Miscellaneous Medical and Other Ethical Issues
School based Clinics
These letters to the editor address concerns with the models of school based clinics that would exclude parental involvement in the care of their child. Using magnifier the letters can be enlarged.
Abstinence
It should not be assumed that "all teens" are doing it. Therefore condoms should not necessarily be freely distributed. A concerted effort should be directed in training the youth of our country regarding sexual responsibility. However, it is recognized that condoms provide some limited deterrence of STD transmission, but its (condoms) use does not alleviate the impact on the emotional disruption that can occur with "casual sex".
CONDUCT, NOT CONDOMS
The Cure for AIDS: An Epidemic of Chastity (Excerpts from this article and my response are below.)
January 1999 By Anthony Zimmerman
"Fr. Anthony Zimmerman is Professor Emeritus of Moral Theology at Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan. A member of the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population, and the Japan Society of Demographers, he has been a priest for over 50 years.
As the proverb says, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. AIDS is currently incurable, so how can we prevent the spread of AIDS and eventually eliminate it from the human race?
“To insist on the condom is pure illusion,” wrote Dr. Ntari Benoit from Brazzaville in the Congo in 1997, because this approach sends the false message that it’s “unnecessary to modify one’s sexual behavior, the primary cause of infection.” Dr. Benoit went on: “To change behavior and transform mentalities is fundamental; the longer we wait to act, the greater the risk is that it will be too late….”
There are no vaccines, continued Dr. Benoit, and medicines to relieve the sufferings are not within the reach of the Congolese. Education in chastity must begin with the youngest, Dr. Benoit added, “since for most of our secondary school students it may already be too late.” The Archdiocese of Brazzaville has instituted a comprehensive program, and the Church throughout the world is similarly challenged with a most serious mission: to modify human behavior as the most effective — and perhaps the only — way to halt the spread of pandemic HIV/AIDS. Several African countries exemplify the need."
This is an abstract of his article from the New Oxford Review online. My response is below. He wrote it in 1999 and my response in 2012.
Editors,
Thank you for posting the informative article "The Cure for AIDS: An Epidemic of Chastity" by Anthony Zimmerman. Chastity or abstinence should always be a primary focus of intervention in the current STD crisis. This concept begins to address the importance of responsible caring relationships, of under girding the structure of the husband/wife family unit (which is essential to a stable society), and helps continue to establish norms for a society which are time tested and proven. Too many social architects have attempted to ignore this obvious truth and thus many people groups are reaping the whirlwind because of it.
The teaching of chastity or abstinence should be foremost in the outreach for overcoming this tragedy. As well, educating people as to the devastating effects of STD's should continue to be taught. Let Condom instruction take a secondary role where it may appear necessary.
Thank you for the editorial.
God Bless,
Dr John G Leslie
Posted by: John G Leslie PhD, MD, PhD
October 04, 2012 06:23 PM ED
The Cure for AIDS: An Epidemic of Chastity (Excerpts from this article and my response are below.)
January 1999 By Anthony Zimmerman
"Fr. Anthony Zimmerman is Professor Emeritus of Moral Theology at Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan. A member of the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population, and the Japan Society of Demographers, he has been a priest for over 50 years.
As the proverb says, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. AIDS is currently incurable, so how can we prevent the spread of AIDS and eventually eliminate it from the human race?
“To insist on the condom is pure illusion,” wrote Dr. Ntari Benoit from Brazzaville in the Congo in 1997, because this approach sends the false message that it’s “unnecessary to modify one’s sexual behavior, the primary cause of infection.” Dr. Benoit went on: “To change behavior and transform mentalities is fundamental; the longer we wait to act, the greater the risk is that it will be too late….”
There are no vaccines, continued Dr. Benoit, and medicines to relieve the sufferings are not within the reach of the Congolese. Education in chastity must begin with the youngest, Dr. Benoit added, “since for most of our secondary school students it may already be too late.” The Archdiocese of Brazzaville has instituted a comprehensive program, and the Church throughout the world is similarly challenged with a most serious mission: to modify human behavior as the most effective — and perhaps the only — way to halt the spread of pandemic HIV/AIDS. Several African countries exemplify the need."
This is an abstract of his article from the New Oxford Review online. My response is below. He wrote it in 1999 and my response in 2012.
Editors,
Thank you for posting the informative article "The Cure for AIDS: An Epidemic of Chastity" by Anthony Zimmerman. Chastity or abstinence should always be a primary focus of intervention in the current STD crisis. This concept begins to address the importance of responsible caring relationships, of under girding the structure of the husband/wife family unit (which is essential to a stable society), and helps continue to establish norms for a society which are time tested and proven. Too many social architects have attempted to ignore this obvious truth and thus many people groups are reaping the whirlwind because of it.
The teaching of chastity or abstinence should be foremost in the outreach for overcoming this tragedy. As well, educating people as to the devastating effects of STD's should continue to be taught. Let Condom instruction take a secondary role where it may appear necessary.
Thank you for the editorial.
God Bless,
Dr John G Leslie
Posted by: John G Leslie PhD, MD, PhD
October 04, 2012 06:23 PM ED
Tolerance
There is a misconception regarding the issue of tolerance.Webster's Dictionary, 1913 online, defines it as "The endurance of the presence or actions of objectionable persons, or of the expression of offensive opinions; toleration." Yet, we have in the United States an increasing lack of tolerance towards the principles of God. There is the view being promoted that "all" views should be accepted or tolerated-except Christian views particularly on morals/ethics. Ethics are the foundational principles upon which morals are acted out.
Example: "BURBANK, CA, August 7, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – President Obama canceled a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin one day after criticizing that nation's law against homosexual propaganda on NBC's The Tonight Show as immoral.Obama said the law, which among other things forbids anyone from promoting same-sex marriage, “violates basic morality.”..."He added that he had 'no patience for countries' that do not affirm 'gays or lesbians or transgender persons.'"
In contrast, the Apostle Paul talks about marriage in the context of a man and woman. 1 Corinthians 7:10-17. We should honor the sacred consecration of marriage between a man and a woman. Yet, it should be noted that in Paul the Apostle's day homosexuality was prevalent in Roman and Greek cultures.
Example: Published on Nov 3, 2012 "Obama's abortion record is extreme. How extreme? He opposed the ban on partial-birth abortion - a procedure where a baby is delivered up to the neck and while still alive, has a pair of scissors jammed into the back of the skull. While in the Illinois state Senate, he also opposed the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, a bill designed to prevent the killing of fully born infants that survived a failed abortion; these babies were left alone to die in soiled utility rooms." On YouTube online 8/11/13.
In contrast, Psalm 139:13-16 clearly outlines God's involvement in the life of a embryonic/fetal child, and that "in thy book they were all written, the days there were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them" vs 16. We should honor God's will and protect all human beings from conception to age of natural death. However, even in King David's day some cultures practiced infanticide and child sacrifice.
We have an increasing intolerance by leaders and other people in the United States that is directed against the principles of God. What are Christians to do? The scriptures have the answer. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted... Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy...Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me" (Jesus Christ). "Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they prosecuted the prophets who were before you...You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden...Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works..." Matthew 5:1-16 in the Beatitudes.
The United States has entered a time of judgment for its rebellion against God's Laws. For He is the Almighty Creator, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Let us be faithful to God and proclaim His name, His righteousness, His Truth, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will turn to Him. Let us pray for our leaders, and others, that they will hear God's voice and turn to obey Him. Then, maybe God will have mercy on us.
See another article below that addresses some of the issues regarding tolerance or the lack of it.
Example: "BURBANK, CA, August 7, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – President Obama canceled a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin one day after criticizing that nation's law against homosexual propaganda on NBC's The Tonight Show as immoral.Obama said the law, which among other things forbids anyone from promoting same-sex marriage, “violates basic morality.”..."He added that he had 'no patience for countries' that do not affirm 'gays or lesbians or transgender persons.'"
In contrast, the Apostle Paul talks about marriage in the context of a man and woman. 1 Corinthians 7:10-17. We should honor the sacred consecration of marriage between a man and a woman. Yet, it should be noted that in Paul the Apostle's day homosexuality was prevalent in Roman and Greek cultures.
Example: Published on Nov 3, 2012 "Obama's abortion record is extreme. How extreme? He opposed the ban on partial-birth abortion - a procedure where a baby is delivered up to the neck and while still alive, has a pair of scissors jammed into the back of the skull. While in the Illinois state Senate, he also opposed the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, a bill designed to prevent the killing of fully born infants that survived a failed abortion; these babies were left alone to die in soiled utility rooms." On YouTube online 8/11/13.
In contrast, Psalm 139:13-16 clearly outlines God's involvement in the life of a embryonic/fetal child, and that "in thy book they were all written, the days there were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them" vs 16. We should honor God's will and protect all human beings from conception to age of natural death. However, even in King David's day some cultures practiced infanticide and child sacrifice.
We have an increasing intolerance by leaders and other people in the United States that is directed against the principles of God. What are Christians to do? The scriptures have the answer. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted... Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy...Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me" (Jesus Christ). "Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they prosecuted the prophets who were before you...You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden...Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works..." Matthew 5:1-16 in the Beatitudes.
The United States has entered a time of judgment for its rebellion against God's Laws. For He is the Almighty Creator, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Let us be faithful to God and proclaim His name, His righteousness, His Truth, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will turn to Him. Let us pray for our leaders, and others, that they will hear God's voice and turn to obey Him. Then, maybe God will have mercy on us.
See another article below that addresses some of the issues regarding tolerance or the lack of it.
Is It a Test or a Tempt?
Old Testament Brutality: Some Explanations
Old Testament Brutality Explained
By Dr Charles Pallaghy
Preface "I turned to a new page in my calendar to read the words, ‘We have been created to love and to be loved’. That aligns with the New Testament teachings we are familiar with, for God is love. How do we explain then the brutality and killings we read about in the Old Testament? God commanded Joshua to kill every man, woman and child in the fortified cities they came across in the Promised Land. That is is enough to put most people off! Even Christians deplore what they read and thank God for the New Testament through Jesus Christ that teaches us to love our neighbour. Yet the apostle Paul said that all these things happened to Israel as a lesson for us today." See link below.
By Dr Charles Pallaghy
Preface "I turned to a new page in my calendar to read the words, ‘We have been created to love and to be loved’. That aligns with the New Testament teachings we are familiar with, for God is love. How do we explain then the brutality and killings we read about in the Old Testament? God commanded Joshua to kill every man, woman and child in the fortified cities they came across in the Promised Land. That is is enough to put most people off! Even Christians deplore what they read and thank God for the New Testament through Jesus Christ that teaches us to love our neighbour. Yet the apostle Paul said that all these things happened to Israel as a lesson for us today." See link below.