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There is a fallacy in your argument. While many, if not most, Christian individuals (or at least they "call" themselves Christian) may make certain arguments, that does not mean that Christianity as a religion should take the blame for what they say. Conversely, while most Muslims will not make the arguments you mentioned, it does not mean Islam does not teach these very principles in its theology and in the text of the Koran directly. Look at the teachings of the individual religion and distinguish that from the acts of those who THINK they are following it.
Try researching the law is on having an abortion in an Islamic country. It's not a matter of making the woman feel guilty there. Often it's a matter of making her feel dead... by killing her.
And try running the theory of evolution by a Muslim some time. Aside from the fact that most scientists who have really really studied it do believe in God and some divine intervention, Muslims don't take kindly to the argument any more than most Christians. Do some serious research on the evidence which supports evolution - or refutes it - and find out for yourself if you just accepted it because someone told you or if the evidence is as concrete as they say... much like you would think that most Christians just believe in Christ because it was spoon fed to them and the evidence doesn't support it.
Seriously, what cold, hard facts do you have to prove that evolution is right? I know it sounds like an absurd argument to make because it is stated as such a matter-of-fact, but it sounded just as stupid when Columbus said the Earth was round and when Copernicus said the Earth revolved around the Sun.
Seriously, look into it and be able to reference specific fossil records and discoveries when you are asked why you believe it rather than just say, "I can't believe you don't believe the Earth is flat, you are so stupid it's not worth wasting my breath on you!" Maybe you will be surprised by what you find or maybe you will be able to make a rock-solid scientific argument to prove to creationists why they are wrong. BTW, I am - quite obviously - a Christian, but I don't necessarily believe the Creation story in the literal sense it was written in the Bible... But the evidence for evolution just isn't as strong as we were all taught.
Vulnerability in society to make a buck? I'm not sure what you mean by that so I'll skip it unless you can explain it further. Same with opposing equal rights... do you mean about gays and same-sex marriage? I'm unclear on your statement here.
Now, look at the particular religions - their actual theological teachings - and see what they teach. What Christ really teaches is to respect all human life. What a real Christian should say - one who truly understands Christ's teaching - is...
"I respect all human life. Just as it is illegal to kill an adult or adolescent in our society, I feel it should also be illegal to kill a fetus in our society. I think the fetus should be a protected member of our society just the same as a person who has already been born. Now pro-choice people often distinguish by saying, but this is a life which cannot survive without the support of the mother and she should have the choice to do what she wants with her body. To that I have two responses. First, the fact that the fetus is dependent on the mother for survival is just a part of nature. That should not mean the fetus gets less protection as a member of society. Second, the mother had all the choice in the world... before she had sex. If you don't want to be held accountable for killing a protected member of society, then don't conceive one in the first place! Once you make the decision to have sex, you take on the risk that the result will be a protected member of society which you are now obligated to live with until gestation is complete. Just like a person who makes the decision to donate a kidney; from that moment, he takes on the risk that the result will be worse health for himself and he has to live with it; not just for 9 months of gestation but for his whole life. And if that donation costs him his life one day - or even that day while on the operating table - he doesn't get to "choose" to change his mind back. He agreed to do it and must live with the consequences. Likewise, a woman who chooses to have sex must live with the consequences whatever they may be."
But, the great thing about Christianity is that it also goes further to teach forgiveness. A true Christian would go on to say...
"It is not for me to judge someone who has an abortion and say they are beyond forgiveness. She did not commit a wrong against me and it is not my place to forgive her or to hold her accountable... at least not from a moral standpoint or as a matter of sinfulness or righteousness. But, there is nothing improper about society setting bounds about when a life becomes a protected member of society and there is nothing improper about holding someone accountable within society for what they have done. It is God's purview to forgive or condemn on a moral level, but it is society's right to hold someone accountable and protect other members of society from being killed by this person or to protect other members of society by others who may choose to act like this person. Still, God can forgive all things and I will not hate or turn away a person who has an abortion. I was instructed to Love all people - including my direct enemies. And, if God - who is Perfect and without any fault - can forgive me for all the wrong I have done in my life, then I - who am flawed and sinful and unworthy of forgiveness but for God's Grace - can certainly forgive a woman who commits an abortion against a fetus."
**(Note the verbiage... you don't "have" a murder, you "commit" a murder; likewise, you don't "have" an abortion, you "commit" an abortion against a fetus).
Now, you are right, there is a lot of religiously motivated injustice in America and throughout the world by all religions. But that does not mean that the religion itself should be blamed for the imperfect actions of its members.
And, as for injustice, well that is a matter of discussion. It is YOUR view that it is an injustice for people to oppose equal rights to gays, or oppose abortion, or say that evolution might not be as sound a theory as the flat-earth theory (I still don't get the part about making a buck). But just because it is your opinion - and even though MANY, MANY people would agree with you, does not mean it is unjust. But when it comes to society, then you get to say which members you want to protect and I get to say which members I want to protect and - with some complicated exceptions to prevent oppression of minorities - the majority rules and that is the law for our society. So who are you to place blame on anyone for anything? Who says your views aren't any more unjust than the views of those you look to blame?
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03-16-2008, 07:13 PM
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