tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post2652643509713759968..comments2024-03-21T04:02:46.799-07:00Comments on Little Catholic Bubble: How about Ordered vs. Disordered?Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comBlogger173125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-42812767413335988632011-04-11T23:04:00.758-07:002011-04-11T23:04:00.758-07:00Mary, I agree with what you said. Knowing human na...Mary, I agree with what you said. Knowing human nature, if abortion were outlawed, there would be huge behavioral changes in women and men. Sadly, sinful humanity seems to take the path of least resistance, and when the law helps facilitate horrible choices, it's not a good thing. To say the least. At the very least, the law should prevent killing of innocents. Without recourse to that killing (abortion), lots would change in our behaviors. Just like before abortion was legal.<br /><br />Roe v. Wade wasn't based on science either. It was based on ancient sources, not modern science! If you haven't read it, it's a shocker. And Casey's "right to privacy" is all the free sex crowd needed to go from contraception to abortion rights. Not scientific, just philosophical. Unfortunately, contraception and abortion really are part of the same (disordered) philosophy about sex.<br /><br />I'm glad you liked the link! :)Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-91349303380182949802011-04-11T11:25:42.130-07:002011-04-11T11:25:42.130-07:00Dear Leila!
Thank you very much for that Link. It...Dear Leila!<br /><br />Thank you very much for that Link. It was really good. I keep learning great stuff from your blog! This is what a real, civil blog is about. REAL information, the room to disagree, and the room to learn from each other. <br /><br /> I found the Spanish study very illuminating. BUT! Here is my question...What if abortion (especially past the first trimester in all cases) becomes ILLEGAL? There is no stop-gap measure. Then would contraception lead to abortion? I bet women would get much better about complying with the directions on their birth control packages if they knew there was no back-up plan. Would there be lots of "unwanted" children born? Probably some, but most could be lapped up by the huge pool of people hoping to adopt...an infant. Would some women be burdened? Yes. Would some women find out they can do more than they thought? Yes. Would some women grow up and figure out what life is really about earlier? YES!!!<br /> As I read the legal remarks, especially Casey's, I find terrific logical flaws to equate the privacy provisions of the right to birth control with the right to abortion. This legal argument is not based on science at all. It is fundamentally different to kill an embryo than to prevent its conception. I think the faulty logic lies there. I prefer to think about personhood. If you consider that definition, then it becomes utterly ridiculous to offer life saving medical care to preemies born at 27 weeks while killing unborn babies at the same time or even a few weeks/days earlier. The fact is that nobody knows when personhood begins, and say that it begins at conception because a totally unique genetic entity has been formed is based in science and reasonableness. That said, I do think a rational, loving debate would be healthy to study all the known science about consciousness and pain and brain waves etc., but I personally would rather err on the side of not killing a being that "might" be a person.Marynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-20564104182428712912011-04-04T13:59:58.680-07:002011-04-04T13:59:58.680-07:00Hi Mary! I still have company for the weekend, but...Hi Mary! I still have company for the weekend, but I will try to get back to you as soon as possible with thoughts on most of your points. My thoughts on birth control and sterilization are first that "the ends don't justify the means" (you cannot do evil to bring about even a greater good). And, contraception leads to abortion, so that is no solution at all:<br /><br />http://littlecatholicbubble.blogspot.com/2011/01/contraception-leads-to-abortion-come.html<br /><br />We may have a totally different premise in general, in that I don't believe that the world can be "overpopulated" with human beings. God is a God of abundance, and while we certainly <i>must</i> be good stewards of creation, we must remember that this earth was made for people, not the other way around. I will address your points though, just as soon as I get a chance to do so thoughtfully. Thanks for patience, and for great questions!Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-35986969212455689242011-04-04T05:24:43.709-07:002011-04-04T05:24:43.709-07:00Part 2
4. I also want to clarify that I do not thi...Part 2<br />4. I also want to clarify that I do not think abortion is to be part of the solution at all. To me, abortion might be a quick fix to a "problem" (hate to phrase it like that) but it is an immoral fix,just like killing off mentally disabled people to free up resources for others) and we have many other moral options. I do currently think education and access to artificial birth control are part of the solution...and this is one of my problems with Catholic teaching. <br /><br />5. The fact is that birth control through barrier methods and herbs have been part of a society's approach to keeping births in check for centuries (Collier, Aine (2007). The Humble Little Condom: A History. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books. ISBN 978-1-59102-556-6.)in addition to abortion and in infanticide. If we are to keep our population in check, and the latter two options are horrid, why is it wrong to responsibly use the former? We have so many medical advances in this area. <br /><br />I understand that the Church thinks that access to birth control will demean women and make a mockery of marriage etc., but I know many many many couples who are sterilized and are in their later years who are loving, caring and decent. Why are these couples not falling apart? <br /><br />The Catholic church has some wonderful teachings. Life is sacred...I agree, men and women are both very worthy, but not equivalent or interchangeable...(this is one of the failed ideals of radical feminism: that women could be men) Forgive and love God! I agree, but I also think that artificial birth control IN CONCERT with amazing and loving educational programs about the way the body truly works is part of the answer on how we are going to live harmoniously on this planet without destroying it.<br />Thoughts?Marynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-23513988581277912352011-04-04T05:24:07.469-07:002011-04-04T05:24:07.469-07:00Leila, Joanna and others: PART 1
Several Points:
...Leila, Joanna and others: PART 1<br /><br />Several Points:<br /><br />1) Again, I am sincerely interested what you think of this: www.paulchefurka.ca/Population.html <br /><br />I point to him, although he is not one of the key scientists, as his graphs etc. are easy to read...it synthesizes current science (the Hubbert stuff is very reputable, but dense).<br /><br />Although we might have remaining stocks of fossil fuels around (as Leila said) we don't have easily accessible fossil fuels left, besides coal, (and coal is VERY dirty), except in the Middle East, nor do we have an inexhaustible supply...and this makes it increasingly expensive. If you have to spend half the energy cost that you get out into extracting a barrel of oil, then it makes it rather costly...which drives up the cost of food...which makes it harder to feed billions.<br /><br />I would really like your views....Again...I have ordered Dem. Winter (oddly not available in any of our libraries here in Central Mass.)so as to view it, so I am trying to meet you in the middle! I also am very aware that many developed nations have declining birthrates etc., but I think although it will be very difficult economically as we transition, it seems that there is no other way (maybe a more gradual decline would be better to avoid the terrible crunch for countries like Japan and Italy).<br /><br />2. The thing is: Some of my friends are theists who are concerned about our rapid growth and impending decline...but MOST of my theistic friends (I am a theist, albeit with struggles), refuse to either read this stuff, or they just tell me it is all totally wrong and biased. Most of my atheist friends are willing to read this stuff, and some consider it. I guess I just think it seems misguided to declare that all the scientists are totally biased and to discount their combined years of experience...<br /><br />I do understand that there will always be bias, but it seems crazy not to read up on the details of the current science, as understood by the majority of those who publish in peer-reviewed journals. <br /><br />3. Leila...it is NOT my wish(as you termed it) (ideal wish) for declining population...My ideal wish would be for us to find anther several earths to colonize, so that all moms like me could have five biological children or more if they so desired, but I just don't think the science points in that direction. I am very sad about what the science seems to indicate...not happy... I think it is a Christian responsibility to face truth and understand how our actions impact the world.<br /><br />more coming...Marynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-2495661681932404992011-03-30T00:19:58.112-07:002011-03-30T00:19:58.112-07:00Mary, I don't disagree, so I am glad we are ha...Mary, I don't disagree, so I am glad we are having this discussion! You know, as long as no moral law is broken, there is nothing wrong with any of what you have said. I may have a difference of opinion on this or that, but in general, a Catholic would not be averse to what you are saying. I still think the world is able to support all its people, no matter how many there are (our God is a God of abundance, and also our human ingenuity will serve us well with new ideas by the time fossil fuels run out -- which won't be soon). <br /><br />I think we should be looking at all options, but not forcing the shut down of oil and coal for solar and wind, since it's not efficient enough yet, and waaaaaay to expensive to be a viable option.<br /><br />You definitely have your wish for declining population, because it's happening and I don't think that is going to stop (and I think we can say good-bye to the western world if it keeps up).<br /><br />I am TOTALLY with you on the education thing. I cannot believe that Michelle Rhee left, either... I was heartbroken.<br /><br />So, being a Catholic gives us GREAT freedom! We can agree on many, many things. We simply cannot break the moral law in trying to get to our goals.Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-91476740715832181342011-03-29T19:23:29.633-07:002011-03-29T19:23:29.633-07:00Leila,
Hi. I am not an economist, but do follow e...Leila,<br />Hi. I am not an economist, but do follow economics a bit. I realize that, in the past, all of our economic systems have been built on rapid growth, and I worry that this is not sustainable, but I do see that significant increases in worker productivity might be a significant part of the solution as it has served us in the past throughout our transition from a farming economy to a services economy.<br /><br />Also, from my perspective, the future world will need (perhaps fewer) highly skilled, and highly educated people. Right now, so many of our own citizens in this country get such a TERRIBLE excuse for an education that it is a crying shame. We are wasting the minds of so many kids in a bad educational system. (I am an educator, and I hate what tenure has done to the system. I was fully behind Michelle Rhee, and cried when she left Washington.)<br /><br />I do not count out "old" people from this pool of "those who need to be highly skilled". I think it is ridiculous to assume that people will retire at 65. So, so many are highly productive into their 80's and beyond! I personally know four women in their seventies who are utterly bored, and really should be back working at meaningful jobs. They don't even see themselves how the boredom is wrecking their minds and souls. My own mother really should be working in some capacity, but she cannot really work as a teacher now that she is collecting retirement. Sometimes she drives me crazy she is so needing of attention. (I love her very much and she helps me out and is a wonderful person, but I think there is ample room for her to fit in about 15 hours of paid work, which would benefit her (an our economy) very much!) I see this everywhere. These women should be out there working in some capacity. <br /><br />We need more focus on health, vitality, retraining etc. I don't think we are doomed if our population does not keep expanding at a rapid pace. I see great possibilities in expanding the productivity of each worker. <br /><br />BUT! I do think there is going to be a terrible "crunch" as countries like Italy, Japan and Russia transition through their periods of very low fertility. This will be hard. However, we must understand that their demographic pickle is not just a product of low birthrates, it is a product of low birthrates following a period of high birthrates and sinking death rates. <br /><br />Again, I am concerned that our run-up in population is dangerously and inextricably linked to our exploitation of fossil fuels, which are finite. <br /><br />The Green Revolution fed millions and averted major disaster worldwide, but it is well-known that this unparalleled increase in productivity in agriculture was highly dependent on the development of toxic pesticides and fertilizers created using cheap fossil fuel energy. As this energy becomes harder to access, the food will get more expensive. <br /><br />This will be very hard worldwide, especially for the poor. Of course we must do everything in our power to avoid worldwide famine, but I also sense that gradually declining--or even stable--Total Fertility Rates would be part of the solution. <br /><br />One idea I have to up the productivity of the oceans, is to find a way to build more reefs and man-made wetlands (floating)in the open oceans. Oceans are equivalent to deserts in terms of biological productivity. And, since about 70% of the earth is covered with ocean, we could possibly make some headway...but it might be a non-starter, as it would be very expensive (Deep Water Horizon comes to mind).<br /><br />Thanks! Also thanks for your clues about how I can get emails from the blog...sorry to be so dense!Marynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-82972250795562063002011-03-29T16:13:30.560-07:002011-03-29T16:13:30.560-07:00Downtowner, although I find some of the info on ov...Downtowner, although I find some of the info on overpopulation.org to be useful, I do think they exaggerate one stat.: the number of women dying from illegal abortions.<br /><br />Who is correct?<br />http://www.overpopulation.org/abortion.html#inDenial (scroll down to Mexico, where they (Reuters) claim abortion is the fourth leading cause of death for Mexican women)<br /><br />or<br />http://www.hli.org/index.php/condoms/336?task=view<br /><br />I really don't know the answer. Who does?Marynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-78136379078765362202011-03-29T08:47:32.077-07:002011-03-29T08:47:32.077-07:00Also, Mary, what kind of economic system could sus...Also, Mary, what kind of economic system could sustain an inverted (unnatural) pyramid of population? How can increasingly fewer young workers provide for increasing numbers of elderly and infirm?Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-21145279620209209172011-03-29T08:46:16.252-07:002011-03-29T08:46:16.252-07:00Mary, thank you! Yes, there is a debate about ener...Mary, thank you! Yes, there is a debate about energy for sure. We have plenty of coal, oil, natural gas, etc. Environmentalists (of the radical bent) don't want to tap into the earth's abundance. Yet, human ingenuity has always found a way to rise to the occasion. I will read your links and also discuss with my husband, who works with the utilities, including solar, coal, natural gas, nuclear. He has a pretty good background in that stuff.<br /><br />I'm gone the bulk of the day, but I look forward to reading more.Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-75859665285262097452011-03-29T07:47:58.226-07:002011-03-29T07:47:58.226-07:00Maggie, Leila and Joanna,
I have ordered Demograp...Maggie, Leila and Joanna,<br /><br />I have ordered Demographic Winter and will refrain from much further comment until watching it but it is ENTIRELY untrue that it does not have an agenda. The producers, filmmaker etc. are all right-wing Christians. I don't mean that in a terribly bad way, as I am Christian myself, but I would not consider myself terribly right-wing (and the term is used to disparage). <br /><br />I will watch it this week, but really, as a biologist the question is about energy and resource depletion. These countries with declining birthrates are terrified about what is going to happen to their ECONOMIC systems that are built on rapid demographic growth. Yes, maybe the economic systems are in peril, but perhaps that means that those systems are faulty to begin with, as they are contingent upon exponential growth. If, these men: www.paulchefurka.ca/Population.html <br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubbert_peak_theory<br /><br /> are correct, our rapid population expansion is entirely dependent upon energy sources, and will decline rapidly as the availability of easy-to-access, ENERGY-DENSE (remember that wind, solar, hydro are not energy dense), supplies dwindle. <br /><br />From what I can tell, most of the people interviewed for Demograhic Winter were DEMOGRAPHERS, not ECOLOGISTS or GEOLOGISTS or BIOLOGISTS, or PHYSICISTS. BUT!!!! I will stop now and go watch it for certain. Please do the same for the websites I listed.marynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-47984351915703108602011-03-28T22:17:37.629-07:002011-03-28T22:17:37.629-07:00Hi Anon. Hope,
It's true, sex is a powerful t...Hi Anon. Hope,<br /><br />It's true, sex is a powerful thing, and it makes us feel as close to God and another person as can be physically had on earth. But out of the proper order of marriage, it does leave you lonely and empty, because it's only a temporary "happiness." <br /><br />I pray that you will find your spouse! And until then, your true Spouse, Jesus is the perfect man. He can satisfy every longing of your heart.Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-49848542205838800192011-03-28T10:18:20.886-07:002011-03-28T10:18:20.886-07:00I'm Anon. Hope
Maggie, thanks for directing me...I'm Anon. Hope<br />Maggie, thanks for directing me to the Seraphic Singles blog.<br /><br />Leila, Yes, I'm Catholic. I started to tell my story. Because I just gave you a tiny piece of it, I'm not surprised that you got confused.<br /><br />Eventually I had a relationship and eventually I made love with my boyfriend. I kept telling him I was looking for a Catholic loophole before we made love. <br /><br />I thought about what if I conceived a child. I KNOW that birth control is not 100% effective. Seriously, I wondered if I could fit a crib in my one bedroom apartment. I had to consider STDs.<br /><br />Then I created a loophole in my mind. So I was not chaste. I was happy and felt loved and beautiful. I felt like God loved me for the first time ever. I am chaste now. I'm chaste and lonely.<br /><br />I would like to be married the next time round. <br /><br />From: Anon. HopeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-71989867312649572472011-03-25T14:15:27.352-07:002011-03-25T14:15:27.352-07:00downtowner, that is an interesting site. It's ...downtowner, that is an interesting site. It's a pro-abortion blog, and a radical environmentalist blog, and when I read stuff like this:<br /><br /><i>We must restructure the world economy, especially in energy. If there's a coal-fired power station near you, organise to close it down.</i><br /><br />I think "totalitarianism is coming". I mean, oh my. My husband is an energy expert (in the desert of Arizona no less) and this is straight up Leftism that the site is advocating.<br /><br />Could you do us a favor and give very specific numbers to refute what is being said by the demographers who warn of population dearth? Then we could have a conversation that would be meaningful.<br /><br />Thanks!Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-64155802938872291442011-03-25T14:09:44.144-07:002011-03-25T14:09:44.144-07:00I did a little research in the matter of world pop...I did a little research in the matter of world population growth and I found a very interesting site that I thought I would share with you all for a different perspective than the one you have been advocating. Hope you find it to be as interesting as I found your link:<br /><br />http://www.overpopulation.org/downtownerhttp://google.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-34927883335813758922011-03-25T12:18:23.862-07:002011-03-25T12:18:23.862-07:00Haven't read the whole thread of comments, but...Haven't read the whole thread of comments, but want to reply to Olya's comment about the Fathers of the Church and official Church doctrine, specifically in regard to Tertullian. <br /><br />Tertullian died officially separated from the Catholic Church. Discouraged with the Catholic Church and their forgiveness of mortal sin (which - in Tertullian's view - included a Christian's unwillingness or cowardice to become martyred for their faith) he invented a distinction between what he termed the "Spiritual Church" and the "Church of a bunch of bishops", and he joined the Monastic sect, first, and then finally, after finding fault with the Monastic sect too, invented his own sect, the Tertullianists (which lasted until St Augustine's time.) His earlier passionate and insightful writings about the faith, and his original coining of the term "Trinity" make him a valuable part of the early teachings of the Church, but his writings - as a whole - have never been considered (not even in his own time) official Church teachings.sweet janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16611623040938119059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-52321980589617972912011-03-25T11:48:11.570-07:002011-03-25T11:48:11.570-07:00L, here is a good place to start withs some facts ...L, here is a good place to start withs some facts and numbers:<br /><br />http://www.patientsrightscouncil.org/site/holland-background/Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-35211654443232847322011-03-25T11:47:08.532-07:002011-03-25T11:47:08.532-07:00L, do a little research on your own, as it will be...L, do a little research on your own, as it will be illuminating.<br /><br />Also, don't be gone for too long, as I hope to post "your" post by tonight or tomorrow!<br /><br />Blessings!Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-83302028138532384512011-03-25T11:43:24.858-07:002011-03-25T11:43:24.858-07:00Elisbeth - understood, but it is still a lot of sp...Elisbeth - understood, but it is still a lot of speculation. I am not saying you are wrong, I am saying to have a little faith that most cases are not so insidious. There is a distinction between "believed to be" without consent and "without consent." <br /> -L.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-51651324567549744442011-03-25T11:13:20.154-07:002011-03-25T11:13:20.154-07:00Euthanasia in the Netherlands is generally done wi...Euthanasia in the Netherlands is generally done with sodium triopethal (sp?) and pancuronium- although other combinations of drugs have been reported. The whys are theoretically clear – the person must be in suffering (courts have allowed clinical depression to fit this category), they must be at least 12 years old, they must be able to consent, etc.<br /><br />Given the number of unreported cases and the number of cases believed to have occurred without patient consent we have to assume that some percentage are done for medical or caregiver convenience. <br /><br />As for pediatric euthanasia – the Dutch say those with no chance for survival, those with a “poor prognosis” who require intensive care or who might experience poor quality of life or those who doctors and parents feel are suffering can be euthanized. Once criticism in North America of these standards is that it heavily impacts children born with Spina bifida, the effects of which American and Canadian doctors now routinely dress surgically. The other is that they are very subjective and thus easily manipulated. Here too is the concern for doctors behaving paternalistically and make decisions without parental consent.Elisbethhttp://catholicnest.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-41197476194682317802011-03-25T10:48:19.282-07:002011-03-25T10:48:19.282-07:00Elisabeth and Leila - Another time, let me know ex...Elisabeth and Leila - Another time, let me know exactly what you mean by euthanasia to infants and elderly. It sounds vague. Is this elderly person dying of emphysema and wants to let go on their own terms? Or is some evil cackling doctor giving them an injection when they've outstayed their welcome at the hospital? Is someone euthanizing their baby who cannot function or is brain-dead? Or is it some sort of post-partum "snap" on an otherwise healthy child? Or someone who doesn't want to have a child with downs syndrome? I am confused as to why you'd euthanise an infant. <br /><br />I know either way wouldn't jibe with you, but there is a difference between letting someone who is dying go on their own terms and smothering them with a pillow just because you've had enough of hearing their rattling breath. (BTW, not something I would do, no matter how painful it is to watch.) <br /><br />Anyway - have a great weekend, I have a lot to do myself - catch up with you all next week sometime. <br /><br />-L.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-24601205751477634472011-03-25T09:35:55.547-07:002011-03-25T09:35:55.547-07:00Hi L! I am with you, I really enjoy our challengi...Hi L! I am with you, I really enjoy our challenging but friendly conversations! I actually spent last night working on answering some of your questions from a past post. Got one in the queue before that, but stay tuned!<br /><br />I'm getting ready for a visit from my father-in-law for the weekend, but I will quickly say these few things:<br /><br /><i>And since I do not live in the Netherlands, I cannot speak for what is going on over there. I would say if you think that people are "offing their burdensome elderly" over there, you might want to investigate those claims a little deeper.</i><br /><br />I've actually been following their situation and laws there since the mid-'90s. (Is that long enough to be considered "digging deeper"?) Many of us watch with horrified interest as the slippery slope keeps getting slipperier (as religious conservatives predicted). Now there is involuntary euthanasia and infant euthanasia, etc. It's hard to get that genie back in the bottle, just like with abortion, "free love" (genital play based on urges), and every other moral morass.<br /><br />As for the elderly and the infirm: If you are truly talking about someone who is dying, then the Church has <i>no problem</i> with withholding extraordinary care. What the Church has a problem with is suicide, mercy killing/euthanasia. There is a huge moral difference. I am a stickler for distinctions. I hope to do a post on it soon, ha ha ha (my standard line, but it's true!)<br /><br />The time that everyone understood the Catholic view of sexuality was prior to the sexual revolution. The general population, young, old, black, white, poor, rich.... all understood that marriage was between a man and a woman. The thought of homosexuals "marrying" was not a blip on the screen. I remember when I was writing my column 16 years ago, it was not considered seriously by the mainstream. It all harkens back to the 1930s, and the acceptance of contraception by the first Christian body. That was the very beginnings of the end of the cultural understanding of the truth of sex and marriage. Even the secular media saw the writing on the wall and, just as the Catholic Church did, they condemned the move by the Anglicans. Here is <i>The Washington Post</i>, in an editorial on March 22, 1931:<br /><br /><b>“It is impossible to reconcile the doctrine of the divine institution of marriage with any modernistic plan for the mechanical regulation of or suppression of human life. The Church must either reject the plain teachings of the Bible or reject schemes for the ‘ scientific’ production of human souls.<br /><br />Carried to its logical conclusion, the committee’s report, if carried into effect, <i>would sound the death knell of marriage as a holy institution by establishing degrading practices which would encourage indiscriminate immorality.</i> The suggestion that the use of legalized contraceptives would be ‘ careful and restrained’ is preposterous.”</b><br /><br />emphasis mine. <br /><br />More when I can, and I would love to hear why we are having these talks, ha ha! Email me someday soon! littlecatholicbubble@gmail.comLeila@LittleCatholicBubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-79277972886730582432011-03-25T09:31:58.575-07:002011-03-25T09:31:58.575-07:00L
I know you directed this at Leila but I thought...L<br /><br />I know you directed this at Leila but I thought I would address the situation in the Netherlands. About 3% of deaths in the Netherlands are reported/documented cases of euthanasia. These numbers are under close scrutiny and even a number of non-religious medical sources feel there is significant under-reporting, if this were taken into account that would raise the number to somewhere between 6 & 9%. <br /><br />Another disturbing trend (more pronounced in Belgium than the Netherlands) is the rate of doctors who euthanize without patient knowledge or consent. <br /><br />There is also an issue of infanticide. As much as 8% of pediatric deaths in the Netherlands are cases of Euthanasia – both with and without parental consent and knowledge.Elisabethhttp://catholicnest.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-85212550219395830072011-03-25T09:08:21.069-07:002011-03-25T09:08:21.069-07:00Leila - one day I am going to write you a letter a...Leila - one day I am going to write you a letter about why I am here having these conversations. But not today, I don't have time... ha ha. Thank you for your willingness to go toe-to-toe with me and 'pushing buttons'. (Not that we're fighting - I don't think we are at all, even if we disagree.)And when you point out words I use in the wrong way - I meant vocation as a strong calling to a particular job or career. So rocket science, to me, may be someone's "calling." That is what I meant. <br /><br />And though I think sex is primarily special, sometimes it is about the genitals. (though I mean that in more of a self-type way, not a mindset with other people - with a few exceptions) And though I do respect your opinion on the matter, and understand it is coming from a place of holding sex and it's consequences as sacred, I am never going to be convinced that someone who doesn't want kids shouldn't have sex, period.<br /><br />"If everyone understood (as they used to)" <br />Can you tell me more about this notion? When was this time? <br /><br />and end of life, it would be in the case where the patient wants/takes it. NOT, "Oh I think Gramps has had enough and I don't feel like hanging out at the bedside anymore... so..." It would all have to be in writing, of course.I know suicide is a no-no in the Catholic Church, but I've been by a few bedsides already (some peaceful and some pretty gnarly) and can say I wouldn't stop someone who wanted to do that. <br /><br />And since I do not live in the Netherlands, I cannot speak for what is going on over there. I would say if you think that people are "offing their burdensome elderly" over there, you might want to investigate those claims a little deeper.<br /><br />-LAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240447238522390484.post-57380434952164377802011-03-24T20:56:13.003-07:002011-03-24T20:56:13.003-07:00college student, yet again I want to hug you! You ...college student, yet again I want to hug you! You are on a journey, just like the rest of us! We all stumble, fall, get up, and try again! God is merciful to us, happily, and we get so many chances! He is happy to meet us where we are, but like a good Father, He is easily pleased, but not easily satisfied. :)<br /><br />You are wonderfully self-aware, and that is so wonderful. It's a rarity. You are light years ahead of where I was in college....Leila@LittleCatholicBubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09357573787143230160noreply@blogger.com