A public school teacher was arrested today at John F. Kennedy International airport as he attempted to board a flight while in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a compass, a slide-rule and a calculator. At a morning press conference, Attorney General Eric Holder said he believes the man is a member of the notorious Al-Gebra movement. He did not identify the man, who has been charged by the FBI with carrying weapons of math instruction. ‘Al-Gebra is a problem for us’, the Attorney General said. ‘They derive solutions by means and extremes, and sometimes go off on tangents in search of absolute values.’ They use secret code names like ‘X’ and ‘Y’ and refer to themselves as ‘unknowns’, but we have determined that they belong to a common denominator of the axis of medieval with coordinates in every country. As the Greek philanderer Isosceles used to say, ‘There are 3 sides to every triangle’.
When asked to comment on the arrest, President Obama said, ‘If God had wanted us to have better weapons of math instruction, he would have given us more fingers and toes.’ White House aides told reporters they could not recall a more intelligent or profound statement by the President. It is believed that another Nobel Prize will follow.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Who believes in a one world government?
One of the big fears that Christians often attribute to Muslims is that their religion demands that Muslims take over the world. I am not sure why this seems to be unusual to Christians. After all, what is humorous about this is that Christianity has the same requirement and goal. In fact, since the bible, in the book of Revelations, states that Jesus will return to earth and usher in a one world government, it is absurd for them to claim anything differently. According to the Dictionary of the Bible Revelation "accurately foretells what will happen in the last days of history before the end of the world." The Illustrated Bible Dictionary is of similar opinion: "happenings that will take place in connection with the second coming of the Lord . . . leads up to the final establishment of the rule of God. The Book of Revelation envisages terrific opposition to God and the believers, but that in the end God will triumph over every evil thing. Let us not forget what is stated in Philippians 2:10: "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and
under the earth". After all, Revelations also says the following: "The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”. That is pretty straightforward, without much room for ambiguity.
Now, I am sure that in their mind the difference is that Muslims worship a false god and Christians worship the one true god, therefore, there is a huge difference between the two. However, as with most of the supposed differences between Islam and Christianity, there is no real difference here at all.
So, what can we expect this reign of Jesus to be like? After all, Jesus is a kind and loving person, right? Actually, contrary to the idea of Jesus being a gentle, loving person who cares for all mankind, the bible actually presents a different image. Here in Revelation 9, we have a description of what Jesus has planned for all the unbelievers.
"The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. 2 When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. 3 And out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. 4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 They were not allowed to kill them but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes. 6 During those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.
7 The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. 8 Their hair was like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. 9 They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. 10 They had tails with stingers, like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months. 11 They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon (that is, Destroyer).
12 The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to come.
13 The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns of the golden altar that is before God. 14 It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 The number of the mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand. I heard their number.
17 The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. 18 A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. 19 The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury.
20 The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.
Now, I am sure that in their mind the difference is that Muslims worship a false god and Christians worship the one true god, therefore, there is a huge difference between the two. However, as with most of the supposed differences between Islam and Christianity, there is no real difference here at all.
So, what can we expect this reign of Jesus to be like? After all, Jesus is a kind and loving person, right? Actually, contrary to the idea of Jesus being a gentle, loving person who cares for all mankind, the bible actually presents a different image. Here in Revelation 9, we have a description of what Jesus has planned for all the unbelievers.
"The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. 2 When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. 3 And out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. 4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 They were not allowed to kill them but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes. 6 During those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.
7 The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. 8 Their hair was like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. 9 They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. 10 They had tails with stingers, like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months. 11 They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon (that is, Destroyer).
12 The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to come.
13 The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns of the golden altar that is before God. 14 It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 The number of the mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand. I heard their number.
17 The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. 18 A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. 19 The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury.
20 The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
What makes a good marriage according to the bible?
Proverbs 18:22
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord
(Ok, a man needs to find his own wife and doing this is a good thing)
Proverbs 19:14
House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
(So, even though a man needs to find his own wife, god will provide a prudent wife to just some people. Obviously, not all wife's are prudent)
Eph. 5:23-32
For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of his body, the church; he gave his life to be her Savior. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives must submit to your husbands in everything.
And you husbands must love your wives with the same love Christ showed the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by baptism and God's word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man is actually loving himself when he loves his wife. No one hates his own body but lovingly cares for it, just as Christ cares for his body, which is the church. And we are his body.
As the Scriptures say, "A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one." This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.
(So, the man is in charge, but it is a mystery how they become one flesh. I think it has to do with the begetting part of the bible)
Romans 7:1-3
Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.
(It is ok for a widow to marry another. But as we will see later, that will be a problem, since a man should only marry a virgin)
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord
(Ok, a man needs to find his own wife and doing this is a good thing)
Proverbs 19:14
House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
(So, even though a man needs to find his own wife, god will provide a prudent wife to just some people. Obviously, not all wife's are prudent)
Eph. 5:23-32
For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of his body, the church; he gave his life to be her Savior. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives must submit to your husbands in everything.
And you husbands must love your wives with the same love Christ showed the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by baptism and God's word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man is actually loving himself when he loves his wife. No one hates his own body but lovingly cares for it, just as Christ cares for his body, which is the church. And we are his body.
As the Scriptures say, "A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one." This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.
(So, the man is in charge, but it is a mystery how they become one flesh. I think it has to do with the begetting part of the bible)
Romans 7:1-3
Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.
(It is ok for a widow to marry another. But as we will see later, that will be a problem, since a man should only marry a virgin)
1 Peter 3:1-5, 7
Likewise, you wives should be subordinate to your husbands so that, even if some disobey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives' conduct when they observe your reverent and chaste behavior.
Your adornment should not be an external one: braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or dressing in fine clothes, but rather the hidden character of the heart, expressed in the imperishable beauty of a gentle and calm disposition, which is precious in the sight of God. For this is also how the holy women who hoped in God once used to adorn themselves and were subordinate to their husbands;
Likewise, you husbands should live with your wives in understanding, showing honor to the weaker female sex, since we are joint heirs of the gift of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
(Men are in charge, even if they are unbelievers)
1 Corinthians 7:12-15
To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.
(Having a spouse who does not believe will not effect the children. Good to know)
2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?(However, one should never be with an unbeliever)
1 Corinthians 7:1-40
Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.(Actually, men should not have sex at all. But since they have no self control, they should at least be married)
1 Corinthians 7:24-40
So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God. Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. ...
(Once again, men should not be married. But if they have already gotten married, they will need to suffer through it)
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ...
(But if you do not find love, you will not have it all)
Proverbs 21:9
It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
(Check, stay away from fussy women. But what if the quarrelsome wife is prudent? Would she still be a gift from god)
Proverbs 21:19
It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.
(There are some spouses that a person cannot live with even in the corner of the housetop. You need to get as far away as possible. But do not divorce them, of course.)
1 Corinthians 6:16
Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.”
(If you marry a prostitute, you still become one flesh. I would think there would be a lot more flesh in that marriage equation, but I digress)
Leviticus 21:7
They shall not marry a prostitute or a woman who has been defiled, neither shall they marry a woman divorced from her husband, for the priest is holy to his God.
(But, one should not marry a prostitute, or someone who has been raped, or someone divorced. Check)
Matthew 19:2-9
And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” ...
(Ok, no divorces allowed)
Matthew 5:32
But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
(Well, except if that woman is sleeping around. Afterall, there has to some guidelines. Fair is fair.)
Leviticus 20:14
If a man takes a woman and her mother also, it is depravity; he and they shall be burned with fire, that there may be no depravity among you.
(Ok, no threesomes with a mother and daughter. Did that really need to be commanded?????)
(If you marry a prostitute, you still become one flesh. I would think there would be a lot more flesh in that marriage equation, but I digress)
Leviticus 21:7
They shall not marry a prostitute or a woman who has been defiled, neither shall they marry a woman divorced from her husband, for the priest is holy to his God.
(But, one should not marry a prostitute, or someone who has been raped, or someone divorced. Check)
Matthew 19:2-9
And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” ...
(Ok, no divorces allowed)
Matthew 5:32
But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
(Well, except if that woman is sleeping around. Afterall, there has to some guidelines. Fair is fair.)
Leviticus 20:14
If a man takes a woman and her mother also, it is depravity; he and they shall be burned with fire, that there may be no depravity among you.
(Ok, no threesomes with a mother and daughter. Did that really need to be commanded?????)
Leviticus 21:13-15
And he shall take a wife in her virginity. A widow, or a divorced woman, or a woman who has been defiled, or a prostitute, these he shall not marry. But he shall take as his wife a virgin of his own people, that he may not profane his offspring among his people, for I am the Lord who sanctifies him.”
(A wife must be a virgin and from his own people)
1 Timothy 5:14
So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.
(Whom are these widows getting married to since a man should only marry a virgin?)
Genesis 20:9-16
Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done.” And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you did this thing?” Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife. Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father though not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife. And when God caused me to wander from my father's house, I said to her, ‘This is the kindness you must do me: at every place to which we come, say of me, He is my brother.’” ...
(Marrying one's sister is ok?)
Luke 20:28
And they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.
(So, if he has his own children, the widow and her children are on their own)
Mark 12:19-23
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no offspring. And the second took her, and died, leaving no offspring. And the third likewise. And the seven left no offspring. Last of all the woman also died. In the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife.”(How would you like to be brother number seven in this love story?)
Sarah Palin is not running for President
Sarah Palin, former Alaska governor and Tea Party favorite, announced Wednesday that she is not running for president, saying, "my family comes first."
She revealed her intentions on a conservative talk-radio show.
In a statement she issued to the Mark Levin Show and read by Levin on the air, Palin said:
"After much prayer and serious consideration, I have decided that I will not be seeking 2012 GOP nomination for president of the United states. As always, my family comes first and obviously Todd and I put great consideration into family life before making this decision."
She added: "I believe that at this time I can be more effective in a decisive role to help elect other true public servants to office — from the nation's governors to congressional seats and the presidency."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44793302/ns/politics-decision_2012/?GT1=43001
Well, this comes as no surprise. Sarah Palin has never given any serious consideration to running for president this year. She is having too much fun sitting on the sidelines, taking pot shots at others, making huge amounts of money and trying to strengthen her credentials as a king maker.
She showed her lack of resolve to handle stress when she quit the governorship of Alaska during her first term when the attacks on her became more than she could stomach.
However, I was amused by this part of her speech. "---to help elect other true public servants" She obviously does not consider herself to be a true public servant.
She revealed her intentions on a conservative talk-radio show.
In a statement she issued to the Mark Levin Show and read by Levin on the air, Palin said:
"After much prayer and serious consideration, I have decided that I will not be seeking 2012 GOP nomination for president of the United states. As always, my family comes first and obviously Todd and I put great consideration into family life before making this decision."
She added: "I believe that at this time I can be more effective in a decisive role to help elect other true public servants to office — from the nation's governors to congressional seats and the presidency."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44793302/ns/politics-decision_2012/?GT1=43001
Well, this comes as no surprise. Sarah Palin has never given any serious consideration to running for president this year. She is having too much fun sitting on the sidelines, taking pot shots at others, making huge amounts of money and trying to strengthen her credentials as a king maker.
She showed her lack of resolve to handle stress when she quit the governorship of Alaska during her first term when the attacks on her became more than she could stomach.
However, I was amused by this part of her speech. "---to help elect other true public servants" She obviously does not consider herself to be a true public servant.
Islam- the religion of peace?
Muslims Against Crusades” (MAC) — a radical Islamic website that vows to “expose the enemies of Islam” — featured a front page article on Monday titled “Is the Assassination of President Obama Legal?”
The article’s closing paragraphs pose that very question to “the West,” asking if the president’s death would be “justified” given his “horrific track record against Islam and Muslims.”
MAC, a British, radical Islamic group that believes its adherents are not “obliged to obey the law of the land in whatever country they reside,” was founded in 2010 by Abu Assadullah. Notorious cleric Anjem Choudary, who once called for the execution of the Pope, is also associated with MAC.
http://patriotupdate.com/12974/islamic-website-is-the-assassination-of-obama-legal
The article’s closing paragraphs pose that very question to “the West,” asking if the president’s death would be “justified” given his “horrific track record against Islam and Muslims.”
MAC, a British, radical Islamic group that believes its adherents are not “obliged to obey the law of the land in whatever country they reside,” was founded in 2010 by Abu Assadullah. Notorious cleric Anjem Choudary, who once called for the execution of the Pope, is also associated with MAC.
http://patriotupdate.com/12974/islamic-website-is-the-assassination-of-obama-legal
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Is circumcision necessary?
DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT TO CIRCUMCISE YOUR SON?
Circumcision is a painful, risky, unethical surgery that deprives over a million boys each year of healthy, functional tissue, while wasting health care dollars that could be spent on medically necessary services. Learn more about the myths and facts of infant circumcision, visit our Resources page, read the "Ten Reasons NOT to Circumcise Your Baby Below" below – and learn why you should keep your newborn son intact.
10 Reasons NOT to Circumcise Your Baby Boy
1.Because there is no medical reason for "routine" circumcision of baby boys. No professional medical association in the United States or the rest of the world recommends routine neonatal circumcision. The American Medical Association calls it "non-therapeutic." At no time in its 75 years has the American Academy of Pediatrics ever recommended infant circumcision.
2.Because the foreskin is not a birth defect. The foreskin is a normal, sensitive, functional part of the body. In infant boys, the foreskin is attached to the head of the penis (glans), protects it from urine, feces, and irritation, and keeps contaminants from entering the urinary tract. The foreskin also has an important role in sexual pleasure, due to its specialized, erogenous nerve endings and its natural gliding and lubricating functions.
3.Because you wouldn't circumcise your baby girl. In the United States, girls of all ages are protected by federal and state laws from forced genital surgery, whether practiced in medical or non-medical settings, and regardless of the religious or cultural preferences of their parents. There is no ethical rationale for distinguishing between female and male genital alteration. If it is wrong to remove part of a baby girl's healthy genitals, then it is wrong to do the same to those of a baby boy.
4.Because your baby does not want to be circumcised. Circumcision painfully and permanently alters a baby boy's genitals, removing healthy, protective, functional tissue from the penis and exposing the child to unnecessary pain and medical risks –for no medical benefit. What do you think your baby boy would say if he could tell you?
5.Because removing part of a baby's penis is painful, risky, and harmful. We know babies are sensitive to pain. Many circumcisions are performed with no analgesic, but even when pain control is employed, the pain is not eliminated. As with any surgery, complications can and do occur with circumcision. These include infection, abnormal bleeding, removal of too much skin, loss of all or part of the glans, urinary problems, and even death. All circumcisions result in the loss of the foreskin and its functions, and leave a penile scar.
6.Because times and attitudes have changed. The circumcision rate in the United States is now below 40% (and much lower in some parts of the country), down from 81% in 1981. More than 60% of all baby boys in the U.S. leave the hospital intact, as more and more parents realize that circumcision is unnecessary and wrong.
7.Because most medically advanced nations do not circumcise baby boys. People in Europe, Asia and Latin America are often appalled to hear that American doctors and hospitals remove part of a boy's penis shortly after birth. Approximately 75% of the men in the world are not circumcised and remain intact throughout their lives.
8.Because caring for and cleaning the foreskin is easy. A natural, intact penis requires no special care, beyond gentle washing while bathing. Later, when the foreskin can be retracted (something that often does not occur until adolescence), a boy can be taught to pull back his foreskin to wash his penis. Forcible retraction of the foreskin results in pain and injury, and should not be done. Read our Foreskin Care flyer for more information.
9.Because circumcision does not prevent HIV or other diseases. Over the years, the claims that circumcision prevents various diseases have repeatedly been proven to be exaggerated or outright fabrications. Most men in the United States are circumcised, but our STD rates are as high as or higher than those in countries where circumcision is rare.
10.Because children should be protected from permanent bodily alteration inflicted on them without their consent in the name of culture, religion, profit, or parental preference. Under accepted bioethical principles, parents can consent to surgery on behalf of a child only if it is necessary to protect the child's life or health. "Routine" circumcision fails this test because it painfully and permanently removes a normal and healthy part of a boy's penis, does not protect the child’s life or health, and in fact creates new risks. Removing the foreskin is no more justified than removing a finger or any other healthy body part.
http://www.intactamerica.org/resources/decision
Here are some other considerations:
1. Worldwide prevalence: Over 80% of the world's males are intact. Most circumcised males are Muslims. No national medical organization in the world recommends routine circumcision of male infants. (See Circumcision Policies in English-Speaking Countries.)
2. Pain: According to a comprehensive study, newborn responses to pain are "similar to but greater than those observed in adult subjects." Circumcision is extremely painful and traumatic. Some infants do not cry because they go into traumatic shock from the overwhelming pain of the surgery. No experimental anesthetic has been found to be safe and effective in preventing circumcision pain in infants. (See Infant Responses to Circumcision.)
3. Behavioral response: Various studies have found that short-term effects of circumcision include changed sleep patterns, activity level, and mother-infant interaction, more irritability, and disruptions in feeding and bonding. Long-term effects have not been studied. Changes in pain response have been demonstrated at six months of age. (See Infant Responses to Circumcision.)
4. Circumcision risks: The rate of complications occurring in the hospital and during the first year has been documented as high as 38% and includes hemorrhage, infection, surgical injury, and in rare cases, death.
5. Cleanliness: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that "there is little evidence to affirm the association between circumcision status and optimal penile hygiene." "The uncircumcised penis is easy to keep clean. . . . Caring for your son's uncircumcised penis requires no special action. . . . Foreskin retraction should never be forced."
6. Sexually transmitted diseases: According to the AAP, "Evidence regarding the relationship of circumcision to sexually transmitted diseases in general is complex and conflicting. . . . Behavioral factors appear to be far more important risk factors." (See Explaining Claims of Medical Benefits.)
7. Matching friends: The 2009 national circumcision rate is 32.5%, less than 25% in some states. Though past circumcision rates were higher, there is no documented emotional harm to intact boys. To the contrary, there are growing reports from men who have disliked being circumcised since they were boys, even though they were in the majority. (See Circumcision to Look Like Others.)
8. Adult circumcision: The medical need for circumcision in adults is as low as 6 in 100,000. Adults, unlike infants, receive anesthetics. (See Men Circumcised as Adults.)
9. Foreskin function and size: The foreskin protects the head of the penis, enhances sexual pleasure, and facilitates intercourse. Men circumcised as adults report a significant loss of sensitivity. Men who have restored their foreskin report much increased sensitivity and sexual pleasure. The foreskin on the average adult male is about 12 sq.in. of highly erogenous tissue. (See Functions of the Foreskin.)
10. Jewish circumcision: A growing number of American Jews are not circumcising their sons. Circumcision among Jews in Europe, South America, and Israel also is not universal. (See Jewish Circumcision Resource Center)
11. American origin: Routine infant circumcision started in the U.S. in the 1870s when it was promoted as a preventive cure for masturbation.
12. Male attitude: Male satisfaction with circumcision depends on lack of knowledge about circumcision. The more men know, the more likely they are to be dissatisfied. They wish they had a choice. (See Why Most Circumcised Men Seem Satisfied, Psychological Impact of Circumcision on Men, and Discovering Circumcision Feelings.)
13. Professional Protest: Some aware doctors and nurses refuse to perform or assist with circumcisions because of ethical considerations. (See Circumcision, Ethics, and Medicine.)
http://www.circumcision.org/information.htm
The majority of the medical experts in the USA say no.
SANTA CRUZ, CA--The American Medical Association (AMA), in a statement published on its website August 17, 2000, slammed neonatal circumcision calling it a "non-therapeutic" procedure which is performed for social reasons.
The AMA said the risks and adverse effects "mitigate" any possible slight medical benefit from neonatal circumcision. The AMA does not recommend circumcision and is now aligned with other medical organizations.
http://www.fathermag.com/health/circ/ama/
Circumcision is a painful, risky, unethical surgery that deprives over a million boys each year of healthy, functional tissue, while wasting health care dollars that could be spent on medically necessary services. Learn more about the myths and facts of infant circumcision, visit our Resources page, read the "Ten Reasons NOT to Circumcise Your Baby Below" below – and learn why you should keep your newborn son intact.
10 Reasons NOT to Circumcise Your Baby Boy
1.Because there is no medical reason for "routine" circumcision of baby boys. No professional medical association in the United States or the rest of the world recommends routine neonatal circumcision. The American Medical Association calls it "non-therapeutic." At no time in its 75 years has the American Academy of Pediatrics ever recommended infant circumcision.
2.Because the foreskin is not a birth defect. The foreskin is a normal, sensitive, functional part of the body. In infant boys, the foreskin is attached to the head of the penis (glans), protects it from urine, feces, and irritation, and keeps contaminants from entering the urinary tract. The foreskin also has an important role in sexual pleasure, due to its specialized, erogenous nerve endings and its natural gliding and lubricating functions.
3.Because you wouldn't circumcise your baby girl. In the United States, girls of all ages are protected by federal and state laws from forced genital surgery, whether practiced in medical or non-medical settings, and regardless of the religious or cultural preferences of their parents. There is no ethical rationale for distinguishing between female and male genital alteration. If it is wrong to remove part of a baby girl's healthy genitals, then it is wrong to do the same to those of a baby boy.
4.Because your baby does not want to be circumcised. Circumcision painfully and permanently alters a baby boy's genitals, removing healthy, protective, functional tissue from the penis and exposing the child to unnecessary pain and medical risks –for no medical benefit. What do you think your baby boy would say if he could tell you?
5.Because removing part of a baby's penis is painful, risky, and harmful. We know babies are sensitive to pain. Many circumcisions are performed with no analgesic, but even when pain control is employed, the pain is not eliminated. As with any surgery, complications can and do occur with circumcision. These include infection, abnormal bleeding, removal of too much skin, loss of all or part of the glans, urinary problems, and even death. All circumcisions result in the loss of the foreskin and its functions, and leave a penile scar.
6.Because times and attitudes have changed. The circumcision rate in the United States is now below 40% (and much lower in some parts of the country), down from 81% in 1981. More than 60% of all baby boys in the U.S. leave the hospital intact, as more and more parents realize that circumcision is unnecessary and wrong.
7.Because most medically advanced nations do not circumcise baby boys. People in Europe, Asia and Latin America are often appalled to hear that American doctors and hospitals remove part of a boy's penis shortly after birth. Approximately 75% of the men in the world are not circumcised and remain intact throughout their lives.
8.Because caring for and cleaning the foreskin is easy. A natural, intact penis requires no special care, beyond gentle washing while bathing. Later, when the foreskin can be retracted (something that often does not occur until adolescence), a boy can be taught to pull back his foreskin to wash his penis. Forcible retraction of the foreskin results in pain and injury, and should not be done. Read our Foreskin Care flyer for more information.
9.Because circumcision does not prevent HIV or other diseases. Over the years, the claims that circumcision prevents various diseases have repeatedly been proven to be exaggerated or outright fabrications. Most men in the United States are circumcised, but our STD rates are as high as or higher than those in countries where circumcision is rare.
10.Because children should be protected from permanent bodily alteration inflicted on them without their consent in the name of culture, religion, profit, or parental preference. Under accepted bioethical principles, parents can consent to surgery on behalf of a child only if it is necessary to protect the child's life or health. "Routine" circumcision fails this test because it painfully and permanently removes a normal and healthy part of a boy's penis, does not protect the child’s life or health, and in fact creates new risks. Removing the foreskin is no more justified than removing a finger or any other healthy body part.
http://www.intactamerica.org/resources/decision
Here are some other considerations:
1. Worldwide prevalence: Over 80% of the world's males are intact. Most circumcised males are Muslims. No national medical organization in the world recommends routine circumcision of male infants. (See Circumcision Policies in English-Speaking Countries.)
2. Pain: According to a comprehensive study, newborn responses to pain are "similar to but greater than those observed in adult subjects." Circumcision is extremely painful and traumatic. Some infants do not cry because they go into traumatic shock from the overwhelming pain of the surgery. No experimental anesthetic has been found to be safe and effective in preventing circumcision pain in infants. (See Infant Responses to Circumcision.)
3. Behavioral response: Various studies have found that short-term effects of circumcision include changed sleep patterns, activity level, and mother-infant interaction, more irritability, and disruptions in feeding and bonding. Long-term effects have not been studied. Changes in pain response have been demonstrated at six months of age. (See Infant Responses to Circumcision.)
4. Circumcision risks: The rate of complications occurring in the hospital and during the first year has been documented as high as 38% and includes hemorrhage, infection, surgical injury, and in rare cases, death.
5. Cleanliness: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that "there is little evidence to affirm the association between circumcision status and optimal penile hygiene." "The uncircumcised penis is easy to keep clean. . . . Caring for your son's uncircumcised penis requires no special action. . . . Foreskin retraction should never be forced."
6. Sexually transmitted diseases: According to the AAP, "Evidence regarding the relationship of circumcision to sexually transmitted diseases in general is complex and conflicting. . . . Behavioral factors appear to be far more important risk factors." (See Explaining Claims of Medical Benefits.)
7. Matching friends: The 2009 national circumcision rate is 32.5%, less than 25% in some states. Though past circumcision rates were higher, there is no documented emotional harm to intact boys. To the contrary, there are growing reports from men who have disliked being circumcised since they were boys, even though they were in the majority. (See Circumcision to Look Like Others.)
8. Adult circumcision: The medical need for circumcision in adults is as low as 6 in 100,000. Adults, unlike infants, receive anesthetics. (See Men Circumcised as Adults.)
9. Foreskin function and size: The foreskin protects the head of the penis, enhances sexual pleasure, and facilitates intercourse. Men circumcised as adults report a significant loss of sensitivity. Men who have restored their foreskin report much increased sensitivity and sexual pleasure. The foreskin on the average adult male is about 12 sq.in. of highly erogenous tissue. (See Functions of the Foreskin.)
10. Jewish circumcision: A growing number of American Jews are not circumcising their sons. Circumcision among Jews in Europe, South America, and Israel also is not universal. (See Jewish Circumcision Resource Center)
11. American origin: Routine infant circumcision started in the U.S. in the 1870s when it was promoted as a preventive cure for masturbation.
12. Male attitude: Male satisfaction with circumcision depends on lack of knowledge about circumcision. The more men know, the more likely they are to be dissatisfied. They wish they had a choice. (See Why Most Circumcised Men Seem Satisfied, Psychological Impact of Circumcision on Men, and Discovering Circumcision Feelings.)
13. Professional Protest: Some aware doctors and nurses refuse to perform or assist with circumcisions because of ethical considerations. (See Circumcision, Ethics, and Medicine.)
http://www.circumcision.org/information.htm
The majority of the medical experts in the USA say no.
SANTA CRUZ, CA--The American Medical Association (AMA), in a statement published on its website August 17, 2000, slammed neonatal circumcision calling it a "non-therapeutic" procedure which is performed for social reasons.
The AMA said the risks and adverse effects "mitigate" any possible slight medical benefit from neonatal circumcision. The AMA does not recommend circumcision and is now aligned with other medical organizations.
http://www.fathermag.com/health/circ/ama/
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Why do Christians ignore Jesus?
Should Christians pray in public? Well, Jesus says that they should not. (Matthew 6:5-6), in which Jesus said, "
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites,
for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be
seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in
full. 6 But
when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is
unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward
you". It is a commandment that does not seemed to be obeyed by any Christians.
I find it interesting that Christians who state very emphatically that Jesus is their lord and savior and that it is necessary to obey him, often ignore what he says.
For example, Jesus made a number of very clear statements about money and wealth in the Bible.
(Luke 14:33) "Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple."
(Matthew 19:21-24) "Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
Yet, you rarely hear of Christians who gave up everything. Why is this? Do they not believe what Jesus said? Do they think they know better?
Why do Christians ignore the laws and rules of the Old Testament? The OT is filled with terrible, stupid rules regarding what to eat, what to wear, trimming beards, and interacting with menstruating women. Christians often say that Jesus established a New Covenant and the OT rules were done away with. But is that what Jesus said? Of course not. Jesus says, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest part or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place." (Matthew 5:17).
Why do Christians still ignore them?
There is also this gem. Mark 16:17–18 (ESV)
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick.
Yet, how often do believers actually try to pick up snakes or drink deadly poison to show their faith? I realize there are a few extremists who do this, but why are not all Christians doing this?
It is actually very simple to understand. If they followed the rules that Jesus gave, their lives would be impacted in very definite and specific negative ways. If they give up their money, they will not be able to survive. If they handled deadly snakes on a regular basis or drank poison, they would probably die. They also do not believe that some of the rules make any sense. Stop wearing clothes made from more than one fabric? Stop shaving for work? Um, no, thank you but no thanks. Christians know these rules are absurd. They know that following them will only cause them problems. They know better than Jesus about how to live their life.
But, hypocritically, they will continue to parrot the same old tired refrain and demand that we follow Jesus. Here is an idea. Until you practice what you preach, leave the rest of us alone.
I find it interesting that Christians who state very emphatically that Jesus is their lord and savior and that it is necessary to obey him, often ignore what he says.
For example, Jesus made a number of very clear statements about money and wealth in the Bible.
(Luke 14:33) "Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple."
(Matthew 19:21-24) "Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
Yet, you rarely hear of Christians who gave up everything. Why is this? Do they not believe what Jesus said? Do they think they know better?
Why do Christians ignore the laws and rules of the Old Testament? The OT is filled with terrible, stupid rules regarding what to eat, what to wear, trimming beards, and interacting with menstruating women. Christians often say that Jesus established a New Covenant and the OT rules were done away with. But is that what Jesus said? Of course not. Jesus says, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest part or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place." (Matthew 5:17).
Why do Christians still ignore them?
There is also this gem. Mark 16:17–18 (ESV)
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick.
Yet, how often do believers actually try to pick up snakes or drink deadly poison to show their faith? I realize there are a few extremists who do this, but why are not all Christians doing this?
It is actually very simple to understand. If they followed the rules that Jesus gave, their lives would be impacted in very definite and specific negative ways. If they give up their money, they will not be able to survive. If they handled deadly snakes on a regular basis or drank poison, they would probably die. They also do not believe that some of the rules make any sense. Stop wearing clothes made from more than one fabric? Stop shaving for work? Um, no, thank you but no thanks. Christians know these rules are absurd. They know that following them will only cause them problems. They know better than Jesus about how to live their life.
But, hypocritically, they will continue to parrot the same old tired refrain and demand that we follow Jesus. Here is an idea. Until you practice what you preach, leave the rest of us alone.
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