In the previous post I linked to a story about a woman forgoing treatment so that she could carry her baby to near-term and give birth. It is a beautiful story of sacrifice and resolve for something that she believed strongly in and a love that is almost unimaginable. I ran across the story after a few days of pondering the idea that "life trumps choice."
I was in my car and heard a comment about the arrogance of the pro-lifers who would take away the choice of a woman. The thought of pro-life being a put down is actually amusing to me, because that would mean the opposite end of the spectrum is "anti-life." This actually goes to the core of the debate, however, because the "choice" crowd says they are looking out for the rights of the living woman, and her privacy right cannot be infringed upon.
Interesting.
Not willing to make this post too long, and thereby causing the three people who would normally skim the site to bypass it altogether, I simply say, "Life trumps Choice"... every time.
It is my life, and my privacy in my car gives me a choice to drive 109 miles an hour through a playground. However, the life that is in the playground (parents, children and even dogs) will cause the authorities to not allow me drive dangerously. Their life trumps my choice.
I can own a gun, and love to fire it. If you are standing in front of my target and I choose to fire, then you will die. I will then be punished for my choice to fire. Your life trumps my choice.
The argument might then be made (and it is really where the true issue lies) that the unborn is not life but part of the woman's body. I don't think that anyone has ever stooped to name the fetus "property", but privacy issues are always brought up. Forget the fact that when "private" is mentioned in the Constitution it actually refers to property and the illegal taking of. The abortion debate really, then, centers on whether the unborn is a life in and of itself or the property of the woman.
If it can be proven with 100% accuracy (note the 100%) that the unborn is not a life on it's own, the it is truly a part of the woman and nothing can be said. However, this cannot be proven. In fact, the overwhelming medical (scientific) evidence puts the unborn at the status of a separate life. (Do your own actual research before trying to blast this one). With this being said, even if there was only a 1% chance that the unborn was "life", then we must always err on the side of life.
Then remember... Life trumps Choice. Your choice and mine.
Every time.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Life & Choice
I have been pondering for a few days the issues surrounding the abortion debate in this country. I will weigh in on those thoughts shortly, but until then check out this touching story I came across today.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,325458,00.html
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,325458,00.html
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Accusations
It's funny, not in a "ha ha" way but in that other way, that a regime known for propaganda is accusing the United States of propaganda. One line and I can see the labels flying!!!! This has nothing to do with a debate on whether or not we should be in a war or anything, but a comment on the irony that is human nature. The recent video from the U.S. showing provocation and the newest video not showing provocation brings this post to mind.
Oh wait, it also reminds me of the old joke:
I digress.
Now, I have found that accusations are delicate things. First, you can never really defend yourself without sounding defensive, no matter the level of truth (or untruth) of the accusation itself.
Second, a lot of the time the accusation is based on the actions of the accuser, and not the one being accused. Again, the propaganda regime of Iran has accused America of propaganda. There is some comment about a pot, a kettle, and the color black that might be appropriate here.
This is nothing new. In the Bible there is a story about a young shepherd boy who goes to a battlefield to see his brothers and carry news back to his father. When he gets there, he finds that the army is not doing its job in confronting an enemy threat. As he asks about it, he is accused by his oldest brother that he is being "prideful". It is interesting, because in the previous chapter, this same oldest brother had been passed over because of the condition of his heart. The only reason that God will pass over or resist choosing us is pride. Pretty ironic, eh?
The reason that men (and women) accuse based on their own weakness is this: It will make them look better. You see, if I am a thief, and I accuse you of being a thief; then I am not the only thief around. If I am louder than you in my accusation, or if I find the case that there is already an agenda against you, then all will forget about me being a thief and will focus their attention on you, the new (although false) thief. If I am hateful or bitter, but can spot an instance of accusation, whether real or contrived, of you being the same, then I can take the pressure off of me. You are no better than me, so I am not so bad.
I don't know. Just a thought.
Oh wait, it also reminds me of the old joke:
Spray this can of elephant retardant in the air and it will get rid of all of the elephants. There are no elephants in the room. See, it's working already.
I digress.
Now, I have found that accusations are delicate things. First, you can never really defend yourself without sounding defensive, no matter the level of truth (or untruth) of the accusation itself.
Sir, have you stopped beating your wife?!?
No... I mean YES... no I mean I have never beaten my wife!!!
Second, a lot of the time the accusation is based on the actions of the accuser, and not the one being accused. Again, the propaganda regime of Iran has accused America of propaganda. There is some comment about a pot, a kettle, and the color black that might be appropriate here.
This is nothing new. In the Bible there is a story about a young shepherd boy who goes to a battlefield to see his brothers and carry news back to his father. When he gets there, he finds that the army is not doing its job in confronting an enemy threat. As he asks about it, he is accused by his oldest brother that he is being "prideful". It is interesting, because in the previous chapter, this same oldest brother had been passed over because of the condition of his heart. The only reason that God will pass over or resist choosing us is pride. Pretty ironic, eh?
The reason that men (and women) accuse based on their own weakness is this: It will make them look better. You see, if I am a thief, and I accuse you of being a thief; then I am not the only thief around. If I am louder than you in my accusation, or if I find the case that there is already an agenda against you, then all will forget about me being a thief and will focus their attention on you, the new (although false) thief. If I am hateful or bitter, but can spot an instance of accusation, whether real or contrived, of you being the same, then I can take the pressure off of me. You are no better than me, so I am not so bad.
I don't know. Just a thought.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
To Question...
I have blogged about this before, but I still wonder about those who question everything! As my general disclaimer usually goes, I hate the labels and stereotyping of placing people in extreme categories. With that said, do those who are constantly questioning really want an answer?
You see, there are those who consider themselves "intellectual" just because they are always discussing the profound. The fact that they are unsure of anything is mistakenly seen as being "open-minded." However, isn't endless discussion really just futility???
When someone is sure of something that disagrees with a belief set of those who question, the "sure" one is seen as brainwashed or intellectually inferior or some such nonsense as that. Note it is the disagreement that the ever questioning have a problem with. Now, I believe that there are times when we draw lines that aren't there, and set as foundation points items that are really nothing more than opinion or tradition. This creates a wall that those who are truly still searching cannot seem to climb over or get around. The bottom line, though, is that the only real reason to question is to find an answer.
Is it too much to believe that there is an answer out there? While I am still unsure of a lot, to be intellectually alert you must concede that there is a chance that I have asked some questions myself that I have actually found an answer for. That doesn't make me brainwashed or close minded, but it means that I have followed a line of rational thinking and come to a conclusion. If anything, I am not thick-headed enough to miss the forest for the trees.
The scientific method is this (at it's basic level):
You see, there are those who consider themselves "intellectual" just because they are always discussing the profound. The fact that they are unsure of anything is mistakenly seen as being "open-minded." However, isn't endless discussion really just futility???
When someone is sure of something that disagrees with a belief set of those who question, the "sure" one is seen as brainwashed or intellectually inferior or some such nonsense as that. Note it is the disagreement that the ever questioning have a problem with. Now, I believe that there are times when we draw lines that aren't there, and set as foundation points items that are really nothing more than opinion or tradition. This creates a wall that those who are truly still searching cannot seem to climb over or get around. The bottom line, though, is that the only real reason to question is to find an answer.
Is it too much to believe that there is an answer out there? While I am still unsure of a lot, to be intellectually alert you must concede that there is a chance that I have asked some questions myself that I have actually found an answer for. That doesn't make me brainwashed or close minded, but it means that I have followed a line of rational thinking and come to a conclusion. If anything, I am not thick-headed enough to miss the forest for the trees.
The scientific method is this (at it's basic level):
- You have an idea (theory)
- You run some tests to see if the idea is correct (or not)
- You go with the results of the test
Most of the ultra-questioners, however:
- Start with an idea
- Look for results that would prove their idea, or fix the test (question) to back up their idea
- Continue to question anyone who thinks otherwise
With regard to the Christian faith, and my belief in Christ... I am sure. I have questioned and found the answer. He is Jesus.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Creation declares...
Kermit the frog used to opine, "It's not easy being green..." You know, in the world of labels that we live in, we tend to categorize others in an "either/or" box by overlooking the common ground and focusing with laser intensity on the beliefs or thoughts that are different than ours.
"Oh, you drive an SUV? You must hate the earth!"
"Solar panels?? You're one of those un-bathed green freaks!"
I hate labels. The reason I do is that they tend to come not from our immediate perception, but from a belief set in previous time by a past experience or taught lesson. If we could begin to see each other in an immediate light, I believe that there is vast common ground.
Before the 13th century, most did not think about nature. It wasn't until 1410 that a small painting was done of a landscape. It's the first known time that nature was appreciated just for being beautiful. So, from no thought of the beauty of creation we move to an awareness of it. It seems that we shifted sometime from that to a "Mother Earth" scenario where we (humans) somehow don't belong here. Who knows where we are now?!?
Now, with my hatred of labels and a disclaimer that I don't throw trash on the ground (and thereby making the Indian cry) and I love clean air and think solar panels are cool; and I don't drive a tiny gas efficient car because I have a family of five and I believe that the theories on the whole climate "change" (used to be "warming") thing are based on sketchy science and agenda driven and stuff... I offer this thought:
God created all, and it is good.
Creation itself declares (reveals) the glory of God.
I want to stop and view creation and be in wonder. I want that wonder to drive me to the author of it all.
A few months ago I was sitting outside my house gazing at the sky. It was light enough to still see, but dark enough that the stars were visible. I suddenly became aware at the vastness of the universe, and how God was bigger than it all. I became humbled, because I realized my size relative to the size of the universe. I then realized that as small as I am, God still knows me and loves me. I took a moment to thank Him for that.
That was a revelation I would not have received had I not been appreciating nature.
Patrick Morley gives this thought about Man and Creation (and the observation of):
"Oh, you drive an SUV? You must hate the earth!"
"Solar panels?? You're one of those un-bathed green freaks!"
I hate labels. The reason I do is that they tend to come not from our immediate perception, but from a belief set in previous time by a past experience or taught lesson. If we could begin to see each other in an immediate light, I believe that there is vast common ground.
Before the 13th century, most did not think about nature. It wasn't until 1410 that a small painting was done of a landscape. It's the first known time that nature was appreciated just for being beautiful. So, from no thought of the beauty of creation we move to an awareness of it. It seems that we shifted sometime from that to a "Mother Earth" scenario where we (humans) somehow don't belong here. Who knows where we are now?!?
Now, with my hatred of labels and a disclaimer that I don't throw trash on the ground (and thereby making the Indian cry) and I love clean air and think solar panels are cool; and I don't drive a tiny gas efficient car because I have a family of five and I believe that the theories on the whole climate "change" (used to be "warming") thing are based on sketchy science and agenda driven and stuff... I offer this thought:
God created all, and it is good.
Creation itself declares (reveals) the glory of God.
I want to stop and view creation and be in wonder. I want that wonder to drive me to the author of it all.
A few months ago I was sitting outside my house gazing at the sky. It was light enough to still see, but dark enough that the stars were visible. I suddenly became aware at the vastness of the universe, and how God was bigger than it all. I became humbled, because I realized my size relative to the size of the universe. I then realized that as small as I am, God still knows me and loves me. I took a moment to thank Him for that.
That was a revelation I would not have received had I not been appreciating nature.
Patrick Morley gives this thought about Man and Creation (and the observation of):
Look at a mountain and think how long it would take one person to cart it away, or make one, or climb it.
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