Letters from Our Readers

Readers of The Good News share their thoughts.

Letters From Our Readers

"God's Guide to Sex"

Could you possibly send me another copy of the January-February issue?
I was halfway through it and misplaced it and cannot find it! I want to share the message of abstinence with my children. We already teach this, but it is a great article. I enjoy this publication.

—M.R., Internet

Thank you so much for your wonderful magazine. Something which distresses me greatly is the fact that my country has now been ordered by the Supreme Court to accept as law the union of same-sex marriages. How can a country survive when our rulers condone such abominations? This is not to mention abortions, sex shops, prostitution and the like. Truly we know why the world is smitten with AIDS and other STDs. What I cannot comprehend is that the churches have nothing to say. We truly are a nation that has lost its way.

That is why I believe that only Jesus can rule this world with true righteousness.

—A.P., Port Elizabeth, South Africa

"The Abortion Controversy"

I just read "The Abortion Controversy," and it really touched me. I had an abortion and as a result I can't have children. The deep depression that I sank into for years was only lifted by God Himself. I only wish that more women knew the pain that they would go through by having an abortion. I believe that most think that there will only be relief, but that is wrong. Thanks so much for the article and for reminding all of us that God loves us and forgives us.

—C.T., Tennessee

"The Intelligent Design Revolution"

You no doubt saw or heard [noted evolutionist] Richard Dawkins on TV in his defense of natural selection. Personally I thought he put up a good smokescreen to avoid the real issues. Nevertheless, your article "The Intelligent Design Revolution" provided me with enough material to write to the BBC. It would be interesting if the BBC could be invited to produce a programme where Christian academics were able to challenge Dawkins' statements and give a proper balance to the issue instead of a one-sided one.

—B.B., Warminster, England

Thank you for the article "The Intelligent Design Revolution" published in the January-February issue. Regarding the "anthropic principle," as a scientist and a Christian, I argue as follows: 1) We human beings are contemplating the universe. 2) The prevailing physical and chemical constants have allowed all life on earth and ourselves to evolve. 3) Different constants would have led to different outcomes. 4) The available evidence neither confirms nor denies the existence of intelligent design or of creation. 5) Science is the search for truth, as Linus Pauling wrote, to try to understand the available evidence.

—J.S., Australia

We have allowed you to express your opinions in The Good News. Now, why not return the favor by requesting and carefully reading our two free booklets Life's Ultimate Question: Does God Exist? and Creation or Evolution: Does It Really Matter What You Believe? These two publications will address the issues that you briefly summarized in your defense of the theory of evolution.

The Middle East in Bible Prophecy

I gratefully acknowledge receipt of your booklet The Middle East in Bible Prophecy. It is highly informative and very interesting. It covers the sons of Abraham, the coming of Islam, the creation of the modern Middle East as well as the resurgence of Islamic fundamentalism.

It vividly brought to light some of the root causes of our modern-day conflicts. A point that you clarified that has had a strong impact on me is the fact that Ishmael is by nature a violent person even among his own kindred. The Bible says that he would live in hostility toward all his brothers. The analysis of the Middle East in relation to Daniel's prophecy is quite amazing. Congratulations on the depth of the research.

—G.Y., Nigeria

Reader from Southeast Asia

I am a 16-year-old teenage boy living in Bangkok . I am the only Christian in the family, and since Thailand is a Buddhist country most of my friends are Buddhists. This makes it very hard for me in a lot of situations, but even so I am still keeping faith. The thing is that even though I label myself as a Christian, I do not know a lot about the Bible.

—T.L., Bangkok, Thailand

Thank you for your courage and faithfulness! Why not enroll in our free 12-lesson Bible Study Course? It truly makes the Bible come alive—as the next letter confirms.

Bible Study Course

Thank you for the Bible Study Course, your magazine and the booklets that I receive. They have aided in my growth in knowledge of the Bible and God's plan for my life. I have used the Bible Study Course as an aid in our Bible study classes and the response has been overwhelming. I first thank God for directing me towards your literature, and secondly, I thank my grandfather who is 95 years old and has been a constant reader of your articles through the years, which led me to The Good News.

—G.S., Nettleton, Mississippi

All about God's festivals

Thank you for everything I have received from the United Church of God. I really would like to get into all the feasts of God, starting with the Passover. Please help me with all I need to know about God's commandments, all of His festivals and when they should be observed.

—V.B., Hamilton , Ohio

I have been receiving The Good News magazine for some time now. I had a friend who was talking to me about the festivals and a lot of other things. I am writing to see if you could send me information about a local church in my area.

—T.J., Orlando , Florida

Interested readers can learn much more about God's festivals by requesting our free booklets Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Really Matter Which Days We Keep? and God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind. The dates of God's Holy Days and festivals for the next several years are listed in the latter booklet. A United Church of God congregation meets in the Orlando area and we are putting you in touch with the local pastor via a personal letter.

How to help

Thank you for your magazine and Web site. It's good to see a church out there that is not constantly soliciting donations and wants to spread the gospel. I look forward to your publications as they help me to share my faith.

—M.D., Internet

Thank you for your magazine The Good News. I have been getting it for most
of the year and I agree with most of your articles. You don't seem to ask for money, and I do like that. But now I want to send you some money because you didn't ask. Maybe you should let me know what your needs are.

—E.P., Limon, Colorado

Readers who would like to voluntarily contribute to spreading the gospel may make their checks out to the United Church of God. Our U.S. mailing address is P.O. Box 541027 , Cincinnati , Ohio 45254-1027. Addresses of our offices in other countries are listed at http://www.gnmagazine.org/contact/index.htm