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About this blog: I am a native of Alameda County, grew up in Pleasanton and currently live in the house I grew up in that is more than 100 years old. I spent 39 years in the daily newspaper business and wrote a column for more than 25 years in add...  (More)

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Is life an accident or is it created?

Uploaded: Jun 28, 2022
Reading various opinions and watching the news concerning the Supreme Court’s reversing of Roe v. Wade there’s a common refrain.
For those favoring abortion rights, it’s a single word: control. Control of their bodies, control of their education or career—control over their lives. For people who believe babies are conceived by accident when a sperm happens to encounter an egg, that’s understandable.
For others of us, who believe God creates all life and says so directly in his word, the Bible, the viewpoint is dramatically different. His word says he knew us before he created us in our mother’s womb. We believe God is sovereign and he knows the number of hairs on my head as well as the days of my life.
Believing that God creates life and thus it starts at conception, I think abortion is wrong at any time--- 15 weeks or 20 weeks or four weeks or the third trimester. That’s why, as readily as it might be to rationalize abortion in case of rape or incest, God created that life as well. Carrying that child to term certainly requires plenty of support and understanding for the mother-to-be as well as ensuring she knows her options. Giving up a child for adoption can bless the mom, the new parents and the infant.
As one conservative put it, the mom is caring for two lives when she is carrying a baby. Both have been given by God the same unalienable rights.
The Supreme Court, in a major decision overshadowed by the abortion ruling, tossed out a New York state law of more than 100 years that required gun owners state a reason to carry a concealed weapon. California has a similar law requiring a police chief or sheriff issue the permit after being convinced it was necessary. The court held that requiring an owner to receive a government official’s permission was denying the right.
My friend, retired sheriff’s Lt. Jim Knudsen, served under Sheriff Charlie Plummer. Jim estimated in an email that there were only about 350 such permits across the county with more than 1.4 million residents in Plummer’s time. That’s how careful Plummer was when it come to issuing the permits.
For those of us who have been around for decades, you may remember when then-Livermore Councilman Marlin Ebert showed up for a City Council meeting with a gun in his briefcase. He had a concealed weapon permit because he was carrying cash for his business. It sure made for interesting headlines and debate for a bit.
Democracy.
What is it worth to you?

Comments

Posted by Rich Buckley, a resident of Livermore,
on Jun 28, 2022 at 9:25 am

Rich Buckley is a registered user.

The more I research DNA characteristics, the closer I am drawn to God. The advice I am leaving my grandchildren, which they will probably not understand until they become adults:

Place the love of God above the love of Science. Civilizations that place the love of science above the love of God, quickly devolve into tyrannies.


Posted by MichaelB, a resident of Pleasanton Meadows,
on Jun 28, 2022 at 9:30 am

MichaelB is a registered user.

We can expect Newsom and the state legislature (who thumb their noses at the 2nd Amendment) to find a way to "rig" the concealed carry permitting process to get around the recent Supreme Court decision. Expect lengthy delays, additional costs, nebulous "good character" tests, and more "sensitive places" being created where legally carrying guns will be off limits.


Posted by Kevin, a resident of Castlewood,
on Jun 28, 2022 at 8:55 pm

Kevin is a registered user.

Jesus came to us as a man, not a king. He did not rule through laws but through love. He was actually against laws from the pharisees. He hung out with worse of the worst - tax collectors and sinners. Christians today want to do the opposite. They want to push their version of morality on the rest of the US through laws. They are the 21st century Pharisees. Instead, they should be converting people through love and understanding. All they are doing is pushing people further away from Jesus.

The separation of church and state is a beautiful part of our constitution. The SCOTUS violated it. Allowing our laws to be dictated by the “evangelical" or Catholic version or interpretation of Christianity is wrong! That is what the Taliban does in Afghanistan- they set their laws by their interpretation of Koran. Let's not make the US a Christian Taliban country!

Roe v Wade and Casey kept the states from violating a woman's right based on their politicians religious beliefs. It was a federal law protecting a woman's right. And it is a very very difficult decision that a woman makes. The SCOTUS made it a trillion times harder especially for poor people in our country. The people whom Jesus would care for the most.

Now, the Americans need to vote - do we want to be a Christian Taliban or Saudi Arabian nation where our rights are defined by politicians interpretation of the Bible (Koran in case of those crazy countries) or do we want the constitution to govern our country? Separation of church and state , religious freedom!


Posted by D, a resident of Danville,
on Jun 29, 2022 at 7:52 am

D is a registered user.

@Kevin- You initially make some very good, valid, thought provoking comments, but then unfortunately the wheels fall off your arguments. Contrary to the views of the far right, and the far left, abortion ultimately is not a black and white issue, with an easy answer. Pro-life and Pro-choice advocates both can make some strong arguments. In these type of situations, compromise, a middle ground, makes sense. Pro-lifers refusal to allow any abortions, even in case of incest, rape, or mother's health, is problematic, just like pro-choice allowing late term abortions on demand, including within moments of birth is problematic. @Kevin-in these type of issues, a true democracy, not Taliban type nations, suggest let the voters decide the outcome in each state, and based on the recent Supreme Court decision, that is exactly where we are today. The voters in each state will decide what limitations apply, if any, to abortions.

@Kevin- You celebrate the separation of church and state protections in our country, but completely ignore the also constitutional right to freedom of religion and exercise thereof. Once again, those who seek laws favoring no religion over religion, are just as problematic as those who seek laws forcing their own religion on others. These are not black and white issues, with an easy clear answer. Unfortunately, we are now living in a country run by extremist on both sides of the aisle, and both sides are equally troublesome. Both sides need to learn to compromise, and to be respectful of others opinions.

At the end of the day, we will all face judgment day, and loving your neighbor as noted in the Bible does not mean crucifying those with different views as the enemy. Pray for those who have different opinions on these difficult issues, that they are respectful to others, and pray for candidates who seek that middle ground of compromise, so that we can remain a true democracy.


Posted by Kevin, a resident of Castlewood,
on Jun 29, 2022 at 8:05 am

Kevin is a registered user.

God and science are not opposite of each other - Rich.

God and science live in great harmony. Greatest scientist minds of the world are also believers. Science is the way for humans to discover the wonders of God. Tell your grandchildren to pursue both!


Posted by DublinMike, a resident of Dublin,
on Jun 29, 2022 at 9:00 am

DublinMike is a registered user.

So, if the woman dies at birth due to medical condition that God meant that to happen?


Posted by Kevin, a resident of Castlewood,
on Jun 29, 2022 at 1:51 pm

Kevin is a registered user.

D, you talk about compromise. you know well that Red “evangelical" states will not allow abortion in any situation. Also, this is just the beginning. Red “evangelicals" and Catholics will do their best to expand their wishes into all of the US (Federal) and all aspects of our lives, and ban same-sex marriage, contraception, etc. did you read what Thomas wrote? This is governing by religious decree, same exact thing that is happening in Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Islamic Republic of Iran. How would you like to be a Jew or Christian and live in Islamic Republic of Iran? Well, in a few years, we will have Christian Republic of America if it is up to Evangelicals and Catholics.

I absolutely believe in freedom of religion. Freedom to be a Jew, moslem, Christian, atheist. But, I also believe in separation of church and state. Our nation's laws are governed by the constitution not by evangelical or catholic interpretation of the Bible. Mixing church and politics has resulted in huge wars and awful deaths and misery. I am a believer of Jesus - He governs my personal life and relationships with close and far family and friends. I don't force my Christian views on anyone by law. It does not work and that is why Jesus came to us as a human and not a king.


Posted by D, a resident of Danville,
on Jun 29, 2022 at 3:33 pm

D is a registered user.

@Kevin-Your prejudice, hate and contempt for "Catholics" comes across crystal clear. Just remember, President Biden, Speaker of the House Pelosi, and even Governor Newsome consider themselves "practicing Catholics", and I am also a "practicing Catholic". Contrary to your negative stereotype, we are not all alike, although it makes it easier for you and others to label us as evil and not worthy of your respect. You fail to see how your attitude and bias is just as hurtful and extreme as what you perceive as "red states" forcing their beliefs on others. All hate, whether by Democrats, or Republicans, is wrong, and contradicts your self proclaimed "Christian views". Your hate for those who believe that it is morally wrong to abort a late term fetus that is not a threat to the mothers health, is just as bad as those "red states" hate of rape victims who decide to have an abortion. Have Popes and Catholics done some terrible things over the centuries? Of course-but do not "throw the baby out with the bathwater"(no pun intended) in your hurry to stereotype and malign Catholics.

Abortion is a complicated, emotional, difficult topic, and no side of this debate is all right or all wrong. Treating the other side as the enemy is not "Christian". To some, allowing a late term abortion that is not a threat to the mother's health is murder, and thus requires states action to protect the innocent life, just like we have laws that prohibit harming others. You do not have to be a Christian or Catholic, or even believe in God to have that view. It is not necessarily a religious issue, forcing a religious view on others.

At the end of the day, the only certain thing is that hating those with different opinions, and refusing to be respectful of others opinion, leads to more division and violence, things we have to much of in our country. Compromise, empathy, love, and compassion, are values we should all strive for, in a more just and moral society.






Posted by Kevin, a resident of Castlewood,
on Jun 29, 2022 at 4:59 pm

Kevin is a registered user.

D, I apologize if you think I hate Catholics. No, I don't! I don't have blanket feeling of hate for any religion or nationality or any race! Don't misunderstand my strong disagreement with not just Catholics but even more disagreement with the evangelicals as hatred. I break bread with them and study the Bible with the Evangelicals.

Have you taken the time to study abortion data about age, race, income level, stage of pregnancy, etc.? Abortion rate in 2020 was less than half of abortion rate in the 70s. 98.7% of abortions are in the first trimester. Majority of women who had abortion already had a child. Poor black women constitute the majority of patients. Abortionswill always be around - let's make them safe and legal while providing other types of assistance so women can avoid having to have it.


Posted by Kevin, a resident of Castlewood,
on Jun 29, 2022 at 5:16 pm

Kevin is a registered user.

Regarding hatred- the current world and history is full of religious hatred resulting in killings and destruction when religion and politics were combined. All the European wars between Catholics and Protestants and the Church of England, Hitler (catholic) killing Jews, Moslems and Jews, different sects of Islamkilling each other, Hindus and Moslems, ...... these are the proven examples of hatred resulting in death and destruction mostly because of mixing politics and religion. The founders were very smart when they included separation of church and state in the US constitution. Let's keep them separate by voting for people who follow this path. Biden and Pelosi are Catholics who have learned that you cannot legislate your way to morality.


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