A philosophical error which rejects the body as part of the human person

A great deal of what is morally wrong with modern culture, as well as the lion’s share of the personal unhappiness it engenders, is caused by a philosophical error which rejects the body as part of the human person.

There has been a growing cultural shift in the understanding of the body from something that is deeply personal and constitutive of who we are to something purely instrumental, to be employed as our own disembodied consciousness sees fit.

English: Neural Correlates Of Consciousness (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This drift into philosophical dualism with respect to the human person has been, quite literally, deadly. It leads directly to the use of the bodies of others as sexual objects, contraception, homosexuality, genetic engineering, sterilization, sex-change operations, embryo harvesting, abortion, and euthanasia — all of which manipulate or discard the body. It causes persons to be profoundly disaffected from themselves, leading to unrealistic expectations, stress, self-mutilation and even suicide. It leads to all these ills and more because it misunderstands what it means to be a man or a woman with a vocation to love rooted in our bodily nature as human persons.

Read more >Listen to Your Body!

The philosophical dualism which defines the person in terms of his consciousness, while defining the body as an instrument to be manipulated, lies at the heart of what is called “the new morality”. Those old enough to recall the rapid moral shift which took place beginning in the 1960’s will also recall that the thirst to embrace the new morality was driven primarily by sexual desire; the new morality was, in effect, a rationalization for sexual licentiousness (generally called “liberation”). This same effort to rationalize has rather obviously been the engine of nearly all non-orthodox moral theology over the past two generations, just as it has been the cause of most of the rejection of Church authority—and indeed of many of the scandals that have weakened that authority—during the same period. 

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2013 update:
 

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Martin Luther King's Dream Today

Dr. Alveda King, the niece of Martin Luther King jr., spoke on June 22nd 2010, at a meeting of the Working Group on Human Dignity, in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Please read her thoughts on the role of civil rights movements and the protection of life, which is a main topic of interest for her.

Martin Luther King's Dream Today - Thoughts by his Niece

Dr. Alveda King

“The message I share comes from my heart, from love of life and family, and from an inherited sense of duty to defend the most vulnerable in society.

My talk today and my work as a civil rights activist are based on three very simple truths –

* that every human being is worthy of respect by virtue of his being human;

* that at no time does anyone’s life become less human or more human;

* that each human life begins at its physical beginning

As a result of these three propositions, every single human being, born or unborn, has rights and those rights should be respected by society and protected under law.

Repentance is the first step in a soul being saved; it’s also the first step in a culture being changed. I know this because I have seen my culture, my America, change in my lifetime.

So much bloodshed and heartache happened because some people in the United States thought that African Americans were not worthy of respect. We were spat upon. We were clubbed and beaten. And we were lynched. We were killed because we were regarded as less than fully human. So it is with the lives of unborn babies – who are womb-lynched today.

But racism not only oppressed African Americans, it seared the consciences of the oppressors. People found that the fabrications of racists made their own lives more comfortable, more convenient, and they became invested in those falsehoods. They depended on those falsehoods. And so they believed, what they knew in their hearts to be untrue. So it is with the lies of abortionists today.

Today’s unborn are yesterday’s blacks – best kept out of sight and out of mind lest they remind us of the injustices we commit. The problem for abortionists and their supporters, though, is the same problem racists and segregationists faced: reality. Unborn babies won’t go away. So the work of the abortion industry has been to deny the humanity of those they exploit and discriminate against.

But what if, like the Texas abortion clinic director who recently quit her job when she saw the ultrasound image of the baby she was helping to abort, we can no longer rationalize away what we’ve been doing all these years? What if the truth becomes so clear and so compelling that society simply can’t go on being indifferent or complicit in the big lie? Well, that’s when we have to do what is against our nature – we have to humble ourselves, admit our wrongs and change our ways.

And that, in fact, is what my country did because of the civil rights movement. America changed because Americans were touched in their hearts – hearts that the Bible tells us are inscribed with God’s law. We can try to deny our consciences, indoctrinate or medicate our minds so that we can’t or won’t think, but a sense of right and wrong has been given to each and every one of us. It is that very moral awareness that changed America’s culture on racism.

I believe it is that same moral awareness that can change any culture on abortion. It won’t happen overnight. But it is already happening.

In our hearts, we know this. For too long, though, we have looked the other way. We have not wanted to get involved. We have convinced ourselves that people will never change when it comes to abortion. I’m here to tell you that this is not true. I have seen change, in myself, in others, and in my nation. What happened with slavery and racism is now happening with abortion. Those in power who can speak up for the persecuted must do so, we are our brothers’ keeper and what happens to him, happens to us.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote from a jail cell, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Whether a child is aborted in Birmingham, Alabama or Birmingham, England, that abortion is an assault on what my Uncle Martin called the Beloved Community.

My Uncle Martin had a dream. He dreamt that we would live out that which is self-evident – that all men are created equal. He called on America to admit our wrongs and turn from them.

Today, I call on all of us, regardless of nationality, race or religion, to admit our wrongs and turn from them. I believe that the denial of the right to life is the greatest injustice we face in the world today. There is no compassion in killing. There is no justice in writing people out of the human race.

I only ask: How can such a dream live on - the dream of equality for all - if we kill our children? How can the dream live on if we deny others their basic human dignity and respect? How can the dream live on if we do not act on their behalf?”

- "Europe for Christ!"

If you have integrity

In this disrupted world climate people have changed. Honesty and integrity are almost forgotten values. The confidence has disappeared.

Crime and violence are a worldwide phenomenon.
„Probity or integrity have been well defined as „moral uprightness; honesty.” A sound person is reliably and not corruptible by people or able to be tempted by wrong matters. Probity does not mean natural perfection, but it indicates on a fundamental quality in someone. In our world of becoming rich quickly sometimes integrity can be considered as an obstacle instead of as a virtue.

But in this time all ranks and social order become damaged by or loss of integrity.

In spite of the world-wide reverse gear in criteria in the field of honesty certain people attach still value to integrity. To do what we have promised, is one way to show love for god and our people and to commission people who love justice. - Matthew 22:36 - 39; Romans 15:2.

As Christians we hear to be followers of the master Jesus Christ. Of all students it is required that they stick to a code of conduct which corresponds to what is usually expected in a community or family where the emphasis is laid on courtesy, politeness, regard for parents and the elderly, cooperation, tolerance, friendliness, honesty and integrity. We must work at our self, at our own person-like-driven so that nobody must doubt our person and so that we can win also the confidence of others. How more people follow the way of God, how more that sound people of integrity will populate the world.

Wouldn't you like to live gladly in a world in which everyone displayed moral qualities of integrity, love, allegiance, unselfishness and with interest for people? That is decidedly the type of world which you wish! Absolutely no human dominator is ever able to bring that about. Only Jehovah God can make that possible. And he will do it, because His new world is no unreal air castle. - Psalm 85:10, 11.

Marcus Ampe

* * *

"If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters. Alan Simpson, former U.S. Senator.

This statement makes a very strong case for integrity. What does the Bible have to say on the subject?

When God spoke to King Solomon on the occasion of the dedication of the temple, He said, "As for you, if you walk before me in integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws, I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father when I said, 'You shall never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.' But if you or your sons turn away from me and do not observe the commands and decrees I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land I have given them and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. Israel will then become a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples."

God makes it clear that the keeping of His commandments is the essence of integrity. The high principles, honesty and good character manifested by a man of integrity come from adherence to divine principles. In Solomon's case, he had committed himself to serving God, and the keeping of God's law was an integral part of that commitment.

We don't have to read very much more to find out that Solomon did not walk in integrity of heart all the days of his life as did his father David, and, as a result, the kingdom was divided. Eventually Israel did become a byword and an object of ridicule. Why? Lack of integrity is the answer. A man of integrity honors his commitments.

David knew the value of integrity. Just before he died he went all-out to help prepare for the temple he wanted to build, but God had refused him permission, saying, "No, your son will build it instead." David, rather than being a poor sport, said to God, "I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided."

David was correct. God does test our hearts and He is pleased with integrity. Integrity implies willingly doing the right thing no matter what the cost or what we may prefer. David put aside what he would have liked to have done and wholeheartedly supported a plan that was not of his choice and would give the prestige for building the temple to someone else.

Integrity is a quality you cannot fake. There really is no such thing as insincere integrity. If it is insincere then it is not integrity. We need to ask ourselves, Do we have integrity? That is a critical question. We cannot fake it. Solomon who once had it but lost it gives us good advice on the subject: "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity." "Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner." "The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out."

Let us then walk with integrity. The benefits of integrity are many, both now and in the future. The Psalmist said as he spoke to God, "May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you."

Paul gave good advice to Titus when he said, "In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness" A person of integrity is respected, offering a good example for others to follow.

Let us say with the Psalmist, "But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me." God will respond as David knew he would when David said, "Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High.""

- Brother Robert Lloyd
Integrity - Minute Meditations

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Als u integriteit hebt

If we, in our prosperity, neglect religious instruction and authority

Daniel Webster was one of the great orators of the mid-1800s. As a Member of Congress; debater before the Supreme Court; and twice Secretary of State, he loved America. He once said: “If we, in our prosperity, neglect religious instruction and authority, violate the rules of eternal justice, trifle with the injunctions of morality, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us that shall bury all of our glory in profound obscurity.”

  We have become a nation of idol worshippers. No, I don’t mean that we carve out little forms, put them on an altar and kneel before them. Though that would be no more offensive to God than the things we do. When we think only of our man-made security; when the things we treasure are material (for “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”); when we believe that we ourselves are responsible for our successes; when we drag God down and turn Him into mortal man and worship that man as God - then we have turned away from God and are worshipping idols. We have been warned that, as the result of such abandonment, “there shall be great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world nor ever shall be.” We are asking for that “great tribulation.” Our conduct as a nation, is begging to be destroyed. Our hearts should be repentant and our prayer should be for forgiveness before we have the nerve to ask God for His blessing.

  Abraham Lincoln wrote: “We have forgotten the gracious Hand which has preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and have vainly imagined in the deceitfulness of our hearts that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.”

  - A Christian in California

Can we not do what Jesus did?

"We cannot do what Jesus would do because we are not divine." (popular saying)

Of course mainstream theology attributes the sinless obedience of Jesus to the superior moral attributes of his alleged "divinity". But think about it. That amounts to a serious a slander against the justice of God!  What justice would there be in a God who condemned humans who were born unable to obey because of their lack of divinity? How could one ever truly love a God like that?

The Scriptures are clear that Jesus was NOT divine, but totally human, just like us; and that His victory over sin was achieved with exactly the same human resources available to all other men. His obedience is the standard against which all other men will be judged. That is a fundamental issue in the Gospel call to repentance and obedience. Other humans are called to forsake their sins and learn the same obedience as that rendered by the human Son of God.

"If you love me keep my commandments". (John 14: 15)

Praise God! It is NOT too hard! (Deut 30:11) Jesus has shown us how to do it,. And GRACE comes complete with a "training course" which makes it possible. (Titus 2:11-12)

Paul also says that the goal for completed growth is nothing less than:1. ALL the fullness of God. (Eph 3:14-19)
2. The measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. (Eph 4:11-15)

Now that contains a promise which really is GOOD NEWS.


Allon Maxwell

People could argue that there are 

significant ways in which Jesus differed from us, which enabled him to "overcome" and be the acceptable sacrifice which took away the sin of the world. 

Jesus was the son of "The Father"  in the fullest sense as he said on numerous occasions. Jesus being conceived through the Holy Spirit, and not through any human agency.

Jesus was given  the Spirit from God without measure, John.3:34.

Jesus did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth 1Peter 2:22. Whereas "all (others) have sinned and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3:33.
 
People could also utter: that during the time period between birth and the commencement of his ministry at which time he received the Spirit without measure, Jesus was "shielded" from harm. According to them there are a number of scriptures which describe this shield. Psalm 22:9, Psalm 71:6, Isaia 49:5-6.

In a certain sense I would call Jesus divine, meaning belonging to or proceeding from a god. Jesus is not God and may never be a god, but he is the only one who can say he had God has his real Father.
Though we just come from human people, and Christ was born from our Holy Father, this is no excuse not to try to become as Jesus. Because of our shortcomings we do have a harder job to be without sin, but we have to work on it. Jesus had also the choice to take other ways, which would make him also a sinner, but he did choose not, and because of his choice he stayed without sin. For our protection today we have the Holy Bible, which brings us enough Words from God to give us full guidance. We only have to read it carefully and learn from it, to incorporate it in our life.

In the New Testament we have enough examples of what Jesus did and how he reacted. Learning from that we could always say WWJD "What Would Jesus Do?" and bear it in our mind to prepare our way of living and reacting to others.

Marcus Ampe