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Essays |
This Stem-cell Thing (Commentary)"Horton Heard the Who" (Poem)Tom GraffagninoThis Stem-cell Thing
When sentimentality trumps truth, moral absolutes are quite easily shelved.....And when this happens, one eventually finds oneself sinking into the cultural quagmire of ethical horrors. And now that the "stem-cell research" program has been given the 'go-ahead' ...(tentative though it may be)...., the "other door" of Pandora's Box is being eased open. Thirty years ago, life was officially redefined in order to soothe our consciences so that we might more fully be able to enjoy "no-consequence sex" (ie., guiltless 'Free Luv'). Today we say it's OK to suck the brains from baby's skull seconds before he/she can be delivered. ..... And so the legacy continues. With the stem-cell researchers clamoring for state money, the 'other door' of Pandora's Box begins to swing open. (Can you hear the eerily creaking hinges?) Another step into the quagmire is thus sanctioned. The moral and theological premise (ie., that life begins at conception) has....again....been considered, was found lacking and rejected. The decision has been made. We may create life to destroy life in order to prolong our life. (Emphasis on the "our", of course.) It's the metaphysical dream come true for the Materialist/Evolutionist. The long-awaited societal affirmation of his religio-philosophical worldview: Natural Selection, Survival of the Fittest and Biggest. If It Feels Good, Do It. Tooth and Claw trumps Truth and Law. The state-approved and sanctioned "infanticide on demand" path began with a single step....and so, now, here we go again. A parallel track has been opened. Where, I wonder, will THIS "sentimental" line take us? On what moral grounds can we say "No! No further!" ? The foundational Moral Rug has, after all, now been pulled away. Even though we have only taken a tiny step down the primrose stem-cell path, in so doing we have declared that the journey itself is worthy and moral and justified. So there you have it. It's official: In order to prolong and enhance OUR lives, we have decided that we may create and destroy the life of another. There's no turning back. From here on consciences only get duller and more calloused....... Virtual infanticide is to Roe v Wade what Eugenics and Body Part Cloning Farms is to this stem-cell "go-ahead". These two parallel tracks have now left the station. They stretch out before us..... "All aboard! " (Do you hear the call?)......Next stops: Convenience, Pleasure, Freedom, Immortality!" ********************** In Dr. Suess's "Horton Hears a Who", the lovable Horton, in agreement with Judeo-Christian scriptural revelation, wisely said, "A person's a person no matter how small." Unfortunately, our society has decided otherwise. (After all, we took a poll....) We have substituted a vague, undiscriminating, sentimental and Self-centered "compassion" for a clear and discriminating, self-sacrificing love.....And we (and our grandchildren) will pay the penalty. Dear Lord, forgive us. Tom Graffagnino Hamilton, Georgia
"Horton Heard the Who"The tiny who's of Whoville,
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hirty
years ago, the United States in a fit of sentimental angst, took a poll,
voted and decided that really tiny humans aren't really tiny humans and
that women....(in only VERY rare and life-threatening circumstances, of
course...wink, wink)....ought to be able to have "safe abortions".
Today, that sentimental proposition has evolved and morphed. Today, we
see the horror of "partial birth" abortion being culturally sanctioned
and approved. We see the condoning of what amounts to virtual
"infanticide on demand". Tiny sacrifices.
