To kill or not to kill

Is it inconsistent to be against abortion and for the death penalty ? At first glance it might appear to be, but on further inquiry it is not at all.

The first question that must be asked is; what's at stake? It is human life. And human life is not the sort of thing that should be taken in a careless manner. It must have the proper justification, and that of the highest degree, to be taken. So my objection to abortion is that human life is valuable and the reasons for abortion don't rise to the level of proper justification. In the case of capital punishment; it is because of the value of human life that the highest penalty is demanded and with proper justification. This is not to say that it is always carried out justly. We are mostly certainly prone to abuse our powers, that is why a system of checks and balances is so important.

So in summary; abortion doesn't have proper justification and capital punishment does. So there is no inconsistency. I start with the same premise in both cases, the value of human life, and apply it consistently through out.

As a side note; it would seem to me that the case for capital punishment would be getting stronger with DNA testing, not weaker.

Ariz. Leaders Mull Gay 'Marriage' Ban Anew

February 12, 2008
Associated Press

Republican lawmakers on Monday proposed asking voters in November to amend the Arizona Constitution to ban same-sex "marriage" in the state, which was the first to turn down such a measure.

The proposal was backed by 16 of 30 state senators, and an identical proposal was introduced in the House. Both chambers would have to approve the measure in a vote for it to be included on the ballot. continued

The war in Iraq

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

When it is in the power of your hand to do so. Proverbs 2:27

Of all that is said about the war in Iraq, the majority of it is bad. I would however like to offer another perspective, one that is seldom considered. But let me say this first; All wars are evil but not everyones involvement in them is evil.

In America we cling to these words in the Declaration of Independence;

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

However it seems to me that we read the "all men" part as "all Americans" But I would argue that this statement, because it is grounded in creation, applies to all human beings. Even Iraqis.

Why do I raise this point? Because we as Americans tend to be isolationists, we are fat and happy, to bad about the rest of the world, good luck! seems to be our attitude. We don't want to get involved and pay the price to ensure that all men are free, when it is in our power to do good to our neighbor. I'm sure we all know the story of the good Samaritan. For those who don't, it may be found in Luke 10:25-37. Take the time to read that discourse because my argument rest on it and Proverbs 2:27. As a side note in the story of the good Samaritan. The Samaritans were despised by the Jews. In fact the Jews would go way out of their way to avoid walking through Samaria. So don't let the fact that this is a Jew being helped by a Samaritan, escape your attention. Verses 36-37 are my main point however, 36 "So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” 37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Most people don't know that if the borders of Iraq could be sealed, all violence would cease. What we are dealing with here is a group of fellow human beings who are living under tyranny and oppression from forces outside. These are people like you and me, with the same wants and desire. Human beings with certain unalienable rights endowed to them by their creator. However, some people don't think so and wish to bring them into submission to their desires. It's like the schoolyard bully only on a national level.

So my question is this, do we have a moral obligation to help our neighbor, our fellow human beings liberate themselves from tyranny and oppression when it is within our power to do so?

When I see Iraqis holding up their purple thumbs because they can now vote, when I hear of schools and hospitals being built, girls being allowed to go to school for the first time, Iraqis coming out of hiding and joining the police force and military, small business owners opening up their shops again, Iraqis coming out of hiding and turning over insurgents, I see a people who love freedom and peace as much as we do. I see a people who are grateful that we came to help them.

I'm afraid that we as Americans are a very self-centered people, just consider all the self-help material that's available to us. We spend thousands to comfort and please ourselves, consider the Super-Bowl. We have no trouble spending on things that have a direct benefit for us. Yes, we are the most generous nation in the world as of right now, but that is fading fast. Convenience and comfort have become our gods and we sacrifice joyfully at their alters. When our creator, the Lord Jesus Christ, asks us to give to our neighbor with no expectation of return, we shrug off our responsibility and turn a blind eye to the suffering all around us.

So yes, the war has cost us and that cost has been heavy, but the cost didn't concern the Samaritan, he was willing to pay it on behalf of his neighbor with no expectation of return. I firmly believe that it is wiser to pay a small price now, than a much greater one later. If we save the lives of hundreds of thousands at the cost of several thousand, than it was worth it. This is the "bloody arithmetic" that won the civil war here and gained liberty for all men and women who call America their home.

So do we cower in the face of evil because it might cost us our very lives. Our do we put it down at great cost to ourselves because we understand the gravity of what is at stake. Are we the good Samaritan who does good to his neighbor when it is within our power to do so, regardless of cost?

"All it takes for evil to succeed, is for good men to do nothing." -Anonymous

Faith of our Fathers

Well I'm up way to late because I found the most fascinating web site. The American Colonist's Library. As I was browsing around I found this beautiful prayer from George Washington and just had to share it. This site could be habit forming, there is just way to much good stuff here to read, enjoy

George Washington's Prayer Journal

1) Sunday Morning

Almighty God, and most merciful father, who didst command the children of Israel to offer a daily sacrifice to thee, that thereby they might glorify and praise thee for thy protection both night and day, receive, O Lord, my morning sacrifice which I now offer up to thee; I yield thee humble and hearty thanks that thou has preserved me from the danger of the night past, and brought me to the light of the day, and the comforts thereof, a day which is consecrated ot thine own service and for thine own honor. Let my heart, therefore, Gracious God, be so affected with the glory and majesty of it, that I may not do mine own works, but wait on thee, and discharge those weighty duties thou requirest of me, and since thou art a God of pure eyes, and wilt be sanctified in all who draww near unto thee, who doest not regard the sacrifice of fools, nor hear sinners who tread in thy courts, pardon, I beseech thee, my sins, remove them from thy presence, as far as the east is from the west, and accept of me for the merits of thy son Jesus Christ, that when I come into thy temple, and compass thine altar, my prayers may come before thee as incense; and as thou wouldst hear me calling upon thee in my prayers, so give me grace to hear thee calling on me in thy word, that it may be wisdom, righteousness, reconciliation and peace to the saving of the soul in the day of the Lord Jesus. Grant that I may hear it with reverence, receive it with meekness, mingle it with faith, and that it may accomplish in me, Gracious God, the good work for which thou has sent it. Bless my family, kindred, friends and country, be our God & guide this day and for ever for his sake, who ay down in the Grave and arose again for us, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

From William J. Johnson George Washington, the Christian(New York: The Abingdon Press, New York & Cincinnati, 1919), pp. 24-35.

Pick me please

With the presidential campaign in full swing, I have two thoughts. I'm glad we don't run campaigns like some do around the world. Picture if you will this headline; radical supporters of Hillary Clinton bombed a public gathering injuring dozens today. Her campaign headquarters endorsed the action, saying vote for Hillary or we'll bomb you too. But I'm a little, ok a lot, worried about how we do it here. We tend to fall off the other side of the horse and be to casual about it and not give it much thought. How did the people in Iowa and New Hampshire decide so quickly? Which brings me to my point. What is it that we should look for in a candidate? Some would argue that it is their position on a particular issue. Others would say that it is what the candidate promises they will do or not do once in office. But I and others would say it is something else. I don't think those first two options are good for several reasons. Let's use Obama and Ron Paul as examples here. Both men are on opposite ends of the spectrum here, but appeal to the same thing; promise. One promises what he will do, solve all our problems by government intervention, Obama. The other promises that he will solve all our problems by limiting government, Paul. So what is wrong with promises? One word, Congress. You may have all the good intentions in the world but you have to work with other people who disagree with you. And these people probably don't think your idea is a good one. Which is the beauty of our government. So basing your decision on promises that most likely will not see the light of day is not a good plan. And what's wrong with issues or values? same thing. Ideally our government works on the art of persuasion, the best idea wins, as opposed to coercion. It is a system of checks and balances designed to keep all parties in check. We have a plethora of agendas and ideas in the political field and all are competing for a place at the table. So we have to make it fair for all parties involved, equal under the law. That is the American way. However, that is not to say all ideas or agendas are equally valid. A mistake that is to easily made. We must debate the ideas and views and let the best idea win. Which is why I and others look for character in a candidate. I like to put myself across the table, if you will, and imagine what it would be like to negotiate with this person. How would they come across and would I be able to work with them. Is it their way or the highway? If I was a foreign leader, how would the exchange be? would it be like working with Homer Simpson? The fact is we all have to work with people and the better we do it, the better results we get. We need someone who is a statesman, a diplomat and a leader. Someone who knows the limits of his office and works within them. A candidate like this is more likely to actually accomplish something. What about the issues and values? These things naturally flow from a good character. So a candidate who has good character will get their job done and be right on the main issues. However, this is a little harder to judge than promises or issues. I can look at a candidates claims but I can't see their heart. This requires that I actually know the person and have worked with them. Voting records give us a limited view in this area. I think the best measure we have is what their colleagues say about them. Which takes work and time. Here is a great article I came across this morning on townhall.com that sheds some light on this. Click here to read it .

Say something to them would you

What do you say when you don't have the time to type out whats on your mind and it's been over a month since you said anything?

Well, let's not reinvent the wheel, there is a lot of people smarter than me, so I'll just quote them.
I found these quotes on Wall builders website, enjoy.

Robert Winthrop

Former Speaker of the US House of Representatives

Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled either by a power within them or by a power without them; either by the Word of God or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible or by the bayonet.

(Source: Robert Winthrop, Addresses and Speeches on Various Occasions (Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1852), p. 172 from his "Either by the Bible or the Bayonet.")

Noah Webster

Founding Educator

The most perfect maxims and examples for regulating your social conduct and domestic economy, as well as the best rules of morality and religion, are to be found in the Bible. . . . The moral principles and precepts found in the scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws. These principles and precepts have truth, immutable truth, for their foundation. . . . All the evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible. . . . For instruction then in social, religious and civil duties resort to the scriptures for the best precepts.

(Source: Noah Webster, History of the United States, "Advice to the Young" (New Haven: Durrie & Peck, 1832), pp. 338-340, par. 51, 53, 56.)

Quote of the day

Come, ye dead, Christless, unconverted sinner, come and see the place where they laid the body of the deceased Lazarus; behold him laid out, bound hand and foot with graveclothes, locked up and stinking in a dark cave, with a great stone placed on top of it. View him again and again; go nearer to him; be not afraid; smell him, Ah! how he stinketh. Stop there now, pause a while; and whilst thou art gazing upon the corpse of Lazarus, give me leave to tell thee with great plainness, but greater love, that this dead, bound, entombed, stinking carcase, is but a faint representation of thy poor soul in it natural state;...thy spirit which thou bearest about with thee, sepulchered in flesh and blood, is literally dead to God, and as truly dead in trespasses and sins, as the body of Lazarus was in the cave. Was he bound hand and foot with graveclothes? So art thou bound hand and foot with thy corruptions; and as a stone was laid on the sepulchre, so there is a stone of unbelief upon thy stupid heart. Perhaps thou has lain in this estate, not only four days, but many years, stinking in God’s nostrils. And, what is still more effecting, thou art as unable to raise thyself out of this loathsome, dead state, to a life of righteousness and true holiness, as ever Lazarus was to raise himself from the cave in which he lay so long. Thou mayest try the power of thy boasted free will, and the force and energy of moral persuasion and rational arguments (which, without doubt, have their proper place in religion); but all thy efforts, exerted with never so much vigor, will prove quite fruitless and abortive, till that same Jesus, who said ‘take away the stone” and cried “Lazarus, come forth,” also quicken you. This is grace, graciously offered, and grace graciously applied. Or as the Confession originally puts it, “grace offered and conveyed." ~George Whitefield