Letters

Not My Son

I really appreciated Danny Duncan Collum’s “America’s Blood Sport” (December 2015). Although I have played and coached football and still enjoy watching football, I would not sign a consent form for my son to play. I have heard active coaches say that they would not let their kids play.

I hope that we as coaches and parents do not continue to adopt the attitude that many people have adopted regarding war. War is okay as long as someone else’s kids are getting hurt or killed; football is okay as long as someone else’s kids are getting their brains damaged.

Ron Ostrosky
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

America’s Blood Sport

I saw the original Frontline special that discussed the issue of “America’s Blood Sport.” The film was tragic, but seeing that doctor cry was more so. He was just a man doing his job—being a scientist—and they really tried to discredit him and insinuate he was a hack. Because of that film, I started boycotting the NFL. They have a tremendous amount of wealth and power to smudge facts. But, more importantly, they have the ability to take care of those athletes and choose not to.

Natacha Jeanty
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Responsible Contraception

Thank you so much for bringing the conversation on contraception to public light (“The Politics of Contraception”). I am a believer who used to be politically conservative, but I had to switch my vote to the progressive side of politics when conservative ideology kept moving away from biblical principles, especially Jesus’ teachings.

The one issue I held onto as a new progressive is my stance against abortion except in the instances of rape, incest, and life of the mother. In order for me to responsibly hold on to my stance, I have to advocate for contraceptives and societal and personal responsibility in managing reproduction via sex education, medical care, and contraceptives.

Deborah Birdsong
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Called to Stewardship

Thank you for Jim Wallis’ very thoughtful article “The Matthew 25 Test” (November 2015). As a retired clergywoman I continue to find ways to be a good steward, which is not easy as I am at home mostly. But I still contribute to my local church needs and even occasionally reach out to the unchurched. Keep up the good work! P.S. The entire magazine is just great!

Anne Guild-Donovan
Tucson, Arizona