Ya Can't Legislate Morality!

There is much discussion about abortion, birth control, and the like.  It's depressing, and totally unnecessary to begin with.  The conservatives complain about what the government should or, usually should not pay for.  The presidential candidates each have their own opinion, and angrily feel that everybody should agree with whichever him that is expounding the latest (and loudest) fact.

I, personally, am against abortion--I've made that clear.  I do support birth control.  More about that later.

But the real picture here is legislation.  Legislation about morality.  Abortion is a moral concern, whether or not one puts it in that context.  The tampering with someone's life is always a moral question.  Consider now how many states are rethinking their death penalty laws!

Moral questions always have multiple supporters and dissenters.  Some religious denominations teach that it's o.k. to use alcohol moderately, others teach its use will lead one straight to Sheol.  Some religions use mind-altering drugs as part of their religious ceremonies.

At least one of the major religions teaches vehemently against any form of birth-control, except abstinence.  (The joke goes: What do you call people who use the rhythm method of birth-control?  Parents. Sorry!)

But the point of this whole presentation is that Morality can not be legislated.  Morals must be a part of the individual's makeup.  Yes, religious teaching is appropriate, it helps one to decide his or her course.

 States that outlaw the death penalty are not legislating the morality of the action, (Thou shalt not kill.) but the effects on the common good for the whole community.  Courts lock up thieves, but not because stealing is against the commandments, but because of the legal implications involved, e.g. invasions of one's personal property, interruption of the common flow of society, etc.  In fact, there are some religious groups who feel that if one steals, it is simply a matter of "Allah provides."  Please, no discrimination intended here.

So, I ask, nay beg, all politicians and intelligent thinking persons to examine the premise and face the real issues and problems we have in society.  

My church formerly used to teach what were called the 7 Corporal Works of Mercy.  They're still applicable today: 

     1. To feed the hungry

     2. To give drink to the thirsty

     3. To clothe the naked

     4. To visit the imprisoned

     5. To shelter the homeless

     6. To visit the sick

     7. To bury the dead

In this season of Easter, (which continues until Ascension Day May 17) may each of us meditate sincerely on our own moral opinions and focus on the important things in our lives and our society.

And the world came crashing down!

It seems to be taking longer for our more fundamentalist friends to start blaming various groups for the earthquakes.  I wonder where we can start:
The Episcopals whose National Cathedral was severely damaged, possibly because this very progressive church has adopted a policy of acceptance and non-discrimination.  And this includes Gay and Lesbian members who have a place at the big table, or the pew if you will.
Perhaps it is the Muslims in New York who want to build a new mosque a couple of blocks from the WTC site.
Or, it could be the various and sundry members of Congress in DC who are "ruining" this country by being Godless, those who are determined to further tax the country, or those who are determined not to.
The list could go on and on to include everybody's favorite hate group.  But it all comes back to blaming God for whatever reason.
But, it's not the reason, you see.  In the beginning, God established various laws of science.  This includes all weather patterns, the cooling of the earth, the cycle of earth warming, etc.  All this includes rain, storms, droughts, tornadoes, hurricanes, and EARTHQUAKES!
So, instead of blaming God for these disasters, let us give thanks that it wasn't worse than it is, and start in right away to help our neighbors.  What greater joy do we have than to join as a family and care for each other, knowing that God is watching over us and will give us the strength to carry on.
In Peace,
Jim Donovan

Living beings

Dear Friends,
I am a died-in-the-wool liberal, about 99%.  The one major thing I do not share with other liberals is the matter of abortion.  There has been so much written and said about the "woman's right to choose."  Well, what about the baby's right to live?  I think that's considerably more important.  What about rape or incest?  Some of the more conservative folks will make an exception for this.  But, regardless of the parentage, it's still a baby!  Some think the fetus is not a baby until it makes its way out of the womb.  What a cop-out.  Science has advanced too far today to even consider this farce.  And the mother's life?  There are very, very few instances or conditions that would warrant this decision in this day and age.
I ask each of you to stop, close your eyes and imagine just what happens in the abortion parlor.  Go ahead.  It's not pretty, is it.  What about the long-term abortions?
On occasion, I've been told that if abortions were not legal, then the mother would have to go back to the alleys to have the procedure.  My reply was that if a mother is determined to kill her baby, that's where it should be done.
Please folks, please let's get rid of this scourge which is killing our very civilization.
One more thing:  IF science ever discovers a so-called "gay gene," many churches are going to have to revisit their position on abortion:  Which do they hate  more, abortion or gay babies?

The beginning!

Hello to All!
This is my very first attempt at this sort of thing, so have patience with me. It's only going to get better!
I feel I have so much I want to say, hopefully of interest to others. So let's get started.

The big news item of the day, outside of the government in shambles, is the death of Amy Whitehouse.  I am very sorry that another young, beautiful person with a promising future should have such a wasted life.  She had such a history of the kind of life that included drugs, alcohol, and general trashy living.
One is tempted to sak "what could we have done to help her?"  But, her family was relentless in trying to get to her.  And now what do they have?  A lot of hurt feelings and memories.
So many, many times, folks who feel it necessary to end their lives simply don't have a clue, or don't care, what it does to those left behind to endure the grief.
We who are left behind can only speculate the outcome for people like Amy, but what the important thing really is, is how she is meeting her God.  God is the only being who knows what was in her mind, indeed in her life.  We trust in God, and depend on His mercy.
May she rest in peace.