Letters: Nov. 14, 1983

Reagan's Choice

To the Editors:

Considering the qualifications of former Secretary of the Interior James Watt and the new designate, William Clark [Oct. 24], perhaps the name of the agency should be changed to Department of the Inferior.

Ann H. Hadfield Perkasie, Pa.

Re President Reagan's latest appointments: they are another example of government-by-crony.

Kenneth Kruger New York City

Like other environmentalists, I was happy to see Watt go. But the reason for his departure is very disturbing when you consider his performance as Interior Secretary. He was ousted for some ill-chosen words rather than his efforts to destroy the few areas of natural beauty left in the U.S.

Robert Howard St. Lucia, Australia

Why not Reagan for 1984? Because of his age, 72, which is the same as mine. Already I have noticed that the President often contradicts himself. I have also observed signs of age occurring over and over again in others of my years: poor memory, incessant talking, stubbornness, intolerance of young people's ideas, slowness, and the habit of comparing all events with what happened 50 years ago. I swore it would not happen to me and retired at 69. Reagan's age is a factor, and should not be ignored.

Hugo M. Walther Pentwater, Mich.

Unbiased Bible

I have just read your article "O God Our [Mother and] Father" [Oct. 24]. I am a liberated woman, yet I have never been offended by the sexism in the Bible or in any other literature from an earlier period. I question the rewriting of religious books to suit the ideas put forth by contemporary society. Future generations may find something just as distasteful in the new National Council of Churches edition and further revise it. Somewhere down the road the Bible may cease to be recognizable.

Karen A. Cole Chattanooga, Tenn.

I wonder what passed through the minds of the members of the rewriting committee as they came to the end of the Bible and saw: "I warn every one who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if any one adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if any one takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book" (Revelation 22:18-19).

(The Rev.) John A. Cunningham Cleveland

If the National Council of Churches considers the Bible's male orientation a problem, the group should provide the reader not with false translations but with short, historical introductions on the social and cultural milieu in which the biblical writings originated.

Hermann S. Schibli Ann Arbor, Mich.

How will the National Council of

Churches remove the male bias of Luke

1:59, which discusses Christ's circumcision?

Ronald Buchinski

Bradley, W. Va.

A nonsexist Bible is long overdue. When we are finished with the Bible, we should turn our efforts toward other literature, like Little People and Moby Dick and Jane.

Carl E. Baker Jr. Mission Viejo, Calif.