Election pits reason against blind faith
Patrick Garner
Issue date: 10/25/04 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
President George W. Bush's religious faith is morally suspect. Because of Bush's religious beliefs, millions of people could suffer and die. His positions on stem cell research and abortion serve as perfect examples.
Bush and other Republicans have attempted to limit research on stem cells. Indeed, on Feb. 27, 2003, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted to ban embryonic stem cell research.
Loosely citing Biblical scripture, the Christian right argues stem cell research is wrong because it requires the destruction of microscopic human embryos, which could potentially become a human being. The Christian right feels even the destruction of a fertilized egg - which has a single cell - is a sin, because that fertilized egg could become a human being.
This logic is totally absurd because our knowledge of cloning tells us that any human cell could potentially be used to create a human being. Is the Christian right going to want to ban wiping one's butt or scratching one's nose, because some cells will inevitably be harmed?
There is good reason to doubt these microscopic embryos have any sense of pain or suffering when destroyed. But we do know millions of people around the world are suffering from heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, muscular dystrophy, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Because stem cells are a renewable source of tissues and organs, scientists believe stem cell research may relieve the suffering in the aforementioned medical conditions. Scientists also believe stem cell research could help people with severe spinal injuries, such as the late Christopher Reeve. Unfortunately, Bush and other Christian conservatives would rather see millions continue to suffer than have unfeeling embryos be destroyed.
I'm sure hundreds of people in the Macomb area alone suffer from the above ailments. If Bush has his way, their suffering would continue.
During his presidency, Bush also discontinued funding for overseas family planning that provides information about abortion. Because of his decision, many of the countries with the highest rates of AIDS are no longer being provided with condoms, which the United States had generously donated in the past.
Because conservative Christians feel it is a sin to have sex outside of marriage, one-third of the money intended for donation to Africa for AIDS prevention is funding these ridiculous abstinence programs that have no proven effect on curtailing sexual intercourse. Thousands of people may get AIDS and die because of Bush's faith.
Those who live in the United States are fortunate there are millions of people who strongly support the separation of church and state. Certainly religious power has been limited in the West, and Americans are much better off than the poor individuals living in Third World theocracies. Still, it's obvious we have a long way to go.
Your vote in November can help solidify the power of reason over faith.
Bush and other Republicans have attempted to limit research on stem cells. Indeed, on Feb. 27, 2003, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted to ban embryonic stem cell research.
Loosely citing Biblical scripture, the Christian right argues stem cell research is wrong because it requires the destruction of microscopic human embryos, which could potentially become a human being. The Christian right feels even the destruction of a fertilized egg - which has a single cell - is a sin, because that fertilized egg could become a human being.
This logic is totally absurd because our knowledge of cloning tells us that any human cell could potentially be used to create a human being. Is the Christian right going to want to ban wiping one's butt or scratching one's nose, because some cells will inevitably be harmed?
There is good reason to doubt these microscopic embryos have any sense of pain or suffering when destroyed. But we do know millions of people around the world are suffering from heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, muscular dystrophy, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Because stem cells are a renewable source of tissues and organs, scientists believe stem cell research may relieve the suffering in the aforementioned medical conditions. Scientists also believe stem cell research could help people with severe spinal injuries, such as the late Christopher Reeve. Unfortunately, Bush and other Christian conservatives would rather see millions continue to suffer than have unfeeling embryos be destroyed.
I'm sure hundreds of people in the Macomb area alone suffer from the above ailments. If Bush has his way, their suffering would continue.
During his presidency, Bush also discontinued funding for overseas family planning that provides information about abortion. Because of his decision, many of the countries with the highest rates of AIDS are no longer being provided with condoms, which the United States had generously donated in the past.
Because conservative Christians feel it is a sin to have sex outside of marriage, one-third of the money intended for donation to Africa for AIDS prevention is funding these ridiculous abstinence programs that have no proven effect on curtailing sexual intercourse. Thousands of people may get AIDS and die because of Bush's faith.
Those who live in the United States are fortunate there are millions of people who strongly support the separation of church and state. Certainly religious power has been limited in the West, and Americans are much better off than the poor individuals living in Third World theocracies. Still, it's obvious we have a long way to go.
Your vote in November can help solidify the power of reason over faith.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
comrent
comrent
posted 10/27/04 @ 4:01 PM CST
This guy is a real piece of work- comparing scratching one's rear with destroying innocent life. And then the standard argument which doesn't hold water- that embryonic stem cell research is a cure all, when in fact adult cells show much more promise. (Continued…)
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