tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8383701632927065467.post7062032193945953336..comments2023-08-21T03:51:17.425-06:00Comments on Enlightened Catholicism: More On The Pro Life Ticketcolkochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03432916690101599393noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8383701632927065467.post-68456563840767787272008-09-04T14:15:00.000-06:002008-09-04T14:15:00.000-06:00heroiclife, this is a brilliant post and I am trul...heroiclife, this is a brilliant post and I am truly sorry I didn't see this earlier.<BR/><BR/>You made a point in this post that I hesitated to make, and that's using your children to prove your faith. The cynic in me wondered when I first heard this story about Trig if the Palin's didn't make the choice to go ahead with the pregnancy because it was as much to their political advantage to do so as it was a moral choice. Everything I've read about her since then is making that suspicion stronger.<BR/><BR/>And you are absolutely correct when you wonder "But what can we say about a parent that chooses a life of suffering upon their child? If we are morally outraged by child rapists, how should we judge a parent who chooses a lifetime of suffering on their own child?"<BR/><BR/>This is a very sticky question, and one I've frequently faced in my professional work. It only works well when the parents are capable of getting beyond themselves and how it impacts them. That takes a special kind of selflessness. Exactly the opposite of the kind of selfishness you write about, that makes a child a public statement of their faith.<BR/><BR/>This is a great comment. Thanks for joining the ranks and I hope you stick with us.colkochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03432916690101599393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8383701632927065467.post-84751186869439658272008-08-31T17:00:00.000-06:002008-08-31T17:00:00.000-06:00Whereas previously, a Down’s child could be born w...Whereas previously, a Down’s child could be born without the prior knowledge of the mother, going forward, a parent with a Down’s child will likely have made a conscious choice to have that child. As prenatal testing for trisomy 21 becomes ubiquitous, Down’s children (and eventually those with other genetic disorders) will increasingly become symbols of faith – a freak show meant to communicate the “family values” of their parents. The children will become public sacrifices made by their parents for their faith. They will be a symbol of religious reverence in the same way as the scarred backs of Catholics who flagellate themselves, or Buddhist monks who set themselves on fire, or Sunni Muslims who mutilate their girl’s genitals or Shiites who bloody their children’s heads with swords. <BR/><BR/>Genuine moral virtues – such as integrity, honesty, and productivity are not useful as evidence of religious virtue. To the extent that their practical benefit is visible to everyone, they do not represent the special domain of religion. To demonstrate religious virtue, it is necessary to sacrifice authentic moral values in favor of “religious” values. The particular object of the sacrifice is not important – there is nothing particularly “biblical” about being prolife (the Christian bible just as easily supports the opposite position.) If Christian fundamentalists decided that cutting of one’s hand sufficed as proof of moral virtue, they would be wrong to do so, but not much more so than the numerous other ways that people find to be self-destructive. <BR/><BR/>What is really vicious about fundamentalists in America is that the prey on the most vulnerable –poor pregnant young girls and women, those dying from painful terminal illnesses, the loved ones of brain-dead patients, — and children afflicted with terrible genetic illnesses. One can at least grasp the moral indifference with which a fundamentalist can force a single young mother to abandon her goals and dreams and condemn her and her child to poverty. But what can we say about a parent that chooses a life of suffering upon their child? If we are morally outraged by child rapists, how should we judge a parent who chooses a lifetime of suffering on their own child?David Vekslerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09056363942505323454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8383701632927065467.post-48531797199656775422008-08-31T00:51:00.000-06:002008-08-31T00:51:00.000-06:00Interesting about Austin Powers, I mean, Austin Ru...Interesting about Austin Powers, I mean, Austin Ruse commenting the other day to insult not just you, but everyone here and how "silly" we are. What a Christian, I mean Pharisee.<BR/><BR/>It is always so interesting how people who think they are more superior pretend that they can read but obviously can't comprehend much because it goes in one ear and out the other. Jesus had the same problem with some people who were leaders in His Church, I mean, in His synagogue. He said His followers would face the same stuff as He did. It sure looks like the same hypocrites to me.<BR/><BR/>Yes Colleen, the rich will go to some foreign country and get an abortion while the poor, well, I guess it's just too damn bad for them, they'll just have to take care of themselves somehow. Let's bring back the days when women went to back rooms and had abortions and either died or they could never have another child. Nothing like a death sentence for the woman and the child or children that might have been born later and then calling yourself "pro-life."<BR/><BR/>It's simply amazing to me that in cases such as rape or incest that fundamentalist want to force women to carry a child and then take care of themselves somehow. But, war, collateral damage, those are ok types of killing. Give me a break! Are these "pro-lifers" in 5th grade still? I really think that such people, if they really care about people, should do something to care for people instead of placing burdens on them without lifting a finger to help them.<BR/><BR/> How do you spell H Y P O C R I S Y.butterflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09684946870144030594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8383701632927065467.post-74217748702979813062008-08-30T15:51:00.000-06:002008-08-30T15:51:00.000-06:00I see a several issues with this selection. First...I see a several issues with this selection. <BR/><BR/>First, the issue of a mother with children at home, one of whom is a special needs child. If McCain lasts 4 years it would not a problem. However, if McCain should become incapacitated, then she becomes the President. I'm not sure how much confidence I would have in someone with those family obligations stepping into the presidency.<BR/><BR/>Second, lack of experience. Lets face it, politics in Washington is "ugly". It is hard enough for those with experience to be effective. Again, if 4 years pass with McCain still in office, not a problem. However, ...<BR/><BR/>Third, popular support only goes so far, and it only takes one decision for that to evaporate and for life in that position hellish, not that it isnt already that in the best of times. Does she have the political connections and washington savvy to be effective?<BR/><BR/>But she is anti-abortion, and as we are being told by our infallible leadership, nothing else matters. God save us in this election from the vatican and the anti-abortionist lobby.COL55https://www.blogger.com/profile/07057765287988790129noreply@blogger.com