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1. Life Chain Sunday, Come And See - It's Easy - October 1, 2006
Life Chain Sunday - Oct 1st 2:30 until 3:30 Robie at Quinpool and Cunard along the Commons.
Come see, it's easy and speaks so eloquently about Life. Life Chain is about
children and the future. See it is easy, even from a stroller, come help me!
2. Canadian Same-Sex 'Marriage's Real Goal Is To Abolish All Marriage Says Author
Says Canadians "being played for a bunch of fools by your legal-political elite"
September 25, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In a National Review Online article this past February, U.S. author/researcher Stanley Kurtz charged that Canadians still don't get it that the legal change to the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples is part of an overall strategy to completely abolish marriage in Canada.
The Tories promised motion to re-visit the same-sex marriage issue in Parliament is about to be introduced this October or November and yet many religious and other groups and pro-marriage Canadians are perceived by pro-family leaders as again making only weak, half-hearted efforts to support the motion. The Stanley Kurtz article may help Canadians become more aware about the severe consequences of losing the vote on that motion and the vote on any following bill to re-instate the traditional definition of marriage.
Kurtz starts his article by noting the mid-January 2006 Justice Department study that called for the decriminalization and regulation of polygamy.
With that in mind he follows: "And even that is only part of the story. Canadians, let me be brutally frank. You are being played for a bunch of fools by your legal-political elite. Your elites mumble a confusing jargon to your face to keep you from understanding what they really have in mind."
Kurtz continues with some very brief but explosive quotes from a 2001 Law Commission study, "Beyond Conjugality," that questioned whether there should even be any continued legal privileges and obligations for marriage after gay 'marriage' is legalized.
Even though the 2001 report was made public he says, "nobody got it. Everyone noticed that a government commission had backed same-sex marriage. But few recognized, grasped, or could bring themselves to take seriously, the central thrust of Beyond Conjugality: that after the legalization of same-sex marriage, Canadian marriage itself ought to be abolished."
The plan is so obvious says Kurtz. "It's like this. The way to abolish marriage, without seeming to abolish it, is to redefine the institution out of existence. If everything can be marriage, pretty soon nothing will be marriage."
The most worrisome part of all this, according to Krutz, is that despite the obvious evidence, "The Canadian public cannot bring itself to believe that the abolition of marriage is the real agenda of the country's liberal legal-political elite."
Polygamous Muslims and Mormons fit right into the strategy, says Kurtz, only to politically justify further changes, which would have as their ultimate real goal the elimination of all marriage.
See the complete Kurtz article with all his evidence and reasoning The Conspiracy to Abolish Marriage in Canada http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/sep/060925a.html
See also Stanley Kurtz's article Beyond Gay Marriage
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/002/938xpsxy.asp
3. Parents Protest Gay Curriculum Review - September 27, 2006
Today's Family News: http://www.todaysfamilynews.ca
1. Parents Protest Gay Curriculum Review
2. Stressed Teens Struggle In Silence
3. Call To Prayer For The Enslaved
4. Go Deeper: Dad, If You Only Knew
5. Get Involved: Navigate Faith-Political Interface
6. Heard Around: Children And Television
7. Interact: Give Us Feedback On The New TFN
1. Parents Protest Gay Curriculum Review
Today's Family News http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/
September 27, 2006
One of two homosexuals under contract http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/education/stories/062106.html with the B.C. Ministry of Education to take the lead in developing new social justice public school curricula is unsuitable for the job due to his "anti-Catholic bigotry," according to the Catholic Civil Rights League http://www.ccrl.ca/index.php?id=363 (CCRL).
Peter Corren was reacting to an editorial in The B.C. Catholic http://bcc.rcav.org/06-09-04/editorial.htm by Vancouver Archbishop Raymond Roussin in which he warned that this agreement "could lead to the introduction of morally objectionable material in the school system."
Corren told the http://www.vicnews.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=36&cat=23&id=732106&more=that the Catholic Church "has victimized our society through history." And he told The Province that Roussin's response reflects the Church's ongoing "homophobic diatribe against Canadian society."
"Mr. Corren's absurd accusation," said CCRL spokesperson Sean Murphy,
"exemplifies either knee-jerk, anti-Catholic bigotry or appalling ignorance."
The National Post agreed. "It should be remembered," it stated in an editorial, "that Catholics pay taxes too, and should not be forced to fund slanders against their religion."
In fact, people of faith are not alone in expressing concern about the government's contract with Peter and Murray Corren - a married same-sex couple - which gives them unprecedented input in developing a new Grade 12 elective on social justice issues http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2006AG0026-000712.htm, including sexual orientation.
In late August, 15,000 people signed a petition organized by the Canadian Alliance for Social Justice and Family Values Association that called on the government "to defend and to preserve parental and children's rights" and to "stop selling out to special interest groups."
As well, a new group, Concerned Parents of B.C. http://www.concernedparentsbc.org/, has started meeting with local school boards to protest what it sees as the basic unfairness of giving a special interest group a say in the education of their children.
"We are in favour of the [social justice] course, but what we are saying is if you are going to grant a level of access to basically an unelected private citizen then you need to be granting that same level of access to the parents of the kids," chairman Brian Roodnick told Victoria News http://www.vicnews.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=36&cat=23&id=732106&more=. "You can honour the agreement and also do what is democratically right - include all the stakeholders."
The Vancouver Sun http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=cb9bdc89-15af-4854-8b4c-018d069c2e13&k=90184 reported last week that the initial planning stage of Social Justice 12, the new course's official title, is already underway behind closed doors. Concerned Parents was not invited.
Roodnick believes that if students are going to be taught about sexual orientation, then they should also be told that some religions believe homosexuality to be morally wrong.
"[Social Justice 12] has to reflect accurately and fairly all these different points of view," he told the Sun. " ... I don't want it to be written by only a few groups because then it'll be propaganda."
Over the next year, the Correns will also review B.C.'s entire Kindergarten-to-Grade
12 curriculum with a view to propose changes to ensure that children are given
"information on the gay and lesbian reality," Murray Corren told the
Sun
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=e4498784-ab0b-4b70-bd77-f6592ebc2ca4&k=41624.
2. Stressed Teens Struggle In Silence
Today's Family News http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/ - September 27, 2006
New Canadian research suggests that many teenagers are unwilling to talk to anyone - especially their fathers - about their problems.
A study commissioned by Motorola Canada revealed, according to a news release
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2006/12/c4891.html
that 42 per cent of teens rarely or never ask for help when they feel overwhelmed.
Those who do choose to disclose their hurts and anxieties are more likely to
confide in their friends (67 per cent) than their mothers (60 per cent) or fathers
and siblings (32 per cent).
Seven per cent said they never talk openly with their parents, usually for fear of feeling embarrassed and awkward, or being judged or punished.
Yet teens do have issues that they might want to talk about. Sixty-nine percent said they were stressed by school while 24 per cent cited either money or appearance and body image as their major stressor.
"We want to remind parents, teachers, coaches and others who spend time with teens that, as important as it is for teens to speak up, it's equally important that we're there to listen, not to judge but rather to help them find help," said lead researcher Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt http://www.science.mcmaster.ca/psychology/vaillancourt/Index.htm, an assistant professor of psychology at McMaster University.
In fact, the study found there are a few difficult issues that teens do not consider out of bounds as topics for discussion. Over half said they would be comfortable talking with their parents about bullying, harassment, drugs and alcohol. By contrast, just 27 per cent said they would feel at ease talking to their parents about sex.
"Parents need to set the tone, not wait for their kids to come to them," Vaillancourt told the Hamilton Spectator http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1158097813434&call_pageid=1020420665036&col=1014656511815.
"Teens told us where they like to have these conversations." One of those places is the family dinner table.
Motorola responded to the findings by launching a national program called Raise Your Voice http://www.raiseyourvoice.ca/home.asp. It seeks to encourage teens to speak up when faced with challenges at school or at home, and guide them to people who can help them. It will be led by an advisory board comprising of experts in child psychology, parent counseling, and education.
3. Call To Prayer For The Enslaved
Today's Family News http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/ - September 27, 2006
As hard as it may be to imagine, an estimated 27 million people - mostly women and children - are today trapped in slavery, more now than at the height of the transatlantic slave trade 200 years ago.
Most are involved against their will in the world's burgeoning sex trade, either as prostitutes who are smuggled from country to country or held as prey for so-called sex tourists from countries like Canada.
According to UNICEF, about 30 million children have been sexually exploited in the past 30 years, and over one million children are lured into the sex trade every year. The U.S. Department of State also estimates that between 600,000 and 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders annually.
For example, 300,000 Japanese sex tourists are said to visit the Philippines every year, where prostitution is now its fourth largest source of Gross National Product. As well, the Netherlands is a major destination country for trafficked women, helping fuel a sex industry that is estimated to be worth almost $1 billion per year.
To raise public consciousness about this dire situation, the Salvation Army in Canada is sponsoring "Release the Captives http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn.nsf/vw-sublinks/F622F24F001ECB3B802571840063C758?openDocument," the first annual weekend of prayer and fasting http://www.salvationist.ca/2006/prayer-for-victims-of-human-trafficking/ this weekend for the victims of human trafficking.
"This is the first year we have put on a call to prayer on such a broad scale," Salvation Army national public relations officer Andrew Burditt told ChristianWeek. "We invite all churches to participate in the event."
Also seeking to combat the problem head-on is International Justice Mission Canada http://www.ijm.ca/. Executive director Jamie McIntosh has personally taken Canadian lawyers with him on rescue missions overseas that he said have resulted in the release of "dozens and dozens" of slaves.
"We are doing it out of a motivation that says these people are created in the image of God," said McIntosh. "It's something that we just do to try and express God's love for these victims."
4. Go Deeper: Dad, If You Only Knew
8 Things Teens Want to Tell Their Fathers But Don't - Josh Weidmann
What teens are really saying is how much they need their dads. This is an opportune chance for you to learn eight keys to establish and maintain a healthy, father-teen relationship!
5. Get Involved: Navigate Faith-Political Interface
A three-day symposium to assist faith-oriented Canadians to participate responsibly in Canadian politics.
Click here http://www.faithpolitical.ca/ to find out more.
Date: Oct 11-14, 2006
Place: Vancouver, BC
Please note that the advertising of the preceding event(s) does not necessarily imply endorsement by Focus on the Family (Canada). It is for informational purposes only.
6. Heard Around: Children And Television
"Today, no one in network TV fears what the children are watching -unless it makes them think about God."
[Source: President of Parents Television Council and the Media Research Center Brent Bozell, after the news broke about NBC editing VeggieTales, washingtontimes.com 9/13/06]
7. Interact: Give Us Feedback On The New TFN
TFN welcomes your feedback on our stories and the new look. Click here http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/contact/index.htm
to send us a comment.
Consider donating https://bookstore.fotf.ca/donate1.aspx
Tell a Friend - Today's
Family News
Today's Family News http://www.todaysfamilynews.ca
TFN Archives http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/archive/index.html
Institute of Marriage and Family Canada http://www.imfcanada.org/
Focus on the Family (Canada) http://www.fotf.ca/
Phone: 1-800-661-9800 Mail: Box 9800 Stn Terminal, Vancouver BC, V6B 4G3
E-Mail: research@fotf.ca
If you are not currently subscribed to Today's Family News, visit Today's Family News to sign up http://www.todaysfamilynews.ca.
©2006 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved.
4. Lifeissues.net Newsletter #292 - October 1, 2006
Greetings from LifeIssues.net (www.lifeissues.net)
Dear Friends for Life,
The magic usage of words can lead to a "slippery slope". Here are
three examples:
1. Harvest Embryos - this is a feel good word. "Bring in the crops."
The end of a fruitful growing season. It falls pleasantly on our ears completely
masking the reality of what is being done.
2. Destroy Embryos - Ah, this is better. But, we destroy things, like a broken
chair. We don't kill a chair. So, to use this word, subtly dehumanizes these
"things," thus, easing our conscience.
3. Kill Embryos - This is explicitly, exactly what is done. We only kill humans,
so this abruptly identifies "the embryo" as a living human. The most
accurate and pro-life wording here is "to kill a five day old living human
embryo".
God Bless, Fr. Jerry Novotny, OMI
(Religious Pluralism) India, Pakistan and Bangladesh... have relatively small but disproportionately influential Christianity, including Catholics and other minorities. In each of them, there have been shameful attacks on Christians... It seems that much more can be done to insist that each of these states acts with greater conformity with international law and greater respect for religious rights." - Bishop Ricardo Ramirez.
Lifeissues.net Newsletter #292 - October 1, 2006
Table Of Contents:
1. Ageing population may affect Indian economy
2. Vatican Stem Cell Research Conference Focuses on Embryonic False Hopes
3. Standing Up to the United Nations' Bullying on Abortion
4. Doubts voiced over emergency pill
5. Four more Britons use Swiss clinic for suicide
6. Montana doctor sentenced to 6 years for euthanasia
7. Child Trade Is Big Business
8. Praise for Indonesia in fight against child mortality
9. The Need to Reclaim Catholic Social Teaching
10. Jerusalem Loses Battle to Ban Gay Pride Parade - Court-Ordered Date Set
for November 10
(Website: Think Chastity) http://www.thinkchastity.com/Homex.html. Our mission is to convincingly communicate the Catholic Church's teachings on sexual morality to as many members of the faithful as possible. We believe that when faithful Catholics have heard these teachings and understand why they are valid they will embrace a life of chastity. We also hope Catholics who have chosen this lifestyle will evangelize others when they better understand these teachings. As Christians we must be the light to lead others to the truth. We believe this message is essential to save souls and to reverse the moral decline present in our society. This decline is evidenced by abortion, promiscuity, and a lack of regard for marriage as a sacrament.
Item #1. Ageing Population May Affect Indian Economy
Bangalore: Health issues affecting the 40-plus age group may have a direct bearing
on the national economy and overall productivity, president of Indian Andropause
Society D. Narayana Reddy said here on Saturday.
Presiding over the Second National Conference on Aging Male, organized by the society, he said there were 100 million men in the age group of above 50.
One reason was that the average male life expectancy that was 40 in 1950s reached 63 years in 2003 and was close to 70 years now.
The economic shape of the country could well depend on how healthy this segment
of population was, he said.
Because there was no wide social security coverage as of now, the Government
had no direct financial burden. But the economic cost if middle aged and older
men cannot function well could be significant, Dr Reddy said.
Demographic studies showed that 50 per cent of all men aged 65 and above might be in India and China by 2025.
This could bring down economic growth in both countries. "India is slightly better off because our younger workforce will continue to grow till 2050. Even by 2020, the average Indian will be just 29 while it would be 37 in China," Dr. Reddy said.
View text at The Hindu: http://www.hindu.com/2006/09/17/stories/2006091700920500.htm
Item #2. Vatican Stem Cell Research Conference
Focuses On Embryonic False Hopes
The Catholic Church held a conference on stem cell research at The Vatican on
Friday. At the forum, a leading bioethics watchdog for the U.S. Conference of
Catholic bishops told the audience that embryonic stem cell research continues
to pose ethical problems that and political activists are misleading the public
about its potential.
Richard Doerflinger, who is the interim director of pro-life activities for the U.S. bishops, delivered his brief talk as part of an international congress titled "Stem Cells: What Future for Therapy?" that took place September 14-16 at the Augustinianum Institute.
Doerflinger said the recent scandal involving Advanced Cell Technology, the biotech firm that claimed it had obtained stem cells from human embryos without harming them, is "the latest in a series of deceptions" by those promoting embryonic stem cells.
"Many speeches, news stories, and advertisements have declared that these cells offer a cure for Alzheimer's disease - despite the nearly universal scientific consensus that they do not," he said.
View full text at LifeNews.com: http://www.lifenews.com/bio1772.html
Item #3. Standing Up To The United Nations' Bullying
On Abortion
Last week, a well-respected insider and two stalwart outsiders stood up against
the United Nations' bullying. They've had their fill of the UN forcing nations
into compliance with non-binding treaties engineered by the left to impose their
views on the rest of the world.
The UN, through scolding, pressure, criticism and warnings, coerces member nations into supporting actions and ideology that often are contrary to their national interests and, sometimes, even their country's laws. Thus, the UN flaunts national sovereignty and international law in its effort to mandate leftist policies, especially those that are pro-abortion and those that supposedly "empower women."
Three paladins who know first-hand what it means to be oppressed declared, "Enough!"
At a UN luncheon last week, Dr. Krisztina Morvai of Hungary, who has served for four years as a member of the CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) compliance committee, released a powerful statement criticizing the treaty monitoring process at the UN.
View full text at LifeNews.com: http://www.lifenews.com/nat2594.html
Item #4. Doubts Voiced Over Emergency Pill
Making emergency contraception more available has failed to reduce abortion
rates, a family planning expert says.
Edinburgh-based Anna Glasier said abortion rates were rising despite the morning-after pill having been available from chemists for five years.
The professor believes the focus should shift to encouraging people to take precautions before or during sex, the British Medical Journal reported.
The government said the emergency pill was not targeted at cutting abortions.
But Professor Glasier, who is director of family planning at the Lothian Primary Care NHS Trust, disagreed, saying emergency contraception had been heralded as the solution to rising abortion rates by many experts.
View full text at BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5345766.stm
Item #5. Four More Britons Use Swiss Clinic For
Suicide
Four Britons have committed assisted suicide at a controversial Swiss clinic
in the past six weeks.
Campaign group Dignity in Dying, formerly known as the Voluntary Euthanasia Society, said the number of British people who had gone to Zurich's Dignitas clinic to end their lives now stood at 54.
View full text at Scotland on Sunday: http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=1374112006
Item #6. Montana Doctor Sentenced To 6 Years For
Euthanasia
Dr. James Bischoff of Ennis Montana has been sentenced to 6 years in prison
after pleading guilty to negligent homicide and fraudulently obtaining drugs
in the euthanasia death of Kathryn Dvarishkis, who was 85 years old.
Dr. Bischoff was very upset with the 6-year sentence saying that he would not have pleaded guilty if he knew that his plea bargain, which included a 2-year sentence, was not to be honoured.
Dr Bischoff euthanized Kathryn Dvarishkis on July 16, 2000. At the time he claimed that he only used enough drug to ease her pain.
Sandy Dvarishkis, the daughter of Kathryn, stated that Bischoff had given her mother an injection, which failed to cause her death, only to return with another injection, which resulted in her death. The daughter also claimed that Bischoff spoke several times with her mother about euthanasia and that he was the one to open the topic.
View full text at LifeSiteNews.com: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/sep/06091304.html
Item #7. Child Trade Is Big Business
Hundreds, possibly thousands of children have been snatched from their families
in China, a Sky News investigation has found.
And families who have had children taken claim the authorities are covering up the abductions.
Sky Correspondent Dominic Waghorn met in secret with a number of parents who say they are being harassed and persecuted by the police for trying to find their children.
Boys are the main targets because of strict birth control laws limiting parents to one, sometimes two, children. Market trader Lin Haiyong was at home last year when his daughter called out: "Mummy, someone is taking little brother away."
"When he went missing, we barely ate for three days. My mother said, 'if we can't find him, I think I will die.' I told her I would find him. I still think we can find him. There is still hope."
But instead of being helped by the police they are persecuting them, putting them under surveillance and tearing down their missing posters.
Sky News tracked down a man who admits to kidnapping children and selling them to help pay off spiraling debts.
He said he would get to know women, become their friend and help them find jobs in the city. But would kidnap the child when left alone with it.
Read entire article at Sky News: http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,70131-13542978,00.html?f=rss
Item #8. Praise For Indonesia In Fight Against
Child Mortality
Indonesia has significantly reduced its child mortality rate over the past two
decades and is on the right track to meet its millennium goals, the United Nations
Children's Fund (Unicef) says.
Unicef Jakarta spokeswoman Kendartanti Subroto said the country should be able to reduce the 1990 level of child mortality by two-thirds in 2015, meeting its goals.
"Indonesia is one of success stories in reducing the mortality rate among children under 5 years because it has been able to push down its mortality rate from 97 (per 1,000 children) in 1989 to 46 in 2003. This is a significant reduction," she told The Jakarta Post.
Kendartanti said the country had also been able to decrease its infant mortality rate - children under 1-year-old - from 68 in 1989 to 35 in 2003.
According to Unicef, around 29,000 children under the age of five die every day in the world, and most of these deaths are preventable. Pneumonia annually kills 2 million children under five, more than HIV-AIDS, malaria, and measles combined, according to a Unicef-WHO report launched Monday.
View full article at The Jakarta Post: http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailheadlines.asp?fileid=20060919.A05&irec=4
Item #9. The Need To Reclaim Catholic Social Teaching
Synopsis: A large percentage of social justice advocates were at one time in
their lives devotees of Karl Marx, and although some of them have left strict
Marxism behind, they continue to approach both social problems and Catholic
social teaching from a Marxist habitus. The result is often a very dilapidated
doctrine that is politically inspired, misleading, and lacks the fullness exhibited
in the social encyclicals.
View full text at LifeIssues.net: http://www.lifeissues.net/writers/mcm/mcm_65socilteaching.html
Item #10. Jerusalem Loses Battle To Ban Gay Pride
Parade - Court-Ordered Date Set For November 10
September 19, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - An ongoing battle over homosexual pride
demonstrations in the city of Jerusalem came to an end today, after the controversial
Gay Pride parade was rescheduled for November 10, the Jerusalem Post reported.
After talks lasting three hours between the Jerusalem Police, State Prosecution, the Jerusalem Municipality and homosexual activist groups, Jerusalem police agreed to provide security to the event.
As well, the Jerusalem Municipality bowed to a request by Supreme Court President Dorit Beinisch to coordinate preliminary arrangements with event organizers. The agreement forestalls a threatened suit against the municipality by members of Open House, Israel national news Arutz Sheva reported.
The parade was originally scheduled to take place during August as part of World Pride 2006, a week-long homosexual celebration strenuously opposed by religious leaders in Jerusalem and world wide.
When the parade was canceled, with security issues relating to the hostilities between Israel and Lebanon cited as the official reason, organizers attempted to reschedule for September 21, just days before the beginning of the Jewish holy days of Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Succot.
Jerusalem police again denied permission, saying it was too provocative to hold the controversial event so close to the holy days. Leaders in the Jewish community expressed offense at the selected date, saying it was a deliberate affront to faithful Jews in the city.
Open House organizers had admitted to deliberately targeting the Jewish holy days, Ynet News reported at the time.
After Jerusalem police refused to allow the homosexual organization Open House to hold the demonstration, citing security issues, the organization pledged to petition the High Court to intervene on their behalf.
See coverage by Israel National News: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=112272
See previous LifeSiteNews coverage: Jerusalem Police Again Refuse to Permit Gay Pride Parade: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/aug/06083006.html
Homosexuals Hold Protest in Jerusalem in Wake of Nixed Pride Parade: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/aug/06081107.html
International Religious Outcry Close to Booting Gay Pride from Holy City of Jerusalem: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/jul/06070702.html
Jerusalem Officials Ban Annual "Gay Pride" Parade: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/jun/05062402.html
Action:
1. Pray that we all may have the courage to be God's presence in society and
support those who have been deemed "unworthy of life".
2. Stay informed at Lifeissues.net website: http://www.lifeissues.net.
3. Consider participating with a financial donation to help pay travel expenses
for Fr. Jerry's Speaking Tours to poorer countries in Asia. (Purpose: Journey
for Life into the Heart of Asia. Series of lectures on "The Family at Crossroads:
Trends and Challenges".) Remaining 2006 schedule: October - Philippines;
November - China; November - Hong Kong. Thanking you in advance for your active
participation and making this missionary project possible. Kindly send donations
directly to: Fr. Jerry Novotny, OMI; LifeIssues.net, Editor; Akebono-cho 1-15-9;
Kochi City, Japan, 780-8072
4. All past issues of LifeIssues.net Newsletter available online. Click here:
http://lifeissues.net/newsletters/mojo.cgi?flavor=archive&list=lifenews&start=0.
(These newsletters are an extension of the Website.)
Contact Editor: Jerry Novotny, OMI; Akebono-cho 1-15-9; Kochi City, Japan, 780-8072; Tel/Fax: 088-843-0406; E-Mail: jerry@lifeissues.net
Websites by Editor:
English site: http://www.lifeissues.net,
Japanese site: http://www.japan-lifeissues.net,
OMI site: http://www.omijapankorea.net/index.html
5. Mike Evans On Hannity & Colmes - SMU Mcfarland Auditorium In Dallas, Texas - Friday, September 22
Not sure when this program will be aired in Canada, but normally Hannity and Colmes is on at 10PM our time on the Fox Network.
Mr. Evans was to have been on The O'Reilly Factor Tuesday evening. The segment was cancelled due to a delay in Ahmadinejad's speech. The program will be rescheduled.
Dear Hilda,
Yesterday, I spoke to millions of people worldwide on Neil Cavuto's show on the Fox Network. Neil Cavuto's producer assured me that Mr. Cavuto would read "Showdown with Nuclear Iran", and would schedule me for a full segment in two to three weeks. We are getting calls from other network shows that have heard of my latest book "Showdown with Nuclear Iran", and that affords me the opportunity to speak up for Israel.
The terrorists that attacked America on 9/11 were permitted to travel through Iran on unstamped passports in order to avoid detection, and with the blessing of Iran's leaders. Had those men had dirty bombs rather than using aircraft, America could have lost three million on 9/11 rather than nearly three thousand.
It is outrageous to think that the U.N. allowed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to speak in New York City yesterday even as families continue to grieve over the events of 9/11. This follows on the heels of his threats to attack America with 52,000 suicide bombers, and a threat to "wipe Israel off the map." This is totally reprehensible. These threats cannot be brushed aside as the ranting of a madman. That happened with Osama bin Laden, and America suffered the tragedy of 9/11 as a result of ignoring his threats.
We must not allow Ahmadinejad, whose ultimate aim is a world without Zionism or America, to achieve the means through nuclear proliferation to attack America, Israel or the more moderate Arab countries in the Middle East.
My latest book, "Showdown with Nuclear Iran", reveals how Russia has been instrumental in building Iran's nuclear program with absolutely no restrictions or consequences.
Iran has blatantly rejected the appeals of the G8 nations to abandon nuclear enrichment. It is time that all possible economic and diplomatic sanctions are invoked in order to prevent Iran from achieving its ultimate goal - the acquisition of a nuclear bomb.
"Showdown with Nuclear Iran" also exposes the fact that Iran is responsible for the majority of the deaths of American troops in Iraq through IEDs, terrorist proxies, intelligence and money. (Eighty-five percent of the IEDs used in Iraq are supplied by Iran). I have been told that Iran will attempt to accelerate the murder of American troops in Iraq. They believe if they can reach the number 3,000, the result will be the loss of the House for President Bush.
Iran has done the same thing with impunity to the State of Israel by authorizing the firing of some 4,000 missiles into Israel during the Lebanon war. One-third of the nation of Israel was forced into bomb shelters for over a month while Iran tested Israel's resolve through Hezbollah.
Ahmadinejad believes he is on a mission from God to usher in the Twelfth Imam (the Mahdi) through an apocalyptic event. He believes at that time, all infidels will bow to Islam. He is testing America's resolve and tolerance for terror, and we are failing the test.
If Iran obtains a nuclear device, it will be too late for America, Israel, for our troops in Iraq, and for the world. The UN will never stop Iran. If Hitler were Ahmadinejad and this were the 30s, the UN would be helping Hitler build concentration camps while asking Hitler to promise not to use them to kill Jews.
"Showdown with Nuclear Iran" - The most detailed account of the Iranian regime's determination, policy, and plan to acquire military nuclear capabilities. Mike Evans delves into the roots of the Iranian revolution and explores Iranian history to better understand a major challenge to the western world. He compellingly analyzes policy options for confronting this threat.
Lt. Gen. Moshe Ya'alon, Former Chief of Staff, Israeli Defense Forces
Order now from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Showdown-Nuclear-Iran-Messianic-Cripple/dp/1595550755/sr=8-1/qid=1158326474/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-0978520-1228039?ie=UTF8&s=books
Order now from Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781595550750&itm=3
More Information http://jerusalemprayerteam.org/pdf/showdown.pdf
When the world sees "Showdown with Nuclear Iran" at the top of the bestsellers' list on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, it will stand up and take notice. This will open doors for me, too, to stand up and speak up for this nation and for the nation of Israel. It will also touch the Jewish people. When I spoke from Israel on the Fox Network during the Lebanese War, Israeli diplomats were cheering and weeping for joy because someone had the courage to speak the truth.
This is a battle between darkness and light; this is a battle for the soul of America and the soul of Israel. You can help by driving this book to the top of the bestsellers' list so that the world will sit up and take notice.
Today, "Showdown with Nuclear Iran" is at #256 on Amazon.com and #42 on Barnes and Noble. Network shows always call authors that are #1.
Mike Evans
Join the Jerusalem Prayer Team Now! http://tool.donation-net.net/ctbf/register.cfm?dn=1032&commid=47315482&id=203854
Please address email inquiries to: jpteam@sbcglobal.net
Jerusalem Prayer Team
P.O. Box 210489
Bedford, TX 76095
Fax: 817-285-0962
1-800-825-3872
http://jerusalemprayerteam.org
Dr. Tim LaHaye, Mrs. Anne Graham Lotz, Mr. Pat Boone, Mr. Bill McCartney, Ms. Kay Arthur, Rev. Tommy Tenney, Dr. A.R. Bernard, and Dr. Jay Sekulow are just a few of the more than 300 Christian Leaders who are part of the Jerusalem Prayer Team.
The Jerusalem Prayer Team is a non-profit organization with 501c3 tax-exempt status. The Jerusalem Prayer Team is a prayer movement of people around the world. It is a non-denominational organization. It receives no support from the Nation of Israel. Donations are tax deductible.
The mission of the Jerusalem Prayer Team: To guard, defend and protect the
Jewish people and Eretz Yisrael until Israel is secure, and until the Redeemer
comes to Zion.
6. Tories - Media Reaction - October 10, 2006
From our friend Tim in Ottawa: Snap shot of the media reaction and their attack on the Tories to, heaven forbid, protect religion in our country. Note the rhetoric and how religious and religion are described: "gay opponents, same-sex opponents, gay marriage opponents, etc." in a few instances the masthead line showed no bias.
It would appear as an excellent example of 'drive-by' journalism. - Herm
Harper
denies Tory plan to boost rights of gay-marriage opponents
Canada.com, Canada - 5 hours ago
Ottawa (CP) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says his government has no
plans to draw up legislation that would protect officials and churches that
refuse to...
PM
denies plan to bolster rights of gay marriage opponents
Calgary Sun, Canada - 9 hours ago
Ottawa (CP) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he has no plans to introduce
legislation to protect officials and churches that refuse to deal with...
Tories
under fire over gay-marriage plan
Globe and Mail, Canada - 11 hours ago
Ottawa - A Conservative proposal to protect officials and churches that
refuse to cater to homosexuals is coming under fire - even from some Tories.
Tories intend to protect same-sex opponents
CTV.ca, Canada - 15 hours ago
The Conservative government is working on measures that would protect opponents of gay marriage, including ministers and justices of the peace who refuse to...
Tories
plan to protect same-sex opponents
Globe and Mail, Canada - 21 hours ago
By John Ibbitson and Bill Curry and Brian Laghi. Ottawa
- The Conservative government is planning measures, including a Defence...
Liberals
attack Tories over judicial 'patronage'
CTV.ca, Canada - Oct 2, 2006
Liberals were crying patronage in question period over a series of judicial
appointments by the Conservative government. They particularly...
Tories
Dismiss Reports About Defence of Religions Act
580 CFRA Radio, Canada - 2 hours ago
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is dismissing reports the Conservatives are considering
legislation to protect officials and churches that refuse to deal with...
Source:
Canadian Government to Protect Religion and Conscience...
Lifesite, NY - 5 hours ago
By John-Henry Westen. Ottawa, October 4, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - If
the current attempt to restore the traditional definition of...
Harper denies Tory plan to boost rights of gay-marriage opponents
Ottawa Citizen (subscription), Canada - 6 hours ago
Prime Minister Stephen Harper responds to questions from the Opposition in the House of Commons. Ottawa - Prime Minister Stephen...Report: Canada Preparing To Let Gay Marriage Foes Refuse Weddings
365Gay.com - 8 hours ago
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff. (Toronto, Ontario) The Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper is preparing legislation...Tories protecting opponents of gay marriage
Global National, Canada - 10 hours ago
Ottawa - A Conservative proposal to protect officials and churches that refuse to cater to homosexuals is coming under fire - even from some Tories.
National
Affairs: Minority status beginning to stall Harper's...
Brooks Bulletin, Canada - 10 hours ago
Six months into its first session in Parliament, Stephen Harper's minority government
may already have reached the limits of its short mandate.
Conservatives
Look to Protect Free Speech Rights for Same-Sex...
580 CFRA Radio, Canada - 21 hours ago
The Globe and Mail reports legislation, including a Defence of Religions Act,
could be introduced if the Federal Government loses a motion this fall to reopen...
PM
denies anti-gay initiative
Toronto Star, Canada - 5 hours ago
Ottawa - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says his government has no plans
to draw up legislation that would protect officials and churches that refuse
to deal...
Harper
denies plan to bolster rights of gay marriage opponents
Canada.com, Canada - 7 hours ago
Prime Minister Stephen Harper responds to questions from the Opposition in the
House of Commons.
Ottawa - Prime Minister Stephen...
Harper
denies plan to bolster rights of gay marriage opponents
National Post, Canada - 8 hours ago
Prime Minister Stephen Harper responds to questions from the Opposition in the
House of Commons. Ottawa - Prime Minister Stephen...
Harper
denies plan to bolster rights of gay marriage opponents
CBC News, Canada - 8 hours ago
Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he has no plans to introduce legislation
to protect officials and churches that refuse to deal with homosexuals.
Tories
plan to protect same-sex opponents
Globe and Mail, Canada - 19 hours ago
By John Ibbitson, Bill Curry and Brian Laghi. Ottawa - The Conservative
government is planning measures, including a Defence of...
Liberals
attack Tories over judicial 'patronage'
CTV.ca, Canada - Oct 2, 2006
Liberals were crying patronage in question period over a series of judicial
appointments by the Conservative government. They particularly...
Harper
denies plan to bolster rights of gay marriage opponents
Winnipeg Free Press (subscription), Canada - 2 hours ago
Ottawa (CP) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he has no plans to introduce
legislation to protect officials and churches that refuse to deal with...
PM
denies possible Defence of Religions Act
Canoe.ca, Canada - 5 hours ago
By Bruce Cheadle. Ottawa (CP) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says his
government has no plans to draw up legislation that would...
Harper
denies Tory plan to boost rights of gay-marriage opponents
News1130, Canada - 5 hours ago
Ottawa (CP) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says his government has no
plans to draw up legislation that would protect officials and churches that
refuse to...
Harper
denies Tory plan to boost rights of gay-marriage opponents
680 News, Canada - 5 hours ago
Ottawa (CP) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says his government has no
plans to draw up legislation that would protect officials and churches that
refuse to...
Harper
denies Tory plan to boost rights of gay-marriage opponents
Brandon Sun, Canada - 5 hours ago
Ottawa (CP) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says his government has no
plans to draw up legislation that would protect officials and churches that
refuse to...
Harper
denies Tory plan to boost rights of gay-marriage opponents
Macleans, Canada - 5 hours ago
Ottawa (CP) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says his government has no
plans to draw up legislation that would protect officials and churches that
refuse to...
Harper
denies Tory plan to boost rights of gay-marriage opponents
940 News, Canada - 5 hours ago
Ottawa (CP) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says his government has no
plans to draw up legislation that would protect officials and churches that
refuse to...
Harper
denies Tory plan to boost rights of gay-marriage opponents
570 News, Canada - 5 hours ago
Ottawa (CP) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says his government has no
plans to draw up legislation that would protect officials and churches that
refuse to...
Harper
denies plan to bolster rights of gay marriage opponents
CBC.ca, Canada - 6 hours ago
Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he has no plans to introduce legislation
to protect officials and churches that refuse to deal with homosexuals.
Canada:
PM denies anti-gay rights plan
Gay NZ, New Zealand - 7 hours ago
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he has no plans to introduce legislation
to protect officials and churches that refuse to deal with homosexuals.
Harper
denies plan to bolster rights of gay marriage opponents
Montreal Gazette, Canada - 7 hours ago
Prime Minister Stephen Harper responds to questions from the Opposition in the
House of Commons.
Ottawa - Prime Minister Stephen...
Harper
denies plan to bolster rights of gay marriage opponents
Victoria Times Colonist, Canada - 7 hours ago
Prime Minister Stephen Harper responds to questions from the Opposition in the
House of Commons.
Ottawa - Prime Minister Stephen...
PM
denies possible Defence of Religions Act
Canoe.ca, Canada - 9 hours ago
Ottawa (CP) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he has no plans to introduce
legislation to protect officials and churches that refuse to deal with...
Tories
under fire for gay marriage proposal
Edmonton Sun, Canada - 10 hours ago
By CP. Ottawa - A Conservative proposal to protect officials and churches
that refuse to cater to homosexuals is coming under fire - even from some Tories.
7. Need The Quick Assistance Of An Architect - September 28, 2006
Dear Friends
I need the quick assistance of an Architect with an everyday working knowledge of the National Building Code.
Years ago, I was involved in such codes but the years are taking there toll. Information needed to substantiate some concerns dealing with Health and Welfare of individuals in government care.
Please if you know an Architect, that would be willing to talk on the phone, let me know if they would consider helping me. This is a pro-life matter.
Herm Wills
President, CLC NS
8. National Post - September 8, 2006 - Kill the Court Challenges Program - Lorne Gunter
Speaking of reform, it was gratifying to learn that Stephen Harper's government may be including the controversial Court Challenges Program in its review of federal funding for government programs, according to comments made by Mr. Harper's Justice Minister, Vic Toews.
National Post columnist Lorne Gunter says the new Conservative government should "Kill the Court Challenges Program." The sooner the better!
National Post - September 8, 2006 - Kill the Court Challenges Program - Lorne Gunter
The Conservative government is considering axing the Court Challenges Program (CCP). Good. The sooner the better. Most Canadians have probably never heard of the CCP. And it's budget is only a little under $3-million a year. Yet no other federal program or law has done more damage to Canadian democracy. No other has so fundamentally altered Canadian society without recourse to Parliament. The CCP has since 1985 funded dozens of high-profile court cases challenging the validity of federal and provincial laws in the name of feminism, gay rights, visible minorities, refugees, prisoners and the criminally accused.
Although its funding comes entirely from taxpayers, the CCP was hijacked early on by leftist cause-pleaders at odds with the broad Canadian public on such issues as gay marriage, prisoner voting, detention of criminals and a Criminal Code prohibition on spanking children, abortion on demand, rape shield, immigration rights, prohibitions on free speech in the name of protecting minority sensibilities and the entire grab bag of fashionable causes that fall under the heading of "political correctness." CCP-funded groups have achieved through the courts new rights and laws they would never have been able to win democratically.
In that way, the CCP is fundamentally anti-democratic. Ian Brodie - who is now Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Chief of Staff and part of the decision-making on CCP's budget - was once a political science professor at the University of Western Ontario. He specialized in political influence on the courts.
In a book he wrote during this earlier career, called 'Friends of the Court', Mr. Brodie outlined how CCP administrators had aggressively "created networks of interest groups and encouraged new groups to pursue public interest legislation." They doled out millions to radical organizations and urged them to start Charter challenges that targeted traditional Canadian values and laws. "Over time," Brodie reported, CCP managers and their interest group friends became so chummy that "these networks of groups became increasingly involved in running the program." In effect, the organizations that stood to benefit most from the program - both in terms of funding and court decisions that sided with their causes - gained inordinate control over it.
After 1993, when the Liberals returned to power, special interests were put in charge, and their funding decisions made secret. Not only did left-leaning interest groups want to keep CCP cash flowing into their legal departments, they understood that if they controlled the CCP granting process, they could keep groups opposed to their viewpoints from receiving equal funding, thereby giving their own causes an unfair advantage in court. Over time, the CCP and its fundees have become a very cozy, close-knit little clan. The program almost never funds cases brought by individuals, only those supported by powerful rights-seeking lobbies, and almost always the same dozen or so lobbies.
Upwards of 15% of the program's budget goes to finding litigants who are willing to launch cases against federal and provincial government statutes opposed by the interest groups whose directors effectively run the CCP. One Toronto feminist lawyer, a founder of LEAF, the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund - which is CCP's largest recipient - is frequently funded by CCP to represent other beneficiaries, such as the Canadian Abortion Rights Action League. She has also used herself as a test case. In the early 1990s, she went to court to overturn Canadian tax laws on childcare expenses and was represented by another LEAF lawyer who was paid in part by the CCP.
Ted Morton and Rainer Knopff, two University of Calgary political scientists, wrote in their book 'The Charter Revolution', that the CCP also "played a lead role" in the formation of the Canadian Prisoners' Rights Network, the Charter Committee on Poverty Issues, the Working Group on Aboriginal and Treaty Rights, and the Equality Rights Committee of the Canadian Ethno-cultural Council. The CCP was even the principal funder in 1992's Schacter case, in which CCP-paid intervenors convinced Supreme Court judges to grant themselves "reading in" powers to create new rights in Canadian law where none were approved by Parliament or the legislatures. Not coincidentally, it is special interest litigators whose cases are underwritten by CCP who have been the principal beneficiaries of this new judicial muscle to create rights out of thin air.
The CCP, with its biases and secret agendas, has no place in a pluralistic
society. Ottawa should turn off its tap.
9. News and CLC Update
Remember Life Chain 2006, October 1st, 2:30 PM until 3:30 PM Robie St. at the Commons. A silent prayerful, protest to abortion that destroys life.
Rosary for Life, Canadian Martyrs Parish, Inglis St., Halifax 1:30, September 24th, with Fr. Mary Cherry.
CLC Nova Scotia Newsletter Attached.
News from CLC National News
Action Item - contact your MP
Remember too, to contact your MP with regards to a motion about to come before the house to open the so-called Same-Sex Marriage issue. Your letter or call is important. Some MP's have decided to vote in favour of this action from awareness of their constituents who took time to call. James Rajotte, MP has decided to vote to revisit the same-sex (marriage issue) because of his constituents, Mike Wallace, MP is still hearing from his constituents and if he hears enough he too will vote to revisit the issue. (CLC National News - September 2006)
Liberal Leadership Race - Sadly, no prolife candidate. Including Frank McKenna if he decides to throw his hat into the ring.
Tories kill unborn victims bill.
In the August 8th, National Post and Ottawa Citizen it was revealed that the PMO's warned in an unsigned briefing note on C-291 from government bureaucrats, that," Any change to the definition of a 'human being' in the Criminal Code could have the effect of criminalizing abortion." This is untrue as the bill only would apply if the case of violence. The bill was about justice for victims of crime and addressed the legal discrimination against unborn victims and their families who have no recourse in law for the loss of love ones.
Be Aware - Bloc MP hopes to resurrect euthanasia bill.
Given that this is a minority government that is more or less dependent on Bloc support, it could easily be re-introduced if the MP, Francine Lalonde convinces her caucus into supporting her overwhelmingly.
March for Life 2007
The tenth anniversary of the March is coming up next year and it is hoped that 10,000 people will arrive for the occasion. Plan now to attend and help make if a reality. There will be a Pilgrim bus going from Halifax, taking in St. Ann's and Our Lady of the Cape Shrine and other surprises en route. An annual Rose dinner is held with International speakers, Youth Conference and lots of prayers.
Herm Wills
10. October 13, 2005 - UN AIDS Envoy Can't Stomach Abstinence
Hi Friends and Neighbors;
There is a petition circulating that promotes Stephen Lewis as a candidate for a Nobel Peace Prize. Please review this article from Population Research Institute before signing. You be the judge.
Herm
http://www.pop.org/main.cfm?EID=871
11. Lifeissues.net Newsletter 291 - September 24, 2006
Greetings from LifeIssues.net (www.lifeissues.net)
Dear Friends for Life,
Playing games again with life: European Union Compromises on Stem Cell Research. The European Union will not directly pay for embryonic stem cell research according to a compromise reached by the member nations. However, individual nations will be free to use European Union science money to pay for this in their own countries. E.U. money would not be used for the direct killing of embryos to obtain embryonic stem cells, but could be used in a permissive nation for research on existing embryonic stem cells.
As the "slippery slope continues", Holland Allows Infanticide. A Dutch Commission is recommending that disabled newborn babies can now be legally killed in Holland. Euthanasia of adults has been legal for two decades. Now they're turning to helpless newborns. According to the protocol, doctors can now kill newborn babies who are "seriously suffering" and who presumably will not live. Much of the support for killing patients in Oregon, came from the argument that they had to relieve unbearable suffering of these elderly patients. Come to find out, less than five percent of those being killed in Oregon even complain of pain and the same is true in Holland. This is a classic example of a slippery slope. Kill newborns this year, infants next year and children in five years. Just watch, it'll happen.
God Bless, Fr. Jerry Novotny, OMI
(A Thought) "In my experience, many non-Catholics have discovered that Catholic social teachings - especially the pivotal concepts as searching for the common good, the importance it places on the dignity of human person, its sense of global solidarity - forms a rich intellectual backdrop for reflecting on public life." - Richard Ryscavage, SJ .
Lifeissues.net Newsletter 291 - September 24, 2006
Table Of Contents:
1. US Government To Authorize Nazi-Like Human Experiments
2. Homosexual Adoption Measure Passes First Round In Scottish Parliament
3. Chile Court Suspends Gov't Plan To Distribute Free Morning-After Pill
4. More Shades Of Gray Amid Life, Death
5. Pressuring Women To Freeze Or Donate Their Ova
6. Vatican Resuscitates Issue Of Whether Brain Death Means Total Death
7. Australian Health Minister Warns Cloning, Embryo Research: "A Bridge
Too Far"
8. Where Do Babies Come From?
9. Who Gets To Make Decision On End Of Life?
10. This Teen Believes In Abstinence
(Website: Population Research Institute) http://www.pop.org/featureID=886&type=3 Population Research Institute exists to combat the threat of population control with a program of research and education that challenges its flawed assumptions, exposes its violations of personal dignity and human rights, and brings to light its attacks on free society. This website touches on various aspects of the over-population myth and the social and demographic implications of "sustainable economics" theory.
Item #1. US Government To Authorize Nazi-Like Human
Experiments
(Abstract: The FDA is presently considering guidelines that would allow scientists
to conduct "emergency research" on patients without any informed consent.
PFLC is launching a direct challenge to these proposed regulations which would
allow Nazi-like experimentation on human beings.)
Do you remember from history what the Nazi party and Joseph Mengele did to human subjects during WWII? These reprobates conducted dangerous medical experiments on innocent people without consent. Many people died as a result of the Nazis' human experiments and many others suffered a lifetime of post-experimental trauma and injury. This is not to mention the deprivation of basic human dignity that is occasioned by unconsented experimentation on human beings. Your government is proposing to do the same thing in 2006!
The Pro-Family Law Center has just discovered that the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is considering new rules that would allow scientists and doctors to conduct "emergency research" on unconscious or other incapacitated patients. This "emergency research" could be conducted without any informed consent from the patient or their designated representative. The proposed regulations known as "Guidance for Institutional Review Boards, Clinical Investigators, and Sponsors; Exception from Informed Consent for Emergency Research" are set for public hearing on October 30, 2006. Most American citizens have no idea that this hearing is to take place. Moreover, most wouldn't know what to do about it.
Read article at Pro-Family Law Center: http://www.profamilylawcenter.com/newsarchives.php?id=21
Item #2. Homosexual Adoption Measure Passes First
Round In Scottish Parliament
September 14, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A bill that would permit homosexual
couples to adopt children has passed the first round of parliament in a 103-8
vote, the Scotsman reported today.
The controversial legislation, which has been heavily opposed by the Scottish Catholic Church and Christian organizations, would open up adoptions to unmarried and same-sex couples.
Those opposed to the bill have said they will continue to fight it, including MSPs and leaders in the Scottish Catholic Church.
Bishop of Motherwell, Joseph Devine, one of Scotland's most senior Roman Catholic leaders, has actively sought to block the bill since it was first proposed. He said the Church will continue to resist passage of the measure.
"The result is very worrying, especially for children who will be caught up in these disturbing adoption processes. But there are another two stages of the bill yet to go through Parliament, so this file is far from closed. The Church is not going to stay quiet."
Last week Bishop Devine wrote to MSP's warning that the "distressing legislation" was a "violation of family life."
Scottish MSP Roseanna Cunningham, who opposes homosexual adoption, questioned yesterday's move by parliament, saying, "I can't see how overturning tens of thousands of years of nature's design moves us forward."
See previous LifeSiteNews coverage: Scotland Bishop Says Homosexual Adoption Being Pushed by "Politically Correct Zealots": http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/apr/06040607.html
Scotland Bishop Blasts Parliament Decision to Allow Gay Adoption: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/feb/06022703.html
Scottish Government Says Churches Can Exclude Homosexuals From Adoption: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/jun/06061307.html
Item #3. Chile Court Suspends Gov't Plan To Distribute
Free Morning-After Pill
September 15, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com)
- An attempt by the Chilean Health Ministry to supply emergency contraception
to minors without their parents' knowledge has been temporarily blocked by a
Chilean court.
The appellate court suspended the measure until a lawsuit filed against Health Minister Maria Soledad Barria by a coalition of lawyers and mayors has been resolved, Reuters reported yesterday.
The federal government order to provide the 'morning after pill' to young girls, on demand and without the knowledge or consent of their parents, was scheduled to be implemented this month. Several mayors refused to participate in the policy, demanding that parents must be notified before emergency contraception could be distributed to minors.
Abortion is illegal in Chile at any point in pregnancy, including cases of rape or incest. After an extensive court battle, the Chilean Supreme Court permitted the sale of emergency contraception in 2005, the first abortifacient to be legally established in the country.
The Catholic Church has strongly opposed the introduction of emergency contraception, while the President Michelle Bachelet supports the measure. The Chilean population has been sharply divided over the volatile issue.
See related LifeSiteNews coverage: Chilean Supreme Court Orders Sale of Abortifacient Morning-After Pill: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/dec/05120202.html
Chile's Mayors Refuse Morning After Pill Push: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/sep/06090606.html
Item #4. More Shades Of Gray Amid Life, Death
Of all the headlines on the story, this one took the prize for provocation:
"Woman in Vegetative State Plays Tennis in Her Head." I suppose this
is what happens when science throws up a startling piece of new research and
the media slams it into the court of public opinion.
In Britain, researchers have reported that a totally unresponsive 23-year-old woman showed signs of awareness on a brain-imaging test. When asked to imagine playing tennis, her brain lit up the same neural pathways as a healthy brain. When asked to imagine walking through her house, the MRI revealed changes in specific brain regions that mimicked healthy people.
The exuberant lead researcher, Adrian Owen, said the results "confirmed beyond any doubt that she was consciously aware of herself and her surroundings." A colleague even raised the possibility that some vegetative patients have "a rich and complex internal life." Tennis in her head. What are we to make of this?
Comments: Being unaware, minimally aware, or having dementia-it's all the same to the "right to die" enthusiasts: death is better because they think it's what they would want for themselves. - Nancy Valko, RN
Comments: Ellen Goodman of the Boston Globe does a rather gymnastic spin on the diagnosis of PVS and why Terri Schiavo just had to be PVS - no matter what science says. - Pam
View full text at seattletimes.nwsource.com: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003259049_goodman15.html?syndication=rss
Item #5. Pressuring Women To Freeze Or Donate Their
Ova
(Fears of Exploitation by Biotechnology Mount)
"Cloning always amounts to the commodification of women's bodies," objected George. Concerns exist, moreover, that women will be pressured into giving consent for the donation of their eggs. And monetary incentives might induce poor women to undergo treatment, without considering sufficiently the health risks. "Politicians and scientists must not use women as guinea pigs in a technology that has no proven benefits," she concluded.
Such concerns received support in a study published Aug. 9 by Nature magazine. The article, entitled "Health Effects of Egg Donation May Take Decades to Emerge," explained that specialists in reproductive medicine consider that there is insufficient information about the long-term risks of drugs used to stimulate ovulation.
In fact, some studies suggest the drugs may be linked to the development of certain cancers. One of these, carried out by Louise Brinton at the U.S. National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, collected the medical records of more than 12,000 women who received ovulation-stimulating drugs between 1965 and 1988. Among the results was the finding that the women were around 1.8 times more likely to develop uterine cancer.
Worries also have surfaced in Spain, following a publicity campaign by a clinic in Barcelona to attract egg donors. According to an Aug. 2 report in the daily ABC, the clinic needs ova to carry out fertility treatments.
View full text at the daily Standard: http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/684fncgd.asp
Item #6. Vatican Resuscitates Issue Of Whether
Brain Death Means Total Death
After years of study and debate, the question of whether an individual declared
brain-dead is really dead has been resuscitated once again.
The Pontifical Academy of Sciences, along with the vast majority of the scientific community, has repeatedly upheld that brain death is "the true criterion for death, given that the complete cessation of cardio-respiratory functions leads very quickly to brain death," said Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, the academy's chancellor, in a 2005 written statement.
Just months before his death in April 2005, Pope John Paul II had asked the academy to restudy the signs of death and get scientific verification that those signs were still valid.
Pope John Paul, in a 2000 speech to an international congress on transplantation, had agreed with the consensus of the scientific community that "the complete and irreversible cessation of all brain activity (in the cerebrum, cerebellum and brain stem) if rigorously applied, does not seem to conflict with the essential elements of anthropology."
But the arguments of some that complete cessation of brain activity does not mean death were apparently enough to persuade Pope John Paul to reopen the debate five years later.
And Pope Benedict XVI has asked that the debate be revived.
The question is crucial since brain-dead people may be suitable organ donors. If a brain-dead person weren't really dead, then removal of vital organs for transplant would be synonymous to homicide.
See the full article at Catholic News Service: http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0605285.htm
Item #7. Australian Health Minister Warns Cloning,
Embryo Research: "A Bridge Too Far"
Cloning/Embryo research a slippery slope that will only lead to more and more
sordid human experimentation.
View the entire text at LifeSiteNews.com: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/aug/06080302.html
Item #8. Where Do Babies Come From? "Mommy, where did I come from?"
Throughout history, parents have squirmed at that question because it involved sex. Now, many are squirming because it doesn't. For children born through in vitro fertilization - 3 million and counting - the answer involves injections, selections and lab dishes. The hard part is explaining the siblings we rejected: nearly half a million embryos frozen in U.S. clinics alone. In thousands of cases each year, the story now includes pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), a technique for weeding out flawed embryos.
What flaws are we screening for? That's the most uncomfortable question of all. Sometimes, the flaw is a horrible disease. But increasingly, it's a milder disease, the absence of useful tissue or just the wrong sex. If you think it's hard to explain where babies come from, try explaining where baby-making is going.
View full article at washingtonpost.com: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/15/AR2006091500991.html
Item #9. Who Gets To Make Decision On End Of Life?
If it had been up to her doctors, the Houston hospital where she was treated
and the laws of the state of Texas, Kalilah Roberson-Reese would be dead by
now.
Instead, the severely brain-damaged 29-year-old woman is being cared for in a Lubbock nursing home, where she's become a focal point in a growing struggle over a controversial Texas law that permits hospitals to withdraw life support from patients whose conditions they deem hopeless - even if family members object.
Under the terms of the state's "futile-care law," a hospital seeking to discontinue treatment must give a patient's family 10 days to find an alternate facility willing to accept the patient. After that, the hospital can legally pull the plug.
To its supporters in the medical and legal communities, the Texas law, one of only two in the nation that set such a transfer-or-perish deadline, is a sensible and compassionate solution to one of the most vexing end-of-life questions posed by modern medicine: How long should a patient be kept alive when there is no hope of recovery?
"When a loved one is dying, none of us wants to let go of that situation," said Garnet Coleman, the state legislator who co-authored the law, formally titled the Texas Advance Directives Act. "But ethically, a physician should not be forced to do harm to a patient by continuing treatment. With this law, they have the ability to say, `I can't do any more for this patient, and it's wrong to do more.'"
To the growing ranks of critics, however, including disability-rights groups, right-to-life organizations and family members of some of the terminal patients, the Texas law is an outrage that grants hospitals immoral power over life and death and forces beleaguered families into an 11th-hour scramble to save their loved ones.
"This law allows doctors and hospitals to abandon patients and provides them safe harbor and immunity to do it," said Jerri Ward, an Austin attorney who has filed several lawsuits to prevent doctors from ending treatment. "The Hippocratic oath has morphed from treating illness and saving people's lives to allowing doctors to make subjective quality-of-life decisions about ... who should die."
View full text at Chicago Tribune: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0609170386sep17,1,7814849.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true
Item #10. This Teen Believes In Abstinence
The main reason I am abstinent is I don't want to become pregnant. That would
be the worst thing. I wouldn't be able to finish school. My mother is strict
about that - my cousins had children at my age. They had to struggle. She doesn't
want me to end up like them.
Another reason is that I don't want my reputation ruined. At the abstinence program where I work, the educators there talk about syphilis, AIDS and STDs. I don't want to catch any of those diseases.
At my school, boys and girls do sexual stuff. Some kids just want to try it for a time. A good part of my school, maybe 65 percent, is involved in sexual intercourse. Maybe eight girls are pregnant. Girls tell me where they did it and with whom. They don't say, "I wish I would have waited." They say, "I want to do it now." They do know about birth control, but I'm not sure they use it. They don't ask me much except why am I abstinent. We don't have sex education at my school. I would like to start an abstinence club.
View full article at Time: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1535349,00.html
Action:
1. Pray that we all may have the courage to be God's presence in society and
support those who have been deemed "unworthy of life".
2. Stay informed at Lifeissues.net website: http://www.lifeissues.net.
3. Consider participating with a financial donation to help pay travel expenses
for Fr. Jerry's Speaking Tours to poorer countries in Asia. (Purpose: Journey
for Life into the Heart of Asia. Series of lectures on "The Family at Crossroads:
Trends and Challenges".) Remaining 2006 schedule: October - Philippines;
November - China; November - Hong Kong. Thanking you in advance for your active
participation and making this missionary project possible. Kindly send donations
directly to: Fr. Jerry Novotny, OMI; LifeIssues.net, Editor; Akebono-cho 1-15-9;
Kochi City, Japan, 780-8072
4. All past issues of LifeIssues.net Newsletter available online. Click here:
http://lifeissues.net/newsletters/mojo.cgi?flavor=archive&list=lifenews&start=0.
(These newsletters are an extension of the Website.)
Contact Editor: Jerry Novotny, OMI; Akebono-cho 1-15-9; Kochi City, Japan, 780-8072; Tel/Fax: 088-843-0406; E-Mail: jerry@lifeissues.net
Websites by Editor:
English site: http://www.lifeissues.net,
Japanese site: http://www.japan-lifeissues.net,
OMI site: http://www.omijapankorea.net/index.html
12. Proving His Point - By Chuck Colson - September 19, 2006
The Pope's Speech
Muslims are outraged over Pope Benedict's recent speech, in which he denounced violence as a means of bringing about religious conversion. How did they demonstrate their anger? Ironically, with violent protest - even murder.
The highlight of the Pope's visit to his native Germany was an address at Regensberg, where he once taught. The speech was supposed to be memorable for its forceful response to the crisis caused by Western secularism. Instead, it's more likely to be remembered as further proof, if we needed any, that irony - to say nothing of civility - is not one of Islam's strongest suits.
The Pope spoke about the importance of reason within Christianity. As he put it, "The encounter between the biblical message and Greek thought did not happen by chance." It was intended by God.
This "encounter" helped create Western civilization. And in rejecting Christianity, the Pope warned, Europe is rejecting the basis of the rationality that made Western achievements possible. That is a point you heard me make in commentaries on Rodney Stark's terrific new book, The Victory of Reason.
This part of the Pope's remarks was well received, even by some of his harshest critics. Unfortunately, this part, which was ninety percent of the speech, was washed away in the controversy.
The fuss is about what the Pope said about Islam. He quoted a fourteenth-century Byzantine Christian emperor, who, in a discussion about Christianity and Islam with a Persian scholar, said this: "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."
Benedict's point was that "forced" conversion is "contrary to God's nature," as well as to both reason and faith. The effort to forcibly convert people to Islam is, for Benedict, an example of how the differences between the Christian and Islamic conception of God manifest themselves in the "real world" - a difference on display just a few weeks ago when Islamists tried to force the conversion of two Fox News journalists taken hostage.
In response to the Pope's reasonable and factual comments, Muslims took to the streets demanding an "apology" and attacking Christian churches. The Iraqi branch of al-Qaeda pledged to "break the Cross and spill the wine," leaving Christians with no choice but "Islam or death." And on Sunday, Somali Islamist gunmen shot in the back and killed a Roman Catholic nun ministering to the poor in Mogadishu.
If Muslims had protested peacefully, they would have undercut the Pope's remarks. Instead, they proved him correct.
Pope Benedict is the second religious leader of international stature to really call Islam to account. Franklin Graham did it a while back and was beaten up by the press for months. Well, the Pope is now going to suffer the same fate. The New York Times in a Saturday morning editorial blamed the Pope, and no mention was made of Muslim violence.
This controversy underscores the unpleasant truth that Islamic violence is deeply rooted in both the religious and cultural fabric of the Muslim world. It is time for the West to face that painful truth and to buckle down for what will be a long struggle. Thankfully, Pope Benedict is making us do that. - http://www.breakpoint.org/listingarticle.asp?ID=5598
For Further Reading and Information:
Today's BreakPoint offer: Is the Father of Jesus the God of Muhammad?
http://www.breakpoint.org/storeitem.asp?ID=1669
- by Dr. Timothy George compares and contrasts the differences between Christianity
and Islam.
Read the text of Pope Benedict XVI's speech, "Faith, Reason and the University:
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2006/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20060912_university-regensburg_en.html."
"The Pope's Words:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/16/opinion/16sat2.html?n=Top%2fOpinion%2fEditorials%20and%20Op%2Ed%2fEditorials,"
New York Times, 16 September 2006. - "Militants Vow War after Pope Comments: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14888444/," MSNBC, 18 September 2006.
Sahal Abdulle and Guled Mohamed, "Italian Nun Slain in Somalia, Pope Link
Speculation:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060917/wl_nm/somalia_italian_dc_3,"
Reuters, 17 September 2006.
Frances D'Emilio, "Pope Issues Rare Statement of Regret: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060917/ap_on_re_eu/pope_muslims,"
Associated Press, 17 September 2006. Read the full text: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5352188.stm of the Pope's statement.
Stephen Bainbridge, "A Shot Across Many Bows: http://www.tcsdaily.com/article.aspx?id=091506H," TCS Daily, 15 September 2006.
Stephen Bainbridge, "Regensberg - http://www.professorbainbridge.com/2006/09/regensburg.html,"
ProfessorBainbridge.com, 15 September 2006.
Suzan Fraser, "Muslims Assail Pope's Remarks on Islam: http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/09/15/D8K592E00.html," Associated Press, 15 September 2006.
Ian Fisher, "Pope Assails Secularism, Adding Footnote on Jihad:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/13/world/europe/13pope.html?_r=1&ei=5094&en=69571027cead2824&hp=&ex=1158206400&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print&oref=login,"
New York Times, 13 September 2006. - Rory McCarthy, "Freed Fox Pair Tell of Kidnap Torment Before Forced Conversion to Islam: http://www.guardian.co.uk/frontpage/story/0,,1859768,00.html," Guardian (London), 28 August 2006.
Stephen Waldman, "Jesus in Baghdad: Why We Should Keep Franklin Graham - Out of Iraq: http://www.slate.com/id/2081432/," Slate, 11 April 2003.
Melanie Phillips, "How Britain Is Turning Christianity into a Crime: http://www.melaniephillips.com/articles-new/?p=447," Daily Mail, 7 September 2006.
BreakPoint Commentary No. 050421, "Opposing Dictatorships: The New Pope: http://www.breakpoint.org/listingarticle.asp?ID=5533."
BreakPoint Commentary No. 050909, "On Our Own Doorstep: What We're Lacking in the Fight Against Terrorism: http://www.breakpoint.org/listingarticle.asp?ID=1549."
BreakPoint Commentary No. 041118, "Reconsidering Secularism: One - European Looks Back: http://www.breakpoint.org/listingarticle.asp?ID=3372."
BreakPoint Commentary No. 060629, "The Victory of Reason: Christianity
and the Triumph of the West:
http://www.breakpoint.org/listingarticle.asp?ID=2539."
13. REAL Women Of BC - "Little Black Book" May Be Coming To Your School - September 21, 2006
Important News from RealWomen Canada on the Indoctrination of Children. Many organizations that are on-line are sending alerts regarding this subject. Some are listed at the bottom of this article. - Herm
Real Women BC http://www.realwomen.bc.ca/
Realistic, Equal, Active for Life
A pro-life, pro-family, non-denominational, non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots women's advocate organization
Stop Government Funded Same Sex Indoctrination
Last year, in defiance of public opinion, the government passed a law redefining marriage. Because educators are now required to teach the new law to all students, they are looking for curriculum to teach children same-sex relations. This material, developed with assistance from the federal government, is called "The Little Black Book".
The Little Black Book - Pornographic Propaganda Paid for by Taxpayer Dollars
This past year the federal, provincial and municipal governments provided St Stephen's House in Toronto with funding of $7.8 million.
One of the educational" projects undertaken by this organization was the production and distribution of "The Little Black Book - A Book on Healthy Sexuality".
This book purports to be a guide to personal and sexual development for teenage girls. In reality, it is a shockingly pornographic and deeply offensive piece of political and cultural propaganda.
Deceiving Teens, Undermining Parents
The Little Black Book is a virtual "how to" guide for homosexual activity. It teaches that only 10% of the population is heterosexual, 10% are homosexual and the other 80% are bi-sexual. In fact, international and national studies find that 1-3% of Canadians are homosexual.
It includes a chapter entitled "My First Time F_ _ _ ing a Girl" and provides explicit instructions on how to perform oral, anal and other sex acts.
Those who counsel against such activity, especially parents, are derisively dismissed as bigots. "A lot of parents are homophobic, and so are their children - until they get minds of their own."
In addition, the book advises, "If you need a figure to represent God The Holiness then for me she's a fat, black dyke."
Promoting Irresponsible Sexual Activity
"The Little Black Book" teaches girls in graphic language the use of condoms and dental dams (for oral-vaginal or oral-anal sex).
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that condom use may reduce the risk of getting AIDS by only 80 %, leaving a 20% chance of contracting this fatal disease. This study, moreover, assumes that condoms are used "consistently and correctly" and that they are not damaged in any way.
These facts from WHO are not presented in this guide, leading children to mistakenly believe that they can engage in so-called "safe sex" without risk.
In one particularly egregious passage, girls are advised, "for extra fun, cut out the crotch of your undies and sew on a dental dam". If followed these instructions could lead to the complete failure of the device and infection of its unsuspecting users.
Government Stamp of Approval?
"The Little Black Book" was developed with the financial assistance of all three levels of government and its online version is being sponsored by Industry Canada.
It is only logical, therefore, that government educators will interpret this as a stamp of "official approval" and will use this offensive curriculum. The Ministry of Education in Manitoba is now making this available to children in grades 9 - 12 and a similar education project is in Alberta.
Would you knowingly expose your children to such material?
The Defend Marriage Coalition is calling on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to stop the same-sex indoctrination of Canada's children, to withdraw all funding of organizations producing sexually explicit material and to examine the societal impact of re-defining marriage.
What can you do?
Call your Member of Parliament and your MLA or MPP.
If you don't know who they are, phone your Mayor's office or Municipal Hall. They will tell you. Call your MP toll free at 1-800-599-4999. Many MLA's and MPs also have toll free numbers.
Become a member of Defend Marriage.
http://www.familyaction.org/PDFs/membrform.PDF
Donate to the "Stop Same-Sex Indoctrination" campaign though the website listed above.
Fill out the online petition, http://www.familyaction.org/Articles/issues/education/black-book-ETITION.htm and submit it.
With your help we will fight the same sex indoctrination of our children.
If we remain silent while our children are violated then we are complicit in their psychological abuse. Children have enough to contend with on the Internet, video games, Hollywood and peer pressure. The last thing they need is same-sex indoctrination when they are a captive audience in public schools! If we work together we will have victory.
How much is the protection of our children worth? I am going to do everything
I can. I trust you will as well.
Act today. If not you, then who? If not now, when?
Dr. Charles McVety Senior Director,
Defend Marriage President,
Canada Family Action Coalition
P.S. Watch a Special Television Broadcast on the Little Black Book, Word.ca CTS Sunday, September 17th at 11:00pm Eastern time and Miracle Channel Sunday September 24th at 10:00pm Eastern time.
For further information go to http://www.canadianvalues.ca
14. Lifeissues.net Newsletter 293 - October 8, 2006
Greetings from LifeIssues.net (http://www.lifeissues.net/)
Dear Friends for Life,
Sharing with you a few adult stem cell discoveries received from IRLF International Newsletter.
· In Toronto, a researcher has turned adult mouse stem cells into embryonic
stem cells.
· In Edinburgh, England, scientists have discovered a gene that may make
it possible to transform adult stem cells into embryonic ones with the same
properties.
· In Sacramento, scientists have found adult stem cells in men's testicles
that have embryonic stem cell like qualities. They have been able to prompt
these cells to turn into nerve, heart and bone cells.
· Senator Sam Brownback, (R-KS), in a recent news conference stated that
there are now 70 peer reviewed publications reporting medical successes from
adult stem cells, and umbilical cord cells. There are none from embryonic ones.
· One day after President Bush vetoed an embryonic stem cell funding
bill, researchers at the University of Louisville in Kentucky reported research
showing adult stem cells can mimic the properties of embryonic ones.
· Dr. C. McGurckin at Dublin University in New Castle has been able to
produce insulin-secreting cells from adult stem cells from umbilical cord blood.
He commented that if this were done with embryonic stem cells, the insulin would
not be transplantable " because it's not a tissue match, whereas cord blood
gives a big advantage because there is no tissue incompatibility."
· As reported in the American Journal of Pathology, scalp tissue may
well be able to provide adult stem cells for use in treating disorders such
as peripheral nerve disease, Parkinson's and spinal cord injuries.
God Bless, Fr. Jerry Novotny, OMI
(A Thought) All people are members of one and the same family. An extreme exaltation of differences clashes with this fundamental truth.
Lifeissues.net Newsletter #293 - October 8, 2006
Table Of Contents:
1. Legal safeguards can make euthanasia a legitimate option
2. Hong-Kong Court Rejects Appeal for Homosexual Age-of-Consent Restriction
3. "Religious Right" most feared by Euthanasia Movement
4. Human Stem Cells Are Found to Help Rats' Vision
5. Increasingly, Couples Use Embryo Screening
6. Ethnic Minorities Starved, Denied Medical Care
7. Against Abortion, But Pro-Choice?
8. Pope endorses adult stem-cell research
9. Pregnant women ignore advice and keep drinking
10. Editorial: Another ethical stem cell issue
11. Socialist Portugal Government to Introduce Abortion Vote January 2007
[Website: Pope Paul VI Institute] http://www.popepaulvi.com/. The Pope Paul VI Institute is the only Catholic Institution of its type in the United States and perhaps the world that has dedicated its services to the development of morally and professionally acceptable reproductive health services. The Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction was built in 1985 as a direct response to the appeal by Pope Paul VI in his encyclical letter, Humanae Vitae, issued in July 1968. This encyclical addressed Church teaching in the areas of married love and fertility regulation. This was based on a theology of marriage and the family and on an understanding of the human and spiritual dimensions of conjugal love. It was based on the fundamental principle that love and life should never be separated.
Item #1. Legal Safeguards Can Make Euthanasia A
Legitimate Option
Earlier this week, Senator Amanda
Vanstone reopened the euthanasia debate by opining in a newspaper interview
that it was inhumane to deprive Australians of "sane, sensible and humane
euthanasia laws".
The arguments the palliative care movement make against euthanasia are similar
to those made by the anti-choice movement against abortion. This is unsurprising
perhaps, given the religious origins of both schools of thought, though of late
both have taken what one scholar describes as a decidedly "secular turn".
The anti-choice and palliative care movements argue that the only reason why those they claim to represent - women and terminally ill patients - choose as they do is because both groups lack adequate knowledge of other alternatives.
Comment: This writer (and ethicist - Shocker) with The Age in Australia seems to completely gloss over the concerns of the disabled community, the voices of caregivers and the elder communities and just freight-trains into the notion that opponents to euthanasia are all just religious folk, shoving their views on others. This is precisely the dangerous and ignorant talk that right-to-die people are so very good at. The sad thing is that it works. It's what keep us (the little guys) fighting amongst ourselves while they (the guys who make the rules) keep sticking it to us. - Pam H.
Read article at The Age: http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/legal-safeguards-can-make-euthanasia-a-legitimate-option/2006/09/19/1158431708136.html
Item #2. Hong-Kong Court Rejects Appeal For Homosexual
Age-Of-Consent Restriction
(LifeSiteNews.com) -
Current laws forbidding homosexual activity for boys and young men between the
ages of 16 and 21 have been rejected by Hong Kong's High Court, after the government
appealed an August ruling that struck down the age restriction.
Hong-Kong overturned its anti-sodomy law in 1980, but men engaging in sexual activity, when one or both males were under the age of 21, could face life-imprisonment. The age of consent for heterosexual or lesbian sexual activity in Hong Kong is 16.
"I cannot see any justification for either the age limit of 21, or, in particular, for the different treatment of male homosexuals compared with heterosexuals," Chief Judge Geoffrey Ma said in the judgment, according to the Associated Press. Medical experts, including those supportive of homosexual activity, have warned that anal sex carries the highest risk of transmission of HIV/AIDS, as well as all other STDs. "Tiny tears in the anal tissue are like giant superhighways for the HIV viruses, allowing them to get inside the body and enter the blood system. Anal tears provide an opening for all the other STDs as well," states the University of California's sex information website.
The Society for Truth and Light, an organization committed to combating pornography, prostitution, and gambling through public awareness campaigns, fought to maintain the age of consent law as it stood on the grounds that a change would trigger an increase in AIDS infections among young men, according to Asia Media. The group petitioned the government to appeal the August High Court ruling, submitting a petition containing 27,500 signatures.
The Hong Kong government defended the age of consent law as a protection for boys and young men who could be "corrupted" by predatory older males, in a statement by the Home Affairs Bureau at the outset of the court battle.
The government is reviewing the ruling and has not said whether it will further appeal the case.
See related LifeSiteNews coverage - Gay Activists Ask Canada to Lower Age of Consent for Anal Sex, National Post Agrees: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/feb/06021403.html
Item #3. " Religious Right" Most Feared
By Euthanasia Movement
"The March of the Religious Right - Where Does it Lead?" was the first
major talk offered at the international "Challenge in Choice" conference
of euthanasia advocates held in Toronto September 7th to 10th.
The talk featured Robert Raben, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney General, Office
of Legislative Affairs, and a major figure in the US Democratic party and Jon
Eisenberg, an attorney and author of the book, "Using Terri."
Raben, a political organizer and strategist for the Democrats, offered insight into the strategy of the Right to Die movement and emphasized that the religious right, particularly the Catholic Church, was their most powerful foe.
Raben told attendees that in the California fight for legalization of euthanasia, in a poll taken of 14,000 Californians, a single group only: "regular Mass-attending Catholics" were significantly opposed to euthanasia and assisted suicide.
John Eisenberg said it is crucial for the movement to identify Christian and other religious leaders who supported euthanasia. He singled out Catholic priest and medical ethicist, Fr. Kevin O'Rourke for praise, saying the priest had provided the movement with the arguments from Catholic ethics that defused Catholic opposition to the killing of Terri Schiavo.
O'Rourke, a member of the Dominican order and an expert in Catholic medical ethics, has for decades been a leading Catholic apologist for the killing of patients by starvation and dehydration.
View full text at LifeSiteNews.com: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/sep/06092004.html
Item #4. Human Stem Cells Are Found To Help Rats'
Vision
Pointing the way to a possible clinical use of human embryonic stem cells, researchers
have improved vision in rats suffering from a disease similar to age-related
macular degeneration.
The scientists, at Oregon Health and Science University, used human embryonic stem cells that had spontaneously converted into the special cells that line the base of the retina. The cells, which support the light-sensing rod and cone cells above them, are damaged in some forms of macular degeneration.
Comment: Once again, a possible embryonic stem cell experiment on animals is touted. Wish the adult stem cell advances in treating humans would get such prominence in the NYT. - Nancy Valko, RN
View full text at The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/21/science/21stem.html?_r=2&ref=us&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Item #5. Increasingly, Couples Use Embryo Screening
More and more couples are turning to an embryo-screening technique that allows
them to choose the genetic makeup of their children, according to a survey released
yesterday in the online edition of the journal Fertility and Sterility.
Some use the test so they can give birth to a child genetically similar to a sick sibling in need of a bone marrow transplant from a matched donor. Others are screening for genetic abnormalities, including some for which the test has not been proved useful. Still others are using it to get a baby of the sex they want.
View full text at washingtonpost.com: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/20/AR2006092001652.html
Item #6. Ethnic Minorities Starved, Denied Medical
Care
To be a health worker along Burma's eastern borders, home to the Karen and Karenni
ethnic communities, is to court death, injury or imprisonment, say doctors working
in the area.
See the full article at Inter Press Service: http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=34665
Item #7. Against Abortion, But Pro-Choice?
Sometimes I have met Catholics - especially where I work - who say, "I
am personally against abortion, but I am pro-choice." To me, that makes
no sense, but how can I argue with them?
View full article at Catholic Education Resource Center: http://catholiceducation.org/articles/abortion/ab0069.html
Item #8. Pope Endorses Adult Stem-Cell Research
Pope Benedict XVI last weekend praised and encouraged further research into
ethical adult stem cell research and said the possibilities opened up by this
"new chapter" were fascinating. At a Vatican sponsored congress on
stem cell therapy, the Pontiff challenged the "frequent and unjust accusations
of callousness" aimed against the church for its position against embryonic
stem cell research. He said there could be no compromise and no "beating
around the bush" when newly conceived human embryos are destroyed.
View full article at Catholic News Service: http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0605317.htm
Item #9. Pregnant Women Ignore Advice And Keep
Drinking
Thousands of women are putting their babies
at risk of permanent brain damage by drinking more than the recommended level
of alcohol during their pregnancy.
A survey conducted by Tommy's, the children's charity, and shown to The Times, found that 1 in 20 pregnant women admitted regularly exceeding the recommended limit of one to two units of alcohol once or twice a week.
A quarter of pregnant women drink right up to that recommended limit, even though all the scientific research concludes that there is no proven safe level of drinking in pregnancy.
Heavy drinking during pregnancy can cause foetal alcohol syndrome, an incurable condition resulting in severe retardation, poor memory, walking difficulties and, in the worst cases, facial abnormalities. About 1 in 1,000 babies are born with the syndrome each year worldwide.
View full text at Times Online: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,171-2363683,00.html
Item #10. Editorial:
Another ethical stem cell issue
(Already, a slippery slope is appearing in stem cell research.)
Some scientists involved in stem cell research, according to the Los Angeles Times, are growing increasingly frustrated because they lack the most important ingredient to the work - fresh human eggs.
California is taking a lead in this important field of research, which holds the promise of significant medical advances. The state has attracted plenty of scientific attention by setting aside millions for research.
In the report, scientists claimed to have enough money and wonderful labs. But as one put it: "Without eggs, there's no research."
One proposed solution: Pay women to obtain their eggs for research purposes.
That is not happening - yet. But the argument has been raised in some scientific
circles. The serious mention of such a system raises deep ethical questions,
too important to be left up to scientists and any female "clients."
The idea of creating a "market" for human eggs is appalling. One has visions of storefronts, such as those relatively common today in American cities for blood. Behind this door, sell a pint for $25. Behind that door, sell an egg for fifty.
View full article at BDN: http://www.beloitdailynews.com/articles/2006/09/19/editorials/edit01.txt
Item #11. Socialist Portugal Government To Introduce
Abortion Vote January 2007
Portugal's ruling Socialist Party announced plans to hold an abortion referendum
in January 2007 last Friday, to question voters on support for legislation allowing
abortions during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, Euro News reported today.
Abortion is banned in the largely Catholic nation, with exceptions up to the twelfth week in cases of rape, incest, fetal abnormality or serious danger to the life or health of the mother. After twelve weeks no abortions are permitted for any reason.
The opposition party Christian Democrats responded to the announcement by reiterating their determination to protect the country's laws banning most abortions.
View full text at LifeSiteNews.com: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/sep/06091803.html.
Contact Editor: Jerry Novotny, OMI; Akebono-cho 1-15-9; Kochi City, Japan, 780-8072; Tel/Fax: 088-843-0406; E-Mail: jerry@lifeissues.net
Websites by Editor:
English site: http://www.lifeissues.net,
Japanese site: http://www.japan-lifeissues.net,
OMI site: http://www.omijapankorea.net/index.html
15. United Mothers, Fathers & Friends Newsletter - September 29, 2006
Special Anti-Corruption Report - Court Challenges Program Axed!
We are pleased to bring you this special in depth anti-corruption report.
Court Challenges Program Axed!
An End to Tax Payer Funded Advocacy
I. What is the Court Challenges Program (CCP)?
II. Legacy of the CCP
III. Its Radical History
IV. An Unaccountable Biased Program
V. Take Action: Send Your 1 Click Letter in support
of Ending the Court Challenges Program
Please Print Or Forward This Newsletter Along To Others
"Millions of taxpayers' dollars have gone to hundreds of legal challenges in the courts. Who has benefited from this program? Certainly not the disadvantaged or the poor for whom the fund was intended. Instead, the Program funds have mainly gone to interlocking feminist/homosexual organizations who also control the Program." http://www.realwomenca.com/newsletter/2003_july_aug/article_8.html
Dear friend of the Family,
Welcome to all our new subscribers!
Success! Thank you to all of you who responded to our April "Spring Cleaning
in the Finance Minister's Office" campaign by writing Jim Flaherty and
outlining your suggestions for reducing wasteful spending.
The government is listening!
This week the new Conservative government announced $2 Billion in spending reductions over the next two years. $1 Billion to be saved by cuts to programs and initiatives and a further $1 Billion through "tighter management" measures. (For a full list of the savings initiatives see: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060926.wxbudget26/BNStory/National/home
Included in the budget reductions is a profound move by the government to address corruption and waste. They have announced the elimination of the $5.5 Million Court Challenges Program (CCP).
Unfortunately, the last time the Conservatives tried to eliminate this program in 1992, special interest groups and certain academics complained loudly and lobbied heavily until the Chrétien Liberals reinstated the program in 1994. http://www.pch.gc.ca/newsroom/index_e.cfm?fuseaction=displayDocument&DocIDCd=4NR112
As expected, special interest groups are complaining loudly again in the media and lobbying Parliament hoping to convince the Conservatives to reverse their decision.
This Week's 5-Minute Action Item
We need you to speak out and tell the government to hold firm. Send your personal letter to Prime Minister Harper, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, Justice Minister Vic Toews, Canadian Heritage Minister Bev Oda, and your MP thanking them for putting an end to a program that is biased, circumvents the democratic process, is unaccountable, operates in a shroud of secrecy, is beyond the reach of Access to Information legislation, and is headed by a board and committee composed of members who have a conflict of interest by funding their own organizations.
Read below to learn more, then click here to send your 1 Click Letter
http://www.1clicklobbyist.ca/index.php?affid=216
All it takes is 5 minutes to make a difference!
I) What is the Court Challenges Program (CCP)?
"The CCP has since 1985 funded dozens of high-profile court cases challenging the validity of federal and provincial laws in the name of feminism, gay rights, visible minorities, refugees, prisoners and the criminally accused." http://www.anticorruption.ca/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=3995
In 1985 the federal government set up the Court Challenges Program, which was intended to help "disadvantaged" groups, and individuals bring court challenges under the Charter of Rights. According to the former Liberal government, it provided "financial assistance for important court cases that advance language and equality rights guaranteed under Canada's Constitution."
In reality, the CCP has been a means to funnel government funds to special
interest organizations in order to bypass Parliament and use the courts to challenge
and change Canada's laws with the help of taxpayer dollars.
As one critic put it, "no other federal program or law has done more damage
to Canadian democracy. No other has so fundamentally altered Canadian society
without recourse to Parliament." - http://www.anticorruption.ca/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=3995
II) Legacy of the Court Challenges Program
"The CCP has never funded any cases other than those brought by leftist special interests in its 21 years of underwriting challenges to the Charter's equality provisions." Lorne Gunter, National Post September 27, 2006. http://www.anticorruption.ca/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=3995
Here are some examples of what special interest groups have used taxpayer dollars for through the Court Challenges Program:
1. To challenge federal obscenity laws (Little Sisters Bookstore).
2. To give federal prisoners the right to vote, previously prohibited under
the Canada Election Act, through a Supreme Court decision.
3. To pay the "Canadian Foundation for Children, Youth and the Law "$45,000
to challenge the right of parents to spank their children.
4. To change the laws regarding jury selection.
"The Supreme Court of Canada, based on arguments funded by the Court Challenges
Program, held that a person accused of a crime has the right to question prospective
jurors about their racial biases (and by extension, a right to question prospective
jurors about other biases, such as these: sexual orientation, abortion, etc.).
This decision effectively scuttles the historic role of a jury, which is to
have an accused judged on the merits of the case by 12 of his/her peers, selected
at random, to determine guilt or innocence. Now, anyone having traditional values
can be omitted from jury trials." http://www.realwomenca.com/newsletter/2000_Sept_Oct/article_6.html
5. To fund a marijuana activist who sued against the government for refusing
to let the seriously ill smoke marijuana to relieve their suffering.
6. To pay intervenors who helped convince Supreme Court judges to grant themselves
"reading in" powers to create new rights in Canadian law where none
were approved by Parliament or the legislatures.
7. To overthrow and re-define marriage through the courts.
EGALE, the gay rights group that fought the three provincial court cases resulting in legalization of same-gender marriage in Ontario, BC and Quebec, had posted on its website that the cases were funded by the government-sponsored Court Challenges Program. (In addition, EGALE receives other government grants. According to the homosexual newspaper, Capital Xtra (March 16, 2001) EGALE had an annual budget of $258,000 of which $105,000 came from government grants.)
The CCP funded homosexual groups' Intervention in the Reference Case to the Supreme Court in 2004; paid EGALE, a gay couple, and the Canadian Liberal Rabbi's Interventions in the Same Sex marriage Cases. (It paid none of the fees of the lawyers representing citizen's groups opposed to changing the traditional definition of marriage. These groups have had to raise their own funds to intervene in the challenges launched by the groups so bountifully funded by our tax dollars.)
Further, the CCP paid homosexual organizations to argue against pro-family and faith based organizations applications for Leave to Appeal to the Supreme Court.
Between 1994 and 2002, the CCP paid for 23 homosexual cases (4 of which
were before the Supreme Court).
III) History of the CCP
"The Trudeau government launched the Court Challenges Program in 1978.
It was designed to let language groups ratchet up pressure on the provinces
to provide more bilingual services using the language guarantees in the British
North America Act and, later, the Charter of Rights. In 1985, the Mulroney government
extended the CCP to fund "equality seeking groups," namely feminist,
multicultural, gay, lesbian, and other groups…. The CCP has encouraged some
groups to by-pass the political process by using the courts instead. Pro-life
and traditional family groups, however, have consistently been denied CCP funds.
It seems strange for the government to fund some causes and not others. It sees
even stranger for the government to pay groups to challenge government legislation
and government programs."
http:
//www.fraserinstitute.ca/admin/books/chapterfiles/The%20Court%20Challenges%20Program-pp15-16.pdf
IV) An Unaccountable Biased Program
"The CCP may be funded by Canadian taxpayers, but it has been taken over by the very special interest groups that are its major beneficiaries. Aided by their ideological supporters in the academic and legal communities, these "rights-seeking" advocacy organizations use the program to fund court cases whose goal is a radical interpretation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms." http://www.anticorruption.ca/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=3995
Six years ago, "it became impossible to tell who actually gets money from the Court Challenges Program. The Program claimed it had a lawyer-client relationship with those it funded… As a result, the CCP no longer publishes the names of the groups it funds, and its files are no longer available under the Access to Information Act. Now, individuals and companies caught up in litigation with advocacy groups have no way to find out if federal money stands behind their legal opponents…
"The problem of transparency is compounded by the close links the CCP
has to those it funds. Many members of the Program's governing committees are
drawn from groups that have received CCP funding in the past. When the Mulroney
government expanded the CCP in 1985, the government contracted out the administration
of the program to the Canadian Council on Social Development. This think tank
in turn asked the groups planning to apply for CCP funds to help run the Program.
Eventually, people closely connected to the groups that received CCP funds took
on the role of deciding who would get support from the CCP."
http://www.fraserinstitute.ca/admin/books/chapterfiles/The%20Court%20Challenges%20Program-pp15-16.pdf
Who sat on the CPP Board of Directors?
"In its Annual Report 2001-2002, it was disclosed that its seven (7) member Board of Directors include Chantal Tie, the Chair of its Board of Directors, who is a member of the legal arm of the feminist movement, Women's Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF); and lesbian Shelagh Day, former vice-president of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women (NAC) and also some of the founders of LEAF. The remaining Board members are human rights activists and 'equality rights' lawyers."
Who sat on the Program's Equality Advisory Committee?
"The Equality Advisory Committee consists of representatives from the
feminist organization, Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (an affiliate
of NAC), the feminist National Association of Women and the Law, and also LEAF
(again!). Two homosexual organizations are represented on the Committee, including
Jon Fisher from the activist lobby group, Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere
(EGALE)."
http://www.realwomenca.com/newsletter/2003_july_aug/article_8.html
Which organizations were the two biggest beneficiaries of the CCP?
The Women's Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) and the gay-rights group EGALE.
"By assisting in the framing of the legal action for one side only in these controversial social issues, the Program gives that position an undue advantage and influence in the Canadian courts. This would appear to be defeating the very objectives of the Charter itself. The bias of the Program also means that the social values of Canadians are being determined by the courts through legal research and court costs paid by the taxpayers, even though, for the most part, the public does not support the values being argued and promoted." http://www.realwomenca.com/newsletter/2003_july_aug/article_8.html
"Not only did left-leaning interest groups want to keep CCP cash flowing
into their legal departments, they understood that if they controlled the CCP
granting process, they could keep groups opposed to their viewpoints from receiving
equal funding, thereby giving their own causes an unfair advantage in court.
"Over time, the CCP and its fundees have become a very cozy, close-knit little clan. The program almost never funds cases brought by individuals, only those supported by powerful rights-seeking lobbies, and almost always the same dozen or so lobbies. http://www.anticorruption.ca/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=3995
"I expect that it has funded people in probably every major case involving the main "women's rights" or "sexual orientation" issues in Canada over the last decade. Certainly it seems to have provided assistance on virtually every case involving the freedom of religion with which I have been involved over the past decade. Interestingly, it has never assisted the religious side of those cases - or those who appeared to argue for particular concerns by religious groups - unless, that is, the religious issue supported the particular slant on the equality issue before the court - same-sex claims etc. The "traditional" side of religious beliefs didn't get the support of the Program. When "traditional" groups did apply to the Program they were turned down."
(Iain T Benson - Centre for Cultural Renewal, Centre Blog Fri Sep 15 2006,
Vol. 124 "Why the Court Challenges Program Should be Abolished as Being
Wrong in Principle") http://www.culturalrenewal.ca/qry/page.taf?id=37&_nc=5f77305d47987c189758cef0119d0584
V) Take Action: Send Your 1 Click Letter in support
of Axing the Court Challenges Program
This Week's 5-Minute Action Item
We need you to speak out and tell the government that ending the Court Challenges
Program was the right thing to do. They should not succumb to pressure from
special interest groups to reinstate it.
Using our special technology, send your 1 click personal letter to Prime Minister Harper, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, Justice Minister Vic Toews, Canadian Heritage Minister Bev Oda, and your MP thanking them for putting an end to this program.
Click here to send your 1 Click Letter: http://www.1clicklobbyist.ca/index.php?affid=216
All it takes is 5 minutes to make a difference!
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16. Lifeissues.net Newsletter 294 - October 15, 2006
Greetings from LifeIssues.net (http://www.lifeissues.net/)
Dear Friends for Life,
Dr. Carlos Lima of Portugal has finally published research showing restored motor function and sensation in paralyzed quadriplegic patients. He has been using adult stem cells obtained from the lining of the patient's own nose. The study in The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine reported seven patients treated and improved. Since submission for publication he has treated 24 more patients.
Canada joins the ranks of killing their small babies by okaying Embryonic Research. For the first time ever, the Canadian Government has authorized embryonic stem cell research with taxpayer funds. It has authorized $523,000.00 for the project.
And here in Japan, the population declines. For some time now Japan's birthrate has been below replacement level. The latest being 1.25 babies per women in her lifetime in 2005. However, the increasing longevity of the population plus medical advances keeping people alive longer have combined to continue to slowly increase the total numbers. This has now apparently peaked and for the second year in a row the total population of Japan has declined.
God Bless, Fr. Jerry Novotny, OMI
(A Thought) The truth of peace calls upon everyone to cultivate productive and sincere relationships; it encourages them to seek out and to follow the paths of forgiveness and reconciliation, to be transparent in their dealings with others and to be faithful to their word.
Lifeissues.net Newsletter 294 - October 15, 2006
Table Of Contents:
1. DOJ: Betraying Aborted-Alive Babies?
2. Over-Attentive Families May Be Underrated
3. Man Isn't A Product, Says Cardinal Martino
4. Petitioning For Life
5. The Terrible Price I'm Paying For Teenage Sex
6. Experts: Junk Culture Is Killing Childhood
7. Scientists Backtrack On Embryonic Research Claims
8. Spain To Teach Children From Age 10 To Accept Homosexuality
9. Forget Same-Sex 'Marriage,' Costa Ricans Oppose Homosexual Civil Unions
10. New Website Details Thousands Of Violent Crimes By Abortion Supporters
[Website: NFP Only Online Physician's Directory] http://omsoul.com/nfp-only.php. We offer this Directory as a resource to women and couples who seek physicians practicing medicine in accord with traditional Christian principles. Natural Family Planning (NFP - Only Physicians do not prescribe, perform, or refer for contraception, sterilization, abortion, or in vitro fertilization. They promote Natural Family Planning for achieving or avoiding conception.
Item #1. DOJ: Betraying Aborted-Alive Babies?
In April 2004, a nurse named Abby made an appointment with Richard Collier of
the Legal Center for Defense to tell him of an incident she thought violated
the Born Alive Infants Protection Act.
Abby worked in the labor and delivery department of a major regional hospital in New Jersey. Abby told Collier about a baby boy who was aborted alive there earlier that year and placed in the "dirty room" until he died several hours later.
The attending nurse was so disturbed she described the event to Abby.
The boy was between 20-23 weeks old and aborted after a doctor noticed on ultrasound his limbs were not measuring properly. He told the mother the baby would be born with abnormal arms and legs and sword-like feet. The procedure of choice was induced labor abortion, wherein a pill called Misoprostol (a.k.a. Cytotec) is inserted in the mother's birth canal every 4-8 hours to irritate the cervix until it opens.
The abortionist may kill the baby beforehand by injecting a heart-stopping drug into the baby's heart through the mother's abdomen. Or the abortionist may not, anticipating the baby will die during the birth process or soon after.
In this case, the baby obviously was not killed inutero and survived.
Read article at WorldNetDaily: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=52059
Item #2. Over attentive Families May Be Underrated
It's every physician's fear: the patient with the "involved" family,
relatives who watch over everything, question everybody and make a nuisance
of themselves. Yet, in today's world of rapid-fire medicine, such relatives
may be a patient's most important advocates.
The example that always sticks in my mind is personal. A relative of mine, Jeremy, was operated on by one of Harvard's leading pediatric surgeons. After the procedure, Jeremy never seemed to be able to catch his breath fully. "Not to worry," the surgeon briskly intoned. "Perfectly normal for a long procedure."
Fortunately, Jeremy's parents - both physicians - monitored him, especially
as his breathing grew more labored. When they insisted on speaking to a senior
doctor in the middle of the night, over the strenuous objections of the resident
physicians, it was just in time, as Jeremy required a breathing tube and barely
survived the ordeal.
Years later, a similar experience occurred with another relative of mine, Beth,
who had just been through a major abdominal operation. Beth's mother, a physician's
assistant, insisted on spending the night after surgery with her at the hospital.
Comment: I'm really glad to finally see this kind of article. For years, I have seen medical people become nervous over a potential lawsuit when families asked a lot of questions but I felt, in most cases, that this was a sign of caring rather than legal risk. I particularly remember one wife who wrote down the time, name of caregiver, medication etc. every time someone came into the room. The staff was freaked out. But after the patient was discharged, the wife wrote a thank you letter mentioning specific nurses or actions that made her grateful for her husband's care. - Nancy Valko, RN
View full text at New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/19/health/19case.html?ref=health
Item #3. Man Isn't A Product, Says Cardinal Martino
The social doctrine of the Church prefers to see "man as project and not
as a product," a Vatican official told a recent conference.
"Such a concept," said Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council, "marks the profound difference with tendencies of today's world, which with the legalization of abortion and the rapid development of technologies of reproduction, reflect a view in which the child is no longer considered a gift but a product of certain techniques."
Cardinal Martino was addressing the colloquium entitled "Defense of Life: a Mission for Catholic Social Teaching." The two-day event, organized by the Association Internationale pour l'Enseignement Social Chrétien and the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, ended last Saturday.
During the final press conference, Cardinal Martino explained that the Compendium
of the Social Doctrine of the Church "seeks to demonstrate that the defense
of life in all its stages, from conception until its natural end, is a key argument
of the Church's social doctrine, because to defend life means to support it
in all its manifestations, in everyday life, in professional life, in the life
of relationships, a total defense of life."
"The social doctrine of the Church," he added, "is focused on the centrality of the human person and therefore service to the human person is clearly defense of life."
View full text at Zenit: http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=95191
Item #4. Petitioning For Life
The Web site of Ms. Magazine - yes, it still exists - is calling on readers
to sign a petition: "I have had an abortion. I publicly join the millions
of women in the United States who have had an abortion in demanding a repeal
of laws that restrict women's reproductive freedom."
Well, so much for the right to privacy. If Ms. readers hadn't had so many abortions, there might be more Ms. readers. As for the rest of us, here's a petition we could all sign: "I wasn't aborted."
Having narrowly escaped being aborted, I'd be the first in line.
View full text at CERC: http://catholiceducation.org/articles/abortion/ab0108.htm
Item #5. The Terrible Price I'm Paying For Teenage
Sex
At first glance, Kim Bresnehan, 36, is attractive and vivacious. She has the
confidence of a woman who has run her own business and travelled the world.
You'd never guess that her friendly personality hides a great sadness and a
sense of emptiness - what she calls a 'baby-shaped hole' - in her life.
Her story is a cautionary tale of teenage naivety and carelessness. A symptomless and silent disease she has no memory of contracting ultimately led to the destruction of her marriage and has apparently ended her dreams of having a family.
Kim doesn't know when, but at some point during her teenage years, she was infected with Chlamydia, the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted disease in Britain.
View full text at the Daily Mail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=403103&in_page_id=1879
Item #6. Experts: Junk Culture Is Killing Childhood
Britain's children are being poisoned by a "junk culture" of processed
food, computer games and over-competitive education, an influential group of
authors and experts warned on Tuesday.
In an open letter to the Daily Telegraph, 110 teachers, psychologists and children's authors - including the internationally acclaimed Philip Pullman and Penelope Leach, a leading childcare expert - called on the government to act now to prevent childhood being killed off altogether.
Forced "to act and dress like mini-adults", children are becoming increasingly depressed and experiencing growing levels of behavioral and developmental problems, they said.
"Since children's brains are still developing, they cannot adjust as full-grown adults can, to the effects of ever more rapid technological and cultural change," the letter said.
"They need what developing human beings have always needed, including real food (as opposed to processed "junk"), real play (as opposed to sedentary, screen-based entertainment), first hand experience of the world they live in and regular interaction with the real-life significant adults in their lives."
See the full article at MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14798692/
Item #7. Scientists Backtrack On Embryonic Research
Claims
Scientific researchers are now beginning the tedious task of altering the public's
expectations of the aims of human embryonic stem-cell research, deviating from
the primary goals of providing stem-cell therapies to cure diseases. In what
amounts to a bait and switch, these researchers, no longer promising immediate
theoretical cures for a myriad of diseases desired by a desperate public, are
now justifying the research by claiming that human embryonic cells are instead
marvelous research tools for investigating the mechanisms of disease rather
than actively curing them.
According to the New York Times, a number of scientists continuing medical research on human embryos admit that the inherent difficulties of developing stem-cells from human embryos for therapeutic use place any cures - if possible in the first place - years down the road.
View full article at LifeSite: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/aug/06081506.html
Item #8. Spain To Teach Children From Age 10 To
Accept Homosexuality
Spanish children as young as 10 will be taught pro-homosexual material as part
of a new school curriculum, the Telegraph reported Friday.
The socialist government revealed plans last week to include teaching about the homosexual lifestyle in the schools, emphasizing the normalcy of homosexual relationships. The general secretary for education, Alejandro Tiana, said the move was necessary because "children need to learn there are various types of families."
The inclusion of homosexual material in schools is the latest in a string of anti-family, anti-faith policies instituted by Premier Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.
Spain's law recognizing same-sex "marriages" was passed by the Zapatero government just over one year ago, despite strong opposition by much of the population. The law also permits adoption of children by homosexual couples.
The government has also authorized embryonic stem cell research, as well as relaxed the divorce laws.
View full article at LifeSite: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/jul/06071701.html
Item #9. Forget Same-Sex 'Marriage,' Costa Ricans
Oppose Homosexual Civil Unions
September 20, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A strong majority of Costa Rica residents
are opposed to permitting civil unions for homosexual couples, recent poll results
have revealed.
Almost three quarters of all respondents to a survey conducted by the Universidad de Costa Rica, 71.4 percent, indicated they would not support allowing same-sex couples to form civil unions, according to a report by Angus Reid Global Scan, published today.
Only 16.4 percent surveyed said they would support civil unions for same-sex couples. 11.6 percent said they had no opinion.
The Supreme Court of Costa Rica ruled against a demand for the recognition of homosexual "marriage" in May 2006, saying the concept of marriage in the country's constitution was "understood to be between a man and a woman."
Chief Justice Luis Fernando Solano suggested at the time of the ruling that civil unions for homosexual couples would be a possible solution to the issue.
Costa Rica's Diversity Movement, a homosexual activist organization, discussed the possibility of legislation permitting homosexual civil unions earlier this month, reported Angus Reid.
The survey was conducted June 3 to June 20, 2006, consisting of interviews with 1,000 Costa Rican adults. The margin of error is 3 percent.
See related LifeSiteNews coverage - Costa Rican Supreme Court says No to Homosexual "Marriage": http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/may/06053004.html
Item #10. New Website Details Thousands Of Violent
Crimes By Abortion Supporters
September 20, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com)
- Human Life International - the world's largest pro-life, pro-family civil
rights organization with over 90 affiliates in 75 countries around the world
- today announced the launch of its newest web-based informational resource:
http://www.prochoiceviolence.com/.
"This website exposes the pro-choice movement as the most violent political movement in United States history. In fact, we have documented over 7,000 acts of violence and illegal activities by those who support or practice abortion," stated Brian Clowes, Ph. D., senior analyst for HLI. "We have launched this site to expose this troubling truth and to draw attention to the fact that this violence is escalating at a very disturbing rate. Since 2000, there have been an astonishing 269 homicides and other killings committed by the pro-abortion movement."
ProchoiceViolence.com also exposes how the pro-abortion movement has systematically targeted minorities and had a devastating impact upon the African-American community. "Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, was a known eugenicist who bragged about speaking before meetings of the KKK and at one time wanted the organization's slogan to be 'to breed a race of thoroughbreds,'" explained Clowes. "Sanger's vision has set the agenda for Planned Parenthood and much of the pro-abortion movement to this very day."
This fact was drawn into clear focus in the recent story that detailed how a Maine couple had abducted their 19-year old daughter, bound her hands and feet and were transporting her to New York for a late-term abortion simply because the child's father was black.
"This was not an act of compassion, this was not an act of concern and it was certainly not an act of love on the part of this couple from Maine," observed Clowes. "Abortion is one of the most violent acts known in the history of mankind and its acceptance into our otherwise civil society has served to breed more and more violence to the point where we are now witnessing parents who physically subdue and kidnap their own children in an effort to force them to abort their unborn grandchildren."
Contact Editor: Jerry Novotny, OMI; Akebono-cho 1-15-9; Kochi City, Japan, 780-8072; Tel/Fax: 088-843-0406; E-Mail: jerry@lifeissues.net
Websites by Editor:
English site: http://www.lifeissues.net,
Japanese site: http://www.japan-lifeissues.net,
OMI site: http://www.omijapankorea.net/index.html
17. We Need Your Help
It is a known fact that some MPs who once voted against the re-defining of marriage are now leaning the other way and want the issue to go away during their stay in Ottawa. It is estimated that we are about 20 votes short. In Nova Scotia, it is reported that Bill Casey and Peter MacKay who voted against redefinition are listed as two MPs who are leaning the other way.
During the election it was assumed from all the rhetoric that the Conservative Party would have a free vote on the same-sex marriage issue, however it seems that the wind has shifted and now the question is: "Is the house in favour of opening the issue for debate and vote?" Because the last parliament was not, is the opinion of many, a free vote, since ministers and their parliamentary secretaries had to vote with the government or lose their jobs, it was a vote full of duress and intimidation and not free.
We need to ask our MPs to vote in favour of opening the discussion, debate and vote to ensure that Parliament is allowed to be democratic and allow the freedom of conscience without intimidation from the Prime Minister's Office or the ruling party of the day.
Please call your MPs today and ask them to support any resolution that would allow a free, open debate and vote, without strings attached. The future of Canada depends on it.
PS: I am adding a note from RealWomen and will be sending more information on talking with your MP.
In their latest July-August 2006 magazine, in an article to prep their readers
for lobbying and addressing the upcoming marriage vote, provided an article
on "Some Common Objections and Possible Responses," where
they wrote:
OBJECTION: "You would be fine with the whole thing if they just called it something other than marriage because you don't think you should be in the same category?"
RESPONSE: No. It's not just a matter of terminology ...the relationship between a man and a woman in a married relationship is qualitatively different from two men or two women living together and engaging in a sexual relationship. Marriage - one man and one woman, excluding all others - is intended at its core for the bearing and rearing of children. That makes it quite different! Taking away a business enterprise's ability to make a profit means it ceases to be a business. Require a charity to make a profit and it's no longer a charity. In a similar way, taking away the heterosexual character of marriage causes it to cease being a marriage.
With Thanks and hoping you are having a good summer. - Herm Wills
18. Who Is CCBR Stephanie Gray?
Who is Stephanie Gray... some people are asking? Stephanie has roots here in Nova Scotia; I've learned recently her Aunt was one of our consistent picketers at the Morgentaler center. Stephanie has presented talks on how to take on the pro-life arguments in debate and has debated some notables.
Stephanie will be here in Nova Scotia next month and we will be looking for your support. She is especially interested in talking to youth.
Any ideas, contact Ellen at 861 1982 from 10 am until 4pm.
Please see the enclosed web site for more information.
Herm
http://www.ccbrinfo.ca/gray.html
19. Woman Surgeon Stresses Abortion & Breast Cancer Link
at Ottawa Press Conference - By Gudrun Schultz
OTTAWA, May 16, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com)
- An expert in the field of breast cancer presented strong evidence linking
breast cancer to abortion, in a press conference held by members of the Parliamentary
Pro-Life Caucus last Thursday.
Dr. Angela Lanfranchi is clinical assistant professor of surgery at Robert
Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey and co-founder of the Breast Cancer
Prevention Institute.
"The link between abortion and breast cancer is simply the result of a
woman's biology," said Dr. Lanfranchi, citing multiple scientific studies
that link induced abortion with a significant increase in breast cancer rates.
Breast cancer rates have increased by 40% over the 30 years since abortion was
legalized.
"It's the women of the Roe v. Wade generation that account for most of
this increase. Dramatic lifestyle changes brought about by the sexual revolution
and the women's liberation movement are largely responsible for the rampant
breast cancer we see today," she said, reported the Globe and Mail.
Liberal MP Paul Steckle and Conservative MP Maurice Vellacott invited Dr. Lanfranchi
to speak in an effort to raise awareness of the dangerous effects of abortion
on women's health.
"Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian women, according
to the Canadian Cancer Society, yet that organization is not telling women about
a well-documented preventable risk-factor," said Mr. Vellacott, Conservative
co-chair of the PPLC, in a press release. "Women have a right to be told
about this increased risk."
Since 1957, over 40 studies worldwide have shown a link between induced abortion
and breast cancer. A 1996 meta-analysis conducted by Dr. Joel Brind, professor
of endocrinology at Baruch College, City University of New York, established
abortion as a significant independent risk factor for developing breast cancer.
(See Dr. Brind's review of studies conducted over the last 9 years at: http://www.jpands.org/vol10no4/brind.pdf)
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, 102 Canadian women will die of breast
cancer every week. "Withholding from women information about this preventable
risk factor could literally be a matter of life and death," said Steckle.
"This is an important women's health issue," said MP Paul Steckle,
Liberal co-chair of the PPLC. "We are doing women a disservice by ignoring
the epidemiological and biological evidence that shows women who have had abortions
are at an increased risk for developing breast cancer."
Despite mounting well-documented evidence, leading cancer research centres
such as the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, the Canadian
Cancer Society and the Canadian Breast Cancer Network, (along with their U.S.
counterparts), have refused to acknowledge a connection between the effects
of abortion on women's bodies and their subsequent development of breast cancer.
See related LifeSiteNews coverage:
U.S. Breast Cancer Foundation Funding Abortion Provider Planned Parenthood:
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/feb/05022203.html
Canadian MP says Cancer Society Withholding Pill/Cancer Link: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/mar/06031707.html
20. Forensic Pathologist Needed
Hi Friends:
I am looking for a Forensic Pathologist, for a case in the US involving some evidence here in NS. The call came from Dr. Carmie Scime, whom some of you might know. Carmie was and still is a pathologist in Hamilton, Ontario; he contacted me looking for help here in Nova Scotia. If anyone can help me please e-mail me as soon as you can.
Herm
21. I Grew Up In A Homosexual Household During The 60s And 70s In Toronto - June 17, 2005
Canadian born, Dawn Stefanowicz, was on EWTN last week. Her testimony is most compelling: she is and is now married. Please feel free to copy and distribute.
See Dawn's website at www.dawnstefanowicz.com. I intend to send her testimony to my MP and ask that he reconsider his position, and for the sake of the children, allow the debate on SSM to continue by re-visiting the top-in in Parliament. You can contact your MP by the following. www.dawnstefanowicz.com
IF you do not know for sure who your MP is, because of in-town boundary lines then go to: MY MP http://www.parl.gc.ca/common/index.asp?Language=E, phone your MP toll free at 1-800-599-4999, or you can send them a note, postage free, at House of Commons, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6. E-mail as your last choice, as they are now generally ignored because of Chain Letter type responses associated with them.
Pray for your MP and for Canada. - Herm
News from AgapePress
First-Person: Same-Sex 'Marriage' - Have the Best Interests of Children Been
Considered?
Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud: (Proverbs 8:1-3, NIV) - By Dawn Stefanowicz - June 17, 2005
Ontario, Canada (AgapePress) - My name is Dawn Stefanowicz, I grew up in a homosexual household during the 60s and 70s in Toronto, exposed to many different people, the GLBT subcultures, and explicit sexual practices. I am currently writing a book, soon to be published, on this experience. As well, I was a witness at the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs on Bill C-250 (hate crimes), and I have presented at the local school board.
My biggest concern is that children are not being discussed in this same-sex marriage debate. Yet, won't the next step for some gay activists be to ask for legal adoption of children if same-sex marriage is legalized? I have considered some of the potential physical and psychological health risks for children raised in this situation. I was at high risk of exposure to contagious STDs due to sexual molestation, my father's high-risk sexual behaviors, and multiple partners. Even when my father was involved in what seemed like monogamous relationships, he continued cruising for anonymous sex.
I came to deeply care for, love and compassionately understand my dad. He shared his life regrets with me. Unfortunately, as a child my father was sexually and physically abused by older males. Due to this, he lived with depression, control issues, anger outbursts, suicidal tendencies, and sexual compulsions. He tried to fulfill his legitimate needs for his father's affirmation, affection and attention with transient and promiscuous relationships. He and his partners were exposed to various contagious STD's as they traveled across North America. My father's partners / ex-partners, whom I had deep caring feelings for and associated with, had drastically shortened lives due to suicide, contracting HIV or Aids. Sadly, my father died of AIDS in 1991.
Are my childhood experiences unique? According to a growing number of personal testimonies, experts, and organizations, there is mounting evidence of strong commonalities to my personal experiences [2-13]. Not only do children cope best with both a mother and father in a lifelong marriage bond, [14-15] they need responsible, monogamous parents who have no extramarital sexual partners. Parental promiscuity, abuse and divorce are not good for children.
If same-sex marriage is legalized, a person, couple or group who practices any form of sexual behavior would eventually be able to obtain children through previous heterosexual relationships, new reproductive technologies, and adoption due to the undefined term 'sexual orientation'. This would force all public and private adoption agencies to hand over children into experimental relationships or risk charges of discrimination.
What is the most suitable environment for children to be born or adopted into? [16] My many personal, professional and social experiences with my father did not teach me: respect for morality, authority and marriage, nor paternal love. I felt fearfully silenced as I was not allowed to talk about my dad, his male housemates, his lifestyle and encounters within the subcultures without being browbeaten and threatened by my father. While I lived at home, I had to live by his rules. Yes, I loved my dad. However, I felt abandoned and neglected, as my needs were not met since my father would often leave suddenly to be with his partners for days on end. His partners were not really interested in me. I was outraged at the incidences of same-sex domestic abuse, sexual advances toward minors, and loss of sexual partners as if people were only commodities. I sought comfort looking for my father's love from boyfriends starting at 12 years of age.
From a young age, I was exposed to explicit sexual speech, self-indulgent lifestyles, varied GLBT subcultures and gay vacation spots. Sex looked gratuitous to me as a child. I was exposed to all-inclusive manifestations of sexuality including bathhouse sex, cross-dressing, sodomy, pornography, gay nudity, lesbianism, bisexuality, minor recruitment, voyeurism and exhibitionism. Sadomasochism was alluded to and some aspects were even demonstrated. Alcohol and drugs were often contributing factors to lower the inhibitions of my father's partners.
My father prized unisex dressing, gender-neutral aspects and a famous cross-dressing icon, when I was eight years old. I did not see the value of biologically complementing differences of male and female sexuality or think about marriage. I made vows to never have children since I had not grown up in a safe, self-sacrificing, child-centered home environment. Due to my life experience, I ask, "Can children really perform their best academically, financially, psychologically, socially and behaviorally in experimental situations?" I can tell you that I suffered long term in this situation, and this has been professionally documented.
Over two decades of direct exposure to these stressful experiences caused me insecurity, depression, suicidal thoughts, dread, anxiousness, low self-esteem, sleeplessness and sexual confusion. My conscience and innocence were seriously compromised. I witnessed that every other family member also suffered severely.
It took me until I was into my 20s and 30s, after making major life choices, to 'begin' realizing how being raised in this environment had affected me. My healing encompassed facing reality, accepting long-term consequences, and offering forgiveness. Can you imagine being forced to tolerate unstable relationships and diverse sexual practices from a young age and how this affected my development? My gender identity, psychological wellbeing and peer relationships were affected. Unfortunately, it was not until my father, his sexual partners and my mother had died that I was free to speak publicly about my experiences.
I believe same-sex marriage will dispose of unique values esteemed within marriage and recognized throughout history. Marriage needs to remain a societal foundation that constitutes, represents, and defends the inherently procreative relationship between the husband and wife for the welfare of their biological children. [17] Children need consistent appropriate boundaries and genuine expressions of emotional intimacy that are not inappropriately sexualized in the home and community.
The term "sexual orientation" does not distinguish between the individual, feelings of sexual attraction to a particular person or object, or the individual's sexual behavior or preferences. Thence, a person practicing pan-sexuality, which is diverse sexual expression, could not be discriminated against even with children present.
Are the government and judicial systems playing games with children, forcing upstanding citizens to tolerate all forms of diverse sexual expression against their will, conscience and or religious freedom?
Why, is such a small unrepresentative clique within the GLBT subcultures, wanting same-sex marriage? Mr. John McKellar, Executive Director of H.O.P.E. (Homosexuals Opposed to Pride Extremism) has stated, and I quote:
"It is selfish and rude for the gay community to push same-sex marriage legislation and redefine society's traditions and conventions for our own self-indulgence... Federal and provincial laws are being changed and the traditional values are being compromised just to appease a tiny, self-anointed clique." [18]
In my opinion, same-sex marriage will put the human rights of the individual in a higher place than what is best for society, families and especially children. Canadians should decide and not judges. [19] Human rights were meant to protect the individual and not groups. [20] In this crucial debate, children's human rights have become secondary, ignored and denied.
Moreover, if Canadians do not stop same-sex marriage, we will lose all of our freedom to address issues around sexuality with moral and religious vigor. By the way, the gay agenda in schools may owe its origin to Marshall Kirk and Erastes Pill who published the article "The Overhauling of Straight America." [21] If we do not stop Bill C-38, the gay agenda will prevail in every Canadian public and private academic environment, [22] inundating school environments with advocacy and sexually explicit resources and curriculum that mock parents' authority, moral rectitude, and religious traditions.
Already this is happening under the banner of anti-bullying, safe schools' policies and through Gay-Straight Alliances. In reality, these policies provide a direct legal entranceway of indoctrination, desensitization, personal and political recruitment of our vulnerable children by some gay activists within our schools while silencing all students who oppose the gay agenda. [23]
Similarly, all those who oppose the Canadian laws recognizing same-sex marriage, would not be allowed to speak, express or gesture opposition, even on religious grounds. Look how the hate crime legislation Bill C-250 has instilled fear and is silencing the church. Did you know that the separation of church and state was enacted to protect religious freedom and conscience? Will religious freedom be trumped by sexual freedom? [24] Will, religious faith expression and practice by individuals and organizations be prohibited by such bills as C-38 and others? We have an obligation, for the sake of our children, to speak freely and to direct the laws of our land.
Will the Canadian government and judges legally promote unhealthy and unsound environments that encourage motherless and fatherless units through same-sex marriage? [25] Ultimately, children will be the real victims and losers if same-sex marriage is legally enacted. What hope can I offer innocent children who have no voice? What price is Canada willing to pay for sexual freedom, tolerance and diversity? Is that price worth children's lives? [26] Government and judges need to advance and defend marriage as between a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others for the sake of our children.
[1] Proverbs 8:1-3 New International Version
[2] Jakii Edwards, "Like Mother, Like Daughter? The Effects Of Growing Up In A Homosexual Home", (Vienna, VA: Xulon Press, 2001). Also, see testimonial, "Just Like My Mother?" Exodus International, North America at: http://exodus.to/testimonials_Family_11.shtml extracted 26/03/2005.
[3] Suzanne Cook, "My Parent is Gay", (Seattle, WA: Exodus International-North America, 2000). Also, see testimonial, "Looking For My Father's Love", Exodus International, North America at: http://exodus.to/testimonials_Family_12.shtml extracted 26/03/2005.
[4] "A Son's Journey", 1997 Nathan Bell, Distributed by Love In Action. See: http://www.loveinaction.org/media/documents/NathanBellTestimony.pdf extracted 24/03/2005.
[5] Mitchell, "The Tragedy of Gay Parenting", Stephen Bennett Ministries, see: https://sbminist.christianshost.com/appieshop/index.cgi extracted 25/03/2005.
[6] Paul Cameron and Kirk Cameron, "Children Of Homosexual Parents Report Childhood Difficulties", Psychological Reports 2002, 90, 71-82 - Also see: http://www.familyresearchinst.org/FRI_homokids.html?story=831 extracted 24/03/2005.
[7] Timothy J. Dailey, Ph. D., "Comparing the Lifestyles of Homosexual Couples to Married Couples", Family Research Council, April 17, 2004. See: http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?I=IS04C02&v=PRINT extracted 24/03.2005.
[8] Timothy Dailey, Ph. D., "Homosexual Parenting: Placing Children at Risk", Family Research Council, Issue No. 238. See: http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?I=IS01J3 extracted 24/03/2005.
[9] Jon Dougherty, "Report: Pedophilia More Common Among 'Gays' Report Purports To Reveal 'Dark Side' Of Homosexual Culture". WorldNetDaily, Monday April 29, 2002. See: http://w115.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=27431 extracted 24/03/2005.
[10] "Standards 4 Life: Homosexuality", "Homosexual Adoption. Good for Children's Health?", Christian Medical & Dental Associations. See: http://www.cmdahome.org/index.cgi?BISKIT=1695154697&CONTEXT=art&art=2649 extracted 24/03/2005.
[11] "Homosexuality and Hope", Statement of the Catholic Medical
Association. See:
http://www.cathmed.org/publications/homosexualityarticle.html
extracted 24/03/2005
[12] Dale O'Leary, "Is This Diversity, Or Tragedy: Children As Victims Of Their Parents' Choices", NARTH. See: http://www.narth.com/docs/diversity.html extracted 24/03/2005.
[13] '''Gay Marriage' And Homosexuality Some Medical Comments", LifeSite, by authors of this report: John Shea, MD, FRCP (C), Radiologist; John K. Wilson MD, FRCP (C), Cardiologist; Paul Ranalli MD, FRCP (C), Neurologist; Christina Paulaitis MD, CCFP, Family Physician; Luigi Castagna MD, FRCP (C), Paediatric Neurologist; Hans-Christian Raabe MD, MRCP MRCGP Internist; W. André Lafrance MD, FRCP (C), Dermatologist. See: http://www.lifesite.net/features/marriage_defence/SSM_MD_evidence.htm extracted 24/03/2005.
[14] S. Sarantakos, "Children In Three Contexts: Family, Education And Social Development", Children Australia, 21, (1996), 23-31
[15] "Children Need Both A Mother And A Father", NARTH. See: http://www.narth.com/docs/needboth.html extracted 27/03/2005.
[16] "Sidelining Stability And Security The Case Against Abandoning The Current Grounds For Adoption", The Christian Institute June 2002. See: http://www.christian.org.uk/html-publications/adoption_briefing2.htm - c extracted 24/03/2005.
[17] Daniel Cere & Douglas Farrow, eds., "Divorcing Marriage", (Montreal & Kingston, Ontario: Published for the Institute for the Study of Marriage, Law and Culture by McGill-Queen's University Press, 2004), p.78.
[18] Quote taken from Patrick W. O'Brien, MP's speech delivered in the House of Commons regarding Bill C-38, 38th Parliament, 1st Session, Edited Hansard, Number 061, Contents Monday, February 21, 2005. See 1345-1355: http://www.parl.gc.ca/38/1/parlbus/chambus/house/debates/061_2005-02-21/HAN061-E.htm - Int-1142182 extracted 24/03/2005.
[19] Daniel Cere & Douglas Farrow, eds., "Divorcing Marriage", (Montreal & Kingston, Ontario: Published for the Institute for the Study of Marriage, Law and Culture by McGill-Queen's University Press, 2004), pp.151, 152.
[20] In the Supreme Court of Canada, In the Matter of Section 53 of the Supreme Court Act, R.S.C., 1985 C. S-26 In the Matter of a Reference By the Governor in Council Concerning the Proposal For an Act Respecting Certain Aspects of Legal Capacity for Marriage for Civil Purposes, as Set out in Order in Council P.C. 2003-1055, Dated the 16th Day of July 2003, Factum of the Intervener The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, (52.), p.26. See: http://www.cccb.ca/Files/SupremeCourtMarriage.pdf extracted 24/03/2005.
[21] David Limbaugh, "Persecution: How Liberals Are Waging War Against Christianity", (Washington, DC, Regnery Publishing, Inc., 2003), 94-110.
[22] Linda Harvey, "The World According to PFLAG: Why PFLAG and Children Don't Mix", NARTH. See: http://www.narth.com/docs/pflag2.html extracted 24/03/2005.
[23] Peter Sprigg, "The 'Recruiting' of Children Into Accepting Homosexuality: How Homosexuality in Schools Furthers an Agenda", Family Research Council. See: http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=WA03I34 - WA03I34 extracted 28/03/2005.
[24] In the Supreme Court of Canada, In the Matter of Section 53 of the Supreme Court Act, R.S.C., 1985 C. S-26 In the Matter of a Reference By the Governor in Council Concerning the Proposal For an Act Respecting Certain Aspects of Legal Capacity for Marriage for Civil Purposes, pp. 27-31. See: http://www.cccb.ca/Files/SupremeCourtMarriage.pdf extracted 24/03/2005.
[25] Maggie Gallagher and Joshua K. Baker, "Do Mothers and Fathers Matter?", iMapp Policy Brief, Institute for Marriage and Public Policy. See: http://www.marriagedebate.com/pdf/MothersFathersMatter.pdf extracted 27/03/2005.
[26] Susan Brinkmann, "Homosexuality: The Untold Story: Gay Marriage: Who's Minding the Children?", Part 5 of 6, The Catholic Standard and Times Newspaper for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. See: http://www.cst-phl.com/seventhpartfive.html extracted 27/03/2005.
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