Posted by skintaco at 63.193.89.83 on November 10, 1999 at 18:01:17:
In Reply to: Ooookay.. posted by Mr. Bitter on November 10, 1999 at 16:47:32:
(Ahoy, just thought i'd toss my 2 cents on.)
: Medical science is making breakthroughs everyday which are being stifled by religous groups who subscribe to outdated notions of morality and collective responsibility.
: >>> Which break throughs would these be?? Or is this one of those old wives tales like the car engine that gets one hundred miles to the gallon but is being held back by oil companies. Show me this conspiracy please...
Barb already answered this, but i wanted to mention the case that came to my mind. (I took several classes on japanese culture/history back in college, and this case concerned me).
to state it shortly:
An Eastern religious belief in the sanctity of the body is in direct opposition to the concept of organ transplant (and law and religion is all fucked up/muddled over there, so the procedure is illegal). Thus (love that word!), desperate people have had to go to other countries for their needed transplant and operation. (which no doubt seriously fucked up their lives, and saddens me).
Closer to home...
take a look at the conflicts over cloning and genetic enhancements/therapy (maybe even chemical contraceptives, day after solutions, whatever). I wouldn't say science is necessarily onto a "good" thing there, but i cringe when people argue "it goes against god."
ok, i'm not being as brief as i'd like.
it's odd to battle facts with faith. I think they're different playing fields.
hmmm.
more later.
-warren