General [Public]

Scientist has cloned a human

Jeff Fry — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:28:47 GMT

Dear al,

Here's an interesting one from a theological point of view. Recently a scientist working in the Middle East where there are no laws against cloning a human claims to have cloned a human although the embryo did not take.

A controversial fertility doctor claimed yesterday to have cloned 14 human embryos and transferred 11 of them into the wombs of four women who had been prepared to give birth to cloned babies.

The cloning was recorded by an independent documentary film-maker who has testified to The Independent that the cloning had taken place and that the women were genuinely hoping to become pregnant with the first cloned embryos specifically created for the purposes of human reproduction.

Panayiotis Zavos has broken the ultimate taboo of transferring cloned embryos into the human womb, a procedure that is a criminal offence in Britain and illegal in many other countries. He carried out the work at a secret lab-oratory, probably located in the Middle East where there is no cloning ban. Dr Zavos, a naturalised American, also has fertility clinics in Kentucky and Cyprus, where he was born. His patients – three married couples and a single woman – came from Britain, the United States and an unspecified country in the Middle East.
read the whole article>

The article comes complete with video.

Question: how would God feel about cloned humans? Are we playing God by cloning humans? What are the risks?

Cheers,
Jeff

[Poll]

MPs Throw Out Bids to Reduce Abortion Limit

jeff — Wed, 21 May 2008 23:45:34 GMT

Dear all,

I am sure that God weeps at this. Here is an extract from the article documenting that our MPs did not elect to reduce the abortion limit:

Abortions will remain legal for up to 24 weeks into pregnancy after MPs rejected a series of attempts to cut the limit after an impassioned debate in the House of Commons.

In the first test of parliamentary opinion on abortion for 18 years, supporters of a reduction called votes on reducing the limit to 12, 16, 20 and 22 weeks.

But they were thrown out by decreasing majorities, with calls for the 22-week maximum defeated by 304 to 233 votes, a margin of 71. Cheers erupted in the Commons chamber as the final result was announced late last night (read the full article)

Jesus said, "Bid the little children come unto me" .

Jeff

Abortion: What You Can Do

jeff — Fri, 16 May 2008 10:17:26 GMT

Dear all,

The first abortion vote in parliament since 1990 will take place in 4 days on 20th May. This is what you can do:

If you have had an abortion and feel a heavy load of guilt because of it then please know that God offers you forgiveness and the opportunity to say you are sorry for your decision (1 John 1:9, Luke 15:11-32) . He is a God who understands and accepts with open arms those who admit their sin and turn from it. I suggest praying a simple prayer of saying sorry to God such as something like this: Dear God, I thank you that you accept anyone who comes to you who is truly sorry for the wrong that they have done. I am sorry for my decision to have an abortion and to end the life of a little one. Thank you that you forgive me and offer me a guilt-free existence from now on because Jesus has taken my guilt upon himself. I now transfer my guilt wholly to Jesus. And I wholly turn to Jesus for forgiveness and as the Bible says to become a new creation (person) in Christ and one of his followers. Jesus, I now place you on the throne of my life and allow you to control it, guide it and direct it into all your goodness and fullness. You are the loving and caring Shepherd of my life. Amen.
If you are Christian or just became a Christian via #1 above you can take two minutes to sign a new petition to lower
the upper limit for abortion for normal babies from 24 weeks to 20 weeks
or below (see here for more information on this). This will be presented to parliament shortly:

Petition - http://www.the20weekscampaign.org/register/

Furthermore here is some Biblical support from God in case you are unsure about how He feels about it:

Genesis 1:26-27: Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." And God created man in His own image . . . (Gen. 1:26, 27).

Exodus 20:13 "You shall not murder."

Psalm 8:4-5 What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him: And the son of man, that Thou dost care for him? Yet Thou has made him a little lower than God, and dost crown him with glory and majesty! (Psalm 8:4-5).

Comment: From these verses in Genesis we see that man is created in God's image and only man. Animals do not have the imprint of God on them. Therefore, only man can reflect the glory of God and therefore has great value in God's eyes. We are his creatures after His own image. Also, in Exodus we are given the command not to murder - plain and simple. Convenience abortions are not condoned and we are commanded by God not to do this. In the case of the mother's life being at risk (very, very low percentages of abortions) then there may be ethical validity to such a decision. And again in Psalm 8:4-5 God emphasizes to us our great value in His eyes since we are created in His image. Here is another key verse which tells us about how God views the fetus:

Old Testament: the central section of Psalm 139: 13-16. King David is speaking of himself:

        For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth. Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. (Ps. 139:13-16)

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Here is the logical sequence of thought regarding life that the Bible gives:

    First: God sets apart human life as unique and valuable since it bears His image.

    Second: Because this is true, God commands that all human life be preserved and protected.

    Third: Human life begins within the womb, where God personally and sovereignly superintends the development and maturation of the fetus before birth.

    Fourth: Therefore, since it is God's will that every child's life be protected after birth, it is certainly His will that such protection apply to the child in his or her prenatal state. (from the book "Sanctity of Life" by Chuck Swindoll)

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Quotes Regarding Abortion that Will Make You Think

. . . Since when does anyone's right to live depend upon someone else wanting them? Killing the unwanted, is a monstrous evil . . .

So, should a woman have the right to choose? I have a right to free speech, but not to shout "fire" in a theater. A person's right to anything stops when it injures or kills another living human . . .

The pivotal question is, should any civilized nation give to one citizen the absolute right to kill another to solve the first person's personal problem?

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Abortion Debate

jeff — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:05:49 GMT

Dear all,

You may have heard of the campaign recently called "20 reasons for 20 weeks" by MP Nadine Dorries. Presently under UK law abortions can be done up to 24 weeks. This is a campaign to reduce that to 20 weeks. Mrs Dorries says that the 550 abortions per day now being performed in the UK is "just too many. We must slow down on abortion" (Daily Mail, Tuesday, 6 May, p6). Mrs. Dorries continues, "I respect a woman's right to choose. But we are clost to being the abortion capital of the world and it is now time to adopt a more moderate, comonsense approach to abortion. (Ibid)". In another article in the DAily Mail she states, "They say our termination rate is already higher than any other western European country" (read full article). The followingpicture of a 20-week fetus is being used by the campaigners to raise awareness:

Here are the 20 reasons being put forth by Mrs Dorries and the 200 other MPs who have pledged to vote with her:

Why the campaigners led by Tory MP Nadine Dorries say the abortion limit should be cut:

1. Two thirds of GPs and two thirds of public - including three quarters of women - support reduction in upper age limit, say polls

2. More babies surviving well below 24 weeks, including world’s most premature baby Amillia Taylor, born at 21 weeks in 2006

3. High-resolution 3D ultrasound images showing babies ‘walking’, yawning, stretching and sucking thumbs in the womb

4. Two thirds of babies born at 23 weeks survive in top neonatal units

5. Foetuses can feel pain as low as 18 weeks, research suggests

6. Mothers first feel their babies kick at 19 weeks in a first pregnancy and at 17 weeks in a later pregnancy

7. More babies being born alive after botched abortions - some as young as 16 weeks

8. Rising number of abortions being carried out between 20 and 24 weeks

9. Leading public figures such as Tory leader David Cameron calling for a cut to at least 20 weeks

10. Britain’s abortion laws among the most liberal in Europe: The 24-week limit is double that in France or Germany, and six weeks later than in Sweden or Norway

11.’Abhorrent’ methods used to abort a post 20-week baby, including a lethal injection to the heart, and dismembering the body and removing it from the womb limb by limb

12. A possible link with mental illness for late abortions, say psychiatrists

13. Most late abortions take place in private clinics, charged to the NHS - meaning there are financial vested interests involved

14. Babies can now undergo surgery in the womb under 24 weeks, such as Samuel Armas who had surgery at 21 weeks for spina bifida

15. Few UK graduates willing to perform abortions beyond 16 weeks and most who do so are from overseas

16. Guidelines from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, supporting 24 weeks, should be updated in line with latest evidence on neonatal survival

17. 1,000 doctors signed petition against the British Medical Association’s support for 24 weeks and the Royal College of Nursing has not consulted its members

18. Pregnancy testing kits are freely available at chemists, so there is little excuse for not diagnosing pregnancy before 24 weeks.

19. The Commons science and technology committee was heavily influenced by pro-abortion witnesses

20. Picture of a 20-week foetus (Above)

Daily mail

What do you think (pleaes vote and write in as well)?
[poll]

Human/animal embryo hybrid - what do you think?

jeff — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:47:49 GMT

A disconcerting new bill will be voted on in the house of commons called the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill which proposes on putting human dna into an animal cell (hybrid) in the name of research advancement. This could very well be a slippery slope that we should not even try to go out on in my opinion. It seems that we are playing God by mixing what God didn't mix. What do you think? Read the full article in The Times.

[poll]

A new all-time low: marriages with expiry dates

jeff — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 09:20:49 GMT

Dear all,
Here's an amazing article in the Times about why marriages should have expiry dates! I think we've hit an all-time low. Also, it sites statistics about co-habitation:

"The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released figures last week, collated from six years’ worth of government data on family life, which showed: that couples who cohabit are dramatically on the rise; that their children do less well at school, leave education earlier and have a higher risk of developing a serious illness; and that children thrive if their parents are married."

Thought this was interesting in light of our study on Biblical manhood and womanhood.

Full article here:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/india_knight/article2604010.ece

Cheers,
Jeff

Are we Living in a Broken Society?

jeff — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:00:39 GMT

[poll]

As I come across more info on the "broken society" as coined by the Tory conservative party it is interesting what they cite - all the societal ills that they cite are moral ills that God has something to say about. Their web site states:

Not only this but right now, the tax system benefits those who are not married but raising children - the so-called "couples penalty" where parents living apart can be up to £5,000 better off than those who bring up their children together. It seems that the Tories are saying what God has said all along - that the family is to be made up of a male and female joined to gether in union that nobody should break. In this context, children should be raised. This makes for more healthy families and a more healthy society - when both Mom and Dad are encouraged to be at home raising the children together. The Conservative Social Justice Policy Group came out with a 671 page report which showed that put the cost of family breakdown at £102 billion a year.

On the other hand, their solution seems to be more financial and political than anything:

"Accusing the Government of "jigging the system" so that lone parents benefit while couples lose out on tax and benefits, he added: "We are alone, almost in Europe, and certainly amongst the major nations, in having no recognition of marriage in the tax system. We also happen to have the worst level of family breakdown and lone parenting, so it's about re-establishing the balance".

Another report moans, "despite a 50 per cent increase in spending under Gordon Brown, sadly little of the spending has affected the lowest educational achievers." Money isn't solving the problems because money isn't the problem.

In order to break this cycle of deprivation, the Social Justice Policy Group has defined the five key "paths to poverty" - family breakdown, serious personal debt, drug and alcohol addiction, failed education and worklessness.

Ian Duncan Smith writes,

"In recognising this, we must also recognise that family breakdown can and does occur when the family is in serious debt, when unemployed or when addicted to drugs and alcohol.

That is why our policies will be about strengthening the family and marriage, as well as reducing addiction, improving education, helping people get back into work without the Brown penalties and easing the debt burdens on the worst off."

I haven't read anyone has proposed that the societal breakdown coincides with the nation's rejection of God and its falling numbers in church attnedance. A nation who rejects God and walks away from its history of faith in God is one which will eventually breakdown.

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.

What do you think about this online gospel presentation?

Jeff Fry — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 22:32:04 GMT

Dear all,

A friend sent me this link today which goes to a web site which has a unique way of presenting the gospel message and the way to a relationship with God. I think it is pretty good as it clearly presents the sin issue in a way that is understandable. But what do you think? It starts out with the question "Are you a good person?" (to which most people say yes) and then asks you to go to this link to check it out.

http://www.livingwaters.com/good/

Cheers,

Jeff

Stable homelife improves the health of female children

jeff — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 09:55:10 GMT

Girls Will Be Girls Longer When Home Life Is Stable

ScienceDaily (Nov. 16, 2007) — For many young girls, a stable family life is one key factor to avoiding a number of serious health problems. New research by researchers at The University of Arizona and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, indicates that girls who grow up with supportive parents who themselves have a strong relationship are more likely to delay the onset of puberty.more: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071115091715.htm

Cheers,
Jeff
www.darwin-park-community-church.org.uk

The Power of True Community

jeff — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 11:48:36 GMT

Dear all,
The Times online had an interesting article by well-known clergyman, Michael Green, about how the role of the Christian community (the church) helped he and his wife get over a very difficult patch in their marriage. What do you think about this role of community? Should the church get involved and help or is it a private matter between a couple? I am interested in your view:

[poll]

Here's the article:

Rev Michael Green marriage

Cheers,
Jeff

The Power of True Community

jeff — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 11:48:13 GMT

Dear all,
The Times online had an interesting article by well-known clergyman, Michael Green, about how the role of the Christian community (the church) helped he and his wife get over a very difficult patch in their marriage. What do you think about this role of community? Should the church get involved and help or is it a private matter between a couple? I am interested in your view:

Here's the article:

Rev Michael Green marriage

Cheers,
Jeff
[Poll]

Why Britain doesn't go to church

Jeff Fry — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 07:04:19 GMT

Why Britain doesn't go to church

By James A Beckford
Professor of Sociology, University of Warwick

Fewer and fewer Britons go to church but interest in spirituality appears to be growing - whether it is in astrology or yoga, New Age thinking or native religions.

Some medieval cathedrals such as Durham still dominate the skyline

An opinion poll carried out for the BBC programme "What the World thinks of God" shows organised religion remains strong in the US and the Islamic world. Professor James Beckford of the University of Warwick examines the changes in society and asks why.

The decline of Christianity in Britain is nothing new.

More than 130 years ago, the poet, Matthew Arnold lamented the retreat of "the sea of faith".

Since Dover Beach was written, how much further has "the sea of faith" retreated from the shores of Western Europe? Not completely, but certainly a very long way.

Extract from Dover Beach

The sea of faith
Was once, too, at the full, and round earth's shore
Lay like the folds of a bright girdle furled;
But now I only hear
Its melancholy, long, withdrawing roar,
Retreating to the breath
Of the night-wind, down the vast edges drear

And naked shingles of the world.

Matthew Arnold, 1822-1888

Medieval churches dominated the landscape just as Christian ideas used to dominate our lives.

In today's world - in everything from economic affairs and personal morality to political, legal and cultural ideas - modern liberal Britain has new inspirations and new icons.

And traditional religion, it seems, is only for the few.

A large and growing number of people profess very few beliefs conforming to Christian orthodoxy.

Even fewer participate in the activities of Christian organisations.

There are of course still traces of Christian influence, but their significance as the driving force and guidance system of social life has plummeted. This is 'secularisation'.

Does this herald the end of religion or the death of God? No, it means that the major Christian churches are losing their former power - more rapidly in some places than others - and that competition is intensifying among the suppliers of would-be alternatives and replacements.

The race is on to re-package 'spirituality' and 'religion' for a generation of consumers who do not see themselves as church members; and if organised religion continues to fail to meet their needs, then others will provide.

What does this new generation of consumers want? There are clues in what they consume already.

Even though religion is not the most important institution or factor in social life it continues to be 'used' in many forms.

Thousands of flowers were dedicated to Princess Diana

At the time of Princess Diana's death, millions wanted to lay flowers or sign books of condolences. In tragedy and disaster, religion is still a major source of symbols, sentiments and ceremonies.

Pick and mix religion

But religion is also used for other purposes - the expression of joy as well as despair; or as therapy to fit around a busy, stressful life.

At the modern supermarket of faith, the consumer seeks to pick and mix religious items to match their commitment and interest.

And that brings dangers.

What should count as 'real' religion at a time when the sheer diversity of religions on offer may appear overwhelming?

Without clear guidance and regulation, who will protect the consumer from 'bogus' religions linked to exploitation or other crimes?

World trends

But the situation of religions in Western Europe is not representative of the world as a whole.

The influence of Christianity and of other major religions on the lives of individuals is increasing in many places; and it remains strong in the USA and in countries where Islam is the dominant faith.

American Christianity is more deeply rooted in society.

Levels of belonging and of donating are higher.

And it doesn't end at the church door.

Across the southern Bible Belt and in the Midwest, churches mobilise volunteers in health care, in care for the elderly or in social welfare programmes.

It's an important presence in American civil society.

IMAGES OF FAITH

A series of images created for What the World Thinks of God

Picture gallery

In much of the Islamic world too, faith remains strong. Religion is inseparable from the State, politics, local communities, education and social welfare.

Personal and public morality still reflects Islamic values. The religious movements which are thriving in Europe and elsewhere typically demand high commitment for high reward.

They are often involved in the community and fulfil a wider social function.

Even here in Britain, it is mainly the conservative Evangelical churches which buck the trend of decline, continuing to fill the pews, while more liberal churches decline.

For religions in Europe the warning is clear. Engage with communities and the new generation of consumers or risk losing market share.

Nicky Gumbel, founder of the Alpha bible teaching course, will be writing about attempts to re-engage Britain's lost congregations. And Dr Richard Land, of the Southern Baptist Convention (America's largest Protestant denomination), will be writing about faith in the United States. Both articles will be published on the What the World Thinks of God website ahead of the programme.