There has been a great deal in the news about the bonuses paid to executives of the financial group AIG. The payouts have irritated Americans for many reasons. Probably chief among the complaints is the question: "Why would you give bonuses to people when you are in need of a handout from the Government?" The bonus certainly can't be a merit bonus for the good work you have done! People should not be rewarded when they are borrowing money from the government (and generations to come).
I'm sure this is a much more complex issue than we understand, but these bonuses certainly send the wrong message. They lead us to believe that these people are ripping the government (which is us) off.
My point is not to discuss the de-merits of the stimulus plan enacted by Congress. (Isn't it interesting that some people have now lost their jobs because companies are postponing work they were going to do because they now believe they can get the government to pay for the work?) I'm more concerned about a Biblical lesson contained here.
The Bible commands that we avoid even the appearance of evil. We are to avoid those things that might lead people to think we are doing wrong (even if we are not). In other words, if we have the choice between doing two things that are legal and above board but one of those things will look like we are doing something wrong, we should choose that which will be recognized as good and pass on that which gives the wrong message. . . even if it is more personally beneficial.
The Bible's point is that our integrity is worth more than any material benefit we may be able to gain from the world We should rather be wronged than undermine our position as a representative of Jesus Christ.
So, if you were a Christan and an official at AIG, even if your contract required the payment of the bonus, you should be willing to give up the bonus (as many of the officials have done) in order to avoid the appearance of ripping people off.
This principle is not just for those at AIG . . . it is for all of us.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
The Stem Cell Debate
President Obama made news by lifting the ban on government funded embryonic stem cell research. This decision was hailed as an advance for science.
I have read Michael J. Fox's book. I know he desires a cure for Parkinson's. I want him to be cured of Parkinson's. However, I believe the President's action actually makes that more difficult.
Throughout this whole debate about stem cells the spin was that President Bush was against stem cell research and anti-science. That wasn't true. He was against embryonic stem cell research. In other words he was against creating life in order to kill it. What is seldom mentioned is the fact that President Bush encouraged and put government funds toward adult stem cell research and other generic forms of stem cell research.
In President Obama's rescinding the order of President Bush he effectively stopped the funding for adult stem cell research and alternative stem cell research (such as iPSC research). The Pastor's weekly briefing points to the great results this research has yielded.
"Many believe that Bush could have been ahead of his time in promoting both adult stem-cell research and alternative research, such as regression, also known as direct reprogramming. In this process, differentiated cells from adults are reverted into stem cells, with no destruction of human life. As recently as last week, researchers announced that they had successfully turned ethically created cells into the neurons that break down in Parkinson's disease. The week before, scientists produced evidence that they had treated Parkinson's in a patient with his own adult stem cells. Almost daily, researchers are celebrating new breakthroughs without compromising a single human life. Over 70 diseases and conditions have already been treated through adult stem cells, helping patients overcome everything from juvenile diabetes to heart disease. "While the Obama administration and its supporters claim to be on the cutting edge of science, the new President is pursuing old technology," said Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council." (Pastor's Weekly Briefing 3/13/09).
During the term of President Bush the government was not funding embryonic stem cell research but it was still going on with private funds. These studies have yielded NOTHING.
The President appears to be wrong on this one. He is supporting (and helping underwrite) the destruction of human life in it's most defenseless state, and there is not one reason to do so.
I have read Michael J. Fox's book. I know he desires a cure for Parkinson's. I want him to be cured of Parkinson's. However, I believe the President's action actually makes that more difficult.
Throughout this whole debate about stem cells the spin was that President Bush was against stem cell research and anti-science. That wasn't true. He was against embryonic stem cell research. In other words he was against creating life in order to kill it. What is seldom mentioned is the fact that President Bush encouraged and put government funds toward adult stem cell research and other generic forms of stem cell research.
In President Obama's rescinding the order of President Bush he effectively stopped the funding for adult stem cell research and alternative stem cell research (such as iPSC research). The Pastor's weekly briefing points to the great results this research has yielded.
"Many believe that Bush could have been ahead of his time in promoting both adult stem-cell research and alternative research, such as regression, also known as direct reprogramming. In this process, differentiated cells from adults are reverted into stem cells, with no destruction of human life. As recently as last week, researchers announced that they had successfully turned ethically created cells into the neurons that break down in Parkinson's disease. The week before, scientists produced evidence that they had treated Parkinson's in a patient with his own adult stem cells. Almost daily, researchers are celebrating new breakthroughs without compromising a single human life. Over 70 diseases and conditions have already been treated through adult stem cells, helping patients overcome everything from juvenile diabetes to heart disease. "While the Obama administration and its supporters claim to be on the cutting edge of science, the new President is pursuing old technology," said Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council." (Pastor's Weekly Briefing 3/13/09).
During the term of President Bush the government was not funding embryonic stem cell research but it was still going on with private funds. These studies have yielded NOTHING.
The President appears to be wrong on this one. He is supporting (and helping underwrite) the destruction of human life in it's most defenseless state, and there is not one reason to do so.
Friday, March 6, 2009
The bane of technology
I will readily admit that I enjoy things related to the computer. I love updating the website, shopping for books online, reading reviews and much more. I have a page on MySpace and Facebook. I carry a cellphone (most of the time) and use an iPod. I like technology.
Unfortunately, I am finding my time increasingly taken up answering e-mails, uploading broadcasts, and answering requests from Facebook. I am amazing how much time can be spent tracing some thread of information on the Internet. I don't want technology to control my life. That is a job that is reserved for the Lord God Almighty.
Here are some steps I am taking to loosen the grip of technology.
Unfortunately, I am finding my time increasingly taken up answering e-mails, uploading broadcasts, and answering requests from Facebook. I am amazing how much time can be spent tracing some thread of information on the Internet. I don't want technology to control my life. That is a job that is reserved for the Lord God Almighty.
Here are some steps I am taking to loosen the grip of technology.
- I don't give out my cell phone number.
- I have stopped feeling that I had to drop everything to answer the phone. People can leave a message and I will call them back when it is convenient
- I have turned my status on Facebook to "offline" permanently so I don't get caught instant messaging with people. Most of the time that is just playful.
- I don't text message. I'd rather use full words and talk to people directly.
- I will limit my trips to Facebook to no more than once a day. Friend requests and other requests can wait.
- I will delete e-mails that aren't personal correspondence or addressing a need I want to address.
Monday, March 2, 2009
The Hollywood Worldview
At the Academy Awards (the show where egoists stroke each others egos) Sean Penn probably had the quote of the night when he chastised those who opposed homosexual marriage admonishing that their grandchildren would be ashamed of them. The he added, "It is time for civil rights to be given to all (I'm sure he meant to say . . except the unborn)."
Penn is arguing from a "man is the center of the universe" worldview. When man is the center of the universe the only thing that matters is for us to try to help as many people do what they want as possible. As the mindset grows, chaos swells.
When we leave God out of our worldview creation is an accident; a work of chance (whatever that means). We are headed nowhere and any exist to grab all the gusto in the now. Once we adopt that mentality, the dignity of human beings is lost. Murder, terrorist acts, abortion, human trafficking, disrespect in the home, school and workplace all naturally follow.
In response to Sean Penn (though he would not likely understand what I am saying) I would say:
1) This is an issue of authority, not political clout. Christians do not oppose gay marriage because it is against the law and we don't want the status quo disrupted. We don't oppose gay marriage because we dislike homosexuals. We oppose gay marriage on Biblical grounds. The Bible is our authority. We must obey God rather than men. When we toss aside this authority the measure of truth becomes our own imaginations. We believe this is the height of foolishness.
2)My concern is less with what my Grandchildren say about me and more about what God will say about me on the last day. For me, I can think of nothing greater than for my Grandchildren to say, "Grandpa sure believed in the Bible . . . He made it the foundation of His life"
3) Equal rights should not equal license (you can do whatever you want). We are moving in that direction as a society but it is a destructive mistake. Rights without parameters is chaos. Our country was founded with Judeo-Christian values as our parameters. (Basically that means the Bible set the guidelines for our freedom). Letting your children do whatever they want is not good parenting. A good parent tries to guide their children to good and productive choices. The mere existence of restrictions is not a violation of rights, it is evidence of love.
Penn is arguing from a "man is the center of the universe" worldview. When man is the center of the universe the only thing that matters is for us to try to help as many people do what they want as possible. As the mindset grows, chaos swells.
When we leave God out of our worldview creation is an accident; a work of chance (whatever that means). We are headed nowhere and any exist to grab all the gusto in the now. Once we adopt that mentality, the dignity of human beings is lost. Murder, terrorist acts, abortion, human trafficking, disrespect in the home, school and workplace all naturally follow.
In response to Sean Penn (though he would not likely understand what I am saying) I would say:
1) This is an issue of authority, not political clout. Christians do not oppose gay marriage because it is against the law and we don't want the status quo disrupted. We don't oppose gay marriage because we dislike homosexuals. We oppose gay marriage on Biblical grounds. The Bible is our authority. We must obey God rather than men. When we toss aside this authority the measure of truth becomes our own imaginations. We believe this is the height of foolishness.
2)My concern is less with what my Grandchildren say about me and more about what God will say about me on the last day. For me, I can think of nothing greater than for my Grandchildren to say, "Grandpa sure believed in the Bible . . . He made it the foundation of His life"
3) Equal rights should not equal license (you can do whatever you want). We are moving in that direction as a society but it is a destructive mistake. Rights without parameters is chaos. Our country was founded with Judeo-Christian values as our parameters. (Basically that means the Bible set the guidelines for our freedom). Letting your children do whatever they want is not good parenting. A good parent tries to guide their children to good and productive choices. The mere existence of restrictions is not a violation of rights, it is evidence of love.
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