Misguided
By Adam Woodworth
I recently saw a news story on my Yahoo home page that was titled, “Rev. Falwell decries stem cell research.” In it, Falwell cited his belief that life begins at conception and said he opposes stem cell research even though it shows great medical promise. He said that “any medical research must pass a three-part test: “Is it ethically correct? Is it biblically correct? Is it morally correct?”
In case you missed it, Rev. Falwell says we must ask if the medical research in question is biblically correct. Herein lies the problem. Reverend Falwell makes an assumption that scientific research has to use the Bible as one “test” to see if they can move forward with the research. Reverend Falwell fails to accept that we are a nation of diversity when it comes to our religious beliefs. He continues to believe the myth that we are a “Christian” nation ruled by the laws of his God.
And, perhaps we used to be. Times have changed, Reverend. For you to even suggest that the Bible be used as a tool in any medical research is simply ridiculous. I’d be saying the same thing about any religious text. Science and religious belief must be kept separate. Science will always challenge and contradict faith. Religion will always contradict science.
We are no longer a nation ruled by Christianity. Perhaps we are one nation under God for some, but for others we may be one nation under Allah, or one nation under the moon. The religious shift is taking place in this country and it will continue to change.
The patriots of this country say we are a country united. This country is united in name only. We are a country divided by race, culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation and disability and we will continue to be divided until each and every one of us reaches out to each other, across the dividing lines, embrace each other and say, “I accept you for who you are.” But, it isn’t just about saying it, you also have to believe it in your heart. And, that is difficult for people like Reverend Jerry Falwell and others like him.
Personally, I think that before people like Reverend Jerry Falwell get any type of publicity, the publicity must pass a three-part test of its own: First, if it is on the television, can I change the channel? Second, if it is in the paper, can I turn the page? Third, how long do I have to see it in the news?
I’m all for free speech, so I say give Reverend Falwell his fifteen minutes of fame. It simply proves my point everytime people like Reverend Falwell get a little air time.
http://www.adamwoodworth.info/
I recently saw a news story on my Yahoo home page that was titled, “Rev. Falwell decries stem cell research.” In it, Falwell cited his belief that life begins at conception and said he opposes stem cell research even though it shows great medical promise. He said that “any medical research must pass a three-part test: “Is it ethically correct? Is it biblically correct? Is it morally correct?”
In case you missed it, Rev. Falwell says we must ask if the medical research in question is biblically correct. Herein lies the problem. Reverend Falwell makes an assumption that scientific research has to use the Bible as one “test” to see if they can move forward with the research. Reverend Falwell fails to accept that we are a nation of diversity when it comes to our religious beliefs. He continues to believe the myth that we are a “Christian” nation ruled by the laws of his God.
And, perhaps we used to be. Times have changed, Reverend. For you to even suggest that the Bible be used as a tool in any medical research is simply ridiculous. I’d be saying the same thing about any religious text. Science and religious belief must be kept separate. Science will always challenge and contradict faith. Religion will always contradict science.
We are no longer a nation ruled by Christianity. Perhaps we are one nation under God for some, but for others we may be one nation under Allah, or one nation under the moon. The religious shift is taking place in this country and it will continue to change.
The patriots of this country say we are a country united. This country is united in name only. We are a country divided by race, culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation and disability and we will continue to be divided until each and every one of us reaches out to each other, across the dividing lines, embrace each other and say, “I accept you for who you are.” But, it isn’t just about saying it, you also have to believe it in your heart. And, that is difficult for people like Reverend Jerry Falwell and others like him.
Personally, I think that before people like Reverend Jerry Falwell get any type of publicity, the publicity must pass a three-part test of its own: First, if it is on the television, can I change the channel? Second, if it is in the paper, can I turn the page? Third, how long do I have to see it in the news?
I’m all for free speech, so I say give Reverend Falwell his fifteen minutes of fame. It simply proves my point everytime people like Reverend Falwell get a little air time.
http://www.adamwoodworth.info/
Comments
He's like Pacman trying to eat the whole universe filled with fried chicken and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
What the bible says about abortion (from skepticsannotatedbible.com):
• Abortion is not murder. A fetus is not considered a human life.
"If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life." - Exodus 21:22-23
• The Bible places no value on fetuses or infants less than one month old:
"And if it be from a month old even unto five years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male five shekels of silver, and for the female thy estimation shall be three shekels of silver." - Leviticus 27:6
• Fetuses and infants less than one month old are not considered persons:
"Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them. And Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD." - Numbers 3:15-16
-Stan, Yale undergrad
Whether one skim-reads their Holy text, or whether they read it verbatim---all religious belief is entirely subjective. What we see is a gazillion religions/sects/denominations, ALL claiming to have the undeniable absolute "Truth". The problem with that is blatant.
"..and to the atheist or secular-humanist, read or learn into the whole of mutiple religions, and belief systems before you go trying to disprove the existance of the supernatural or the divine."
No one is saying a supernatural being is "disproven", only UNproven. There's a difference. One needn't study the "whole" of all the world's religions to hold this position---a position of neutrality. Thank ya.
-boomSLANG, Life-undergrad
Mary was molested and raped by the Godhead of her church, therefore her priest had to quickly concoct a story about visitation of angels from God, because her priest, Mary and Joseph would have been stoned to death immediately after Mary had announced her pregnancy. The priest knew that Joseph and all others would quickly accept the story of visitation of angels.
Since Joseph and Mary were espoused to be married (but not married) Joseph could not confess the child to be his, because they would have been stoned immediately, but Mary knew that the priest had molested and raped her, but could not tell anyone about this, not even Joseph, so she and her priest concocted the whole story about visitation of angels and the coming messiah Jesus Christ the long awaited personal savior.
Jesus too thought that he was sent by god, because he had been told that he was, every day since he was born, (plus, the Three Wise Men said he was,) thus the story of Jesus is the biggest hoax ever been devised in the history of the world, just because millions of people want to believe the Jesus story, does not in no way prove that it is true.
If you think the frying in hell for eternity is weird from a God that loves us, how about his slipping into the tent of a virgin girl, and knocking her up so that she would give birth to a son, who was him, so he could be sacrificed to himself, to atone for the breaking of rules that he invented himself.
Did you know it's not against the law to tell a lie? A lot of people know this, and use this knowledge to their advantage including politicians and preachers.
Did Mary tell a lie when she said she was a virgin? Did Mary tell a lie when she said that she had been visited by an Angel?
How come no one living has seen an Angel, except Mary and Joseph in over 2000 years? Butterflies were called Angels at that time.
Did Mary tell the story about a visitation of an Angel just to save her and Joseph from being stoned to death? It worked!!
This story was inspired by common reasoning and truth, which one do you find more believable?
Which story do you prefer to believe? Which story has more probability of being true? Mary inseminated by an Angel or Mary raped by her priest?
Which story has the most probability of being the truth?
A story that a rational thinking living being wrote, or a story that
fear stricken Opium head gypsy's that wrote on papyrus 2000 years ago, keep in mind that the people that wrote the Bible thought that the world was flat, and sat on a pillar and a giant turtle pushed the Sun across the sky every day and that the Earth was the center of the Universe, and that god and heaven was in the clouds above, and that the heart was the center of all thought and emotion, surely a god would have known that the brain is the center of all thought and emotion???
If you believe that god and Jesus are in the clouds above, then they are getting chopped up every day by jet and propeller aircraft.
Have you ever really took the time to think about how insane religious beliefs really are, or are you so afraid to think differently, because you've been so scared by the threats of an eternal hell by the money grubbing preachers that you are so scared and live in constant fear and guilt?
I'd rather come back as a doodle bug!
That would explain why he hates science so much, because it creates monsters like himself.
lol
What is your source of this story about Mary and the Priest raping her? I have never heard it.
Why would Mary, the Priest AND Joseph be stoned to death? That does not seem in line with th mizvot.
But then again I didn't go to Yale.
Hickory
I think you are wrong. Could you provide your source for this "law"?
Was Mary the only one to be in this situation and come up with such a clever ruse and her illigitimate son carried on the plot to his death?
Hickory
Since you have access to a computer, try using it to learn something.
goto: http://www.amitiesquebec-israel.org/texts/stoning.html
Jesus even supposedly said, let the one without sin, cast the first stone, do you think Jesus just invented this type of punnishment?
Take a peek out of your religious Hickory box, and try to learn something!!!
Go to my blog to get an education, click on my name above, and read the entire blog, but I know you will not!!!
And come back and tell me I'm wrong!!!
Why do you call me a fool? I never said I belived anything other tahn I think you are mistaken about the origins of the virgin birth story and you have yet to show me any source for your claim.
The stoning link you provide took me to a site talking about stoning in Iran by Muslims. What does that have to do with Mary and Joseph?
If Mary wasn't married she wasn't an adultress and so wouldn't be stoned. Especially if the "priest" you mentioned was single. He would be required to marry her.
I will now try to go to your blog.
I have been out of town is why I haven't replied earlier.
Be civil!
hickory
I did not know that exchristian was your web page.
It certainly is diffrent than your blog.
This web page is much more intelligent than the rambling rhetoric on your blog.
Mary visited a Nun? I did not know there were Jewish nuns!
I never said if I was religious or not yet you think I am in a box. Why?
All I ask was where did you get the story about Mary and you began attacking me.
Obiviously you are too full of yourself to carry a civil discussion and answer reasonable questions.
I don't think this is your web site.
Peace!
Hickory
Mind if I call you BS for short?
What program are you studying religions in at Yale? Juast curious why a 52 y.o. would be studying religion at Yale if he wasn't in seminary.
hickory
Long commute from Alabama to Yale isn't?
And I thought you were in search of TRUTH.
Hickory
BTW, if you don't mind me askin'--what religious/non-religious philosophy to you subscribe to, if any? Thanks in advance.
Does Hickory stand for dense in the brain, as like a peace of wood?
You seem alot Tense, you on medication?
What is so significant about Yale, does one having graduated from Yale make one brilliant or a bible scholar?
Did Jesus or Mohammad or Buddha, graduate from Yale?
Besides how do you know there were no Jewish Nuns, where you there?
If you were not so in love with your ego self, you would have realized that a woman being stoned in this century, regardless of where it's being done or to whom, you must realize, although it's hard, that 2000 years ago women with babies born out of wedlock were stoned to death.
Who was Mary married to? Pick one, 1. Joseph, 2. Her Preist, 3. God, 4. Jesus? bzzzzzzt~~answer! None of the above!!! You lose, next fundy please!!!
Mary was not married! Get It!!!
She was raped by her: Pick one! Preist, Preacher, Rabbi, Monk, Cardinal, Vicar, Bishop, Pope, Papal, Rabbi, her Father, Pontiff, Pastor, her Brother, her Uncle her Grandpa, her Psychologist, her Gynocologist, a Holy Ghost.
Answer---a religious official!!!
Of all the answers above, which one would appear to you to be the most probable in your intellectual honesty of all reality? Hint!!! A religious official!!!!
Why are you so afraid to find out that your stupid beliefs are false?
You've been out of town, have you been wondering along in the desert all this time?
Hick: (This web page is much more intelligent than the rambling rhetoric on your blog.
All I ask was where did you get the story about Mary and you began attacking me.
Obiviously you are too full of yourself to carry a civil discussion and answer reasonable questions.)
Me:
Could you please post where I attacked you? Perhaps I made you think, which I could see how you would think I'm attacking you, it's more like I'm Persecuting You, wouldn't you think? There it is again!!!
Your reaction is very typical, I know it hurts, we live in a world with millions just like you...so sad :-(
You sound like a scared, confused little boy, where is your fear founded?
Your dear friend, Stanley, Ben
Looking back I can see where they might or might not be the same person.
I am an agnostic of Catholic background.
I am not trying to defend the biblical story of Mary as BS seems to think - I am saying his story is just as made up as the bible story. All I did was ask for his source for HIS story and he ranted about how I should read hsi blog and learn something. Isee only more rantings there.
BS are you the same Stan? If not my apologies for my confusion.
Maybe I shouldn't have said attack. You just are less than civil in your discussion. Where did I say I was a believer?
Don't you get it. It is truth we are after. If I am wrong about something ( and frankly I have not propsed anything so far for you to have to try and prove me wrong as you seem wont to do) I will be glad - in fact ecstatic - so that I may know the truth.
But you have just replaced one fable with another of your own making. AGAIN what is the source for YOUR Mary story.
Hickory
Your wrote
"Besides how do you know there were no Jewish Nuns, where you there?"
No I wasn't - but of all I have read I have never come across any mention of "Jewish Nuns". If you can show me evidence I will admit my ignorance, will have learned something and will thank you for enlightening me. Till then I say your are just blowing hot air to see yourself in print.
On your blog you wrote regarding your Mary story
"I wrote it on the presumption of what most likely really happened, instead of a cover up to make everyone look like they were Saintly and pure, by pretending to have ties with God, this guaranteed their safety."
And on this thread you write:
"Who was Mary married to? Pick one, 1. Joseph, 2. Her Preist, 3. God, 4. Jesus? bzzzzzzt~~answer! None of the above!!! You lose, next fundy please!!!
Mary was not married! Get It!!!
She was raped by her: Pick one! Preist, Preacher, Rabbi, Monk, Cardinal, Vicar, Bishop, Pope, Papal, Rabbi, her Father, Pontiff, Pastor, her Brother, her Uncle her Grandpa, her Psychologist, her Gynocologist, a Holy Ghost.
Answer---a religious official!!! "
How do you know that. You don't. You admit to making it up.
More than likely what happened was more along the lines of a Man - who we'll call Joseph and a woman - who we'll call Mary - were married and had a child in the usual natural way.
This child - a boy we'll call Jesus - grew up and became a preacher. At some point he was killed and later followers of his ideas made up stories - borrowed in part from earlier god myths - about him. How he was born of a virgin, escaped death as an infant, etc.
That is probably more in line with the truth than your made up vitriolic story.
However after reading some more of your blog I see your bitterness. I just don't see how making up stories as mythical as the ones you are trying to disprove works for your cause.
hickory
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