Stem Cell research passes in Illinois!

[Cheese]

llinois became the fourth state to support stem cell research after Gov. Rod Blagojevich circumvented the Legislature and ordered $10 million in tax dollars be used for the controversial research.

I think its great that there are some leaders out there who actually use their brain when dealing with issues like this...

"My sense of morality argues strongly to not simply sit back and do nothing when children are suffering from juvenile diabetes," said Blagojevich, a Democrat. "To simply be afraid to take a position or to act, I think would be immoral."

He is 100% correct, to NOT act would be irresponsible!

Yet the opposition howls...

Robert Gilligan, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Illinois — the public policy arm of the state's Catholic bishops — questioned Blagojevich's move.

"I think it's shameful. I think it's a disgrace that, on July 12, when the Legislature is not in session, he finds $10 million dollars to partially fund something that's morally objectionable to many people," Gilligan said.


I wonder how those morals would change if stem cell research found a cure for the thousands of right wing fundamentalists whose children, wives or husbands were cured from horrible debilitating diseases?

Without trying to come across as righteous, I will bend a bit because we seriously need to remove the religious element from our schools and politics!

Core Principles of Humanism

1. That we can live full, meaningful lives, without religious doctrines, by relying on our capacities for rational thought, honesty, responsibility, fairness, justice, cooperation, and each other.

2. That we use democratic principles, reason, and scientific inquiry to find realistic solutions to problems.

3. That we foster good ethics, virtues and critical thinking in our children to help them grow to be decent and proactive members of society.

4. That we look after the Earth for future generations by supporting scientific breakthroughs in medicine and technology and by not inflicting needless suffering on other species.

5. That separation of religion and state is upheld in all levels of government to ensure equality and fairness for all.

[FireFly]

Not all morals are based on religion. I personally would have a hard time accepting someone else's parts into my body just because that's gross. Provided the stem cells are taken from bone marrow, I don't mind, but they're using fetuses, and well, I think that's amoral. Not out of any religious beliefs, but that's someone's dead kid.

Besides, isn't humanism a form of religion?

[JiriHrdina]

Originally posted by FireFly@Jul 13 2005, 09:21 AM
Not all morals are based on religion. I personally would have a hard time accepting someone else's parts into my body just because that's gross. Provided the stem cells are taken from bone marrow, I don't mind, but they're using fetuses, and well, I think that's amoral. Not out of any religious beliefs, but that's someone's dead kid.

Besides, isn't humanism a form of religion?

Would you find it "gross" if someone you cared about was dieing from a horrible diseasse for which steam cell research could possibly cure?

[Frank the Tank]

Originally posted by FireFly@Jul 13 2005, 10:21 AM
Not all morals are based on religion. I personally would have a hard time accepting someone else's parts into my body just because that's gross. Provided the stem cells are taken from bone marrow, I don't mind, but they're using fetuses, and well, I think that's amoral. Not out of any religious beliefs, but that's someone's dead kid.

Besides, isn't humanism a form of religion?

Well the big question to ask is if your mom or dad were dying a slow agonizing death due to say, Parkinsons, and you had the ability to find a cure but chose not to, could you really live with that decision? I know I sure couldn't.

[Table 5]

Originally posted by FireFly@Jul 13 2005, 10:21 AM
Not all morals are based on religion.# I personally would have a hard time accepting someone else's parts into my body just because that's gross.

ok, dont. real simple.

But don't stop the rest of us from making that decision for ourselves.

[Cheese]

Originally posted by FireFly@Jul 13 2005, 11:21 AM
Not all morals are based on religion. I personally would have a hard time accepting someone else's parts into my body just because that's gross. Provided the stem cells are taken from bone marrow, I don't mind, but they're using fetuses, and well, I think that's amoral. Not out of any religious beliefs, but that's someone's dead kid.

Besides, isn't humanism a form of religion?

No...it is Atheists.

PRINCIPLES OF HUMANISM

Short Definition:

Humanism is a non-theistic, non-religious ethical philosophy of life based on the principle that human beings are responsible for giving meaning and purpose to their lives relying upon their human capacities of reason and responsibility and natural and social resources.

The Humanist Life-stance:

The Association considers Humanism to be fully secular and non-religious, and Humanism is, therefore, not to be considered a religion.

Although the Association endeavors to provide certain rites of passage and other services traditionally provided by religious institutions, this fact does not in any way imply that Humanism is a religion. The Association defines Humanism as being inherently and intrinsically secular, non-religious, non-theistic, and non-supernatural.

Declaration of Humanist Principles:

(1) Humanism aims at the full development of every human being.

(2) Humanists uphold the broadest application of democratic principles in all human relationships.

(3) Humanists advocate the use of the scientific method, both as a guide to distinguish fact from fiction and to help develop beneficial and creative uses of science and technology.

(4) Humanists affirm the dignity of every person and the right of the individual to maximum possible freedom compatible with the rights of others.

(5) Humanists acknowledge human interdependence, the need for mutual respect and the kinship of all humanity.

(6) Humanists call for the continued improvement of society so that no one may be deprived of the basic necessities of life, and for institutions and conditions to provide every person with opportunities for developing their full potential.

(7) Humanists support the development and extension of fundamental human freedoms, as expressed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and supplemented by UN International Covenants comprising the United Nations Bill of Human Rights.

(8) Humanists advocate peaceful resolution of conflicts between individuals, groups, and nations.

(9) The humanist ethic encourages development of the positive potentialities in human nature, and approves conduct based on a sense of responsibility to oneself and to all other persons.

(10) A fundamental principle of humanism is the rejection of beliefs held in absence of verifiable evidence, such as beliefs based solely on dogma, revelation, mysticism or appeals to the supernatural.

(11) Humanists affirm that individual and social problems can only be resolved by means of human reason, intelligent effort, critical thinking joined with compassion and a spirit of empathy for all living beings.

(12) Humanists affirm that human beings are completely a part of nature, and that our survival is dependent upon a healthy planet which provides us and all other forms of life with a life-supporting environment.

[Cheese]

Originally posted by FireFly@Jul 13 2005, 11:21 AM
Not all morals are based on religion. I personally would have a hard time accepting someone else's parts into my body just because that's gross. Provided the stem cells are taken from bone marrow, I don't mind, but they're using fetuses, and well, I think that's amoral. Not out of any religious beliefs, but that's someone's dead kid.

Besides, isn't humanism a form of religion?

hmmm...so that takes you off the waiting lists in case of dire emergency for...hearts, kidneys, lungs, blood....and in case of premature balding...hair?

[Displaced Flames fan]

I don't see what the uproar is about.

The El Supremo plank of the Republican party platform is less government....ie let the States decide and regulate most issues. That's exactly what's going on in the case of stem cell research. The Federal gov't won't fund stem cell research using aborted fetuses. It IS funding other sources for stem cell research. It doesn't prohibit state governments from funding stem cell research in whatever form they may choose.

Why is that so reprehensible?

[FireFly]

Originally posted by Cheese+Jul 13 2005, 10:00 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Cheese @ Jul 13 2005, 10:00 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-FireFly@Jul 13 2005, 11:21 AM
Not all morals are based on religion.# I personally would have a hard time accepting someone else's parts into my body just because that's gross.# Provided the stem cells are taken from bone marrow, I don't mind, but they're using fetuses, and well, I think that's amoral.# Not out of any religious beliefs, but that's someone's dead kid.#

Besides, isn't humanism a form of religion?

No...it is Atheists.

PRINCIPLES OF HUMANISM

Short Definition:

Humanism is a non-theistic, non-religious ethical philosophy of life based on the principle that human beings are responsible for giving meaning and purpose to their lives relying upon their human capacities of reason and responsibility and natural and social resources.

The Humanist Life-stance:

The Association considers Humanism to be fully secular and non-religious, and Humanism is, therefore, not to be considered a religion.

Although the Association endeavors to provide certain rites of passage and other services traditionally provided by religious institutions, this fact does not in any way imply that Humanism is a religion. The Association defines Humanism as being inherently and intrinsically secular, non-religious, non-theistic, and non-supernatural.

Declaration of Humanist Principles:

(1) Humanism aims at the full development of every human being.

(2) Humanists uphold the broadest application of democratic principles in all human relationships.

(3) Humanists advocate the use of the scientific method, both as a guide to distinguish fact from fiction and to help develop beneficial and creative uses of science and technology.

(4) Humanists affirm the dignity of every person and the right of the individual to maximum possible freedom compatible with the rights of others.

(5) Humanists acknowledge human interdependence, the need for mutual respect and the kinship of all humanity.

(6) Humanists call for the continued improvement of society so that no one may be deprived of the basic necessities of life, and for institutions and conditions to provide every person with opportunities for developing their full potential.

(7) Humanists support the development and extension of fundamental human freedoms, as expressed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and supplemented by UN International Covenants comprising the United Nations Bill of Human Rights.

(8) Humanists advocate peaceful resolution of conflicts between individuals, groups, and nations.

(9) The humanist ethic encourages development of the positive potentialities in human nature, and approves conduct based on a sense of responsibility to oneself and to all other persons.

(10) A fundamental principle of humanism is the rejection of beliefs held in absence of verifiable evidence, such as beliefs based solely on dogma, revelation, mysticism or appeals to the supernatural.

(11) Humanists affirm that individual and social problems can only be resolved by means of human reason, intelligent effort, critical thinking joined with compassion and a spirit of empathy for all living beings.

(12) Humanists affirm that human beings are completely a part of nature, and that our survival is dependent upon a healthy planet which provides us and all other forms of life with a life-supporting environment. [/b][/quote]
Reads like religious dogma to me... except for the fact that it claims to not be religious. OH. You're under the mistaken impression that 'religion' has to have a God.


Again, as apparently some of you missed it, I don't mind stem cell research, provided it's done with bone marrow. And no, I won't be accepting anyone else's heart or other body parts. If it's my time, it's my time. If they can grow a new heart with my bone marrow, COOL! That's where the research should lie. Figuring out how to use a person's OWN stem cells to fix them.