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Saturday, April 11. 2009Euthanasia: Why are we more humane to animals than fellow human beings?Some of us have or have had pets, and sometimes those pets got sick. And then, at some point, even if we can afford further treatment, we have to face the decision of whether we are going to continue or not. With pets, we must make the decision without the benefit of knowing their thoughts. We try to decide how much pain they are in and whether it is worth it for them to continue, or whether it is time that they would be better off to have their suffering stopped. With humans, we are often in the same position - but other times, we do know what they are going through because they are conscious and telling us. And sometimes, what they are telling us is that they have had enough. Continue reading "Euthanasia: Why are we more humane to animals than fellow human beings?" Thursday, April 02. 2009Jehovah's Witnesses - a perfect religion?Merriam-Webster definitions of religion (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religion) include this one: "a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith" and this one: "commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance". Of the mainstream Christian religions, none actually satisfy these definitions due to the lack of ardor and devotion in a large number of their followers. Sunday Catholics and Protestants are a majority of people attending church - they do out of habit, or fear, or to be part of the community, or to give their kids something to believe in while they grow up. Mainstream theologians discuss the relevance of faith and church in the modern world, but there are religions which seem to be somewhat immune to that loss of relevance. It seems that "commitment or devotion" is largely limited to the less-popular Christian sects. None are as visible as the Witnesses - they are seemingly everywhere, aiming to talk to you about salvation, or offering you a copy of the Watchtower, or knocking on your door. Most people consider them a nuisance (which they often are when you are rushing for a train or trying to enjoy your time off at home), but their "commitment or devotion" is unquestionable. Continue reading "Jehovah's Witnesses - a perfect religion?" Wednesday, April 01. 2009Smoking - a successful prohibitionI am a smoker. As a newspaper once described a local judge, an "unrepentant" one. I have quit a few times (for a few months each time) but my heart was never really there - I quit out of fear, or because I felt I needed to. Us smokers are a rare bunch now. We are being ostracized, denied accommodation, required to go through immigration procedures when we do not want to immigrate (Heathrow has no smoking areas now and you need a visa to have a smoke after a transatlantic flight), all in the name of our health and the health of others. Not that it is truly working to accomplish the stated goal of having a healthier population - as the smoking rates continue to go down, cancer rates continue to go up (http://www.lcolby.com/b-chap4.htm is a good summary of official data). But in a way, it is very effective - as a functional prohibition. After all, smokers are now in a small minority and getting smaller. Continue reading "Smoking - a successful prohibition" Sunday, March 29. 2009Saturday, March 28. 2009"Less-lethal" weapons - are they really the best option?Tasers are getting a lot of coverage these days, following a number of well-publicised deaths following their use. There is no question that being tasered is less likely to kill you than a shot in the head, but is there a safer alternative which would be as effective? Continue reading ""Less-lethal" weapons - are they really the best option?" |
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