World Views

The Autonomy Argument

An opinion piece  authored by Alexis Drutchas, M.D., entitled, "In America, Is Bodily Autonomy a Human Right?," she explores this issue from the framework of today's modern medical practice. This appeared in the online CNN Opinion on June 3rd.  In her article she links bodily autonomy "rights"  together with abortion, assisted suicide and gender change. Her argument is that we must do away with the "Paternalistic Medicine" of the past and subscribe to not  having moral judgements  interfere with certain decisions about bodily freedoms- like aid in dying, transgender health and reproductive rights. Laws that limit these rights are deemed oppressive and are influenced by politicians driven by "religious fundamentalist leaders." (in other words any one with those outdated orthodox Christian morality views) 

First of all what exactly does human autonomy mean? Autonomy is a compound Greek word consisting of two parts, auto which means self and nomy meaning law or rule. So human autonomy means being a law unto oneself. How does this work out in society today? " I feel the need for speed," as Tom Cruise put it in "Top Gun." How does that argument work out for you when a State Trooper pulls you over for going 120 mph on the turnpike? You will get a ticket, a fine and points on your driver's license. Go ahead, appeal that in traffic court and I'm sure the judge won't buy your argument either. It's quite obvious that society places restraints on autonomy, as well it should. We cannot all be a law unto ourselves or we would be living in chaos. As we become a more secularized society the moral restraints of the Christian World View  have been marginalized , kicked to the wayside and it is considered ignorance. That's why we are able to murder children in the womb at any time, will ourselves to be the opposite sex, redefine marriage to be whatever we want it to be, and take our own lives or others in the name of quality of life decisions. However, one thing we cannot change is another Greek word Ontology (reality). We cannot will our xx and xy chromosomes to change. We cannot change reality. Ontology trumps Autonomy, that is truth, period. The Christian Word View stems from the very first four words of Scripture, "In the beginning God.." It does not say, in the beginning man, I, we, they... this is reality that we cannot deny, God is  Sovereign, to do so is moral chaos. If we do, to quote another movie line by Tom Hanks, "Houston, we have a problem."

Dr. Drutchas is an attending Physician at The Massachusetts General Hospital in the palliative care division and a Public Voices Fellow of the OpEd Project. She has previously worked at Fenway Health, a nationally recognized LGBTQ+ health center in Boston and co-founded the Rhode Island Trans Health Conference. Her work has appeared in the Boston Globe, Boston Globe Magazine and Media. Click Here for Article 

Spiders From Mars, Chicken Sandwiches and S.C.O.T.U.S.

Spiders from Mars? Take me to your leader. The Pentagon will be releasing a report on UFO's later this month. Do you expect the truth or will we just get to see what the government wants us to know? The UFO phenomena,  Area 51,  captured aliens and flying saucers have been  a topic of much interest, speculation and conspiracy theory over the years. If I had invested in the tin foil hat industry 35 years ago I might be as rich as Bezos, by the way I take an XL hat size. Kidding aside, what do we know and how will this "revelation" from the government affect the Christian worldview? What we know is that military pilots over the years, have seen and recorded what we call UFO's while flying routine missions. We know, that we don't know what they are. Scripture, is what we as Christians can hang our hats on. Beginning in Genesis 1, the creation and the existence of the entire cosmos, we know, is for the drama of redemption, where by a holy and righteous God  saves through the atonement accomplished by his incarnate Son, Jesus Christ. The most important issue for Christians is not what we don't know, but what we do know, and thanks be to God for his Word. We know all what we need to know.

Chicken sandwiches are in the the news again! Who knew that something as mundane as a fast food sandwich could be so controversial? Leave it to Burger King to create one! In honor of Pride Month, Burger King announced that for every Ch'King sandwich sold, it would donate 40 cents to the Human Rights Campaign (An LGBTQ+ civil rights organization), and it would do so even on Sunday. This was an obvious snipe at Christian owned Chick-fil-A, and an attempt at claiming woke kudos over their competition. Once again the left is shown to be relentless in its attacks and denigration of  Christians who stand on the opposite side of an issue whether overtly or perceived. In this case it is over the LGBTQ+ Revolution against a company that is owned by a Christian, doesn't conduct business on Sunday, and because of their faith they are perceived as homophobic, transphobic, bigots,etc. Their aim is obvious, by stirring up hate and bigotry against a Christian company, they can sell more chicken and destroy Chick-fil-A. Kill two birds with one stone, if you will. How's that working out for B.K.? Not so good as I see the long lines at Chick-fil-A and nada at B.K.. This is yet another example of the persecution of Christians, expect more to come.

Next year the Supreme Court will hear an appeal from the state of  Mississippi regarding a law restricting abortion in their state. This is a clear opportunity for the Supreme Court to reverse the Roe v. Wade decision. Recently Democrats have drawn up legislation to codify abortion into U.S. federal law. In the past this would have been a fool's errand and never would have had a chance to pass. This is a knee jerk reaction to the upcoming Supreme Court hearing by Democrats and thankfully won't pass either. Christians should keep a keen eye on Congress and pray that legislation like this will never pass.

Hallowed Ground

Hallowed Ground

We came from big cities, small towns and family farms, the best of the best, treasured sons. So much to live for in our lives so much to be done. We took the oath, to our country, we will defend against all enemies foreign and domestic, so help us God. Trained for war we left our homes and loved ones behind.

My friend and brother said to me one day, "My biggest fear is to be left behind, forgotten in this foreign land. If I die promise me this, bury me in hallowed ground." To this I nodded ascent, we hugged, "It's all good man, I won't let you down."

No one knew, that day would  soon come and a hero he would be. Laid down his life for his brother's. An act of valor, no second thoughts. His blood spilled out on the desert plain, I did my best to stem the flow. Holding his hand, my ear to his lips, with his last breath he gasped, "Hallowed ground, don't forget."

Two men in dress uniforms, standing tall, two loud knocks on his front door. They saw them pull up, the only warning they had. They knew the news had to be bad.

I accompanied my brother home, his coffin draped in the flag.  I kept my promise made to him that fateful day, to see him buried in hallowed ground. I never left his side. "Don't forget," the last words he said, still  an echo in my head.  In hallowed ground we laid him down, many tears were shed that day, in hallowed ground he found his rest. I saluted him and paid my last respects, tears staining my dress blues breast.

I went to his parents house that  day to tell his story. I will never forget. We laughed about him, we cried, I finally told the story, how he died, a hero, nothing less. I turned around as I headed out the door, and asked of them a favor, "Promise me this, I'm off to war, If I don't make it back alive, lay me down to rest by your son, my brother's, side.  With a crisp salute and a "Semper Fi," I left, new tears flooding, from all our eyes. His last words ringing in my head, "Never forget... hallowed ground," he said.

Authors Note: This is a work of fiction and is not autobiographical in any way. I have never had the privledge of wearing our country's uniform. My family's  service to this country goes as far back as I know, to the Civil War, where you will find my great-great grandfather's name on a monument of those from Pennsylvania who fought at Gettysburg.  My grandfather served in WWI, my father in WWII, my brother served in the Navy during the Cold War, and his son, my nephew is currently in the Navy. He served aboard USS Michael Murphy and was deployed for two years. I stand in awe of my family and friends who have served and especially those who  have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Never forget!