Questions

• What are your thoughts on this bill? What are your thoughts on the supposed “evangelical” support for the bill?
• Rick Warren states that it is not his job to take a stance on this issue. Do you agree or disagree?

Some general information: It was pretty clear that Jessica and Noel hated their position. Try to avoid letting your own presuppositions influence your argument. [I know this is hard, but you can't present a compelling case while actually affirming the other side's position (e.g., "I know that a child is a blessing," "God's Word tells us that we cannot perform abortions").

I know that this was a "mock" debate, it was pretty clear that some of our "real" beliefs were revealed. For some of you, this issue seems to be very "black and white," and while it is perfectly legitimate to be pro-life, I at least want you to be aware of the inherent difficulties of this position. For example, what about cases of rape or incest? What about cases where the health of the mother is in serious jeopardy if she attempts to carry the baby to term? What about the difficulties for children born out of wedlock to teenage mothers of a low socio-economic status? [This is not a plea for you to change your position, this is a plea for you to be aware of the difficulties!]

Instead of “realizing” the difficulties, it seems as though we are content to conclude: If you get pregnant, tough luck – you shouldn’t have had sex in the first place. Or, if you don’t want the baby, give it up for adoption (thinking that this will not have a dramatic effect on the child or that this is a simple procedure). Or, if you have to ever make a tough decision between the life of your unborn child and the life of your wife, the answer is clear – carry the baby to term and let the chips fall where they may.

If that is the position you hold (i.e., the clear cut, sin is sin, abortion is murder in every case), I would encourage you to (1) actually think through these issues with sensitivity, (2) actually do something to help teenage mothers or widows or orphans, and (3) be consistent with your viewpoint (e.g., does a potentially unhealthy mother have a choice, whereas a teenage girl does not? or, what are the implications of a pro-life stance on contraception?).

I understand your frustration with abortions that are performed in order to rid a potential mother of the inconvenience of giving birth. But, I also want you to be aware that some decisions are made with hesitancy, some decisions are ambiguous, sometimes “God’s plan” does not resolve itself in ways that you will be completely comfortable with.

[Again, my goal here is not to make you change your position on this issue. In addition to desiring that you see the "grey" in the issue, my goal is also to make you understand that if we are pro-life, this carries serious consequences for how we view the world and for our responsibilities in it. It is no good to shout the loudest against abortion. Instead, help people in need. Make a difference. Care for the sanctity of the lives of those around you, in addition to the unborn fetuses, whose rights you so passionately defend.]

Thoughts on the debate? Questions unanswered? Arguments against my little rant?

This got me thinking about what the church actually teaches, and I found this “helpful” video.

And for lil’Mike….

Funny? Not really.

It seems that we have done a poor job of understanding how the Bible talks about money, specifically the tithe. So, your homework for tonight is to figure out what the Bible teaches with regard to “tithing.” Don’t give me one verse, try to most of them and see if they teach the same thing. If they don’t, are you supposed to harmonize them or let them be distinct? At the end of your analysis, what are we supposed to give to God?

[Feel free to work in groups on this one. If you do, write out your "team" in the comments below.]

A recent study by the National Center for Education Statistics shows that about 50% of recent college graduate have student loans, with an average student loan debt of $10,000. The average cost of college increases at twice the rate of inflation; the College Board estimates that public schools cost on average, about $13,000 a year, whereas private schools costs $28,000.

There are many ways in which to ease the burden of this debt in small/smart ways that can add up to huge savings in the end, such as scholarships, grants, federal loans, and private student loans. If borrowing is necessary, there are also many ways to reduce to your debt amount; the most common among them is to consolidate student loans or simply to refinance your student loans.

The following clip is from a documentary on student debt, which demonstrates the prevalence of the problem and the general unawareness that students have regarding their own debt. Like the girl interviewed in this clip, I would fear not knowing how much interest is actually adding up on my bills I need to pay. This is the main reason I chose this topic, to educate myself on how involved I need to be in paying my student loan bills when the time comes to do that. I hope you will all do the same.

Questions:

• What does Scripture tell us in detail about handling our money?
• We all know that the Bible tells us repeatedly that we are not to fear the future and God is ahead of us and knows our plans. But does this video cause you any concern about how involved you need to be to be able to manage your student loans?

Dec 16: Homosexual Marriage

TBD: Capital Punishment

However, is there a moral element involved in the food that we eat? Do we have any concern for how animals are treated (or better, engineered) in the food-making process? Do we think about the money-making industry that food production has become? Do we think about the processed junk that we typically consume, and how this is a potential departure away from a biblically-based lifestyle?

Michael Pollan has been a recent spokesman concerning the American food industry and the consumer’s responsibility to think through their food choices, not simply for health reasons, but for ethical/moral reasons as well. The trailer for the film Food, Inc. (posted below) will hopefully provide an introduction into some of the issues that surround our food consumption.

Questions:

• Is the food that we eat an ethical or moral choice?
• How important are animal rights in this discussion?
• What are the financial burdens that come along with “eating healthy” (e.g. buying “free-range meats” or organic produce)?

Death Penalty: Should the death penalty be legalized in all 50 states?

• In Favor: John, Gunner
• Opposed: Keina, Jess S.

Abortion: Should abortion remain legal?

• In Favor: J.McCleaf, Noel
• Opposed: Ryan, Ken

Homosexual Marriage: Should homosexual marriage be legalized in all 50 states?

• In Favor: Anna, Sam
• Opposed: Lil’ Mike, Tom

Each team should prepare an opening statement in which you will defend your position. Plan on this being about 8-10 minutes. This will be followed by each team questioning the statement of their opponent. (Try to anticipate what they will say and how they will argue their point.) Then, we will conclude with final statements from each team.

Instead of loading you up with more posts, take some time this week to ready yourselves for the debate and also to prepare your “blog post.”

I will be making your debate topics a bit more specific, so that you do not feel as though you have to address the whole “kit and kaboodle.” I plan on having these ready for your consideration by Tuesday (along with the solidified dates of your debate). Until then, get together with your partner and start to talk about your position (if it differs from your assigned position), the difficulties you may have with the topic, how you will divide the work, what are the key points, etc.

Your blog posts are due next Friday, December 11th, by 11:59 pm (EST). If you have questions email me.

Now we make the issue of health care more personal.  It can be easy to have an opinion on health care from a political, economic and even Biblical perspective.  It gets more difficult when you look at it from a personal perspective.  It is not just about dollars it is about real people facing real problems.

After watching this video answer the following:

1. Do you think Lisa should have a right to health care with her pre-existing condition?
2. Why do you think that private health insurance companies have declined to give her coverage?
3. If she is not able to get coverage from private insurance companies what are her other options?
4. Notice the blanket in the background.  If she is a Christian, a member of a church, does that church have any responsibility to care for Lisa?