Comments on: Jim Wallis: The Ever-Widening Evangelical Agenda

By: Rescued from Buddhism: A brief history of the Christian adoption movement « O Solo Mama

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:54:11 +0000

[...] his God’s Politics blog (May 14, 2007 entry), Wallis greeted the development with optimism, saying: I’ve had some good conversations with [...]

By: joe kopnitsky

joe kopnitsky — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 01:10:44 +0000

Jesus’ commandment is to love one an other. How do we love one an other. by providing for them. We provide for our families. Our children cannot provide for them selves. Now in health care most workers do not have the resources to pay for medical care out right. And if you have watched SICKO the movie we see those we trust to pay for our medical needs are only interested in profits and will deny medical care if they can possibly do so. And critisizing Canada’s health care because one may have to wait is small potatoes becaus in the U.S. many never get because of our system.

By: neuro_nurse

neuro_nurse — Thu, 17 May 2007 23:44:44 +0000

The important question is what policies IN THE US have led to significant reductions in abortion rates. jesse
The overall declines in the reported abortion ratio and rate over time might reflect multiple factors, including a decrease in the number of unintended pregnancies; a shift in the age distribution of women toward the older and less fertile ages; reduced or limited access to abortion services, including the passage of abortion laws that affect adolescents (e.g., parental consent or notification laws and mandatory waiting periods); and changes in contraceptive practices, including increased use of contraceptives (e.g., condoms and, among young women, increased use of long-acting hormonal contraceptive methods that were introduced in the early 1990s). http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5511a1.htm?s_cid=ss5511a1_e This is a speculative statement. I don t know how one could demonstrate a causal relationship between any factor and the decreasing rates of abortion in the U.S. One could easily point to the graph of reported abortions from 1973 to 2003 and say that because the abortion rate increased throughout the Reagan-Bush I administrations and began to decrease during the Clinton administration, the decreasing abortion rate was due to something Clinton did, but that claim would be na ve at best. (yes, I did suggest that at some time in the past. I recant that assertion) The CDC report references 13 articles to support the statement in the paragraph I pasted above. A fact that we should not ignore is that the number of reported abortions in the U.S. has decreased from its peak of 1,429,247 in 1990 to 848,163 in 2003. The CDC suggests this is due to a number of factors, some of which appeal to those with a conservative perspective and some to those of the liberal persuasion. Neither side should have the audacity to declare victory with little or no evidence to support the effectiveness of any one or any group of factors.
Outside of different pro-life laws, e.g. ending Medicaid funding of abortion, informed consent, etc., I'm not aware of any [policies that have led to significant reductions in abortion rates]. jesse In a previous thread I posted abstracts and excerpts from a number of articles from medical journals that demonstrate the effectiveness of comprehensive sex education programs at reducing the number of teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STI). I would not say that it is logical to conclude from those studies that sex ed is responsible for the reduction of abortions in the U.S., and I would be interested to know if you can provide evidence that demonstrates in what ways pro-life laws have contributed to the reduction in the rates of abortion in the U.S. I m not saying they aren t out there, and the best place to start looking is probably the citations in the CDC s abortion surveillance report but if you re going to look there, in all fairness, you should also look at the references that examine other factors (e.g. sex ed and contraception). Peace!

By: Payshun

Payshun — Thu, 17 May 2007 21:50:24 +0000

I agree w/ more comprehensive sex-ed education. We need to learn to stop speaking about sex w/ shame and embarrasment. p

By: Payshun

Payshun — Thu, 17 May 2007 21:48:46 +0000

Why does it have to be deep? I’ve heard this criticism so many times. If Christians would just do the simple things the Bible commands, the church would flourish. Actually the church would get stagnant and die. If the Church only fed on milk it would only still be a babe. We need meat, fish, salad, fruits to grow and that book only offered milk. I already practice and live out most if not all of what the gospel preaches. So I want more that’s going to call me to deeper and more lasting sacrifice. I just need more. Judging from the state of the church I would argue it needs more too. p

By: Unsympathetic reader

Unsympathetic reader — Thu, 17 May 2007 09:35:39 +0000

jesse: “The important question is what policies IN THE US have led to significant reductions in abortion rates. Outside of different pro-life laws, e.g. ending Medicaid funding of abortion, informed consent, etc., I’m not aware of any. Better sex-ed programs. They work better than abstinence-only instruction and so I’d have to say that the past few years have been a step backwards. Family planning programs could be better supported (Yes, Planned Parenthood programs do reduce the need for abortions). Better access to medical clinics. Better health care. And better education in general. neuro_nurse posts also suggested other area that would support reductions in the number.

By: moderatelad

moderatelad — Wed, 16 May 2007 18:53:13 +0000

Kristi | 05.15.07 – 7:12 pm | #
Well written. I have several friends that were in the situation as you and when though with the pregnancy and either raised the child themselves or adpoted it out to another couple. In talking with them – everyone of them for a moment or a day considered abortion. For any number of reasons the decided against it and have never regreted their decision. One of them had their child grad. college this year and commented to me ‘to think that I might have missed this…’ This is why I personally will not go and protest in front of a clinic but will give to para-church organizations that will work with women in this area regardless if they complete the pregnancy or if they come to them post adortive. Blessings – .

By: canucklehead

canucklehead — Wed, 16 May 2007 10:06:06 +0000

when the rolls are served up yonder, I’ll be there

By: Kristi

Kristi — Wed, 16 May 2007 08:09:14 +0000

Come on guys—let’s not knock ol’ jf. He’s probably getting a pretty good tongue lashing right about now! But that doesn’t mean he isn’t up there!

By: Rick Nowlin

Rick Nowlin — Wed, 16 May 2007 07:51:46 +0000

The ghost of Jerry Falwell now moderates this blog. Which is scary, considering that he insulted Jim at least once. I wonder if he would be so charitable had Jim died first?

By: kevin s.

kevin s. — Wed, 16 May 2007 07:21:35 +0000

“Yes, in a New York minute! But I doubt that eating jellyfish is a good idea. How about sushi?” I am appalled by the culinary ignorance on this blog. Jellyfish with hoisin (or fish) sauce and chopped peanuts is pure delight.
I am actually surprised that people have voiced their support of my idea. Perhaps it ought to provide a starting point for where Christians ought to advocate in the future.
“This just in – God has told me that the beliefnet referee’s 4:04 pm post today was in response to Kevin’s 3:47 pm post in which he used the offensive words “empowering women.”" The ghost of Jerry Falwell now moderates this blog.

By: kevin s.

kevin s. — Wed, 16 May 2007 07:16:32 +0000

“Kevin, does your wife not have a voice? Even if she shares your opinion surely she can express it herself. based on her own experience of life?” Yes, she has a voice. She’s not into blogs though (she doesn’t even read mine). “Whether or not any one of us feels that these women are making the right decision, we have a Christian responsibility to open our arms to them and show them compassion, whether it be pre or post abortive experience.” Correct. My position is not based on the notion that I am more or less righteous than the next person.

By: Canucklehead

Canucklehead — Wed, 16 May 2007 06:30:02 +0000

doh – that was moi!

By: HASH(0x117d632c)

HASH(0x117d632c) — Wed, 16 May 2007 06:29:11 +0000

This just in – God has told me that the beliefnet referee’s 4:04 pm post today was in response to Kevin’s 3:47 pm post in which he used the offensive words “empowering women.” tut tut

By: Hali

Hali — Wed, 16 May 2007 06:27:53 +0000

“Let me ask this. If a bill were proposed that would provide $100 billion for adoption reform, $250 billion for aid to single mothers, and $25 billion to ensure that deadbeat dads paid their fari share, but also outlawed abortion, would you support it? Yes or no? Anyone can feel free to answer this question. If I get an honest answer, I’ll eat jellyfish. ” Yes, in a New York minute! But I doubt that eating jellyfish is a good idea. How about sushi?

By: Kristi

Kristi — Wed, 16 May 2007 05:07:49 +0000

I have a 22 year old daughter, and I am 40. Go ahead—do the math. I have her precisely because I decided not to have an abortion BUT that does not mean that I did not consider it. But I had choices—my parents were supportive and helped me through my pregnancy and my daughters early childhood, until I found a wonderful man, whom I then had three sons with and completed my family. Had my life been different I REFUSE to state that I am just too righteous to have gotten an abortion if I had felt that I had no other choice, as many teenage girls in low income situations DO NOT.
I have known women traumatized by their decision to abort a pregnancy, and I have known those who stand by the conviction of their choice…BUT NONE DID IT LIGHTLY. It is simply an untenable position to make moralistic statements about a womans decision to maintain a pregnancy. I KNOW and BELIEVE that a fetus is a life—don’t get me wrong here—but the reality of the matter is that having a child is a profoundly serious LIFELONG responsibility, and many women are smart enough to realize that they have no business having a child (at a particular time). They do not want their child to be born into a deplorable situation, or to a young, or addicted mother or any number of other reasons. Whether or not any one of us feels that these women are making the right decision, we have a Christian responsibility to open our arms to them and show them compassion, whether it be pre or post abortive experience.

By: neuro_nurse

neuro_nurse — Wed, 16 May 2007 04:53:34 +0000

Got 'em, http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=482678 http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=482648 Thanks

By: Bren

Bren — Wed, 16 May 2007 04:31:47 +0000

I went back to find the source. There are two Commonwealth Fund studies . One is called Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: An International Update on the Comparative Performance of American Health Care ; the study focused on interviews with physicians and patients in Australia, Britain, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and the United States who were asked to speak about their experiences and views on their health systems. The US ranked last in most areas, including access to health care, patient safety, timeliness of care, efficiency and equity. Americans were also last in terms of whether they had a regular physician. The second is called “Multinational Comparisons of Health Systems Data”.

By: neuro_nurse

neuro_nurse — Wed, 16 May 2007 04:23:59 +0000

“The US health care system ranks last among other major rich countries for quality” Bren That wouldn’t surprise me. What’s your source?

By: Bren

Bren — Wed, 16 May 2007 04:16:11 +0000

Kevin, does your wife not have a voice? Even if she shares your opinion surely she can express it herself. based on her own experience of life? Meanwhile, folks, this just in (literally today):The US health care system ranks last among other major rich countries for quality, access and efficiency, according to two studies released Tuesday by a health care think tank. It’s an American health care think tank, BTW.