Friday, March 10, 2006

Science, Ethics, and Religion... Oh My!


This Great God,
Like a mammy bending over her baby,
Kneeled down in the dust
Toiling over a lump of clay
Till He shaped it in His own image;
Then into it
He blew the breath of life,
And man became a living soul.
Amen. Amen.

"The Creation"
James Weldon Johnson

In this world of advancements in science, medicine, and technology; it is no wonder that many in our society still debate the creation theories. Much like our current scientific controversies- cloning, abortion, and contraception; the creation stirs emotions within many in religious and scientific communities. Victor Frankenstein decided to create a living being. He "played God". In the news we are daily bombarded with controversies regarding Intelligent Design, the Big Bang, Evolution, Abortion, Stem Cell Research, etc.

Everyone has an opinion. Your opinion may be based on research, science, religion, morals, or the media. Choose a current controversy (from the above list or others) and take a stance on it. Explain your reasons.

Keep in mind that everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. Don't attack others' views. Keep an open mind, but be firm in your own ideas and beliefs.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cloning is not right. Sounds basic but it forst off is just wierd. Imagine, someone who looks, sounds, and potentially acts just like you. My reasons against it are not just moral, but because you would lose all of what makes you you and your personal identity.

Anonymous said...

i dont think that cloning is playing god. i think that if we can come up with ways to do things through science then why not. it is helpful to us. - BakerB3

Anonymous said...

I have a problem with cloning. Sure it goes against basic morals and such, but I dislike it more for how it would make us lose our personal identity. We would have someone who looks, talks, and potentially acts just like you. People couldn't even tell if it is the real you or the clone.

Anonymous said...

True, my creation beliefs are based on religion. I was raised that way and that is how they came about. I do know, that I have decided for my own. My parents did not make the decision for me, they just made it an option. After living in this world for 18 years, meeting amazing, intelligent people and seeing miraculous, unbelievable events and places I have formed my own opinion. There is not way this place is a mistake. I truly believe it was created by the miracle of God. I know it seems like a huge myth---but the crazy thing isnt, its just how cool God is!

Anonymous said...

I am a firm believer in intelligent design. To me it takes more faith that out of nothing came this whole world. At one point someone would have had to create those two atoms that magically colided together to create the world. It is impossible for those atoms to have just come out of nothing. There would have had to be a person that created the world, and everything that went along with it. We as humans will never understand everyhting, but how could this whole world, and everything that goes along with it come out of nothing. The way DNA works was not an accident. It is a complex miracle that had to have been created by an intelligent being.

Anonymous said...

I am unsure on the subject of abortion. It is a touchy subject, especially in my family. I can understand why someone would feel like they need to get an abortion. I am a girl and I know how scary it would be have a baby. Sometimes for girls it just feels like the only option. But I am also opposed to abortion though. My brother was adopted and I hate to think about the fact that his birth mother, how was extremely young, could have easily decided to have an abortion. He wouldnt be here if she did and that is just so scary to think about. I dont know though, I think the girl has the right to choose.

Anonymous said...

i think that stem cell research is wrong. it's wrong for people to choose the sex, eye color, etc. or their baby. That's God's job.

Anonymous said...

I think cloning is morally wrong. I understand the scientific idea that it would be an incredible break-through to be able to accomplish such a feat, but the moral aspects of this are just wrong. It was also take away the fact that everyone is an individual and no two people are exactly alike. No one can play God.

MrsC said...

I appreciate such candid and passionate comments on such a tough topic. This is a time in your life where you will need to solidify why you believe what you believe.

Anonymous said...

I dont believe abortion should be legal except in certain circumstances, but i do not believe an unborn child's life should be taken from them.

Anonymous said...

I can't see how people don't believe in evolution. There is so much evidence that proves it. And there can be evolution and religion.

Anonymous said...

I don't agree that cloning is right. We were all made differently and I think that is the way that it should stay. And I also think that it is playing God in some ways. Yes, it is incredible what we can do with science these days but there comes a point where it becomes to advanced.

Anonymous said...

I believe that whatever a person believes is what is right to him. Every day people tell us that what we believe in is right, but it seems to happen that these same people are changing their minds when it comes down to G-d or religion. If you believe G-d is a girl, than G-d is a girl, same concept if you believe G-d is a white man, or a black child. Whoever you believe to be your G-d, whoever you believe, or however, you believe that this world came into being, that’s the way it happened, because in this world belief is everything.

Anonymous said...

Stem cell research is a wonderful discovery for medical purposes. Umbilical cords are thrown away, however, now they can be used to help find cures for Cancer, Aids, Alzheimer's etc. Why would you not promote such a miracle? If you feel it is "playing God" or ethically wrong don't you think one sacrifice is a well worth sacrifice if it could save or treat thousands of children with these terrible diseases?