This is Viewpoints for Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015

Regarding Faria’s latest submission

Dismantling Christianity and Western civilization and replacing them with what?” by Miguel Faria, M.D., published in The Telegraph Sunday. I guess Dr. Miguel Faria would consider me a member of the “bioethics movement” since I have been involved as a practicing pediatrician in bioethical discussions and proceedings in the Medical Center since 1970s. I’ve witnessed the transformation of medical care from a paternalistic, physician-dominated, patient-in-the-fog decision process into a family centered, multidisciplinary discussion of the difficult ethics about difficult issues involving newborns, children and adults.

Working in the trenches, a bioethics committee deals with the clash between the miracles that some think medicine can effect and the realities of life’s limits. All is wrapped in patient autonomy and dignity, health care economics, racism, mistrust of the medical profession, religious conviction, on and on. The bioethics committee deals with real people with real problems with the whole process usually infused with a large dose of human tragedy. Subjecting this difficult work to Faria’s polarized, Ayn Rand philosophical interpretation and labeling is totally disconnected from the real life situations with which patients and families and we must contend.

Our job in bioethics is to hear out the scenario, clarify the issues, establish lines of communication, educate as to process. We do not declare right and wrong and are not a “death panel” but occasionally, when appropriate or asked, do provide advice and/or opinion during a decision process by parents or family in a very difficult, often futile situation with no good answers. I think I speak for many who do this work in saying we resent Faria’s apparent conclusion and labeling of what we do as anti-American and sacrilegious.

As for his fear of “the moral, economic and financial collapse of America” and our impending subjugation by China, hmmm ... In simple terms, look at what’s happening as I write: China’s “economic hegemony” in dire straights with the brightest beacon in a nervous global economy appearing to be the U.S.A. Not bad for a dying society. And, to paraphrase the Blues Brothers, “everyone in the world is trying to get into a pair of genuine American blue jeans.”

As for the dismantling of Christianity by secular humanists, I think Christianity has endured far greater threats and persecution than what Faria perceives as active today in America. I think Faria would probably label me a secular humanist. But, I attend First Baptist Church of Christ most Sundays and am a Christian. Can I be a secular humanist and a Christian? That’s up to the amateur philosophers to decide, but I do believe Jesus Christ is an impeccable role model and the way I have chosen to conduct my life.

I also believe in science and the scientific method. Do I have faith as a Christian in things I don’t understand and are totally irrational, like the resurrection? Yes. Do I have doubt? Yes. To me faith, like science, must always contend with doubt, but I’ll stick with the New Testament and my role model and see what happens. Maybe my “moral fiber” and “intellectual fortitude” will prevail.

— Lowell Clark, M.D.

Children’s Hospital Navicent Health

Associate professor of Pediatrics

Mercer University School of Medicine

Congratulations

On behalf of the State Bar of Georgia, I would like to congratulate Tomeika Daniel, supervising attorney at the Macon regional office of the Georgia Legal Services Program, on receiving two recent awards for outstanding commitment and service.

Daniel received the Bensonetta Tipton Lane Award for Commitment to the Family, presented by the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys during the organization’s recent Founders’ Awards ceremony. The honor signifies the use of professional and personal leadership to strengthen the community through family and child-related programs and initiatives.

She also received a Women of Achievement Award, presented by the Georgia Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs during its 97th annual conference. Daniel was honored for her work on teen dating violence education.

All Georgia lawyers are proud of our colleague’s well-deserved statewide recognition. We further salute the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys and the Georgia Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs for all of their efforts toward the betterment of our state.

— Robert J. Kauffman

President, State Bar of Georgia

Turn from sin

America has been called the “Land of the free and the home of the brave.” Called so, because of the courage, sacrifice and patriotism of those keeping our land free. And, the foundation of freedom laid by the early patriots. But, a government is only as good as its people. If the people are corrupt, so is the government. In the last 70 years, our nation has been on a moral decline. Many of us have seen it in our lifetimes. The diversions of the Rock and Roll era, which further weakened the family structure, weakened by World War II. The assault on the Holy Bible, which abolished morality in and out of the classrooms.

Piece by piece, we have seen Western civilization crumble. To fill the vacuum, multiculturalism and human theories have taken over. We can see the fruits of past decisions in the big cities and by the silence of people lulled to sleep by amusements and pleasure. All this has smothered the flame of pure religion, opening the door to the enemies of God and freedom.

William Penn wrote, “Those people who are not governed by God, will be ruled by tyrants.” In other words, if a people will not acknowledge God as their highest authority and live accordingly, there is no other way, but tyranny. Without God, man’s wisdom and rule will lead to chaos. For, man was made to serve God. The great men who laid down their lives and fortunes to win our Independence, knew this well. Real freedom, a freedom from the source of sin, comes from God. And, unless we return to this “old time religion” that saves from sin, we will not continue to be a free nation.

— Dwight Poole

Hawkinsville

Eighteen trillion reasons

The Telegraph ran a wire report in Thursday’s paper about Trump dismissing a Latino reporter because he wouldn’t answer about deporting millions of illegals. Anyone who saw the news conference knows that was a lie and I expect The Telegraph to do a better job in running reports that are biased or incorrect.

The Univision reporter showed his lack of respect by continually interrupting Trump while he was answering other questions from reporters that were called on. I guess he thinks it’s alright to jump ahead of people since he defends the millions on illegals running ahead of the people who have put in their legal paperwork. The reporter wasn’t dismissed he was physically removed.

Showing he was the better man, the reporter was allowed to come back and ask any question he wanted to. Trump is not afraid to take questions and interviews with any of the major news stations. Not like lying Hillary trying to avoid any confrontation with conservative news reporters. Speaking of Hillary, the removed reporter’s (Jorge Ramos) daughter works for her.

I can think of 18 trillion reasons why Trump calls these people bimbos, incompetent, weak, pathetic and disgusting.

— Larry Damron

Byron

This story was originally published September 3, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015 ."