From Our Readers...

Regarding Vertical Thought
Wonderful and true information! When I stumbled across your Web site through surfing, I was so pleased to find someone out there who had the same beliefs as myself. You know, most religions don't teach the truth.After ordering your magazine and reading it a few times, I knew you had the truth going on.Keep up the great workand spread the truth.

—Nancy

Used to be a Muslim
I used to be a Muslim. I just became a college undergraduate this year, and I am now free frommy father's strict watch. At college a guy gave me a beautiful magazine belonging to your association, and I read it with great enthusiasm. I found it relevant. Your magazine spoke on issues about my education, future and career.

—Name withheld

African concerns
Most of your articles do not address things that happen to African readers. That is, there are things that work in the United States but not in Africa. So please if you can include things for Africans, I will be so glad.

—Ayoniyi

Thanks for your e-mail. We do appreciate your interest. Since approximately two thirds of our readers live in the United States, we do writemainly foran American audience.

That said, we want to effectively reachour readers who live in areas outside the United States too. To help broaden the perspective of our articles, we have recently added international reviewers living in England, Africa, Canada, the Caribbean, the Philippines,Australia and New Zealand. And we are incorporating input they provide into our articles.

While God's laws are applicable to all peoplein all nations, we realize the specific issues facing youth will vary by region and country. Thus we always appreciate input from readers regarding issues youth face in their respective countries. We also appreciate everyone's prayers that we may more effectively reach young people living in all nations.

"Helped me stick to my faith"
I have a very close friend that I recently found out tried to contact the dead—and that he's done so many times before! Two years ago, I read your Oct.-Dec. 2004 issue (dealing with the spirit world and explaining beliefs). But I'd grown up in the Church of God and really just took all that knowledge for granted—it was simply a "duh."

When I heard what my friend had done (and had been doing), at first I rationalized that everyone is entitled to his own beliefs. Then I thought back to that magazine issue, reread it and realized that I don't want to be deeply involved with someone caught up in such contagious danger! So thank you very much! The article "Is the Spirit World Real?" has really helped me stick to my faith and not just "let it slide."

Anyway, I just thought I'd share my little story of how you helped me get back on track and take this opportunity to thank you again for providing such a wonderful service (FREE!!!) to the teens of the Church and beyond.

—Courtney

Feels strongly about the effects of the popular media
As busy as I am, I don't always read Vertical Thought, but I did read almost everything in the April-June issue, partly because I feel so strongly—as all of you do—about the effects of the popular media. Very good articles. Thank you.

—Don

"Christian Through College"
I have a comment about your article "Christian Through College"[Jan.-March 2006 Vertical Thought ].I did not find it helpful. All the comments from college graduates pertained only to dealing with pressures from professors.

What about pressures to go out on a Friday night, handling non-Christian roommates, drinking and sex? All these problems are a lot more real than having problems with professors. Most colleges have policies pertaining to religion—that it's illegal for professors to discriminate. I was looking forward to hearing about fellow Church members who have dealt with the same pressures I'm dealing with right now. It was a little disappointing.

—Erin

Thanks very much for your input. At our Web site ( www.verticalthought.org), you'll find previous articles in our archives and "Questions and Answers" that address the subjects you mention. For example, see "Staying Christian on a College Campus" ( www.verticalthought.org/issues/vt03/collegecampus.htm ) and the July-September 2004 issue. We'll also keep your suggestions in mind for future articles.

If you have comments or questions, feel free to e-mail us at info@verticalthought.org. Messages may be edited for clarity and space.