I am excited to begin posting in a new space. I have a new WordPress site and I like it!!! My husband the genius, Dave, set it up for me and now I am learning how to use it. Please check it out when you have the inclination: LAURAKNOERR.COM
Friday, April 20, 2012
New Blog/Website
I am excited to begin posting in a new space. I have a new WordPress site and I like it!!! My husband the genius, Dave, set it up for me and now I am learning how to use it. Please check it out when you have the inclination: LAURAKNOERR.COM
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Abortion
The issue of abortion is now front and center. Following are some data and four different perspectives on the matter.
Abortion data from U.S. Census Bureau:
Number of Abortion in the U.S. in 2008 (the last year for which data is complete): 1,212,350
Number of Life Births in the U.S. in 2008: 4,247,694
This data would suggest that for every 4 babies born, a fifth baby was aborted. In other words, conservatively speaking and without taking into consideration miscarriages or birth control medications/devices, at least 20% of babies conceived in this country are aborted.
INSIGHT FROM THE MEDICAL PROFESSION:
"If you could look at this from an advanced society somewhere in the future, abortion will be judged as just as barbaric in it's historical context as Mayan sacrifice of young girls, as killing infants for their female gender, as parents being within legal bounds to kill their children -- all of these things the norm in their time, in their context. Rationalized thought -- that a broad societal consensus that it is ok, and that given the time, will make it acceptable. We may truly believe, both sides of the issue, that we are making the most sensible, albeit difficult decision for the lives of those who are affected. I believe, to the bottom of my heart, we're getting this one wrong. God is at the heart of it for me. But even if you don't believe in God - history will judge this as low and base and barbaric. Particularly; particularly in a highly advanced society." Perspective of a registered nurse who is a friend of mine.
INSIGHT FROM TWO RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVES
“The Salvation Army believes in the sanctity of all human life and considers each person to be of infinite value and each life a gift from God to be cherished, nurtured and redeemed. Human life is sacred because it is made in the image of God and has an eternal destiny. (Genesis 1:27) Sacredness is not conferred, nor can it be taken away by human agreement.”
The Salvation Army deplores society's ready acceptance of abortion, which reflects insufficient concern for vulnerable persons, including the unborn. (Psalms 82:3-4)
The Salvation Army holds to the Christian ideals of chastity before marriage and fidelity within the marriage relationship and, consistent with these ideals, supports measures to prevent crisis pregnancies. It is opposed to abortion as a means of birth control, family planning, sex selection or for any reason of mere convenience to avoid the responsibility for conception. Therefore, when an unwanted pregnancy occurs, The Salvation Army advises that the situation be accepted and that the pregnancy be carried to term, and offers supportive help and assistance with planning.
The Salvation Army recognizes tragic and perplexing circumstances that require difficult decisions regarding a pregnancy. Such decisions should be made only after prayerful and thoughtful consideration, with appropriate involvement of the woman's family and pastoral, medical and other counsel. A woman in these circumstances needs acceptance, love and compassion.
When an abortion has taken place, The Salvation Army will continue to show love and compassion and to offer its services and fellowship to those involved.”
From the Salvation Army Website
“A core text in rabbinic law crystallizes the status of the fetus. The Mishna explicitly indicates that one must abort a fetus if the continuation of pregnancy might imperil the life of the woman: “If a woman is in hard travail, one cuts up the offspring in her womb and brings it forth member by member, because her life comes before the life of her foetus. But if the greater part has proceeded forth, one may not set aside one person for the sake of saving another.
As a general rule, abortion in Judaism is permitted only if there is a direct threat to the life of the mother by carrying the fetus to term or through the act of childbirth. In such a circumstance, the baby is considered tantamount to a rodef, a pursuer after the mother with the intent to kill her. Nevertheless, as explained in the Mishna, if it would be possible to save the mother by maiming the fetus, such as by amputating a limb, abortion would be forbidden. Despite the classification of the fetus as a pursuer, once the baby's head or most of its body has been delivered, the baby's life is considered equal to the mother's, and we may not choose one life over another.” Daniel Eisenberg, M.D.
MY THOUGHTS
To me, a 20% abortion rate would suggest that abortions are definitely NOT being limited to situations where the mother's life is in danger. This would also suggest that the abortion procedure is being abused and misused. This would then in turn suggest that many women are seeking because of fear, misinformation and/or intimidation.
PEOPLE!!! What can we do to change this???? Lives are hanging in the balance!!!
And, by the way, if you want to know how Facebook feels about the abortion issue, this is a link to an article about Facebook apologizing to a reproductive rights doctor for removing her post on how to "Do It Yourself" Abortion.
Abortion data from U.S. Census Bureau:
Number of Abortion in the U.S. in 2008 (the last year for which data is complete): 1,212,350
Number of Life Births in the U.S. in 2008: 4,247,694
This data would suggest that for every 4 babies born, a fifth baby was aborted. In other words, conservatively speaking and without taking into consideration miscarriages or birth control medications/devices, at least 20% of babies conceived in this country are aborted.
INSIGHT FROM THE MEDICAL PROFESSION:
"If you could look at this from an advanced society somewhere in the future, abortion will be judged as just as barbaric in it's historical context as Mayan sacrifice of young girls, as killing infants for their female gender, as parents being within legal bounds to kill their children -- all of these things the norm in their time, in their context. Rationalized thought -- that a broad societal consensus that it is ok, and that given the time, will make it acceptable. We may truly believe, both sides of the issue, that we are making the most sensible, albeit difficult decision for the lives of those who are affected. I believe, to the bottom of my heart, we're getting this one wrong. God is at the heart of it for me. But even if you don't believe in God - history will judge this as low and base and barbaric. Particularly; particularly in a highly advanced society." Perspective of a registered nurse who is a friend of mine.
INSIGHT FROM TWO RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVES
“The Salvation Army believes in the sanctity of all human life and considers each person to be of infinite value and each life a gift from God to be cherished, nurtured and redeemed. Human life is sacred because it is made in the image of God and has an eternal destiny. (Genesis 1:27) Sacredness is not conferred, nor can it be taken away by human agreement.”
The Salvation Army deplores society's ready acceptance of abortion, which reflects insufficient concern for vulnerable persons, including the unborn. (Psalms 82:3-4)
The Salvation Army holds to the Christian ideals of chastity before marriage and fidelity within the marriage relationship and, consistent with these ideals, supports measures to prevent crisis pregnancies. It is opposed to abortion as a means of birth control, family planning, sex selection or for any reason of mere convenience to avoid the responsibility for conception. Therefore, when an unwanted pregnancy occurs, The Salvation Army advises that the situation be accepted and that the pregnancy be carried to term, and offers supportive help and assistance with planning.
The Salvation Army recognizes tragic and perplexing circumstances that require difficult decisions regarding a pregnancy. Such decisions should be made only after prayerful and thoughtful consideration, with appropriate involvement of the woman's family and pastoral, medical and other counsel. A woman in these circumstances needs acceptance, love and compassion.
When an abortion has taken place, The Salvation Army will continue to show love and compassion and to offer its services and fellowship to those involved.”
From the Salvation Army Website
“A core text in rabbinic law crystallizes the status of the fetus. The Mishna explicitly indicates that one must abort a fetus if the continuation of pregnancy might imperil the life of the woman: “If a woman is in hard travail, one cuts up the offspring in her womb and brings it forth member by member, because her life comes before the life of her foetus. But if the greater part has proceeded forth, one may not set aside one person for the sake of saving another.
As a general rule, abortion in Judaism is permitted only if there is a direct threat to the life of the mother by carrying the fetus to term or through the act of childbirth. In such a circumstance, the baby is considered tantamount to a rodef, a pursuer after the mother with the intent to kill her. Nevertheless, as explained in the Mishna, if it would be possible to save the mother by maiming the fetus, such as by amputating a limb, abortion would be forbidden. Despite the classification of the fetus as a pursuer, once the baby's head or most of its body has been delivered, the baby's life is considered equal to the mother's, and we may not choose one life over another.” Daniel Eisenberg, M.D.
MY THOUGHTS
To me, a 20% abortion rate would suggest that abortions are definitely NOT being limited to situations where the mother's life is in danger. This would also suggest that the abortion procedure is being abused and misused. This would then in turn suggest that many women are seeking because of fear, misinformation and/or intimidation.
PEOPLE!!! What can we do to change this???? Lives are hanging in the balance!!!
And, by the way, if you want to know how Facebook feels about the abortion issue, this is a link to an article about Facebook apologizing to a reproductive rights doctor for removing her post on how to "Do It Yourself" Abortion.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Congressional Reform
I don't know if this is really from Warren Buffet, but this email I received has some good points. Congress and other public servants should not become a wealthy class unto themselves as a result of taking it from the people they represent in the form of taxes. That sounds like a little too much like the monarchs our ancestors left behind in Europe.
"Winds of Change....
Warren Buffet is asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.
In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around.
_*Congressional Reform Act of 2011*_
1. No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they're out of office.
2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the
American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.
3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.
4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.
7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen/women.
Congressmen/women made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their
term(s), then go home and back to work.
THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!"
"Winds of Change....
Warren Buffet is asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.
In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around.
_*Congressional Reform Act of 2011*_
1. No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they're out of office.
2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the
American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.
3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.
4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.
7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen/women.
Congressmen/women made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their
term(s), then go home and back to work.
THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!"
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Blessings
Standing with Israel means blessings for those who support her. As Psalm 128:5 says, "The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!"
At this moment, as in times past, Israel is threatened on all sides and by most of the world. And, no one is neutral on the subject. You are either for the state of Israel or against it. Therefore, if you dare stand with Israel, I challenge you to go to the website below and make a public declaration of the fact.
Those who support Israel are blessed to be a blessing.
http://unitedwithisrael.org/declaration/
Other Biblical references:
Psalm 20:2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.
Psalm 134:3 May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.
Psalm 135:21 Praise be to the LORD from Zion, to him who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.
At this moment, as in times past, Israel is threatened on all sides and by most of the world. And, no one is neutral on the subject. You are either for the state of Israel or against it. Therefore, if you dare stand with Israel, I challenge you to go to the website below and make a public declaration of the fact.
Those who support Israel are blessed to be a blessing.
http://unitedwithisrael.org/declaration/
Other Biblical references:
Psalm 20:2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.
Psalm 134:3 May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.
Psalm 135:21 Praise be to the LORD from Zion, to him who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.
Friday, May 27, 2011
My God is not....
Sometimes, descriptions of the nature of God lose their meaning. For instance, God is love. God is kind. After a conversation with a discouraged person who is upset with God, I began to think. Maybe it would help to specify what God is not. Especially in light of the horrible weather tragedies. So, here goes...
God is not arbitrary.
God is not cruel.
God is not unjust.
God is not callous.
How can we understand, then, the bad that happens to us and others? By changing the way we think.
Being on the receiving end of discipline as a child was not fun. I did not think that it was an expression of my parents' love. I thought a spanking hurt - especially my pride. I usually disliked being corrected when I said or did something mean to my siblings. But, the result was that discipline shaped my character for the better. I have benefited by it.
I'm not saying that tragedy equals discipline. But, as in discipline, it is not fun or enjoyable. Despite that, in tragedy and hardship, let's search for goodness, pour out love, banish bitterness and learn something. God created good. Life is good. Every breath is a blessing.
God is not arbitrary.
God is not cruel.
God is not unjust.
God is not callous.
How can we understand, then, the bad that happens to us and others? By changing the way we think.
Being on the receiving end of discipline as a child was not fun. I did not think that it was an expression of my parents' love. I thought a spanking hurt - especially my pride. I usually disliked being corrected when I said or did something mean to my siblings. But, the result was that discipline shaped my character for the better. I have benefited by it.
I'm not saying that tragedy equals discipline. But, as in discipline, it is not fun or enjoyable. Despite that, in tragedy and hardship, let's search for goodness, pour out love, banish bitterness and learn something. God created good. Life is good. Every breath is a blessing.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Goodbye to Endeavor
The last flight of the space shuttle Endeavor is scheduled for tomorrow. After it, Atlantis will make a final voyage in July. These will end an exciting 30-year chapter in our nation's history. A history that included tragedy and amazing discoveries.
NASA has not developed a replacement or improved spacecraft. The last flight of Endeavor really does mean an end to our country's heart for space endeavors. So much has been gained and so much remains yet to done.
I mourn the loss of this dream and my heart aches to see the passion of our country for space exploration fade out and fizzle only to be replaced by an obsession with fantasy sci fi. We don't seem to have the passion to be a world leader any more. And, I believe this stems from a spiritual failure.
We lack the faith to dream, to fail and to try again. Our vision has been obscured by greedy corporations, terrorist threats and, worst of all, complacency. We want our MTV, our refrigerators, our HD TVs, and our cell phones. And, if we have those, we can retreat from the world and the responsibilities that come with privilege and freedom. So, goodbye Endeavor - in every sense of the world.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/05/15/chiao.spaceshuttle.farewell/index.html?hpt=C1
NASA has not developed a replacement or improved spacecraft. The last flight of Endeavor really does mean an end to our country's heart for space endeavors. So much has been gained and so much remains yet to done.
I mourn the loss of this dream and my heart aches to see the passion of our country for space exploration fade out and fizzle only to be replaced by an obsession with fantasy sci fi. We don't seem to have the passion to be a world leader any more. And, I believe this stems from a spiritual failure.
We lack the faith to dream, to fail and to try again. Our vision has been obscured by greedy corporations, terrorist threats and, worst of all, complacency. We want our MTV, our refrigerators, our HD TVs, and our cell phones. And, if we have those, we can retreat from the world and the responsibilities that come with privilege and freedom. So, goodbye Endeavor - in every sense of the world.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/05/15/chiao.spaceshuttle.farewell/index.html?hpt=C1
Thursday, March 24, 2011
NASA and Our National Vision
I visited the Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida for the first time recently. I had already been mourning the rumored gutting of our country's space program. In 2003, I was fortunate enough to watch the launch of the Mars probe in person. The launch amazed and enthralled thousands of other spectators as well. All my life, I have been so interested in all of the launches, in the Hubble telescope's amazing pictures and in the courage, persistence and endurance of the men and women working in all aspects of the program.
After touring the Space Center, I was struck anew by the waste of abandoning the Space Shuttle program and scaling back our country's dreams and visions. In this time of hardship, it is even more important to grasp onto a vision. It is more important than ever to push forward with innovations and new technologies and new explorations. Working for NASA has been the dream and goal of the brightest and best. It has been a beacon to students encouraging the study of Math and the Sciences. Our national heroes are Astronauts and the people who get them up into Space. What do we have without it? A generation of students addicted to computer games and who never leave their bedrooms?
I ask every voter to consider the value of the program for future generations. "Without a vision, the people perish."
After touring the Space Center, I was struck anew by the waste of abandoning the Space Shuttle program and scaling back our country's dreams and visions. In this time of hardship, it is even more important to grasp onto a vision. It is more important than ever to push forward with innovations and new technologies and new explorations. Working for NASA has been the dream and goal of the brightest and best. It has been a beacon to students encouraging the study of Math and the Sciences. Our national heroes are Astronauts and the people who get them up into Space. What do we have without it? A generation of students addicted to computer games and who never leave their bedrooms?
I ask every voter to consider the value of the program for future generations. "Without a vision, the people perish."
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