Web site at www.ucg.org/radio/. A condensed transcript of the program is included in the December issue of our Virtual Christian Magazine at www.vcmagazine.org.

You may also want to request our free booklet Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Keep?

Read the Book

I am a reader of your wonderful magazine. I have had a few years of hard times, and nothing seems to be going right in my life. However, I am beginning to read again and have enrolled in your Bible Study Course. I am hungry for the knowledge.

I also read the article "Isn't It Time You Read the Book?" in the January-February issue. It really made me realize I have gone away from God and just maybe this is why so many things have gone wrong in my life.

A.J., Rome, New York

You are back on the right track and on your way out of your difficulties. Our free booklet Transforming Your Life may be of further help.

Bible Reading Program

Thank you for offering a program that will enable me to read the entire Bible within a few years. I believe that reading the entire Word of God is important; it has been a goal of mine for several years. I took the liberty of taking a sneak preview of your Bible Reading Program on the book of Genesis. I liked what I read. Will you put the supplementary reading material on your Web site?

M.S.C., Alexandria, Virginia

I am interested in your upcoming Bible Reading Program. Please let me know when it will start. I work for the Postal Service and noticed the announcement on the back of one of your publications.

D.L., Internet

The Bible Reading Program was launched Feb. 1 at www.ucg.org/brp. The daily schedule is posted on our Web site, and the first month's program is also available for downloading in PDF format. We do plan to make available most, if not all, of the supplementary reading material online. Readers looking at the HTML version will find a link to take them directly to the supplementary material, much of which is already on our Web site in our literature library at http://www.ucg.org/brp/materials/.

Readers seek to attend church services

I thoroughly enjoy your Good News literature. I enjoyed the booklet about Christmas and Easter, and I don't celebrate them anymore. I think it is so sad that so many people who read the Bible do not understand God's rules and practices for man. Please tell me where there is a United Church of God congregation near me.

P.B., Pennsylvania

I found a copy of God's Holy Day Plan in a thrift store and read it with much interest. I was blessed by some of the truths that came to light and would be grateful if you could provide me with more literature or the name of fellowships in my area where I could study the Scriptures. I am realizing that the faith once delivered to the saints has all but been lost in this present age and I am wanting to find that narrow way that leads to life.

L.G., Fox Island, Washington

We appreciate reader interest in attending our church services, being baptized or contacting a minister. Our reader-services staff and personal correspondents gladly communicate with all who request help.

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 (please be sure to include your full name, city, state or province, and country).