Crude Disgusting Photo

As a long-time Seventh-day Adventist and an African American, I was shocked to see the portrayal of an African American on the cover wearing a bone through his nose [April 2007]. Not only was this jewelry, but it resupports a negative stereotype of African Americanity. Please do not print again such a crude disgusting photo that both violates our standards and supports a negative racial stereotype.

Francine McDonald

Lancaster, Calif.

Eds. Note: The man on the cover of the April issue is neither African nor American. He is a Papuan (Indonesian) tribal chief who, in the photo, smiles because the missionary he requested had finally arrived to teach his tribe about Jesus and health principles. We hope most readers didn't find that joy, expressed in colorful Papuan tradition, inappropriate.

Dangerous Photo

The cover of the March 2007 Recorder was colorful, eye-catching and dramatic. And it had DANGER written all over it. Your magazine targets 60,000 Adventist homes in which there are thousands of restless youth, bored with the message of self-denying, humble service to others and uncertain about their spiritual futures. The cover is a breath of fresh but tainted air, inviting them to consider a life of dare devil, risk taking, life threatening adventure on the road to fame and public adulation. When we use worldly attractions to call attention to our work, we do not reform the world, we deform the Church. No created being is more committed, disciplined and goal oriented than Satan.

James R. Richmond, M.D.

Via e-mail

Pomegranate Juice

A friend in Florida told me (in Maryland) about this article ["Pomegranate Juice May Reduce Alzheimer's Disease Risk" Feb. 2007] and I was thrilled to be able to find it on the WWW. Thanks for information like this. I have a friend who is in stage three AD. This is something we can try without worrying about side effects.

Joan Silver

Via e-mail

Math in Majuro

Right on, Sean! Majuro was lucky to have Sean as part of it's history! ["Life Adds Blessings for Math Major in Majuro" Feb. 2007] And, in this experience he has learned what so many teachers have discovered: that by teaching we discover more of who we are and often learn as much (or more) than we teach. Our good Lord knew what He was doing when he told us to go ... teach. It is good for us, as well as those we guide.

Barbara Clough-Larson

Via e-mail