Canada Drives to Loosen Morals

Unfortunately, we’re living in a time when desire trumps common sense. In all ethical issues, those desiring to encourage problematic activities are always sure they can maintain safeguards against disreputable behaviour associated with them.

However, it seems loosening morals only increases the atrocities that the ethical boundaries are meant to keep in check. As if abortion, with the recent disclosure of the disgusting activities it has unleashed was insufficient, prostitution and “right to die” are now raising their ugly heads in Canada.

Germany legalized prostitution over ten years ago, and a recent article in Der Speigel has reckoned it a failure. “the well-meaning law is in fact little more than a subsidy program for pimps, and makes the market more attractive to human traffickers.” Apparently, human trafficking has increase under legalised prostitution.

Last year, the London School of Economics released a study covering 150 nations, but specifically comparing (among others) Sweden and Germany. Sweden, which had previously permitted self-employed prostitution, banned the sale of sex in all forms outright in 1999. This resulted in a rise of underground or “hidden prostitution” but a significant decrease in prostitution overall. See more at: http://thechristians.com/?q=node/294#sthash.BUaWnqFS.dpuf.

 

The experience of assisted suicide in Belgium has been so abused, that old people fear reporting health issues in case they are “assisted” to die rather than receiving treatment for their needs. Already in Canada, the phrase, “up the morphine, we need the bed,” reverberates through hospital corridors.

Some believe the current desire to throw off the “restraints” of Christianity will lead to liberty, but it eventually falls into licence. The reason ethical requirements arise in the first place is a reaction to the misery that unrestrained desire produces.

One difference between humans and animals I was not taught in school: animals exist by their instinct, but humanity is ennobled by disciplining its instincts. Humanity declines when it desires to live like the animals. Which way is our culture going?

Pro-Life Rising

I have been a staunch supporter of conservative governments all my long life, considering, as Margaret Thatcher said, that liberal thinking (now thinly disguised socialism), “finally runs out of other people’s money.” Initiative—despised by liberals because it undercuts government control, but jealously guarded by conservatism—provides wealth for government programs.

But for the first time in my life I am cooling on Canada’s current conservative government. Of course, any government has programs we like and dislike, but on the whole, the Harper government has steered us well through the recent world financial crisis.

However, the recent government stifling of free speech in parliament has raised a rebellion in the conservative party that I strongly support. My decision is heightened by the fact that Harper’s decision was to specifically quell discussion of abortion. This, of course, still leaves me at odds with the other parties that continue to deny the basic human right to life of the unborn.

Recent reporting on the death of Dr. Morgentaler, shows a pro-life groundswell that puts Mr. Harper on the wrong side of this debate. Joyce Arthur, executive director of the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada, takes on the mainstream media for their coverage of the death of Dr. Henry Morgentaler as being too “balanced.” In her opinion it gives way to much credibility to today’s young, energetic and smart pro-life movement.

She says, “Apparently, the media thinks that [anti-choice] view has some kind of legitimacy and must be presented against the pro-choice view in the name of ‘balance’,” and, “the mainstream media continues to give space to these fanatics.” If a historically pro-choice media are rethinking their coverage of this issue, they are clearly sensing a change in attitudes towards abortion. (rabble.ca)

Both Lila Rose of Live Action in the States and Stephanie Gray of the Canadian Centre for Bio-ethical Reform are making major inroads to the disgusting conditions of the abortion industry in North America. Further, a significant and surprising factor in pro-life resurgence is the youth who have lived their entire lives with complete freedom of abortion anytime up to birth.

Dealing with the destruction of human life at any stage of development will always be an ethical issue, because at some point it puts us all at risk. Until there is a significant change of attitude in the conservative party—the only one with sufficient conscience on this issue to effect change—my support for this government will be lagging, even to staying away from the polls altogether.

Not Good Enough!

Not good enough for what? To attain superiority, or just an acceptable standard? And is it meant for discipline to encourage persistence, or simply to write me off? Then again, who’s making the judgment? A friend, or an enemy, or perhaps even myself?

Our reaction to this comment will largely depend on our upbringing. If we had parents who demanded perfection, we will probably never feel good enough. But parents providing positive response to our childish efforts would instil confidence in ourselves.

Personally, I have always been a self doubter, consistently unsure my efforts are good enough, always feeling I could have done better and rarely satisfied with what I’ve accomplished. And a couple of reviews revealing why my book is “a good book, but not a great book,” fits the bill.

My problem now is whether the comments were valid, or just another dump on my sensitive ego. They concern my ability to express emotion adequately about recent life threatening health issues. My problem: I really didn’t feel much at all—mostly concerned with options.

This is something I have decided I will need to rectify—perhaps do a little deeper digging into my conscious self. After all, for citizens of this postmodern culture, feelings trump truth and a personal sense of well-being is paramount.

Of course, the final and only meaningful judge of whether we are good enough is God Himself, and measuring ourselves against His blazing holiness we will never come close to any level of sufficient goodness. We will never be good enough.

But again, much will depend on who we listen to: Him or ourselves. If we listen to our own assessment of ourselves, we may conclude we don’t need God’s. But if we’re honest, we don’t meet our own standards, let alone His.

But if we recognize we are not good enough, “Jesus paints a different picture. He said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” (Matthew 5:3). Whatever we try to accomplish in this life, His death makes up the lack between our effort and His acceptance and use of it.

We must seek excellence in life and work, but we will always fall short. But because of His love for us, He makes it worthwhile. He paid the price on the cross for our inadequacy and failure. So now, all we do has purpose and completion in Him.

Why Live on the Prairies?

Spending a weekend in Vancouver, smelling the soft moist air and reveling in the blossoms already in full flower, makes me wonder why we ever left here for the prairies. Of course, there were good reasons, but that doesn’t eliminate the nostalgia for a kinder climate.

To be honest, there are times in Alberta, especially in the spring, when I wonder if I’ll ever feel warm again. The winter refuses to let go, even through most of the spring, until summer bursts out with heat enough to melt the soul.

Someone asked me this weekend, why, after living in Vancouver for twenty years, we decided to move back to the prairies. Certainly a good and perfectly natural question for a born and raised Vancouverite. Where else in Canada matches the beauty and climate of the west coast?

Of course, we humans are hard to satisfy. Once back in Vancouver, I’d soon tire of the interminable traffic, long commutes and socialist governments. Trouble is, everyone flocks to the best places on earth, and then tries to turn them into a paradise of their own making.

Lethbridge has its benefits; it’s not always windy! I can drive anywhere in fifteen minutes, and all those big box stores have settled in—everything within easy reach. Too, we have some family nearby, and vistas of the Rockies a hundred miles north and south never cease to awe me.

We have moved over a score of times during our fifty eight years of marriage, and have learned that home is where you make it. It is not a place, it is peace. Conflict can destroy a home in the most magnificent abode and the finest surroundings.

I’m sure we could live in Vancouver again, or anywhere else we felt called to. But right now we are happy where we are; we always have been wherever we were. Vancouver is a wonderful place to visit and admire, but I prefer not to live there again.

The Sabbath?

Why don’t Christians keep the Sabbath? This question comes up intermittently and some pointers to an answer were provided by Rev. James Robinson yesterday. Remember that the first Christians were Jews who met early on the first day of the week to worship. Why?

First, they would attend the synagogue or meet in the temple courts to worship on the Sabbath (Saturday). This meant to complete their faith as Christian Jews they would meet the following day to celebrate—the day our Saviour rose from the dead.

Remember too, that Jesus was crucified on Friday, and it was fitting he should rest through the Sabbath in a sleep of death, before rising to life early on the first day of the week. After all, the first day of the week commenced the original creation process.

So, Christ rose in re-creation on the first day of the week, which heralded not only new life for us, but also the promise of His return; some Christians suggest it is an eighth day. It was natural for the early Christians to celebrate their faith on the first day, Sunday.

Thus, the Sabbath was left intact for those first Jewish Christians. But it leaves a question: though we Christians continue to worship on the Sunday, how do we respect the Sabbath? While this is no longer a legal requirement, can we honour God’s original charge?

Perhaps it is no coincidence that for most in the western world, the work week leaves Saturday a holiday. Most Christians may not attend a Shabbat service, but we can make it the day of rest as it was originally proclaimed.

Or have we over time simply transferred the Sabbath to Sunday, so that becomes our “day of rest”? If we rest on Saturday, we may worship on Sunday, but not necessarily make it a day of rest. In fact, for many Christians—especially pastors—it’s the busiest day of the week!

Any other thoughts?