I was disappointed to see that in the recent coverage of the trial of Chief Justice Roy Moore by World Magazine, not a single word was uttered about Bill Pryor’s outrageous inquisition in which he three times asked the Chief Justice if he would “continue to acknowledge God.” Below is yet another of the dozens of letters we have received urging our friends at World to take a more responsible position.

WORLD Magazine
Attn: Editor
Dear Sir:

Thank you for your organization’s request that I renew my subscription to God’s World News. While my daughter, for whom I bought and extended the original subscription, now reads The New American, my son has reached the age and interest level where he would appreciate the reporting you provide in your current events magazine geared toward youth. The added benefit of contributing to Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) makes your offer irresistible. My husband and I began contributing to HSLDA upon the birth of our first child, and we have been members for the past nine years. Few organizations are, in our opinion, so worthy of financial support. I set aside the renewal form, nevertheless, but with the intent to handle it later, and so have not yet accepted your generous offer.

In the meantime, Vision Forum’s Doug Phillips has brought to my attention summer issues of WORLD Magazine, featuring articles maligning Chief Justice Roy Moore for his stand and the basis for it. The courageous example set by the Ten Commandments Judge is cause for rallying and rejoicing. Rather than unite for God and country, however, professing Christians have separated from the battle as well as from each other. As a result, momentum has been needlessly lost, and God’s Church is further away, still, from winning the so-called “culture war.” Your magazine bears much of the blame because you helped create confusion in the camp while the foe was scrambling to organize its own forces. By discouraging believers from seizing the opportunity garnered by Chief Justice Moore, you aided the enemy in our defeat. You helped divide, and the enemy, for the time being, has conquered.

Your September 13, 2003, cover article presents Alabama Attorney General William Pryor as both victim of circumstance and man of the hour. As a graduate of Bob Jones University (BJU), I was surprised and disappointed to learn that the author of that piece is Bob Jones IV. I was a student while the school was under attack for its dating policy. Dr. Bob Jones III was battle-worn but steadfast, motivating us by his example to stand firm on Bible-based principle. I remember the looks, comments, and questions from people who learned I was attending the school which, seemingly overnight, had come out of obscurity and into the spotlight. When I expected believers to unite against an attack against religious freedom, it was Christians, in my experience, who, rather, reprimanded me for the school’s disobeying the law and, adding with an air of righteous indignation, presenting a poor testimony to the world. As events in Alabama unfolded, I couldn’t help but see similarities between that case of 20 years ago and the present one and to remember with admiration Dr. Jones, who counted the cost and paid the price.

Chief Justice Moore, too, counted the cost, and he is paying dearly. Like a true disciple, he has sacrificed all to follow Christ, for the glory of God and the benefit of His Church. With your readership and reputation, you wield much influence over both the opinions and actions of Christian Americans. Over the past several months you had uncommon opportunity at a critical time to draw Aarons to the support of this present-day Moses. To your shame, you abused that influence when you publicly attacked a righteous man in a righteous cause. You inflicted much damage and wounded one of our own.

Bob Jones III eventually changed his mind and the administration changed the school’s policy. In an act of humility, the university’s president recently appeared on national television for public repentance. His son should be such a man. I trust WORLD magazine will provide the platform for a similar public pronouncement and that your editorial staff will collaborate on a retraction, a correction, and a hearty endorsement of Chief Justice Roy Moore.

Until then, my children’s subscription to God’s World News will continue to lapse, but I pray you will give me reason to renew it.

Sincerely,
Mrs. J.H.