Pope Forgives

To the Editors:

Pope John Paul II's prison visit with his would-be assassin [Jan. 9] demonstrates that the ability to forgive is a rare gift. But as the Pontiff has shown, it is possible. As a result, there is hope in this mad world.

Deborah Voss Chicago

The complexity of forgiveness involves the healing of the forgiver as well as the forgiven. By pardoning Mehmet Ali Agca, the Pope helped mend his own rent feelings. To this extent, forgiveness is both selfish and magnanimous.

James R. Heinrich New Castle, Pa.

Robert Frost was right: "To be social is to be forgiving." Your story analyzed the subject of forgiveness with amazing depth and managed to relate ethics, politics and theology in a coherent way.

Donald W. Shriver Jr., President

Union Theological Seminary

New York City

To the Christian heart, forgiveness should be easy and logical because hate is a greater burden.

Nick Psoras West Chester, Pa.

Your examination of the papal visit to Agca catches precisely the cosmic dimension of the Pope's forgiving act. When all the Caesar-vs.-God distinctions have been made, when all the private morality-vj.-public policy nuances have been noted, the fundamental truth remains. Plato put it well when he described the state as "man writ large."

William F. Reilly, Associate Professor

Manhattan College

New York City

The courage of Pope John Paul II is clearly a source of admiration and inspiration. It should be remembered, though, that the same hands that embraced the repentant Mehmet Ali Agca also shook the hand of Yasser Arafat, an unrepentant, notorious murderer. For totally different reasons, both meetings cause deep astonishment and surprise.

Moshe Kam Philadelphia

The Holy Father has given the world, which is so hungry for peace, a personal example of the first step: forgiveness from the heart.

(The Rev.) Maurice Chase

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles

The Pope can afford to forgive his would-be assassin., That is his right as an individual. His action is also a manifesto for his flock. But do not tell me that those who endured the Nazi furor are supposed to follow the papal example and forgive the mass killings. The victims' ashes and bones, scattered in graves unmarked by a cross or David's star, would be desecrated by such a gesture.

Vera Laska Weston, Mass.

John Paul's action is as shocking today as was Christ's nearly 2,000 years ago. The moral philosophy of Jesus reached beyond tribalistic notions of justice and truth based on retribution and pointed toward a more encompassing vision of humanity. The Pope once again has provided a glimpse of that possibility.

Alan M. Olson, Professor Department of Religion, Boston University

Boston

That the Pope should forgive is hardly surprising. That his session with his would-be murderer should be broadcast is a tribute to his showmanship. But it takes two for a meeting. How was an Islamic fanatic turned into a well-behaved young man eager to shake hands with his victim? Brainwashing? A diet of carrots? Conversion? I would like to know what made Agca change his mind.

Alfred Max Les Loges en Josas, France

Seeing the Pope clasp in forgiveness the hand that once tried to kill him makes it easier for us to take the hand of a business rival, a too-loud neighbor, an ex-friend or an estranged spouse.

(The Rev.) John T. Myler Belleville, III.

Forgiving is the Pope's job.

Fred Lyle Santa Monica, Calif.

Farewell UNESCO

I am deeply concerned by the Reagan Administration's decision to leave UNESCO [Jan. 9]. The United Nations and its agencies offer a forum for world dialogue. If the

U.S. is unhappy with the way things are going, it should use diplomatic procedures to bring UNESCO to a more balanced viewpoint. By pulling out, we leave the organization to those with whom we disagree.

Lloyd Trufelman New York City

The U.S. has already tried to improve UNESCO from within. The threat of a U.S. withdrawal is our only alternative and might spur UNESCO into reforming its leftist and nepotistic ways.

William H. Herrmann New Rochelle, N. Y.

I do not understand how anyone who believes in the freedom of the press could advocate membership in UNESCO.

Paul Theodore Owens Needham, Mass.

There is absolutely no reason for the U.S. to finance a group like UNESCO, whose policies not only fail to improve the world's standard of living but could also be destructive to the U.S.

George A. Bleyle St. Augustine Shores, Fla.

Our withdrawal from UNESCO is reminiscent of the sandlot-baseball chant: "If I can't pitch, I won't play!"

William Stanley Buellton, Calif.

Teller's Position

The letter from me [Jan. 9] concerning the Administration's plan to develop space weapons omitted the point I was trying to make and instead implied the reverse. My position is: TIME has consistently misrepresented President Reagan's proposal, which emphasizes protective rather than retaliatory defense. I support the Administration's position. I do not support the idea of space-based battle stations, and I know of only one private group that does.

Edward Teller

Hoover Institution

Stanford, Calif.

Third Party

In your Essay "What Ever Became of the American Center?" [Dec. 19], you lament the death of the American center. Although you despair of both Democrats and Republicans, you offer the bleak observation that "third parties hi America gravitate not only to extremes but to irrelevance. (John Anderson's upcoming presidential campaign will undoubtedly confirm both tendencies.)"

In a country renowned for its diversity and pluralism, it is remarkable that we cling to the notion that there is an essential duality on complex political, economic and social issues. We dismiss out of hand the idea of a strong, viable third party. Yet a new group capable of attracting progressive elements from both the Democrats and the Republicans could launch a political reformation that would truly address our problems.

A new political party must undertake the difficult task of espousing new ideas that may initially be unpopular or misunderstood. We need a new level of thinking above and beyond the constraints offered by the two-party system. The old "liberal internationalism" has been interred because it does not face the realities of a nuclear age. In our time the concept of balance of power dooms us to living in a narrow channel with the superpowers poised for confrontation on the shores.

John B. Anderson National Unity Committee

Washington, D.C.

Suing for Suicide

I was stunned to read about the man who jumped in front of a subway car in a suicide attempt and then collected a $650,000 award for his efforts [Jan. 9]. This story illustrates once again the sham our legal system has become. Any sane juror would have made no award and instead would have held the plaintiffs family and attorney responsible for all legal and court costs.

Stephen J. Losben Meadowbrook, Pa.

It is sickening to see how well-intentioned laws are twisted to the point of idiocy. I am surprised the jury did not award thousands to the driver of the subway train for his mental anguish.

Fred Tye Evanston, III.

Disturbed Daddies

I take exception to the title of your article "Daddy's Disturbed Little Girl" [Jan. 2], which discusses the TV show about incest. Incest victims are just that, victims. Put the blame where it belongs: on Disturbed Little Dad and his ever so silent partner, Disturbed Little Mom.

Jan Olson Van Nuys, Calif.

Hidden Meanings

Your Essay on euphemisms [Jan. 9] mainly took to task government officials who deal in doubletalk. But now even veterinarians are getting into the act. NEUTER IS NEATER said the poster in the vet's office. Neuter merely sounds negative, whereas castration implies something final. We decided that we would have our dog neutered.

Tom Gill Columbia, Md.