Letters

Not Bowing Down

Thank you for publishing William Barber II’s excellent article “Make Babylon Great Again” (March 2018). The United States is being led by individuals who are only out for their narrow-minded and bigoted religious and political philosophy—one which gives nothing more than lip service to basic human needs while masquerading as Christian faith. William Barber II is spot-on explaining why “bowing down is not an option.” It is imperative that members of our society understand what is taking place and act accordingly.

Will Keller
Mesa, Arizona

Fighting the Good Fight

Rev. William Barber II’s article “Make Babylon Great Again” (March 2018) is perhaps the best of all the fine work you have published to date. I felt truly inspired while reading it. His analogies are spot-on. Thanks for all you do and for this piece in particular! Keep fighting the good fight.

Susan Thomas
Tucson, Arizona

Standing Outside

While I appreciate Jim Wallis’ article and his feeling of “homelessness” in the major political parties, I feel that the answer he provides in “Time for a ‘Moral Movement’” (March 2018) is off base. The phrases “pro-life” and “anti-abortion,” as well as “evangelical,” carry such a fraught meaning due to the misuse of these terms. In the denomination to which I belong, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, there has even been talk of changing our name, as the term “evangelical” has come to describe a movement that is theologically and morally bankrupt. How do you recover a word from a generation of abuse? The other issue is whether those with prophetic ministries should ever feel comfortable in any political party. To be a prophetic voice means to be an orphan politically, to stand outside of any party, so that the truth may be told to all sides.

Gary Roth
Emlenton, Pennsylvania

Engaging with Greeks

In her commentary, “Beware of Greeks ...” (March 2018), Christina Colón seems to question why InterVarsity ministers within the Greek system, as if ministry to fraternity and sorority students somehow legitimizes the abuses that she describes. We disagree. Greek InterVarsity students regularly engage with and act against issues of sexual assault, misogyny, prejudice, and addiction, as well as less talked-about issues like ethnicity, greed, and pride. They are a redemptive influence in their houses. This is what it means to be “both Greek and Christian.”

Joe Ho
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA

Sewing Activism

I loved Kathy Khang’s column “A Stitch in Time” (March 2018). Like Khang, I was taught to sew at a very early age. Today, my sewing mission work consists of making dresses for girls in Africa and Appalachia, as well as small quilts that I then donate to local hospitals. Those “old fashioned” skills never go out of style. Rather, they find new “categories of activism and social justice work” where they can be applied. Thanks for your lovely thoughts.

Louise Monacelli
Farmington Hills, Michigan