Source: Cute Overload
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Signs of hope
Though numbers are not everything, they can be of enormous significance especially when working to effect change in society. The support for or rejection of a culture of life is a crucial issue of our time, and there are indications that no matter how much some people, institutions and media distort the facts and try to influence public perception, truth and goodness are more attractive to those who sincerely open their hearts and minds.
The annual March for Life, which began in 1974 with the participation of around 2,000 people, has grown to be the biggest pro-life event in the world, bringing together folks from different parts of the US to Washington D.C., and spawning satellite activities in other parts of the world to demonstrate the same support for a culture of life. The peace protest in January 2009, incidentally held on the same day as the new American president's inauguration, brought together an estimated 300,000 people to the nation's capital (for the March and the related activities, not the inauguration). Here's a video someone made of the 2009 March which I find to be indicative of much hope.
(Lyrics of "So small" by Carrie Underwood here)
The warmth, vitality and joy of the people are apparent in these photos of March for Life 2007 taken by Barbara Curtis. Check them out!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Communicating beauty
Pope in landmark meeting with artists in Sistine Chapel
Welcoming the artists including architects, filmmakers and musicians in the "sanctuary of faith and human creativity," the pope urged them to be "fully conscious of your great responsibility to communicate beauty."
He asked: "What is capable of restoring enthusiasm and confidence, what can encourage the human spirit to rediscover its path, to raise its eyes to the horizon, to dream of a life worthy of its vocation -- if not beauty?"
Full article at Yahoo! News
Photo by L'Osservatore Romano
Read Pope tells artists beauty can be a path to God at Reuters
In pursuit of freedom
More good news about courageous people speaking up and remaining faithful to their oath as healers! This time, it is a Korean group of obstetricians declaring its decision to enforce the law on abortion. Though some of the group's members had previously performed abortions, they apparently have had a change of heart and have launched a movement against the procedure -- even if it means imprisonment for previously violating the law by performing abortions. Read all about it here:
South Korean obstetricians demand enforcement of abortion law
And, if you missed the news in September, doctors in Spain -- led by Derecho A Vivir (Right to Life) spokesperson Dr. Esteban Rodriguez -- also put their foot down, putting the safety of their patients first and protesting a proposed law that strips doctors of the right to refuse to commit abortions. "We will not kill our patients, nor will we commit a crime against the public health deliberately harming the health of women, no matter how much the Minister of Justice threatens us and abuses his power," the doctor said. Details here:
Spanish doctors will choose jail over committing abortion
And less than a week ago, a coalition of religious leaders in the US came up with the Manhattan Declaration, a declaration addressing the sanctity of life, traditional marriage, and religious freedom, and which has been signed by over 125 Catholic, Evangelical Christian and Orthodox leaders. Part of the document reads: "We will not comply with any edict that purports to compel our institutions to participate in abortions, embryo-destructive research, assisted suicide and euthanasia, or any other anti-life act; nor will we bend to any rule purporting to force us to bless immoral sexual partnerships, treat them as marriage or the equivalent, or refrain from proclaiming the truth, as we know it, about morality and immorality and marriage and the family.” Read about it here:
Unprecedented coalition of religious leaders call Americans to stand for sanctity, marriage and religious freedom
Illustration: The "Freedom of Speech" panel in Four Freedoms (1943), by Norman Rockwell
Monday, November 23, 2009
Beauty
People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.
- Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Swiss-American psychiatrist and author
True to their vocation
I wonder if it's accurate to say that there is a lack of doctors and other practitioners supposedly trained to help people remain healthy (and to treat their bodies of illness when illness occurs), who remain true to their vocation. But I sure am very happy whenever I hear of news of doctors standing up for the sanctity of every human life in any way, and exerting efforts to enable even the poorest people to be given quality health care, when they need it.
As there has come to be a wide discrepancy between marketing of consumer goods, and principles of proper nutrition, society could really use more guidance from the experts and from those who have the people's interest at heart. Food and drink that lack nutritional value (soda, MSG-laden and sugary snacks, and the like) are being marketed aggressively, so the way some doctors are remaining firm on what's important is very welcome (and very much needed).
A family physician near San Francisco is encouraging members of the American Academy of Family Physicians to resign in protest of the organization’s alliance with The Coca-Cola Co. to educate consumers about how Coca-Cola’s products fit into a healthful lifestyle.
Dr. William Walker, director of Contra Costa Health Services in Martinez, said in an interview Friday that he had resigned from the AAFP “with great sorrow.” He said 10 to 20 other physicians, all affiliated with Contra Costa Health, also have quit the association.
...
“I am appalled and ashamed of the partnership between Coca-Cola and the American Academy of Family Physicians,” Walker said in a release. “How can any organization that claims to promote public health join forces with a company that promotes products that sicken our children?”
Full article at Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood
* Illustration: Doctor and doll (1929), by Norman Rockwell
Monday, November 16, 2009
I secretly call this...
... the "medical issue." Upon seeing the copies at the office a couple of weeks ago, I noticed that the topics shown on the cover seemed to conjure images of illness ("medicine," "health alert," "vaccination," "bacteria"). I almost began to feel a bit all moments after perusing the cover!
But then, it's merely coincidental, as this November issue of Baby magazine offers more than that. Several articles dwell on budgeting, from different angles. So do check out the issue.
More about it here
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Now THAT is standing up for your faith
Reposting in full from MommyLife:
Italy defies European Union school crucifix ban
The issue here is: Does the European Union have the right to impose its will on an individual country? These are critical times as these international, globalist bodies are trying to usurp the self-governance of individual nations. And a warning to Americans to resist UN treaties that would take away American rights.
Italian mayors respond to Strasbourg ruling by hanging more crucifixes in schools
Rome, Italy, Nov 12, 2009 / 01:49 pm (CNA).- A number of Italian officials have responded to the ruling by the European Human Rights Court that ordered schools in Italy to remove crucifixes from the classrooms by taking unprecedented measures to preserve the Christian symbol.According to the Italian daily "Avvenire," the mayor of Sezzadio, Pier Luigi Arnera, has leveled a fine of 500 euros against anyone who removes a crucifix from a public place.
Arnera explained that the displaying of the crucifix in "places other than churches does not affect the dignity of anyone, because it is one of our cultural references."
Likewise in the cities of Sassuolo and Trapani, officials have acquired dozens more crucifixes to display them in public schools.
In Montegrotto Terme, digital billboards that normally are used to inform the public are now displaying the crucifix with the phrase, "We will not take it down." The mayor of Assisi has ordered that Nativity scenes be displayed in addition to the crucifix in public offices.
In Varesotto a local contractor placed a 16-foot cross on his farm in order to express his indignation over the EU court ruling.
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