Reproductive Rights

Okay, I am getting weary of hearing about “reproductive rights” and “a woman’s right to choose.”  Get real.  These are just code words.  Everyone knows we are talking about abortion.

We who are “of age” all understand where babies come from, right?  (Clue: storks and cabbage plants are not involved in any way.)  Let me speak plainly: whether or not to “have sex” is every healthy person’s choice, right or wrong.  Men, you have a right to choose whether to father a baby or not.  You choose whether to keep your pecker in your pants or not.  Women, you have a right to choose whether or not to grant male access to your reproductive accessories (not talking about rape here but consensual sexual intercourse).  Whether or not to use birth control is also a right.  But this is where your “right to choose” ends.

What none of us has a right to do is kill babies resulting from a failure to overcome craving with caution.  That’s just murder.  If, in the heat of passion, you choose to forego birth control…well…you may have made a baby you are responsible to care for in utero or out.  You did your choosing before the winning sperm penetrated the waiting egg.

If you don’t want the baby, then choose to give it to one of the thousands of couples who do.

Wiener or Loser?

Just a few thoughts prompted by congressman Wiener’s indiscretions:

1. 1. The congressman is not the first to lose his brain somewhere along the way regarding sexual matters.  I dare say most of us men have brainlessly given in (or been strongly tempted) to illicit sexual impulses.
2. A little sympathy is due to the man whose world has crumbled.  He has destroyed his career as a public figure.  He lives in a glass house and his indiscretions were, and ultimately are, public and potentially career-ending.  Shall we write him off or give him a chance to clean up his career and marriage?
3. You self-righteous politicians (on both sides of the aisle) need to shut up.  You know you are self-centered and politically motivated.  If something similar happened to you, what would you want others to “do unto you” as you have done?
4. Let us pause and remember politicians and presidents who have fornicated and committed adultery and are still lionized by those who know the history but have chosen to ignore it.  Do you need names here?  Of course not.
5. Did the congressman’s exposures need to be exposed?  Absolutely!  Such behavior on the part of a representative of the people must not be tolerated.  He didn’t just slip into lewd behavior, he dove head-first into it.
6. As you know, Mr. Wiener resigned publically amidst catcalls and insults.  Yes, his actions were uber despicable.  But, under tremendous pressure to resign, he did so.  Let him go in peace!  Time will tell if he’s learned any lessons.
7. Finally, what would Jesus do?  If you really want to know, read John 8:1-11.

Now it could be that none of my readers has ever come close to making a serious sexual mistake – even if it is only in your mind.  If that is the unlikely case, you apparently have permission to cast the first stone.  If not, then just go on about your business, leave the congressman alone and seek to be pure of mind and heart.

Is Mr. Wiener redeemable or incorrigible?  Since all I know is what I read in the papers or see on television, I don’t have a clue.  I do find myself, however, wishing that I could talk to him and see if he is open to the forgiveness and redemption that is in Christ Jesus.  I believe he might like the idea of “walking in newness of life.”

Date Night

My wife, visiting granddaughter and I just finished watching the much-heralded motion picture, Date Night starring Steve Carell and Tina Fey on our cable service.   Okay, we’re cheap.  It was rated PG13 which means that it may be inappropriate for children younger than 13 and even that should involve parental guidance.  Well, I am in my late 60’s and it was certainly inappropriate for me.  But then again, I have morals.

When did this culture decide that comedy had to be filthy?  This could have been an adventure in hilarity without the continual obscenities and references to male and female genitalia, anal sex, masturbation, group sex and prostitution.  These were not sexual innuendos, they were explicit references.  We tried to fast-forward through the sullied parts but it was so replete with smut that we were not completely successful.

Nothing in the trailers and interviews hinted at such shenanigans so we were unprepared for the dirty bits.  Shame on those responsible for this bit of cultural decadence and shame on me for not checking with some of the numerous Christian motion picture review sites!  I looked at them after watching the movie and realized the information that could have kept me from wasting my time and money with this crude mess was there for the reading.

While I was on the review sites, I decided to look up Eat, Pray, Love.  Thankfully, I now have enough information about this motion picture to Eat my own food, Pray to my one, almighty God and love my wife and family.  However, if you want to follow the antics of a self-centered, narcissistic, amoral person who deserts her devoted husband to “find herself,” this little gem is for you.

The Elephant in the Room

In all the discussions about sexual abuse of children by priests, no one seems to be talking about one of the chief reasons that pedophiles and homosexuals seem to be attracted to the Roman Catholic priesthood.  It is the “elephant in the room” that everyone seems to pretend is not really there.

The “room” is the Roman Catholic Church and the “elephant” is the requirement that priests be celibate.  Celibacy is a great choice for those who wish to give their lives to ministry.  It enables one to concentrate one’s undivided attention to prayer and the proclamation of the Word.  The word “choice,” however, is operative.  Nowhere is Scripture is celibacy required of anyone who wishes to serve God.  While the apostle, Paul, thought it better to remain unmarried (read 1 Corinthians 7), he also maintained the right “…to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas…” (1 Corinthians 9:5).

Every man has the right to marry, especially if remaining single might compromise his moral purity (that certainly would apply to yours truly).  And, allowing marriage is no sure cure for sexual abuse of children.  Nevertheless, to require celibacy of all men who seek to serve God is unnatural and anti-scriptural. That’s right, a law made by a council in the fourth century is in opposition to Holy Spirit inspired Scripture.  If that doesn’t make this requirement unnatural and ungodly, I don’t know what does.

Some are able to live celibate lives and remain pure (Matthew 19:10-12).  Only God knows for sure, but I’m confident that most priests in the Roman Catholic Church fit this description.  This does not change the fact that this requirement cannot be justified in light of divine revelation.  The elephant in the room needs to be recognized, acknowledged and driven out.

President and Prayer

I write this article as the votes for President of the United States are still being counted. We don’t know yet who will be the chief executive of this declining nation. We do know there has been great fear.

I won’t begin to categorize the fears but the response of many evangelicals has been to fall on their knees in prayer. Prayer is always a good thing. But will prayer change the vote? Would God manipulate the supporter of one candidate to vote for the other “divinely chosen” one? Sorry to be such a heretic, but prayer right before the election is a matter of “too little too late.” I certainly believe that Christians ought to bring this election (and all elections) to the throne.  We need to remember, however, that God does not change people against their will.

As I wrote my daughter a few days ago, our nation is, as the phrase aptly describes, “slipping its moral moorings.”  What happens on Election Day will be a reflection of this.   I am more concerned about our overt approval of homosexual lifestyles, abortion, and the erosion of civility and ethics than who becomes president.   If McCain or Obama is elected to preside over an increasingly immoral nation, not much has been accomplished.

Unless something happens to draw the citizens of our nation into a relationship with their Creator, we are in big trouble. Prayer draws upon the power of heaven to do God’s will. He has told us what His will is…reconcile men and women to Him who loves them.  We steadfastly refuse to do it!  While we have hidden in our buildings holding “worship services,” Satan has been winning the hearts and minds of those we have ignored.  Our prayer ought to be that God’s people will finally do God’s will.

None of this will, of course, make sure that we get the right president. But does it really matter? After Election Day Jesus will still be the same. The job He gave us will still be the same. We need to pray our prayers and then get up off our knees and do that job!