Letters

The New Gospel of Wealth

Who wouldn't kneel before a God devoted to filling your bank account? Our report on ministries that preach prosperity drew amens from their adherents. But most readers proclaimed that those who evangelize for earthly treasure have sold out Christ's true message and discounted its rewards

Thank you for an informative look at the changing face of the Christian faith in the U.S. [Sept. 18]. Christians who value riches seem to show a stunning lack of concern for anyone else. Jesus and his disciples did not preach that God can give us what we want. Their message concerned the ways we can best serve God. The world would be a better place if people spent more time living the gospel message and less time twisting it to justify selfish behavior.

LEV HORODYSKYJ State College, Pa.

Without a doubt, God wants us to enjoy abundance. But he wants us to be rich in love, mercy, forgiveness, hope and faith. Earthly riches are temporary. Godly riches are eternal.

BONNIE JEAN COMAZZI Sonora, Calif.

"Does God want you to be rich?" delivered a one-dimensional view of Lakewood Church and Joel Osteen. He leads his congregation toward a better life by focusing on positive thinking, helping others and improving physical well-being while keeping God and Christianity central. Osteen is a caring and driven man of God who inspires those around him. He's the reason I have developed a close relationship with God, for which I will be forever grateful.

STEVE CUMINGS Houston

All bible-believing christians know that being faithful to God is the key to a successful Christian life. God supplies us with our needs, not our wants. Pastors who preach a doctrine of prosperity are latter-day false prophets who are doing a grave disservice to Christianity.

(THE REV.) JEFFREY V. GRAY Aberdeen, N.J.

Were Jesus to come today and attempt to throw from their temples the modern Philistines who preach the gospel of wealth, they would most likely accuse him and his disciples of being Middle Eastern, sandal-wearing, gay hippie terrorists out to undermine the American way of life.

JOHN H. MORROW JR. Athens, Ga.

Ford's Uphill Road

RE "Ford Just Fixed the Car" [SEPT. 18]: as a former Ford Maverick owner who remembers the gas shortages of the 1970s, I was appalled when the first SUVs rolled off the line. I was even more appalled when people started buying them. How could Ford have such a short memory and be so shortsighted at the same time? What is so hard about producing a fuel-efficient car with sleek lines that will go more than 100,000 miles without falling apart? What is so difficult about offering a 100,000-mile guarantee and 1-800 roadside assistance? Greed captured U.S. car companies 30 years ago, and Ford is being destroyed by it.

JOSEPH P. NOLAN Waterbury, Conn.

Time's put-down of the Ford Motor Co. was way out of line. Unlike the rental described in your story, my Ford Focus has an armrest and cruise control, plus side air bags, antilock brakes--and it gets between 32 and 34 m.p.g. I have been faithful to the company for more than 50 years because of its products, because it has more of a social conscience than other big manufacturers and because I try my best to buy American.

VELJA CULLEN Caseville, Mich.

Of Royal Chromosomes

You owe Japan's princess Masako an apology for reporting that she "failed in her one traditional duty: to produce a male heir" [Sept. 18], as if that were actually within her control. The only failure here is in your demeaning statement that this is her one traditional duty and in forgetting that it was her husband Prince Naruhito who determined the sex of their child, a daughter. Blame him!

PETER BASMAJIAN Hong Kong