Pondering Prophecy As a freelance editor now working on a book about prophecy, I read with interest your recent cover story on the same topic (“The Way the World Ends,” Society & The Arts, Nov. 15). Before I began reading, I wondered how the “secular media” would treat prophecy, especially in such a popular venue. In short, I am impressed. (I can’t say I’m surprised, because I’m a big NEWSWEEK fan.) Your article was very well done–both fair and thorough. Thanks for respecting the views of those conservative Christians–like me–who take this topic seriously. Heather Stroobosscher Grand Rapids, Michigan
If we’re living on borrowed time, then we can spend this time wisely and intentionally, knowing it will end some time, or we can desperately and obsessively calculate it. Personally, I choose to leave the end of the world to him who started it. Roger Doornbos Coyoacan, Mexico
Your article “The Way the World Ends” was most interesting. Though some Christians believe the Book of Revelation to be sealed, I believe it contains God’s program for the near and distant future. I quote: “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand” (Rev. 22:10). Joel Lewis Porthcawl, Wales
The apocalypse prophesied by the Book of Revelation has already come. It comes every day that a child is murdered. It comes every year that we wage war. It comes every moment we damage the environment for future generations. It comes every time we adults blame lost and broken teenagers for our nation’s troubles, instead of working to create better communities for them to live in. Rev. Joel Miller Columbine Unitarian Universalist Church Littleton, Colorado
Kenneth Woodward’s article presented a good description of the end of the world based on the views of Christians, Jews and Muslims. I believe, however, that the great question is not about the end of the world, but rather about people’s worthiness of God’s divine judgment. Joel A. Bernasor Iligan, Philippines
The Bible says that grass and fruit trees were created by God on the third day and the moon and stars on the fourth day. So why would anyone take seriously what the Bible says about the end of the world? Jim Howe Portland, Oregon
Your portrayal of God–which makes God seem like a person–is immature. Is God made in our image? Or are we made “in the image of God”? It is presumptuous to think that God thinks, feels and acts as we do. God is existence–past, present and future–nothing more and nothing less. This means we are all a part of God and the greater whole. Perhaps if we believe that each one of us is a part of God, maybe there would be fewer murders and wars, less suffering, persecution, terrorism and retaliation, and more peace and harmony in the world. The belief in human (and animal) rights is simply a belief that each being–and all life–is a manifestation of God. Only by changing our view of God can we change the world. Eileen Walter Ankara, Turkey
You could have written “The Way the World Ends” with just one quote from Matthew 24:36–“As for the exact day or hour, no one knows it, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” That frees me from having to look for and interpret “signs” and lets me concentrate on living my life to the fullest, and becoming the best Christian, wife and mother I can be. Mary Keldermans
At the present time mankind itself is a greater threat to the planet–considering the possibilities of massive nuclear detonations or the slow process of pollution–than any extraterrestrial or natural cause. Rafi Ahmed Karachi, Pakistan
Not many Christians know that in the Holy Koran there is a “Sura Maryam” (Chapter on Mary). This “Sura” describes the birth of Jesus exactly as given in the Holy Bible. A Muslim also has to believe in the Bible being a holy book and in Moses and in Torah. One day, maybe, you will give space to an article on the understanding of Islam in its true sense, without maligning it to be “Antichrist” or anti-Christians. Kanwar Hayat Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
While your story on the whole was balanced and informative, it contains a historical error. Having once lived in the city where John of Leiden led his Anabaptist followers to conduct a rule of terror between 1534 and 1535, I must point out that it was not Leiden in the Netherlands but rather Munster in Germany. Munster was liberated and the malefactors executed, their bodies displayed in cages that still hang from the tower of St. Lambert’s Church. Charles De Wolf Chiba, Japan
Will the madness about apocalyptic prediction ever end? As a Methodist minister for more than 45 years, I am soul-weary of the theological mishmash in the religious community over the Book of Revelation. Ditto for the rapture, a theory fabricated from a pastiche of Scriptures that have nothing to do with one another. I wish we could all settle on the verse in Micah: “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” If Jesus does return, he will have the sense to wait until we have made the world safe for him to do so. The last time he was here, we killed him. Rev. Milton Propp Albuquerque, New Mexico
Crisis in the Caucasus What is now happening in Chechnya is to some extent a consequence of NATO’s bombing of Yugoslavia (“The Chechen Disaster,” Europe, Nov. 15). When the world’s most powerful nations break international law and employ a propaganda of lies to serve their aggression, we cannot expect that the others will play by the rules. The bombing of Kosovo set up a new standard for dealing with international problems, replacing the United Nations Charter. Chechnya is the next showdown and I’m afraid there are more to follow. Ryszard A. Daniel Gouda, Netherlands
The forceful takeover of Chechnya will have widespread ramifications for the entire Caucasus. Russians will be encouraged to be belligerent to attempt the takeover of other countries, thereby upsetting the balance of power in the region. The International Monetary Fund and other lenders to Russia should take note. Russia should be concentrating on building up its economy and restructuring its financial system in order to pay back its loans, rather than reverting to the cold-war-era policy of increasing its defense expenditure. Sumaira Dada Karachi, Pakistan
Investigating Flight 990 I’d like to congratulate NEWSWEEK on its report on the EgyptAir accident (“The Fatal Plunge,” Society & The Arts, Nov. 15). As a graduate in aeronautical engineering working for the Italian Civil Aviation Authority and often involved in aircraft-accident investigations, I appreciated your article’s right mix of technical issues and journalism. My knowledge about accident-investigation techniques usually makes me feel ashamed of the Italian press, which, in similar occurrences, fill reports with imprecise information and bizarre deductions without technical basis. But in your article I found realistic technical information and at the same time an interesting breakthrough in the mystery of Flight 990. Andrea Costantini Rome, Italy
What Is a Patriot? In reading your Nov. 15 interview with Austrian right-wing politician Jorg Haider ("‘I Am a Patriot’," Europe). I cannot help but be reminded of Samuel Johnson’s observation that “patriotism is the last refugee of a scoundrel.” Andy Harbison Dublin, Ireland
The French writer Romain Gary said that patriotism means loving your own people and nationalism means hating other people. Therefore, when Haider contends he “is a patriot,” he had better check that word in a dictionary. Bernard J. Henry Garches, France
Jorg Haider’s freedom party came in second in the elections of the Austrian Parliament. This shows people’s desire for easy answers to difficult political issues. Haider is the perfect man to satisfy this desire. His immigration policy is simple, but very dangerous. The excuses regarding his comments about the Third Reich and Hitler are only tactics. A racist will always be a racist. Now all the Austrian politicians are in charge of this problem: no coalition with racists! Simon Meyer Emmerich, Germany
I’m ashamed of my country. Are people so bored with our economic and political system–which certainly has been working well enough to obtain a place among the richest nations worldwide–that they vote for the Freedom Party, or even better: Jorg Haider? If one looks closely at your interview, it’s obvious that Haider’s recent attempt to change his right-wing image is only some kind of a PR gag. He does not regret his comments about the Third Reich; he only admits that some statements might have led to misunderstandings. It’s about time he–if he’s not a neo-Nazi as he says–makes a clear statement, dissociating himself from right-wing attitudes by acknowledging how horrible Hitler’s regime was. Monika Wuehrer Aschach An Der Steyr, Austria
Your report on the Australian referendum was spot on regarding the irrelevance of the British crown in Australia today (“OK, Your Majesty,” Asia, Nov. 15). The issue is broadly whether we will have a British style of parliamentary democracy–as at present and as was offered in the referendum–or an American or French style of presidential democracy as advocated by those republicans who campaigned for a “no” vote. An interesting irony in the result is that the small minority of royalists, by rejecting the referendum, may well have thrown away their last good chance at locking in an essentially British-style government, as the next proposal will most likely be for an American-style presidential system. Peter Fry Kas, Turkey
Gates: Innovator or Imitator? Regarding your article on the case against Microsoft, “Microsoft innovation” is an oxymoron (“Bill Takes It On the Chin,” Business, Nov. 15). Whether it was offering a graphical user interface, an Internet browser or a mouse with a scrolling wheel, Microsoft was never the innovator but the imitator with the better PR machine. Sadly, no Justice Department ruling or remedy can conjure up a better, viable alternative to Windows any time soon. The only thing it will succeed in loosening is the death grip of Microsoft on the throats of competitors. Ed Yap Makati, Philippines
Disney Donations One wonders why Hong Kong tax-payers have to foot $3.8 billion of the $4 billion cost of the infrastructure and the land of its new Disney theme park (“Mickey Goes to China,” Asia, Nov. 15). After all, Disney isn’t a charity or nonprofit organization to deserve such a colossal assistance. During the failed attempt to set up a Disneyland in Queensland, Australia, Disney requested A$500 million to A$800 million plus A$100 million in donated land from the Queensland government. Why should common people have to help Disney so that Disney can make even more money? Arvie Varathan Sydney, Australia
A Child in Court Your Nov. 8 Periscope item on 11-year-old Raoul Wuthrich, who appeared in Colorado court to face charges of aggravated incest, was incomplete (“A Twisted Tale”). Therefore, it cannot serve as a sufficient basis for a full understanding of European views and reactions to this unfortunate case. It was not, as you write, “American prudishness” that was criticized but rather the brutal treatment by the overzealous police when arresting the boy. Putting a young child in chains is absolutely inhuman and no reasoning whatsoever can vindicate any such barbarous behavior. Rene Keller Kloten, Switzerland
The Bush & Bush Team Governor Bush is being ridiculed for not knowing the names of the leaders of other countries (“Bush Flunks a Quiz,” U.S. Affairs, Nov. 15). President Bush was criticized for being preoccupied with foreign policy. If the son is elected to the presidency, he should appoint his father secretary of State. J. Robert Poole San Antonio, Texas
