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Your Words
Minority Report
In response to the Editor’s Note (“Your Words,” Fall 2007) addressing a question of diversity in the magazine, every child on the cover of the Summer/Fall 2007 issue could be considered a “minority.” My dad was a Cuban citizen who is now a naturalized American. I am a first-generation American on my dad’s side.
In the future, it may be harder to tell ethnicity by how someone looks or by their last name. What a privilege we have to live in a country where it doesn’t matter what your skin color is, or what your last name is. We wore red, white and blue for the photo on purpose. We’re proud to be Americans, no matter our ethnicity. We are even happier to be Lutherans who know that true freedom is in Christ.
—Laura Warrick
Austin, Texas
An Incomplete History
You are to be commended for making the effort to give Thrivent readers an overview of our Lutheran story (“A Foundation of Faith and Grace,” Summer/Fall 2007). However, the article overlooks the history and contributions of Scandinavian Lutherans. There is no mention of the founding of the Norwegian Lutheran Church in America or of the formation of the American Lutheran Church.
Since Thrivent Financial for Lutherans represents a coming together of both Lutheran Brotherhood and Aid Association for Lutherans, it is not unreasonable to expect that the larger boundaries of the Lutheran story should have been included.
—Dr. Duane R. Lindberg,
Presiding Pastor Emeritus, The American Association of Lutheran Churches, Waterloo, Iowa
Slow Down
Any of the ways to save money on gas cited (“Pump Relief,” Fall 2007) will never equal the savings of just slowing down. Having your car tuned up and slowing down to safer speeds also will help avoid accidents and save lives.
—Karen S. Glaub
Marco Island, Florida
Defending Yoga
In “Your Words” (Fall 2007), a reader condemns Christians doing yoga. I am a Missouri Synod Lutheran who has long taken yoga classes to relieve back problems, improve concentration and, yes, sleep more soundly.
The poses are but one of eight components to this ancient practice. The others include having compassion for all living beings and developing a connection with one’s Creator. These are hardly heretical ideas, even for the most orthodox of Christians. However, most yoga students don’t get that far. They embrace the practice purely for its physical and mental benefits.
We all should be respecting each other’s cultures, religions and ethnicities, not reviling them.
—Pamela Dittmer McKuen
Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Reaffirming Insurance
“Financial Solutions: Juvenile Life Insurance” (Fall 2007) reminded me of how lucky I was to have purchased life insurance for my son when he was less than a month old.
My son was diagnosed with type I (juvenile) diabetes at age 2 ½. This took my family completely by surprise, as no one in either of our families has juvenile diabetes. Fortunately, I also added the guaranteed purchase option, so my son will never have to worry about being eligible for additional life insurance or have to pay higher premiums due to his health. This goes to show that you must plan for the unexpected.
—Katie Petersen
Janesville, Wisconsin
Please Note: Views expressed in these letters are not necessarily the views of Thrivent magazine or Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
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