But let’s get Biblical. There are a multitude of conservatives who contend that human life commences at the moment of conception, that the hundreds of thousands of Petri dishes containing frozen cells are somehow so sacrosanct that the contents cannot be used for scientific research into the causes and possible cures of any number of real human ailments; this regardless that the overwhelming majority are bound for incineration as bio-hazards! Better those contents be burned in a furnace than the souls of the living burn in hell for some perceived or imagined sinful trespass.
As to the Biblical angle I referenced: Genesis 2:7 states, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Anyone can believe whatever they wish, and as I said, there exists no necessity that that which one believes actually contains the first moment of truth or fact. But if you’re bound to Biblical edict as the wellspring of your position, Genesis is exquisitely manifest when life begins and when the human soul gains consonance with life! Any other postulation taken by Roe’s opponents draws from their own whimsy and agenda, not the Bible!
Personally, I feel the conservative so-called “Pro-life” position on Roe would secure much greater validity if they showed as much concern for the living, breathing poor souls among them, and actually showed as enthusiastic an attitude for comprehensive sex education in America’s middle and high schools, comprehensive sex education that would diminish unwanted pregnancies, than they do for the collection of cells that have not obtained viability outside the womb.
I know where the strenuous opposition to gays and lesbians comes from, and I know where those who condemn the orientation claim it comes from. And trust me, you do not want to travel the highway of Biblically prohibited behaviors and the prescribed punishments for violations of those prohibitions. You really, really do not!
What I will do, to illustrate the conservative hypocrisy of trying to introduce such sanctions as support of one’s espoused anti-gay and anti-lesbian position, is to cite what the Bible either treats lightly or defends: murder of one’s brother, infanticide (a father burning his son to death), genocide, rape and pillaging, incest, and slavery.
What I’m also going to do is report that in none of the five gospels where Jesus is reputed to have voiced an opinion does he comment on homosexuality. But he does repeatedly speak on behalf of feeding and clothing and caring for the sick and the poor and the widows. In fact, Jesus asserts that the only way one can follow him is to sell all one has and donate the proceeds to the poor! Not simply sell what is convenient, but EVERYTHING! Furthermore, Jesus did not hold the rich “who have their reward” in much esteem, or give them equal odds to those of a camel passing through the eye of a needle at entering his father’s house.
So, just what the hell are so vaunted about “conservative values,” and thereby conservatives, that they should be accorded much attention?
Finally, and, as the preceding was the setup, what I wanted most of all to get to is the much-mouthed bad-mouthing by conservatives of liberals, Republicans of Democrats. Take a look at their respective recent governance, at their voting records, at their party platforms, and at the stated positions of their presidential candidates. Regardless of their respective shouted religious predispositions, or the dearth of same by the Democrats, try to find the Democratic positions that are not in 100% consonance with those espoused in the New Testament. Next, try to find the Republican positions, backed by votes and funding, that are, then do the contrast and compare thing.
C’mon conservatives. Not just slathered palavering, do the research, gimme the solid attributable, referenced results. Whether it’s doing one’s patriotic duty or walking the walk, I’ve supplied specifics that support my take on things. Isn’t it time for you to put up, or just shut the hell up?
— Ed Tubbs
Reno, NV
PS — Of course I welcome responses, those that disagree as well as those that agree. But I’ve got to insist that only those retaining the courage of their convictions to include their real name and the city where they reside, exactly as they would for any letter to the editor, will be read or responded to. Now is the time for all of us to live up to the words and sentiments in our National Anthem.(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
