So, the other day, I ran across a Salvation Army collection truck brightly decorated with pictures of their wares --- bikes, clothes, furniture, and books.

Intrigued, I stepped up closer to see what was on the reading list. Along with a Living Bible, two copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul, and a self-help success guide by Zig Ziglar, were no fewer than three separate volumes of the Left Behind series by LaHaye and Jenkins, a literal and lurid retelling of the Book of Revelation with a little sci-fi glitz.

The Left Behind comic books didn't seem to be featured...