Wednesday, September 28, 2011

God Is Pro Choice - A Deductive Argument

Deductive arguments are attempts to show that a conclusion necessarily follows from a set of premises or hypotheses. A deductive argument is valid if the conclusion does follow necessarily from the premises, i.e. the conclusion must be true provided that the premises are true. A deductive argument is sound if it is valid and its premises are true. Deductive arguments are valid or invalid, sound or unsound. Deductive reasoning is a method of gaining knowledge. An example of a deductive argument:
  1. All men are mortal
  2. Socrates is a man
  3. Therefore, Socrates is mortal
-Wikipedia

So let me practice:

1. God is all-powerful and the architect of everything that occurs on Earth. (In the eyes of a believer true or untrue?)
2. Miscarriage is a spontaneous, non-medical, naturally occurring abortion (True or untrue?)
3. One who believes that abortions should occur is considered "pro-choice." (true or untrue?)
4. God is pro-choice  (true or untrue?)

I know the arguments that believers will use to attack this very logical and accurate representation of their chosen god. They are the same arguments employed by believers whenever holes in their fairy tale are revealed. They certainly aren't deductive arguments.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Anti-Choice Hypocrisy

I was enjoying a pleasant Autumn walk home from the pub after watching my beloved Arsenal put the final touches on a convincing  Premier League victory. The sun was shining, it was unseasonably warm, the leaves were half-way between Summer-green and Fall-color, and my afternoon was going to consist of enjoying the company of my wonderful wife and daughter. It really was a moment of nirvana. Then, shockingly, I was forced to look at the ghastly image of an aborted fetus. You may have seen it, the one where the head and legs are disconnected from the torso. Lots of blood. It was on one of those placards being held by an Anti-Choice activist.

My instinct was to berate the arsehole for exploiting the very being that he claimed to be protecting. However, I decided to respect a citizen's right to protest and stood at a distance far enough away to clearly dissociate myself from the Anti-Choice cause. It was an uncomfortable wait for the light to turn green. It got more uncomfortable when the subject arsehole asked me if I wanted a pamphlet.

I decided at this point he had opened himself up to hearing my own protest, not to his cause, but rather the medium he had chosen to promulgate his cause. Using an image of an aborted fetus to gain followers is blatantly disrespectful to that fetus and a complete contradiction to the Anti-Choice movement. If you seriously view that fetus as a life why do you feel it respectful to take a photo of it, blow it up to 3'x4', and stand on a busy street corner flashing it in strangers' faces?

Listen, I recognize that people can have different opinions regarding the exact point where life begins. It is a highly emotional and personal debate with ostensibly no "right" answer.  My personal view of life's genesis  is obviously far different than this protester's but I respect that he feels life begins when a tadpole meets an egg. In terms of abortion, there are several scenarios where I don't feel it should be legal however there are many instances where I feel it should be available as a choice for women. But that debate is not what this blog post is about.  

I will end with two scenarios that I hope will make my point or at least generate some meaningful debate.  I apologize for the harsh mental imagery they  may cause but feel my generic descriptions, involving fictional people, will make an important point.  So here goes:

As an obvious Pro-Choice advocate I decide to head down to the local corner with an explicit  3'x4'  image of a 16-year-old girl involved in sexual intercourse with a 45-year-old man. The sign reads: "This girl is being raped by her father. He has AIDS."

As a pro-euthanasia advocate I start a web page to promote the cause. The background image is of a 95-year-old woman connected to various machines; some performing respiratory functions while others ensure she is nourished. She is wearing a diaper however it appears to have failed to contain her last bowel movement adequately. The sign reads: "Is this dignity?"

Do my causes really matter?

Friday, September 23, 2011

"With God's help..."

Photo: Reuters
So, I was thinking that Netanyahu's speech to the UN was poised, tempered, and somewhat un-religious until he stated that "with God's help" Israel and the Palestinians would find peace. I have a better idea: stop believing in God, the cause of this utter clusterfuck, and start really  working on peace. Am I the only person who sees the absolute ridiculousness of this god business?

Monday, September 12, 2011

Imagine....





9/11/2001 with no religion. Would we be talking about that day's tragedy today? Me thinks no. A good day to listen to Mr.Lennon's anthem of reality.

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