Welcome to
A R C-N e w s, Nov. 30, 2024
Fortnightly Report on Christian Agape-Care in Secular Societies, by Dr. Robert D. Hosken
The right to believe and the right to life are inseparable: Right belief in a loving God enables us to love our neighbor!
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THE PITFALLS OF MODERNITY
(Click the photo.) A pitfall means falling off a cliff into a pit. As the article THE IDEOLOGY OF MODERNITY IS PULLING US OVER A DEMOGRAPHIC ABYSS explains, we're chasing after modernity's built-in goals of career success, financial security, conveniences and comforts, but we're failing to meet the 2.1 fertility rate required for any society to endure.
Birth control and abortion are the two biggest culprits. This means that the average woman needs to give birth to at least two or more babies, or else the population begins to fall. No society in human history has ever survived if its fertility rate remains below 1.6 for an extended period. And that "fatal pitfall" birthrate includes virtually all of the modern "industrialized" countries in the world.
The above article mentions another: Modernity's Self-Destruct Button. This button is built into modern society. We need to turn back to forms of society that have endured for thousands and thousands of years: living in harmony with nature, having large families, and preserving earth's resources instead of plundering them. This is called "permaculture" that tells us how one person can permanently live off 1/2 acre of land, or a community of 30 people can live off 15 acres of land: see How Much Land Does it Take to Feed One Person?
The recent U.S. political campaigning was full of anti-immigrant talk. But the simple fact is that we need immigrants, we need a new influx of willing workers, because we're not producing enough children. And we need to treat immigrants fairly:
"You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether he be of your brothers, or of your foreigners who are in your land within your gates: that same day you shall give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down on it; for he is poor, and sets his heart on it: lest he cry against you to the Lord, and it be sin to you. The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
You shall not withhold the justice due to the foreigner, or to the fatherless, nor take the widow's clothing to pledge; but you shall remember that you were a bondservant in Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you there: therefore I command you to do this thing. When you reap your harvest in your field, and have forgot a sheaf in the field, you shall not go again to get it: it shall be for the foreigner, for the orphan and the widow; that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
When you beat your olive tree, you shall not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, and for the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not glean it after you: it shall be for the foreigner, for the orphan and the widow.You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt: therefore I command you to do this thing." (Deuteronomy 24:14-22)
This and similar Bible texts are often referred to by the pro-"undocumented immigrant" Christian left folks, encouraging immigration. That phrase "every man shall be put to death for his own sin" may seem a bit puzzling: why is it included with all these commands about caring for the poor and immigrants? Perhaps it's because the anti-"illegal aliens" Christian right folks spread the blame for the sins and offenses of a minority of those immigrants onto all of them, calling them all a bunch of thieves, rapists, murderers, and drug smugglers. However, the "golden mean" – the proper response to this – is that foreigners coming to live among us are welcome but also must obey our laws, including our laws about immigration:
“And if a stranger sojourns among you and would keep the Passover to the LORD, according to the statute of the Passover and according to its rule, so shall he do. You shall have one statute, both for the sojourner and for the native.” (Numbers 9:14)
“And if a stranger is sojourning with you, or anyone is living permanently among you, and he wishes to offer a food offering, with a pleasing aroma to the LORD, he shall do as you do. For the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you, a statute forever throughout your generations. You and the sojourner shall be alike before the LORD. One law and one rule shall be for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you.” (Num. 15:14-16)
(See "How to Relate to Foreigners Among Us" for the rest of my article that I wrote in January 2017 when we in the U.S. were facing a similar situation concerning immigration.)
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A Personal Note: In just ten days from this issue, on December 10, my wife Cheryl will have her spinal surgery: the fracture in her L4 vertebra will be cemented, spurs removed from her spinal column, and the L3, L4, and L5 vertebrae will be fused together with steel rods. Please pray for a safe and successful surgery and a quick recovery. Thanks in advance!
Pray also for Vision Complex Orphanage in Tanzania: their ARC project still needs funds to feed the volunteers who are building the foundation and walls! Please go to https://Agape-Restoration-Society.org/Vision-Complex and do what you can!
Here's our next free online course: (click →) Course 300, "A Biblical Theology of Ministry," - deadline to enroll: 05 January 2025 (← click). So enroll today, before you forget!
2. FACT CHECK: IS DOCTOR’S FAILED, FATAL MISCARRIAGE TREATMENT THE FAULT OF TEXAS' PRO-LIFE LAW?
from: LiveAction
SYNOPSIS: A tragic story of the death of 35-year-old Porsha Ngumezi in Texas is being exploited to claim that pro-life laws protecting preborn children from abortion are harming women. After taking Misoprostol, Porsha complained of chest pain, and though her vital signs "looked fine," according to ProPublica, by 1:30 in the morning, she complained that she could not breathe. ProPublica, however, argued that Porsha wasn't given a D&C because "a D&C… attracts more attention from colleagues…" and that "[s]taff are familiar with Misoprostol because it's used for labor, and it only requires a doctor and a nurse to administer it. Why would medical staff think that D&Cs are induced abortions when Texas defines abortion as "the act of using or prescribing an instrument, a drug, a medicine, or any other substance, device, or means with the intent to cause the death of an unborn child of a woman known to be pregnant"?
Pray against the biased reporting about maternal deaths in order to advance the pro-abortion agenda.
3. RUSSIAN WOMEN SAY 'NYET!' TO CHILDREN
from: Mercator
For decades, beginning when we were living in Russia, we've seen the danger of and urged people to pray about the lower-than-replacement birth rate in Russia (and elsewhere), mainly due to abortion. Pray with us about this!
4. DEMOGRAPHIC WINTER FOLLOWS THE DECLINE OF THE FAMILY
from: American Life League
SYNOPSIS: A recent Pew Research Center report found that the percentage of adults younger than 50 that say they are very unlikely to ever have children has increased. According to the report, the British fertility rate in 2023 fell to just 1.44 children per woman, far below the 2.1 needed for population replacement. Ever since the pill, legalized abortion, and no-fault divorce, we have witnessed the steady collapse of marriage and family life. Governmental policies and programs alone can't make people value these great goods, especially since the government and its agencies for decades have been the main culprit in creating the problems we currently face through their anti-life and anti-family worldview. It requires husbands and wives, welcoming the gift of life, and accepting that for the rest of their lives, they will be committed to another person; feel their children's sufferings and joys as one's own; and be responsible for their well-being.
Pray that people will comprehend that the purpose of marriage is not merely to legalize having sex, but to provide a stable and nurturing home for raising a family of life-long loving commitment between husband, wife, and children.
5. DISABILITY ADVOCATES SOUND ALARM OVER POSSIBLE MEDICAID CUTS
from: Disability Scoop
SYNOPSIS: With a conservative regime set to assume control in Washington, disability advocates are warning that proposals are in the works to drastically reshape Medicaid and undermine the nation’s system of home and community-based services, which could put at risk the whole home and community-based services infrastructure. Up to now, the federal government has provided matching grants to states to help pay for the cost of care for anyone eligible for Medicaid, no matter how expensive. A survey of hundreds of disability service providers late last year found that pervasive staffing shortages had prompted 77% of providers to say that they were refusing or no longer accepting referrals and 44% to indicate that they had discontinued offerings. “We are gearing up to defend Medicaid from any proposals that would cut services and supports,” said Kim Musheno, vice president of public policy at the Autism Society of America.
Pray that Americans will find the right balance between compassion for the disabled and both personal and national fiscal responsibility, and that Christians will take back their calling to minister to the poor, lame, maimed, and blind.
6. AGEISM IS ONE OF THE LAST SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE PREJUDICES. PSYCHOLOGISTS ARE WORKING TO CHANGE THAT.
from: APA
SYNOPSIS: People of all ages show bias against older adults, though the way they express it changes over their life span. Levy also upends the stereotype that all types of cognitive abilities inevitably worsen with age. But in fact, some functions remain robust and even improve. One study of older adults, for instance, showed they were better than middle-age adults at orienting their attention and ignoring distractions. "Older people tend to report greater happiness and life satisfaction compared to younger people,” he said. But in a recent analysis, economist David Blanchflower took a comprehensive look at data from 145 countries and concluded that, in fact, happiness sinks to a low-water mark in middle age before increasing again through later adulthood.
Pray for people, especially Christians, to stop ignoring the elderly. The Bible contains many commands to honor them, but even politicians ignore this huge voting bloc of seniors: see Why Are Politicians Ignoring The Elderly?
7. WORDS AND PHRASES DOCTORS SHOULD NEVER SAY TO PATIENTS
from: Disabled World
SYNOPSIS: This article provides valuable insights into the importance of language in healthcare settings. It highlights a study that identified specific words and phrases doctors should avoid when communicating with patients, as these can potentially cause harm or distress. The research emphasizes the need for more compassionate and patient-centered communication, which can significantly impact patient outcomes and experiences. By offering concrete examples of problematic language and suggesting alternatives, this study provides practical guidance for healthcare professionals to improve their interactions with patients. This information is particularly useful for medical practitioners, educators, and patients alike, as it promotes better understanding and more effective doctor-patient relationships.
Thank the Lord for people in the medical community becoming sensitive about the words they choose when talking to patients with disabilities. Words can hurt and words can heal.
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Do Boomer Lives Matter to you? These people are the most liable to die from COVID-19 and other maladies. Thank the Lord the pandemic is over! But now we all need to face and deal with a much more serious problem. One thing that's not fading away is many people's ambivalence toward the elderly, sick, and disabled. The 75,000,000 "Baby Boomers" born from 1946 to 1965 in the U.S. are aging, nearly half are disabled, and over 70% (that's 50 million!) will be disabled before they pass away. In my blogs and newsletters over the last few years, I have detailed the bias against them that exists. Here are just a few of these recent articles, as of July 2020:
* WHAT ARE EUTHANASIA AND ASSISTED SUICIDE?
* THE HORRIFIC STORIES BEHIND ASSISTED SUICIDE LAWS
* HOSPICE NURSE OBSERVES ILLEGAL EUTHANASIA IN HOSPICE
* GOSPORT HOSPITAL DEATHS: PRESCRIBED PAINKILLERS 'SHORTENED 456 LIVES'
* INCREASED HARVESTING OF ORGANS FROM EUTHANASIA SIGNALS WORSE HORRORS TO COME: EXPERTS
* DOCTOR WHO PROMOTES 'TERMINAL SEDATION' OF SICK PATIENTS KEYNOTES AT L.A. ARCHDIOCESE END-OF-LIFE CONFERENCE (Read how the terms "hospice" and "palliative care" are being gradually redefined to result in "euthanasia.")
* PORTUGAL MOVES CLOSER TO LEGAL EUTHANASIA
* INDEPENDENT TRIBUNAL FINDS CHINESE REGIME STILL KILLING PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE FOR THEIR ORGANS
* INVESTIGATIVE REPORT: DISABLED & ELDERLY AT 'THE BACK OF THE LINE’ FOR COVID-19 CARE IN AT LEAST 25 STATES
* AFTER FIRST RESPONDERS DON'T COMPLY, NEW YORK RESCINDS DISTURBING 'DO NOT RESUSCITATE' ORDER
* STATES TURNED NURSING HOMES INTO 'SLAUGHTER HOUSES' BY FORCING THEM TO ADMIT DISCHARGED COVID-19 PATIENTS
* TO FACE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019, SURGEONS MUST EMBRACE PALLIATIVE CARE
* #BOOMERREMOVER: TODAY'S EASY FIX
* FOCUSING PUBLIC POLICY ON NURSING HOMES COULD CUT COVID-19 DEATHS BY HALF
* QUESTIONS RAISED ABOUT SWEDEN’S COVID-19 POLICY ON NURSING HOMES
* THE BIAS OF VSL ("VALUE OF A STATISTICAL LIFE") MEASUREMENTS
The very idea of VSL is horrific - that government economists are calculating the Value of a Statistical Life - and then use this as a basis on which to decide who lives and who dies, deciding how much it costs to keep an unborn baby or an elderly or disabled person alive, and if a certain dollar limit is exceeded, that person is aborted or put on "hospice" status and given high doses of morphine or other opiodes leading to death. But it is happening. These articles give ample evidence that a very real movement toward euthanasia, by euphemistically redefining "palliative care", exists in the U.S. and around the world. This is not something we can ignore any longer!
King David felt the pain of being contemptible, forgotten, written off, and even persecuted:
Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in distress. My eye, my soul, and my body waste away with grief. For my life is spent with sorrow, my years with sighing. My strength fails because of my iniquity. My bones are wasted away. Because of all my adversaries I have become utterly contemptible to my neighbors, a fear to my acquaintances. Those who saw me on the street fled from me. I am forgotten from their hearts like a dead man. I am like broken pottery. For I have heard the slander of many, terror on every side, while they conspire together against me, they plot to take away my life. But I trust in You, O Lord. I said, "You are my God." My times are in Your hand. Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me. (Psalm 31:9-15)
Our times should be "in God's hand," not in the hands of those who are trying to save money by deliberately shortening people's lives. Because God created man in His image and likeness, each and every human life is precious and should be.... [read more...]
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